Des Moines Lifeline Free Government Phone Program

Des Moines Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century connectivity services and the access they provide to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.

The Des Moines Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. For more information about the Affordable Connectivity Program go here and check out our FAQs on ACP and Lifeline.

How Des Moines's Lifeline Works

Lifeline provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for eligible subscribers on Tribal lands. Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service, but they may not receive a discount on both services at the same time. Lifeline also supports broadband Internet service and broadband-voice bundles. FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household.

Lifeline is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, commonwealth, territory, and on Tribal lands. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is responsible for helping consumers apply for the program, understand eligibility requirements, and keep their benefit current through an annual recertification process. USAC's website provides additional information regarding the program, including program requirements.

Eligibility and Application

To participate in the Des Moines's Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs. You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org.

National Verifier for Lifeline Eligibility

To apply for Lifeline, a consumer must generally use the National Verifier application system, which they can access through USAC or a phone or internet company participating in Lifeline. The National Verifier is a centralized system established by the FCC and operated by USAC that verifies Lifeline applicants' eligibility and recertifies subscriber eligibility annually. Consumers who would like assistance from a service provider when applying can use the "Companies Near Me" tool to locate a Lifeline program service provider in their area.

Please note that consumers in California (except broadband-only consumers), Texas, and Oregon will continue to apply for the federal Lifeline benefit through the state's existing application process as they do today. For broadband-only consumers in California, consumers will need to apply through the National Verifier application system and the National Verifier will check the consumer's eligibility. For specific directions on how to apply for Lifeline in all three states, visit the National Verifier and select the relevant state from the drop-down menu and press "Get Started."

Program Rules

Key rules include the following:

  • Lifeline is available only to subscribers whose eligibility can be verified by checking a program eligibility database or by submitting documentation demonstrating their eligibility.
  • Only one Lifeline benefit is permitted per household. Federal rules prohibit subscribers from receiving more than one Lifeline service. If a subscriber or his or her household currently has more than one Lifeline-discounted service, they must de-enroll from other Lifeline services immediately or be subject to penalties.
  • Subscribers must recertify their eligibility every year and should respond to any requests from the National Verifier's or state Lifeline administrator to recertify eligibility. Subscribers who fail to recertify their eligibility will be de-enrolled from the Lifeline program.
  • Subscribers receiving free service from their service provider must actually use their service to continue to be enrolled in the Lifeline program.

Enhanced Lifeline Benefits for Tribal Lands

Because telephone subscribership levels on Tribal lands are the lowest in the country, enhanced Lifeline benefits are available to low-income residents of Tribal lands. You can find out more about which areas are eligible Tribal lands by visiting this site: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/tribal-benefit/.

Link Up, another federal benefit program, is a one-time benefit, per address, that reduces the initial installation or activation fees of certain Lifeline providers offering telephone service on Tribal lands.

What benefits are available through the Lifeline program's support for Tribal lands?

For low-income consumers living on Tribal lands, Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to $34.25 off the cost of qualifying services (either wireline or wireless). This discount consists of up to $9.25 for qualifying broadband or bundled services or up to $5.25 for phone service (which is available to all eligible low-income subscribers across the United States) plus up to an additional $25 in enhanced support (which is available only to eligible low-income subscribers living on Tribal lands). Some states offer additional monthly discounts through their own Lifeline programs.

Tribal Lands Link Up

Tribal Lands Link Up provides qualified subscribers living on Tribal lands with a one-time discount of up to $100 on the initial installation or activation of telephone service at their primary residence. For service initiation charges of up to $200, Link Up also provides a deferred, no-interest payment plan to the subscriber for up to one year. Subscribers can request Link Up once for each change of their primary residential (home) address. Tribal Link Up support is only offered to carriers who are building out infrastructure on Tribal lands, so not all carriers may be discounting their activation fee. Consumers can check with their Lifeline provider to see if they offer Link Up.

