Vermont offers two programs to help make telephone service more affordable for households with low income.

1. Lifeline Telephone Service Credit - help with the ongoing cost of phone service.
2. Link-Up Vermont - help getting phone service connected.

Lifeline Telephone Service Credit

The Lifeline Telephone Service Credit offers eligible Vermonters a discount of at least $13.00 off their monthly phone bills.

Who is Eligible?

There are two ways you can be eligible for the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit:

1. Based on Your Income.

You are eligible if you live in Vermont, have Vermont telephone service, and:

• You will be 65 or older on June 15, 2010 and your 2009 household income was less than $25,498;
• You will be younger than 65 on June 15, 2010 and your 2009 household income was less than $21,855. 

2. Based on the Benefits you Receive.

You are eligible for the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit if you receive Reach Up, 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, or certain health insurance benefits from the Economic Services Division (ESD). Please call ESD at 1-800-479-6151 to find out if the benefits you receive make you automatically eligible.

How do I Apply? 

• If you are applying based on your income:
  Complete the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit Application Form that comes in the Vermont Income Tax forms package. You can also download it from the Vermont Department of Taxes website. To be considered for credit this year, you must mail your completed application form to the Vermont Department of Taxes on or before June 15, 2010.  You must reapply each year.
   
• If you are applying based on the benefits you receive:
  You do not need to complete an application form. Simply call the Economic Services Division at 1-800-479-6151 to enroll. Once you are enrolled, you will keep getting the credit for as long as you continue to receive one or more of the benefits listed above.

Do all Telephone Companies Participate in the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit?

No. Only the following companies offer the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit: Fairpoint Communications, Franklin Telephone, Fairpoint/Northland Telephone, Shoreham Telephone, Sovernet, TDS Telecom, Topsham Telephone, Vermont Telephone, and Waitsfield/Champlain Valley Telecom. Other companies may offer a Lifeline Telephone Service Credit; however, they are not required to do so and they do not get reimbursed for their costs. 

Note: Lifeline Telephone Service Credit is not currently offered for cell phone service.

When does the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit Begin?

If you are applying based on benefits, it may take up to three (3) months for the discount to appear on your phone bill. If you are applying based on income, it may take up to six (6) months.
 

Link-Up Vermont

If you don't have phone service or you are moving and requesting phone service in your new home, the Link-Up Vermont Program can cut the cost of getting your phone service connected in half, up to a maximum benefit of $30.

Who is Eligible?

You are eligible for Link-Up if you are eligible for the Lifeline Telephone Service Credit as the two programs have the same eligibility criteria. This means that once you are qualified for Lifeline, you will automatically receive the Link-Up discount. The Department for Children and Families will provide your telephone company with confirmation of your eligibility.

For More Information

We now have an automated Benefits Service Center you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-479-6151 toll free to:

• Get general information about Lifeline & Link-Up, as well as other programs;
• Get specific information about your case, including the status of your application and benefit details;and
• Speak to a Customer Service Agent — weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Additional Resources

For information about programs that can help Vermonters with disabilities to stay connected to phone system, visit the Vermont Department of Public Service's website.