Low-Income Telephone Assistance Programs

Link-up

Link-Up is a plan that assists qualified low-income Iowans in obtaining basic telephone service by providing:

Reduced connection charges for basic phone services by 50 percent or $30, whichever is less.
Deferred payment of connection charges, without interest.

Lifeline

Lifeline is a plan that assists qualified low-income Iowans by providing a monthly reduction on their telephone bill. This reduction varies by service provider and can range up to $10. Please contact your Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association for details.

Questions?

Call Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association.

Note:
Low-income telephone assistance does not cover the cost of a telephone or the cost of wiring inside your home.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for assistance in either, or both of the programs, you must meet income-based criterion currently defined as at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR participate in atleast one of the following:

Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (L1HEAP)
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF)
National School Lunch Program (NSL)

To receive either or both of the Low-Income Telephone Assistance Programs:

Complete the certification form and return it to your local telephone company's business office. This address can be found in your local telephone directory.
If you receive an eligibility verification form, complete and return it to your local telephone company within 30 days. Verification forms are mailed to randomly selected subscribers every year. Your telephone company may suspend your eligibility for low-income assistance if you do not return the form.

Sponsored by:
Iowa Telecommunications Association
Iowa Utilities Board
Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Assoc.
Your Wellman Cooperative Telephone Association