The Alaska Lifeline program is a need-based program that provides discounted telecommunications services to eligible low-income consumers. The program is available to eligible consumers who:
- Have an annual income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines
- Receive benefits from specific public assistance programs
- Live on federally recognized Tribal lands
The program helps ensure that low-income households access vital telecommunications services for participating in the modern economy and society.
In addition, the program helps to bridge the digital divide by providing discounts on services that are becoming increasingly essential in our digital world. Many other programs like the Alaska Lifeline program help low-income households with essential needs.
These programs ensure everyone has a fair chance at participating in our society and economy.
Alaska Lifeline Program Eligibility
If you participate in an approved assistance program or your current income is less than 135% of the federal poverty level, you are entitled to Lifeline services.
Qualified Assistance Programs
If you get help from any of the following programs or have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty threshold for your state and family, you may be eligible for Lifeline services.
Instant approval for SNAP, CHIP, and Medicaid.
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Head Start
- State assistance programs
Other eligibility requirements for the Lifeline program include being a U.S. citizen or legal resident and not having Lifeline service at another location, in addition to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Tribal Eligibility 2024
You qualify for Tribal Lifeline if you reside on tribal lands, which include any reservation, Pueblo, or colony owned by an Indian tribe with federal recognition, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native areas, Hawaiian Home Lands, or Indian Allotments.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Tribal Head Start
Income Qualification
You must earn 135% or less of the federal poverty level. The poverty thresholds are displayed below and vary by state and household size.
You have to prove that your present salary is below the cutoff because of COVID-19.
| Household Size | Annual Household Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $27,180 |
| 2 | $36,620 |
| 3 | $46,060 |
| 4 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $64,940 |
| 6 | $74,380 |
| 7 | $83,820 |
| 8 | $93,260 |
| For each additional person add |
$9,440 |
|
Based on 200% of the current Federal Poverty Guideline. |
|
Lifeline Service Providers in Alaska
| Service Providers | Phone | Types of Service | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Valley Telecom | 907-835-2231 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Bristol Bay Telephone Coop, Inc. | 907-246-3404 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Windy City Broadband | 907-222-0844 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| U2 CONNECT NOW | 844-679-0909 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative, Inc. | 800-478-6409 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Cordova Telecom Cooperative | 907-424-2345 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Lingo | 866-405-4646 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Southeast Communication Services, LLC | 907-789-0048 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| ACS of Northland | 800-808-8083 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Cox Communication | 866-439-1289 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Byte Networking LLC | 907-697-2704 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| ACS of Alaska | 800-808-8083 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| SPITwSPOTS, Inc. | 907-226-2082 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Hughes Network Systems, LLC | 844-737-2700 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| ACS of Anchorage | 800-808-8083 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Copper Valley Long Distance, Inc | 907-835-2231 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Clear Wireless, LLC | 888-341-3471 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Maxsip Telecom Corporation | 866-629-7471 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Ketchikan Public Utilities | 907-225-1000 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Alaska Communications | 800-808-8083 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Interior Telephone Company | 800-478-3127 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Microcom | 907-264-0052 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Culture Wireless | 404-254-6236 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Mukluk Telephone Company, Inc. | 800-478-3127 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative | 907-842-5251 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| ACS of Fairbanks | 800-808-8083 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Matanuska Telephone Association, Inc. | 907-745-3211 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Alaska Communications Internet | 800-808-8083 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| SWA Connect, LLC | 866-350-0222 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| GCI Communication Corp. | 800-800-4800 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Alaska Telephone Company | 800-982-0136 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| OTZ Telephone Cooperative, Inc. | 907-442-1000 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Viasat | 855-463-9333 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Horizon Satellite, LLC | 907-226-3130 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| Verizon Wireless | 800-922-0204 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| United Utilities, Inc | 800-478-2020 | ACP Home Internet | AK |
