Federal Lifeline Program

The Federal Lifeline Program provides a monthly discount for telephone services to low-income customers. Eligible customers will receive a monthly discount on a phone line with unlimited local calling, a waived deposit for telephone service if the customer elects toll restriction/ toll blocking and the federal access charge will be waived.

Assistance is available for one telephone line per eligible household. A household is everyone (including children and people who are not related to you) who lives in your home and shares income and household expenses.

To be eligible for assistance:

An applicant, a dependent of the applicant or someone in the applicant’s household must participate in one of the following assistance programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension benefit
• Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands
• Household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Your household gross annual income does not exceed the values in the following table.

NT&T is eligible to participate in the federal lifeline assistance program for customers serviced in Nebraska.

Customers who wish to apply for Lifeline will need to apply through the National Verifier by using the consumer portal or by submitting a paper application directly to the Lifeline Support Center.

Online Form:  Customer Portal

If you use the online form, be sure to have documents of your eligibility ready for upload. You will be told your eligibility results for the Lifeline discount within a few minutes of completing the online form.

Paper Application: National Verifier Lifeline Application

If you use the paper application, please return completed forms along with copies of eligibility documentation to the Lifeline National Verifier at the address provided on the application. It may take up to 10 days for the Lifeline National Verifier to receive, review and reply to your request for approval. Provided documentation will not be returned.

Once you are approved for Lifeline by the National Verifier, please contact NT&T at 877-537-4403 to request the Lifeline discount. You will be asked for the following information to allow NT&T to find you in the National Verifier database.

• Your first and last name
• The first and last name of the person qualified for Lifeline
• Your date of birth
• The date of birth of the person qualified for lifeline
• The last four of your social security number
• The last four of the social security number of the person qualified for lifeline

Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program (NTAP)

How to Qualify

The Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program (NTAP also known nationally as the Lifeline Program) assists qualifying low-income individuals with keeping telephone services affordable by lowering monthly service rates. Individuals can qualify for NTAP by participating in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Pension Benefit/Survivors Pension Benefit, Federal Public Housing, or if household income is at or below 135 percent of the poverty level.

How Do I Apply?

Customers who reside in Nebraska are required to fill out the Citizen Attestation form. The form requires a statement attesting the customer is either a citizen of the United States or is qualified to receive the NTAP/Lifeline benefit. The form can be accessed by clicking on the link below. The form must be completed and submitted via email to psc.ntap@nebraska.gove or mailed to the address on the Attestation form before submitting the National Verifier Lifeline application.

Nebraska Citizen Attestation Form

For more information on the Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program, please visit the Nebraska Public Service Commission website by click on the following links:

Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Telephone Assistance Program

Having trouble paying your bill? If you are a low-income household or are enrolled in government programs, like SNAP or Medical Assistance, you qualify for the Minnesota Telephone Assistance plan.

How to Qualify

Minnesota Telephone Discounts provide affordable telephone service to low-income consumers. The discounts help you stay connected with jobs, family, and emergency services.  The TAP discount is $7.00 per month. Individuals can qualify by showing proof someone in your household participates in one of these qualifying programs. –Federal Public Housing Assistance Medical Assistance (MA) – Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit or show proof your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Minnesota Telephone Discounts are available for one service per household. Telephone service must be in your name.

How Do I Apply?

• Complete and sign the TAP application
• Attach proof of participation in one of the qualifying programs or proof of income to your application.
• Mail the TAP application and documents to: NT&T 2308 S. 156^th Circle, Omaha, NE 68130 or fax to 877-537-4398.

For more information on the Minnesota Telephone Assistance Program, please visit the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website by click on the following links:

Minnesota Telephone Assistance Program