About the Federal Lifeline program
Consolidated Communications offers the Lifeline Program for eligible low-income residential subscribers at their primary residence. The Lifeline Program is a government benefit program administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
Qualifying services
Eligible subscribers can apply a monthly federal Lifeline discount of up to $9.25 to a voice service OR a qualifying internet service. Subscribers on qualifying Tribal lands may receive an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month, plus up to $100 toward first-time connection charges. In some states, an additional monthly voice discount is also available.
Toll blocking
Eligible subscribers who apply the Federal Lifeline discount to their voice service may also qualify for free toll blocking to help control long distance usage. This prevents long distance calls from being placed, helping you avoid unexpected charges on your bill.
Only one Lifeline discount is available per household on either a wireless or wireline qualifying service. A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. The Lifeline benefit is non-transferable. The Lifeline benefit is non-transferable. Visit Universal Service Administrative Co. at lifelinesupport.org more information on the Federal Lifeline Program.
How to apply
Follow these steps to apply for the Lifeline discount and add it to your Consolidated account.
Check eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements to confirm you qualify based on household income or participation in a qualifying assistance program.
Submit your application
Apply online through the National Verifier or complete a paper application and mail it to USAC with proof of eligibility.
Add it to your account
After your application is approved by USAC, call us to apply the Lifeline discount to your Consolidated account.
Learn more or get help
Visit the official Lifeline website for full program details, or call us at 1.844.968.7224 for help applying the discount to your account.
Telecommunications Relay Services
Relay services allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have a speech disability to communicate by telephone. These services are available at no additional charge.
711 Relay
Dial 711 from any phone to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service. A trained communications assistant will relay the conversation between you and the person you're calling. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
State relay programs
Many states offer additional relay programs and equipment distribution. Contact your state's public utilities commission or visit the FCC's relay services page for details about programs available in your area.
State-level assistance programs
California LifeLine Program
The California LifeLine program provides discounts on basic residential voice telephone service charges for low-income Californians. California LifeLine is a discount program provided by the local telephone companies, such as CCI, and sponsored by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”).
Other benefits include the availability of free toll blocking and no charge for the monthly Federal Subscriber Line Charge. Further, the Federal Universal Service Fee, CPUC User Fee, state surcharges and fees, and certain taxes do not apply to California LifeLine service. However, any other CCI products or services will be charged at the regular rate. Although CCI does not offer California LifeLine program discounts and benefits for Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) service, customers may qualify for a discount on VoIP service under the Federal Lifeline program. If your household qualifies for California LifeLine, you are entitled to the following:
Service Description Rate Flat-Rate Local
Telephone ServiceUnlimited local calls. Monthly: pay no more than ½ of CCI’s standard rate for flat-rate local telephone service. Service Connection
and Service
ConversionFor initiation of telephone service, or change of class/type/grade of service. Non-recurring: the lower of $10 or 1/2 of CCI's connection/ conversion charge for residential telephone service. How Do I Qualify for California Lifeline Service?
To receive the California LifeLine Program discount, residential customers must establish the eligibility of their household. For information on eligibility requirements for the California LifeLine discount, please visit https://www.californialifeline.com/en/eligibility_requirements.
How Do I Apply
If you think you qualify for California LifeLine, please contact CCI, toll-free at 1.844.968.7224. Your telephone discount will begin when you enroll at CCI. The California LifeLine program will verify your eligibility. If your eligibility is not approved, you will lose your California LifeLine discount and will be required to pay back any prior discounts.
EXISTING CALIFORNIA LIFELINE CUSTOMERS: If you are an existing California LifeLine customer, the California LifeLine Program, an agent of the CPUC, will conduct your annual verification. About three months prior to your California LifeLine anniversary date, a verification form will be mailed to you directly from the California LifeLine Program, not from CCI. The forms must be returned by the due date. If you have questions about your next re-certification, call toll-free at 1.844.968.7224 on regular business days. For more information, you may also visit www.californialifeline.com.
California Relay Service (CRS) - 711
What is California Relay Service (CRS)?
CRS is a public service which guarantees all citizens access to prompt, professional and accurate communication through the telephone. Consumers of these specialized services, specifically individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or have difficulty speaking, can communicate on the telephone via TTY/TDD, Voice Carry Over (VCO), Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Speech-to-Speech (STS), Spanish and Captioned Telephone in order to connect with family, friends or businesses with ease.How does Relay work?
