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Lifeline Discount Telephone Assistance

To ensure that telephone service is available and affordable for low income telephone subscribers, the Federal Communications Commission established the Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program. Administered by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, the Lifeline program reduces the monthly local service portion of your telephone bill. Lifeline does not assist with the long distance portion of your bill or with special features such as Caller ID or Call Waiting.

Who is eligible for Lifeline?

You qualify if you are enrolled in ONE of the following public assistance programs: Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Free Lunch Program or live in Section 8 federal housing. (Section 8 only. HUD and other federal programs may not automatically qualify).

Applying for Lifeline

There are two ways to apply.

  • If you receive one of any of the available public assistance programs mentioned above, call your local telecommunications service provider or telephone company. If your provider is participating in the Lifeline program, they will provide you with an application or request proof that you receive one of the benefits mentioned above.

    • OR...

  • If you "DO NOT" receive public assistance, you may qualify if your total household gross monthly income is equal or less than the amounts found in the Gross Monthly Income table (bottom of page).

Note: Lifeline Program Restrictions

Lifeline can only be applied to one "wireline" or "wireless"telephone per household, and it can only be used for the primary telephone line. You must establish telephone service prior to applying for the Lifeline discount. The name on the telephone bill must match the name of the household member participating in the eligible program. A violation of the one-per- household requirement would constitute a violation of the Federal Communications Commission's rules and result in the consumer's de-enrollment from the program, and potentially, prosecution by the United States government.

Lifeline Application

Click here to start the process. TRA Lifeline Application The application is an Adobe PDF document (Adobe Reader can be downloaded free of charge from Adobe's web site.). Print the TRA application, fill it out, attach proof of your total gross monthly income, and mail it to:

Tennessee Regulatory Authority
Consumer Services Division
460 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0505
1-800-342-8359 (voice)
1-888-276-0677 (TTY)
615-741-8953 (fax)

Gross Monthly Income Table Use To Qualify Based On Income

# of Household Members *Monthly Income
135% of the Federal Poverty Level
1 $1,293
2 1,745
3 2,197
4 2,649
5 3,102
for each additional person add 452

* BASED ON THE 2013 FEDERAL REGISTER FOR POVERTY LEVEL INCOME STANDARDS (PLIS).

The TRA encourages qualifying Tennessee residents to apply for the Lifeline telephone assistance program and take advantage of the available discount. For more information concerning the TRA's telephone assistance programs, please contact the TRA at 1-800-342-8359.