Limitations on Lifeline and Link Up

Federal rules prohibit qualifying low-income consumers from receiving more than one Lifeline service at the same time. For instance, low-income subscribers who qualify may receive a Lifeline discount on either a home telephone or a wireless telephone service, but they may not receive a Lifeline discount on both services at the same time.

Additionally, only one Lifeline service may be obtained per household. "Household" is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit. An "economic unit" is defined as "all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household."

Lifeline support is available to eligible low-income subscribers living in group living facilities. Lifeline applicants may demonstrate when initially enrolling in the program that any other Lifeline recipients residing at their residential address are part of a separate household. Similarly, federal rules prohibit qualifying low-income consumers from receiving more than one Tribal Link Up discount at a primary residence.

What is the current benefit under the Lifeline Program?

The Lifeline discount for eligible subscribers is up to $9.25 per month for qualifying monthly broadband or bundled services that meet the broadband minimum service standards. The discount for eligible subscribers is up to $5.25 for monthly service that only qualifies for the voice minimum service standards. The discount may be applied to either wireline or wireless services.

What is the enhanced benefit amount for Tribal Lands?

Up to $25 in enhanced support, in addition to the standard benefit, is available to eligible low-income subscribers living on Tribal lands.

How can I determine if I am eligible?

You can see if you are eligible for Lifeline service by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org.

How do I apply?

There are several options to apply for Lifeline. You may apply directly through the Lifeline program's National Verifier online portal (lifelinesupport.org) or by mailing a paper application form (available at the National Verifier online portal after entering your state).

You may also apply for the program by working with a Lifeline service provider either in-person at a store location or online via the service provider's website, if they support that option. To locate a Lifeline provider in your state, go to https://cnm.universalservice.org.

For any questions regarding the Lifeline application process, call USAC's toll-free number for the Lifeline Support Center at 1 (800) 234-9473, or email LifelineSupport@usac.org.

What documentation do I need to provide when I apply for Lifeline service?

Consumers may need to provide documentation if the National Verifier cannot automatically confirm their eligibility by checking a program eligibility database (for example, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.).

Acceptable documentation to verify eligibility based on participation in a qualifying program includes a recent (dated within the past 12 months): statement of benefits from a qualifying program; notice letter of participation in qualifying program; program participation documents (or copy); or another official document of a qualifying program. More detailed information regarding acceptable documentation can be found at: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/documents-needed/.

Acceptable documentation for income eligibility verification includes: The prior year's state, federal or Tribal tax return; current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub; Veterans Administration statement of benefits; retirement or pension statement of benefits; Unemployment or Workers' Compensation statement of benefits; federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance; or divorce decree, child support award, or other official document containing income information. The subscriber must present the same type of documentation covering 3 consecutive months within the previous 12 months, if the documentation does not cover a full year of income. More detailed information regarding acceptable documentation can be found at: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/documents-needed/.

Can I get more than one discounted service?

No. Federal rules prohibit eligible low-income subscribers from receiving more than one Lifeline discount per household. An eligible subscriber may receive a discount on either a wireline or wireless voice service (but not both), or on broadband or bundled service. If you, or any person in your household, are currently receiving more than one monthly Lifeline service, you must select one provider to provide your Lifeline service and be de-enrolled from Lifeline service from the other provider. You may also contact USAC's Lifeline Support Center for assistance at 1-800-234-9473 or lifelinesupport@usac.org. Please do not share any sensitive personal information via email. Subscribers found to be violating the one-discount-per-household rule may also be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties.

How is "household" defined for purposes of the Lifeline Program?

"Household" is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit. An "economic unit" is defined as "all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household." However, Lifeline support is available to eligible low-income subscribers living in group living facilities. Lifeline applicants may be asked to complete a one-per-household worksheet, which asks questions about your household to determine if there is more than one household at your address.

The Lifeline Eligibility Pre-Screening tool available at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify can help you determine who is a member of your household.

How often do I need to verify my eligibility?

Once when you first enroll, and once every year that you have Lifeline-supported service.

