The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) urges qualifying low-income residents to apply for Lifeline Telephone Assistance. Lifeline assistance makes basic local telephone service more affordable for income-eligible families across Ohio. Those who qualify could receive discounts for monthly telephone bills and/or installation costs of telephone service. Wireless and broadband providers also offer Lifeline.

Am I eligible?

You may qualify for Lifeline if your household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

You may also qualify if you participate in one of the following programs:

• Medicaid
   
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
   
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
   
• Public Housing Assistance/Section 8
   
• Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension

A Lifeline eligibility pre-screening tool is available at www.lifelinesupport.org.

Are there any restrictions?

Lifeline benefits may be applied to only one type of service – landline, wireless or broadband – and are limited to one line per household. Customers receiving lifeline benefits must also reverify their eligibility annually.  Other restrictions may apply. Check with your broadband provider for Lifeline availability. 

 What is the Minimum Service Standards?

Updated as of December 1, 2020 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Life Modernization Order, the minimum service standards for Lifeline are below:

What are the benefits? How do I apply?

Eligible low-income customers receive a monthly discount of $5.25 on basic local landline telephone service until Dec. 1, 2022, waiver of installation charges, waiver of deposit fees, optional toll blocking at no charge and optional 900/976 blocking at no charge. Wireless carrier plans also include a $5.25 monthly discount for qualified customers. Contact your local landline or wireless phone company at the numbers listed below and ask to apply for Lifeline. If you have any questions or have a complaint about Lifeline, please contact the PUCO at (800) 686-7826.