Crookston, MINN— The week of September 14th is National Lifeline Awareness Week, and Representative Deb Kiel (R-Crookston) is encouraging eligible Minnesotans in her district to apply for telephone service discounts through Lifeline and the Minnesota Telephone Assistance Program (TAP).
"Basic telephone service in rural communities like ours is so important to ensure people can contact emergency services, check in with loved ones and stay connected," said Rep. Kiel. "For eligible citizens, the federal Lifeline program and TAP provide monthly discounts to help make telephone services more affordable."
To qualify for discounts for landline and wireless telephone services, a person must participate in a qualifying public assistance program including Medicaid, Medial Assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Federal Housing Assistance, or Low Income Home Energy Assistance or have an income below 135 percent of the federal property guidelines.
For more information on the programs or to fill out an application, contact your local phone company, call the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission at 1-800-657-3782 or visit www.mn.gov/puc.