You may become ineligible for Lifeline if your income has increased, you no longer participate in a qualifying federal benefit program, or someone else in your household gets Lifeline service. If you become ineligible, you must contact your provider immediately to de-enroll from the program. Otherwise, you may be subject to penalties. You may also contact USAC's Lifeline Support Center for assistance at 1-800-234-9473 or by email at lifelinesupport@usac.org. Please do not share any sensitive personal information via email.

What if I have free Lifeline?

If you receive Lifeline service for free, the Lifeline program rules require you to use your service every 30 days to keep your benefit, in addition to complying with all other rules for the Lifeline program.

Who can I contact if I have an issue with a mobile phone or other hardware provided by my Lifeline service provider?

The FCC does not subsidize any hardware associated with the Lifeline program, which includes mobile phones provided by a service provider to a Lifeline customer. If you are having issues with your mobile phone or other hardware associated with your Lifeline service, please contact your service provider directly.

Who do I contact if I have a disability and want help applying for Lifeline?

If you are a person with a disability and need assistance with your Lifeline application, contact the Lifeline Support Center at lifelinesupport.org or call 800-234-9473.

How are the qualification requirements different from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?

Eligibility Criteria Lifeline ACP
Federal Assistance Programs Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, FPHA, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit All Lifeline programs plus Federal Pell Grant, Free/Reduced Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program, WIC
Income Threshold Household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Low-Income Internet Program Not applicable Household meets eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program

Best Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline Companies in Des Moines