Simply dial 711 or the appropriate toll-free number provided on the back of this insert to connect with CRS. A qualified Communication Assistant (CA) will ask for the area code and number of the person you wish to call and begin the relay call. Generally, the CA will voice the typed message from the text telephone (TDD/TTY) user to you. The CA relays your voiced message by typing it to the TDD/TTY user.Captioned Telephone (CTS)
Captioned Telephone is ideal for individuals with hearing loss who are able to speak for themselves. A captioned telephone works like any other telephone with an essential difference: it allows users to listen to their phone conversations while reading word-forword captions of what’s said to them. To call a Captioned Telephone user, dial: 711 or 877-243-2823.How do I apply for specialized equipment?
The California Telecommunications Access Program offers free amplified phones, TTYs, Voice Carry Over (VCO) phones, Captioned Telephones and other equipment to eligible individuals in California who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or have difficulty speaking. For more information, visit http://ddtp.cpuc.ca.gov or call 800-806-1191 (voice) or 800-806-4474 (TTY).Access Numbers:
Dial 711 or
English TTY/Voice: 800-855-7100
Spanish TTY/Voice: 800-855-7200
Speech-to-Speech: 800-855-7300
Visually Assisted STS: 800-855-7400Customer Care:
English TTY/Voice: 877-632-9095
Spanish TTY/Voice: 887-419-8440
california@hamiltonrelay.com
www.ca-relay.comThere is no charge to access California Relay, although standard long distance charges apply.
Universal Telephone Assistance Corporation (UTAC)
The principal purpose of UTAC is to oversee the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program (UTSAP) in Illinois, which administers the Illinois Link-Up program.
Thousands of households in Illinois do not have local telephone service. You can help change that for someone who is struggling every day in your community. The UTSAP is funded by voluntary contributions from Illinois ratepayers. Customers wishing to participate in the funding of UTSAP may do so by electing to contribute, on a monthly basis, a fixed amount to be included by Consolidated Communications on your monthly telephone bill.
Simply fill out the form and specify the amount you would like to give each month—50¢, $1, $2 or as much as $5. Your contribution will be supplemented by federal funds to help provide phone service for individuals and families who could not otherwise afford it.
Link-Up
Link-Up provides additional benefits by offering the lesser of a $35 or 50% discount off the cost of installing new telephone service to eligible Illinois households. Eligibility requirements are the same as for the Federal Lifeline program.
Visit Link-Up Illinois website for more information on UTAC.
Illinois Relay Services - 711
Hearing persons who use a standard voice telephone and those who are deaf or hearing-impaired and use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf can now communicate with each other over the telephone, thanks to the Illinois Relay Service. The Illinois Relay Service is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week service provided in cooperation with the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corp (ITAC).
Specially trained operators relay conversations between TTY users and standard voice telephone users. All calls made through the Illinois Relay Center are kept strictly confidential. A special feature, known as “voice carryover” makes it possible for a deaf or hard-of-hearing caller with good speech skills to talk directly to the hearing caller. With this feature, the relay operator types only the hearing caller’s voice response back to the TTY caller. Callers can contact the Illinois Relay Center by dialing 711 or calling a toll-free 800 number.
- TTY Callers 1.800.526.0844
- Voice Callers 1.800.526.0857
- TTY Users (Spanish) 1.800.501.0864
- Voice Users (Spanish) 1.800.501.0865
- VCO (Voice Carryover) 1.877.826.1130
- Speech to Speech 1.877.526.6690
- ASCII 1.877.526.6680
- Telebraille Users 1.877.526.6670
For EMERGENCIES, you should continue to use 9-1-1 or appropriate local emergency agencies in areas where 9-1-1 is not in service. To access relay services in another state, dial 711. If that doesn’t work, directory assistance should have each state’s number.
Hearing-Impaired Services
Consolidated Communications offers special discounts and exemptions from charges for the hearing-impaired or blind.- If you are blind and can’t look up numbers in the directory because of this, you may not have to pay for calls to the local Directory Assistance operator.
- If you use a TTY, you may be eligible for special rates on long distance calls that you dial yourself to phone numbers within your LATA. Calls made during the day are billed at evening rates, and calls made in the evening are billed at the night rate.
