What is Lifeline?
Lifeline is a federal supported benefit for qualifying low-income consumers. Qualifying consumers receive discounted services on either their voice telephone service or qualifying internet service.
Where is Lifeline Available?
Lifeline is a national program and is available throughout the United States. altafiber offers landline Lifeline service throughout its traditional service area and a specific portion of its extended territory. (Click here for a map of altafiber Telephone's traditional service area.)
What specific benefits are provided with Lifeline?
Lifeline benefits vary by state and by service provider. altafiber subscribers who enroll in landline Lifeline receive the following benefits depending on the state where service is located (see each individual state’s tariff for additional details).
Indiana
• Monthly discount of $5.25 on local telephone service (This discount is first applied to waive the federal end user charge.)
• Not more than once per customer at a single address in a twelve-month period, a waiver of all nonrecurring service order charges for establishing service.
• Free toll limitation service, 900 service and 976 service.
• Service deposit waiver for local telephone service
• Federal discount of $9.25 may be applied to qualifying internet service as of December 2, 2016. One discount per household per service applies.
Kentucky
• Monthly discount of $8.75 on local telephone service (This discount is first applied to waive the federal end user charge.)
• Free toll blocking services
• Service deposit waiver for local and long distance services if customer has toll blocking
• Federal discount of $9.25 may be applied to qualifying internet service as of December 2, 2016. One discount per household per service applies.
Ohio
• Monthly discount of $5.25 on local telephone service (This discount is first applied to waive the federal end user charge.)
• Waiver of $25.70 charge to install local telephone service (Limited to once per year per customer at a specific address)
• Free toll blocking services
• Special payment arrangements for past due local telephone service charges from altafiber - $25.00 initial payment with the balance due in six equal monthly installments • Service deposit waiver for local telephone service
• Federal discount of $9.25 may be applied to qualifying internet service as of December 2, 2016. One discount per household per service applies.
Who is eligible for Lifeline?
Customers who participate in certain social service programs or whose annual household income is below a specific threshold are eligible for Lifeline. The qualifying programs and income levels vary by state. In altafiber’s service area, the eligibility standards are as follows.
Program Eligibility
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
• Survivor Pension Benefits Program
• Medicaid
• Veterans Pension Benefits Program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Income
Household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level. For 2023, 135% of the federal poverty level is the following:
| Household Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
| 1 | $20,328.00 | $1,694.00 |
| 2 | $27,588.00 | $2,299.00 |
| 3 | $34,860.00 | $2,905.00 |
| 4 | $42,120.00 | $3,510.00 |
| 5 | $49,380.00 | $4,115.00 |
| 6 | $56,652.00 | $4,721.00 |
| Each Add'l Person | $7,269.00 | $605.00 |
What restrictions apply to Lifeline?
Lifeline benefits are limited to one per household, including landline and cell phones and households are not permitted to receive Lifeline benefits from multiple providers. (Household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.) Lifeline customers must certify that their household is not receiving multiple Lifeline services and this information must be verified in a national database before Lifeline is provided. Violation of the one per household limitation is a violation of FCC rules and will result in de-enrollment from the Lifeline program.
Lifeline is a non-transferable benefit. Lifeline service may not be transferred to any other person.
Lifeline customers will be required to recertify their annual eligibility on their anniversary date of acceptance into the Lifeline program. Failure to recertify will result in deenrollment from the Lifeline program.
Lifeline customers must notify altafiber within 30 days if they move or their household is no longer eligible for Lifeline.
To establish altafiber Lifeline service, a customer must have paid or made payment arrangements on any outstanding balance or final bill for local telephone services (and long distance services in Kentucky) provided by altafiber, and no other member of the customer’s household may owe money for such services previously provided at the customer’s current address.
Enrollment in Lifeline is contingent upon eligibility verification. Completion of a Lifeline application does not guarantee enrollment in the Lifeline program.
Can Lifeline customers purchase optional telephone features?
Yes. Lifeline customers may purchase any optional services at the standard prices for those services, subject to applicable credit requirements. Remember, Lifeline benefits are limited to one per household, so a household with landline Lifeline service may have standard wireless service but may not have wireless Lifeline service. Similarly, a household with wireless Lifeline service may not have landline Lifeline service nor may the household have any additional wireless phones that receive Lifeline benefits. Consumers with wireless Lifeline service may subscribe to any standard landline telephone service.
Can Lifeline customers purchase bundles?
Yes. Lifeline customers may purchase altafiber bundles that include local landline telephone service, subject to applicable credit requirements. The balance of the monthly Lifeline discount, after waiver of the federal end user charge, will apply to the monthly bundle price.
Does altafiber's Lifeline service provide unlimited local calling?
Yes. altafiber Lifeline customers may place an unlimited number of local flat-rate calls and receive an unlimited number of calls with no additional charges. Lifeline customers making long distance calls must pay standard long distance charges.
Can both new and existing altafiber customers purchase Lifeline?
Yes. New customers who are eligible for Lifeline may enroll in Lifeline when they establish service. Existing customers who are Lifeline eligible may convert to Lifeline at any time.
Can I apply my Lifeline Benefits to internet?
Yes, a recent change to the Lifeline program rules allows customers to choose which service they would like their Lifeline discount applied towards, phone or internet. You can only receive a discount on ONE option- phone or internet, not both.
Can I move my Lifeline Benefits to another company?
Yes, you may transfer your Lifeline benefit to a new company at any time.
How do customers apply for Lifeline?
Eligible customers must verify their eligibility through the National Verifier database. Customers can utilize the consumer portal at www.checklifeline.org to determine eligibility, they may mail their completed application and all supporting documentation to the Lifeline Support Center or they may go to an authorized altafiber retail store where an associate may help them determine eligibility. All applications are subject to verification of the applicant's eligibility for Lifeline through the National Verifier. altafiber may not grant Lifeline benefits to those that do not qualify in the National Verifier.
If the customer chooses to mail their documentation to the Lifeline Support Center please mail all paperwork to:
Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742
Note: An application for Lifeline is not an applications for new telephone or internet service. Consumers wanting to establish new service must contact altafiber to establish service and return the completed Lifeline application.
What information is required to document Lifeline eligibility?
Acceptable documentation of eligibility includes the following:
Program Eligibility: The most current year’s statement of benefits, notice or letter of participation, or program participation documents such as ID/benefit cards or a Section 8 lease, for you or a member of your household.
Income Eligibility: The most recent state or federal income tax return, income statement from an employer, W-2, three consecutive month’s pay stubs, Social Security statement of benefits, retirement/pension statement of benefits, unemployment/workmen’s compensation statement of benefits, Veteran’s Administration statement of benefits, or other legal document(s) showing current income, such as a divorce decree or child support document.
Do NOT send original documents. altafiber will not retain the documentation and documentation will not be returned.
Where can I obtain a altafiber Lifeline application?
A copy of the altafiber Lifeline application can be downloaded from this website using the links below.
Lifeline Application
Applications are also available by calling altafiber at 513-565-LIFE (5433) and from select social service agencies/organizations.
Who do I call if I have questions regarding Lifeline?
Consumers with questions regarding Lifeline should contact a altafiber Lifeline representative at 513-565-LIFE (5433) - Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST. For questions regarding the new Lifeline Modernization order allowing the Lifeline discount to be applied towards internet service please visit: www.lifelinesupport.org
Note: Providing false or fraudulent information and/or certifications in order to receive Lifeline benefits is punishable by law. Lifeline is a federal benefit and willfully making false statements to obtain Lifeline benefits can result in fines, imprisonment, and/or de-enrollment/being barred from the Lifeline program.
Consumer Information
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