Company Name Phone Type of Service
Swisher Telephone Company 319-857-4535 Home Service
Assurance Wireless 888-898-4888 Mobile Service
Coon Rapids Municipal Communications 712-999-2225 Home Service
Palmer Mutual Telephone Company 800-685-7417 Home Service
Panora Communications Cooperative 641-755-2424 Home Service
Harlan Municipal Utilities 712-755-5182 Home Service
Grand Mound Cooperative Telephone 563-847-3000 Home Service
Comm1 800-469-3772 Home Service
Hawkeye Telephone Company 563-427-3222 Home Service
Grundy Center Municipal Telephone 319-825-5207 Home Service
Mapleton Communications 712-881-4000 Home Service
Cooperative Telephone Exchange 515-826-3206 Home Service
Northwest Iowa Telephone 866-901-5664 Home Service
Southwest Telephone Exchange 712-825-7502 Home Service
Barnes City Cooperative Telephone Company 641-644-5214 Home Service
Osage Municipal Utilities 641-832-3731 Home Service
Reinbeck Telecommunications Utility 319-788-7888 Home Service
Safelink Wireless 800-723-3546 Mobile Service
Wyoming Mutual Telephone Company 563-488-2535 Home Service
F&B Communications 563-374-1236 Home Service
Templeton Telephone Company 712-669-3311 Home Service
Alliance Communications 605-594-3411 Home Service
F&B Communications 563-374-1236 Home Service
Farmers Telephone Company 641-662-2373 Home Service
TerraCom Wireless 877-351-4747 Mobile Service
Mutual Telephone Company 319-868-7636 Home Service
Killduff Telephone Company 641-594-2905 Home Service
The Community Agency 712-930-5593 Home Service
Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association 800-677-3484 Home Service
Springville Co-operative Telephone Association Inc. 319-854-6107 Home Service
Dumont Wireless 641-857-3211 Mobile Service
Miles Cooperative Telephone 563-682-7111 Home Service
Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association 800-677-3484 Mobile Service
Heartland Technology 319-827-1151 Home Service
Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company - Moulton 641-642-3249 Home Service
Arcadia Telephone Cooperative 712-689-2238 Home Service
StandUP Wireless 800-544-4441 Mobile Service
IAMO Telephone Company 712-583-3232 Home Service
Baldwin Nashville Tele Co, Inc 563-673-2001 Home Service
Jefferson Telephone Company 515-386-4141 Home Service
Huxley Communications 800-231-4922 Home Service
Marne and Elk Horn Telephone Company 712-764-6161 Home Service
Algona Municipal Utilities 515-295-3584 Home Service
Lehigh Valley Cooperative Telephone Assn. 515-359-2211 Home Service
Schaller Telephone Company 712-275-4211 Home Service
Hubbard CoOp Telephone Assn. 641-864-2216 Home Service
West Iowa Telephone Company 800-352-0006 Home Service
Searsboro Telephone Company 641-593-6395 Home Service
Brooklyn Mutual Telecommunications Cooperative 641-522-9211 Mobile Service
Brooklyn Mutual Telecommunications Cooperative 641-522-9211 Home Service
HTC Communications 800-741-8351 Home Service
Titonka Burt Communications 515-928-2110 Home Service
HTC Communications 800-813-2023 Home Service
WTC Communications 563-732-3000 Home Service
Webster Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association 515-352-3151 Home Service
Marne and Elk Horn Telephone Company 712-764-6161 Home Service
Windstream Communications 800-347-1991 Home Service
SAC County Mutual Telephone Company 712-668-2200 Home Service
GRM Networks 800-551-1940 Home Service
Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association 800-592-6105 Home Service
Terril Telephone Company 712-853-6121 Home Service
U.S. Cellular 800-944-9400 Mobile Service
FiberComm L.C. 712-224-2020 Home Service
Woolstock Mutual Telephone Association 866-369-6835 Home Service
Prairieburg Telephone Company 319-437-3611 Home Service
Spencer Municipal Communications 712-580-5800 Home Service
Griswold Cooperative Telephone Company 712-778-2121 Home Service
ButlerBremer Mutual Telephone Company 800-830-1146 Home Service
Oran Mutual Telephone Company 319-638-7001 Home Service
Lost Nation Elwood Telephone Company 563-678-2470 Home Service
Heart of Iowa Communications Cooperative 800-806-4482 Home Service
Ogden Telephone Company 515-275-2050 Home Service
Ellsworth Cooperative Telephone 515-836-4431 Home Service
East Buchanan Telephone Cooperative 866-327-2748 Home Service
Andrew Telephone Company 563-672-3277 Home Service
Orange City Communications 712-707-1000 Home Service
South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company 800-272-6449 Mobile Service
SEI Wireless 319-679-2211 Mobile Service
Premier Wireless 319-234-8255 Mobile Service
Titonka Telephone Company 515-928-2110 Home Service
Frontier Communications 800-921-8101 Home Service
Q Link Wireless 855-754-6543 Mobile Service
Southeast Wireless 888-550-4497 Mobile Service
Dumont Telephone Company 641-857-3211 Home Service
Preston Telephone Company 866-689-9878 Home Service
Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association 800-592-6105 Mobile Service
Van Horne Cooperative Telephone 319-228-8791 Home Service
Bernard Telephone Company 563-879-3203 Home Service