To qualify, ask a physician, audiologist, speech pathologist or a representative of an appropriate agency to sign a form stating that you need the TTY to communicate over the phone lines. For more information on these services, call your Consolidated Communications Customer Service Representative at 1.866.989.2255 or visit the Illinois Relay Service website at http://illinoisrelay711.com.
You can reach Consolidated Communications on your TTY to establish or change your service, answer questions about billing, repair or other matters by calling 1.800.526.0844. You can reach the TTY operator to help in making local, long distance, collect, calling card, third-number, Directory Assistance or other operator-assisted calls, or to receive assistance if you are cut off, by calling 1.800.526.0844. If you or someone you know could benefit from these special services, call ITAC at 1.800.841.6167.
Braille Directories
The National Braille Press has developed an area code directory and a consumer resource guide in Braille. The books can be ordered by calling 1.800.548.7323, sending an email to orders@nbp.org or by writing to the National Braille Press, Inc., 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115.
Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP)
Are you having problems paying your telephone bill? The Minnesota Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) may help. This program provides eligible Minnesota subscribers with a monthly $10.00 credit on the voice service of the telephone bill. The credit is applicable on the home telephone number listed in the applicant’s name and is limited to one benefit per household.
The Program is available to eligible Minnesota subscribers in these locations: Blue Earth County, North Mankato, Nicollet, St. Peter, Waseca, Janesville, Faribault, Ellendale and New Richland.
Am I Eligible for TAP?
Applicant must be the responsible party for telephone service and has the same eligibility requirements as the Federal Lifeline Program (please see above for eligibility requirements).
How Do I Apply?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, complete and sign the application form, attach proof of eligibility and mail to Consolidated Communications.
- Application for Blue Earth County and North Mankato: English application form (PDF) or Spanish application form (PDF)
- Application for Nicollet, St. Peter, Waseca, Janesville, Faribault, Ellendale and New Richland: application form (PDF)
Could I Become Ineligible?
When you no longer participate in any of the qualifying programs, or your income increases, you are no longer eligible for these discounts. You are obligated by law to notify Consolidated Communications and the credits will be removed from your account.
Visit the MN Public Utilities Commission website for more information.
Minnesota Relay - 711
Having trouble using the telephone due to a hearing or speech disability?
Just dial 7-1-1 to make a Minnesota Relay call. Once connected to the relay service, tell the Communications Assistant (CA) the type of relay call you wish to make. Or, dial the specific toll free number for the type of relay call you wish to make.
For More Information on Minnesota Relay Services: www.mnrelay.org or 1-800-657-3775 (voice/TTY)
Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
The TED Program provides free specialized telecommunications equipment to income eligible Minnesotans who are having trouble using the telephone due to a hearing, speech or physical disability. For information on the TED Program go to MN Department of Human Services website.
Missouri Disabled Program
Consumers meeting certain eligibility criteria are able to receive a $24.00 monthly discount for residential voice telephony service through the Missouri Disabled Program. To apply, complete this form and submit proof of eligibility.
Pennsylvania Relay (711) & Equipment Distribution
Pennsylvania Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)
TRS Allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled to communicate with anyone using a regular telephone. This is done by using a keyboard machine called a text telephone (TTY) to send messages over the telephone network. A Communications Assistant (CA) reads the typed message of the TTY user to the person using a regular telephone. The CA then types the response of the regular telephone user to the TTY user. All calls are handled with strictest confidentiality.Dial 7-1-1 or call one of the toll-free numbers below:
TTY: 800-654-5984
Voice: 800-654-5988
Speech-to-Speech: 844-308-9292
Spanish: 844-308-9291If you are traveling out of State or you are in a State that is not served by Hamilton Relay, you can place interstate calls by calling:
TTY: 800-833-5833 (toll-free)
Voice: 800-833-7833 (toll-free)Equipment Distribution
Pennsylvanians with disabilities may qualify for telecommunication devices to help them use telephone services.Devices available include the following: amplified phones, TTYs, Voice Carry Over (VCO) phones, Captioned Telephones and other equipment. For a complete list of the devices available and to obtain information on applying for the program contact:
TDDP Program Coordinator
Telecommunication Device Distribution Program
A program of Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)
1755 N. 13th Street
Student Center, Room 411S
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Voice: 800-204-7428 (press 2 for TDDP)
TTY: 866-268-0579
Email: TDDP@temple.eduFor more information about the Pennsylvania TDDP or to download an application form, please visit http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/tddp/
To learn more about PA TRS and 711, you can go to http://www.hamiltonrelay.com/state_711_relay/state.html
A note to all PA Relay Users: 7-1-1 is only to be used to reach the PA TRS. For EMERGENCIES you should continue to use 9-1-1.
