Lifeline

Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission program which offers qualified low income households a discount on their basic monthly residential telephone service.  Lifeline service gives you unlimited local calls with a Monthly Recurring Charge of $1.00.  Long Distance calls will be provided through a Long Distance provider at additional charges.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

Program based eligibility:

• Medicaid (note:  This is not the same as Medicare)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance/Section 8
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program
• Tribal-Specific programs:
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
  • Headstart (note:  Only Tribal and income qualifying eligibility provisions only)

Income based eligibility:

Are there any restrictions?
Lifeline can only be used for the primary telephone line in a household. You may purchase additional services available to a non-Lifeline customer. You must establish phone service prior to applying for the Lifeline discount. The name on the phone bill must match the name of the household member participating on the eligible program with the exception of the National School Lunch free Program.

How do I apply?
To apply for Lifeline services call Bush-Tell, Inc. at (907) 675-4311.

What proof of eligibility do I need to provide?
You will be asked for proof of your eligibility by submitting a form signed under penalty of perjury that you receive benefits from or a copy of any dated document which verifies  our participation in one of the qualifying programs listed above. Proof of total household income may be required for income based qualification. Your Lifeline benefits will take effect when proof of eligibility is received.

How do I continue to receive Lifeline benefits?
Eligibility is reviewed each year. Your benefits will be discontinued when you no longer meet the eligibility requirements or when proof of eligibility is not received. Customers who are no longer eligible for Lifeline benefits must notify their service provider. Being a Lifeline or Link Up customer does not protect you from being disconnected if you fail to pay your telephone bill. Lifeline and Link Up discounts cannot be applied to an outstanding balance owed to your phone company.

Link Up

Link Up helps households reduce the cost of initiating telephone service. This program pays some of the cost of connecting local telephone service to your home. However. Link Up does not cover the cost of wiring inside your home.

How much will l save?
Bush-Tell, Inc. will waive the entire installation / activation charges for all new customers who qualify for the Link Up discount.

How do I know if l am eligible?
lf you qualify for Lifeline, you also qualify for Link Up.

Are there any restrictions?
You must provide proof of eligibility before telephone service can be activated. Link Up can only be used for the charges for activating a primary telephone line or moving existing service to a new address. Charges related to wiring and telephone jacks within your home and wireless handsets are not eligible for the Link Up discount.

How do I apply?
To apply for Link up you will follow the same application process as Lifeline and the same proof of eligibility as Lifeline. Being a Lifeline or Link Up customer does not protect you from being disconnected if you fail to pay your telephone bill. Lifeline and Link Up discounts cannot be applied to an outstanding balance owed to your phone company.  Lifeline can only be applied to one wireless OR wire line telephone per household.