Keystone Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company 319-442-3241 Home Service
CenturyLink 1 800 244-1111 Home Service
Reasnor Telephone Company 641-793-2905 Home Service
Interstate 35 Telephone Company 712-824-7231 Home Service
South Slope Cooperative Telephone Company 319-626-2211 Home Service
Springville Cooperative Telephone Assn 319-854-6107 Home Service
Cascade Communications Company 563-852-3710 Home Service
La Motte Telephone Company 563-773-2213 Home Service
Killduff Telephone Company 641-594-2905 Home Service
Alta Municipal Utilities 712-200-1122 Home Service
Access Wireless 866-594-3644 Mobile Service
Danville Telecom 319-392-4251 Home Service
Northeast Iowa Telephone Company 563-539-2122 Home Service
Breda Telephone Corporation 888-508-2946 Home Service
Liberty Communications 319-627-2145 Home Service
Rockwell Cooperative Telephone Association 641-822-3211 Home Service
Life Wireless 888-543-3620 Mobile Service
Premier Communications 800-741-8351 Home Service
FMTC Wireless 208-642-4436 Mobile Service
Citizens Mutual Telephone Company 641-664-2074 Home Service
Clear Lake Independent Telephone Company 641-357-2111 Home Service
Prairie Telephone Co., Inc. 888-508-2946 Home Service
Dunkerton Telephone Cooperative 319-822-4512 Home Service
Lynnville Telephone Company 641-594-2938 Home Service
Guthrie Telecommunications Network, Inc. 641-332-2000 Home Service
Mahaska Communications 641-676-1000 Home Service
Clarence Telephone Company 563-452-3852 Home Service
Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association 800-592-6105 Home Service
Shell Rock Communications 319-276-4458 Home Service
Corn Belt Telephone 712-664-2221 Home Service
Long Line Metro 866-901-5664 Home Service
Premier Communications, Inc. 800-741-8351 Home Service
Windstream Communications 800-347-1991 Home Service
La Porte City Telephone Company 319-342-3369 Home Service
Cooperative Telephone Exchange 515-826-3206 Home Service
Colo Telephone Company 641-377-2202 Home Service
Manning Municipal Communications 712-655-2660 Home Service
Coon Creek Telephone Company 888-823-6234 Home Service
WebbDickens Telephone Corporation 800-741-8351 Home Service
Tag Mobile, LLC 866-959-4918 Mobile Service
Van Buren Telephone Company 319-293-3187 Home Service
Ringsted Telephone Company 712-866-1456 Home Service
Onslow Cooperative Telephone Association 563-485-2833 Home Service
Mutual Telephone Company of Morning Sun 319-868-7636 Home Service
Modern Cooperative Telephone Company 319-667-2375 Home Service
Massena Telephone Co 712-779-2227 Home Service
River Valley Telecommunications Cooperative 712-859-3300 Home Service
Iowa Wireless Service 888-550-4497 Mobile Service
CML Telephone Cooperative Association 712-443-8222 Home Service
Atkins Telephone Company 319-446-7331 Home Service
North English Cooperative Telephone Company 319-664-3821 Home Service
HITEC 712-551-2565 Home Service
Radcliffe Telephone Company 515-899-2341 Home Service
Kalona Cooperative Telephone Company 319-656-3668 Home Service
Ace Telephone Association 888-404-4940 Home Service
Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company 712-744-3131 Home Service
Western Iowa Telephone 712-944-5711 Home Service
Community Digital Wireless 877-684-2775 Mobile Service
United Farmers Telephone 712-834-2211 Home Service
Mediapolis Telephone Company 319-394-3456 Home Service
Central Scott Telephone Co 563-285-9611 Home Service
Fenton Cooperative Telephone Company 515-889-2785 Home Service
Dixon Telephone Company 563-843-2901 Home Service
Villisca Farmers Telephone Company 800-469-2111 Home Service
Laurens Municipal Communications Utility 712-841-4610 Home Service
Independent Networks 712-868-8000 Home Service
Readlyn Telephone Company 319-279-3375 Home Service
Coon Creek Telephone Company 888-823-6234 Home Service
Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company 563-737-2233 Home Service
Lone Rock Cooperative Telephone Company 515-925-3271 Home Service
Minburn Telecommunications 877-386-2933 Home Service
Palo Cooperative Telephone Association 319-851-3431 Home Service
Royal Telephone Co. 712-933-2615 Home Service
OmniTel Communications 641-749-2531 Home Service
CenturyLink 800-407-5411 Home Service
Farmers and Merchant Mutual Telephone Company 319-256-2736 Home Service
Jordan Soldier Valley Telephone 712-884-2203 Home Service
Northwest Telephone Cooperative Association 800-247-2776 Home Service
Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa 800-741-8351 Home Service
Sharon Telephone Company 262-736-9981 Home Service
Goldfield Access Network 515-825-3996 Home Service
Scranton Telephone Company 800-987-9023 Home Service
Westside Independent Telephone Company 888-508-2946 Home Service
Olin Telephone Company 319-484-2200 Home Service
Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company 712-744-3131 Home Service
Louisa Communications 319-868-7636 Home Service
Boomerang Wireless 866-488-8719 Mobile Service
Casey Mutual Telephone Company 641-746-2222 Home Service

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