Texas Lifeline Program
The Texas Lifeline program is designed to help qualified low-income individuals pay the monthly cost of basic telephone service. This program provides a $4.80 credit off basic monthly telephone service rates.
If no one claims the customer as a dependent on their Federal Income Tax (unless they are 60 or older), the customer can qualify for Lifeline if their annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; or the customer, one or more of the customer’s dependents, or the customer’s household receives benefits from one of the following federal assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- National School Free Lunch Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Healthy benefits coverage from the Child Health Plan under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code (CHIP)
In addition, a customer must not already be receiving a Lifeline service discount, and there must not be anyone else in the household subscribed to a Lifeline service. Each qualifying household may only claim one discount from a single service provider. Lifeline service is non-transferable and other service restrictions may apply.
The reduced rate will apply only to basic telephone service. You may have optional telephone services such as Call Waiting or Caller ID. However, the reduced rate does not apply to these services or any other charges, such as installation, long distance, equipment, etc. Other service restrictions may apply.
For more information or to apply for the Lifeline, please call the Low Income Discount Administrator directly at 1.866.454.8387.
Para revisar esta informacion en Español, pro favor pongase en contacto con Servicios al Cliente al 844.YOUR.CCI (844.968.7224).
Relay Texas (711)
Relay Texas is a service available to customers who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired. 7-1-1 was implemented as a means to access Relay Texas. The implementation of 7-1-1 will supplement access to the Texas Relay System and will not replace or change the existing 800 access number for voice or TTY (text telephone) users.
How does 7-1-1 work?
By simply dialing 7-1-1, both hearing and deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech-impaired users can initiate a Relay Texas call. Specially trained operators of the Relay Texas team answer the calls to the Relay Center and relay the conversation between the two parties by using equipment that enables them to hear the voice user and read signals from the TTY user. All calls are handled with strict confidentiality.
- No extra charge for service
- Calls placed within Texas are billed at discounted rates
- Long distance calls through Relay Texas are billed through Sprint
To learn more about Relay Texas:
- Contact the Relay Texas office at 1-800-676-3777 (TTY/VOICE) or www.relaytexas.com
- Contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 1-888-282-8477, ext. 7425 (TTY/VOICE) or 512-936-7425 or email at relaytx@puc.texas.gov or visit the Public Utilities Commission of Texas website
Frequently asked questions
The Lifeline Program is a federal benefit program administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that provides a monthly discount on qualifying voice or internet service for eligible low-income households. The program helps ensure that all Americans have access to affordable communications services.
The federal Lifeline discount provides up to $9.25 per month off qualifying voice or internet service. Eligible subscribers on qualifying Tribal lands may receive an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month, plus up to $100 toward first-time connection charges. In some states, an additional monthly voice discount is also available.
No. Eligible subscribers can apply the monthly federal Lifeline discount to either a voice service OR a qualifying internet service, but not both. You choose which service to apply it to.
No. Only one Lifeline discount is available per household on either a wireless or wireline qualifying service. A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.
You cannot receive more than one Lifeline discount. If you currently receive a Lifeline discount from another provider (such as a wireless carrier), you must give up that discount before applying it to your Consolidated service.
You may qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Income eligibility is calculated based on total household income before taxes. Current income thresholds and full details are available at lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify.
Yes. Lifeline subscribers must recertify their eligibility each year to continue receiving the benefit. USAC will contact you when it's time to recertify. Failure to recertify will result in removal from the program.
Eligible Lifeline subscribers who apply the discount to voice service may also qualify for free toll blocking. Toll blocking prevents long distance calls from being placed from your line, helping you control your phone bill and avoid unexpected charges.
Yes. Under the Safe Connections Act, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes may qualify for discounted phone, internet, or bundled services through Lifeline. Survivors experiencing financial hardship can qualify through standard Lifeline requirements or through additional eligibility paths including income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, enrollment in WIC, or enrollment in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast program. Privacy protections apply, and eligible survivors can receive up to 6 months of emergency Lifeline support.
Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the Lifeline discount can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.