| PCs for People | 651-354-2552 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| GCI Communication Corp. | 800-800-4800 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| NewPhone Wireless, LLC | 855-204-3667 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Boost Mobile | 866-402-7366 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Culture Wireless | 404-254-6236 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Torch Wireless | 877-998-6674 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| North American Local, LLC | 888-247-3903 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Windy City Broadband | 907-222-0844 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Ztar Mobile, Inc | 800-416-3003 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| AirVoice Wireless, LLC | 877-247-7799 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Dailytel Inc. | 883-999-0427 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Hello Mobile Telecom LLC | 888-854-3556 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| OTZ Telephone Cooperative, Inc. | 907-442-1000 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Excess Telecom, Inc. | 800-615-0898 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Verizon Wireless | 800-922-0204 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Twigby | 405-209-8094 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative, Inc. | 800-478-6409 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Straight Talk, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, TracFone, Net10, Page Plus & Go Smart | 833-333-9227 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| K20 Wireless | 717-400-5573 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| AT&T Mobility LLC | 866-986-0963 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Life Wireless | 888-543-3620 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Cintex Wireless, LLC | 800-931-0141 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Cricket Wireless | 844-246-8364 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Insight Mobile, Inc. | 866-330-0902 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Rural4G | 870-451-0373 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Tone Communication Services LLC | 800-515-8182 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Sano Health LLC | 855-533-7266 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Clear Wireless, LLC | 888-341-3471 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| InterConnection | 206-633-1517 | ACP Mobile Internet | AK |
| Alaska Power & Telephone | 800-982-0136 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Copper Valley Telephone Cooperative | 800-478-6612 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Yukon Telephone Company | 800-478-2020 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Bristol Bay Telephone | 907-246-3403 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Nushagak Cooperative | 907-842-5251 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| ADAK Eagle Enterprises, LLC | 888-328-4222 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| OTZ Telephone Cooperative | 888-449-2411 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Alaska Communications | 800-808-8083 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Matanuska Telephone Association | 800-478-3211 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| ASTAC | 800-478-6409 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| TelAlaska’s Mukluk Telephone Company | 800-478-7055 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Summit Telephone and Telegraph Company | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK | |
| GCI | 800-800-4800 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Cordova Telephone Cooperative | 907-424-2345 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Circle Telephone and Electric | 907-773-5500 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| United Utilities, Inc. | 800-478-2020 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| KPU Telecommunications | 907-225-1000 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Bush-Tell | 855-675-4311 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| OTZ Telecom | 888-449-2411 | Fixed Lifeline Service | AK |
| Bristol Bay Cellular | 800-347-1991 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
| ASTAC | 800-478-6409 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
| TelAlaska Cellular | 800-478-3127 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
| Copper Valley Wireless | 800-478-6612 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
| GCI | 800-800-4800 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
| AT&T Mobility | 800-377-9450 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
| Cordova Wireless Communications | 907-424-2300 | Mobile Lifeline Service | AK |
Alaska ACP Benefits
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) was superseded by the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to assist low-income households in paying for broadband connections.
The ACP gives qualified Alaskan homes free basic broadband internet service by giving up to $79.99 per month on its GCI plan.
Suppose eligible families donate more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price. In that case, they can get a one-time discount of up to $100 when they buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating suppliers.
An economical household can apply one ACP benefit and one device discount to their service.
Alaska Lifeline Program Service:
- Mobile Lifeline Service
- Fixed Lifeline Service
- ACP Home Internet
- ACP Mobile Internet
Affordable Connectivity Program Providers
- Fixed broadband services are a fantastic replacement for established internet service providers (ISPs). They are affordable compared to other internet services, quick, and dependable. These include cable, fibre optic, DSL, and fixed wireless services.
- Mobile broadband services are device-based and available within the service provider’s cellular coverage area, much like cell phone services.
Affordable Connectivity Program: Internet Discount Explained
FAQs
What is Lifeline?
Although Lifeline has existed for some time, not many people know it. It’s a government initiative that gives eligible customers a break on their recurring local phone or internet payment. For eligibility, each state has its requirements. There are primarily two methods to be eligible for Lifeline.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
A federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives eligible households access to low-cost internet service. The initiative aims to assist households that cannot afford to use private internet service providers (ISPs).
Which internet service providers are participating?
The ACP is being used by several broadband providers, including those providing wireless and landline broadband. There may be a variety of providers available depending on where you live. Contact the broadband providers in your area to find out about their plans for program participation and qualified service offers.
How do I get a Free computer or tablet?
If a household purchases a connected device for more than $10 but less than $50 from a participating broadband service provider, the provider may receive a reimbursement of up to $100.
To put it another way, you have to use your partnering broadband provider to take advantage of this benefit, and you’ll have to pay a share of the price. Only laptops, desktop computers, and tablets qualify for the device bonus. Cell phones aren’t a part of it. They only allow one gadget per household.
What if I live on tribal lands?
Customers who reside on tribal grounds may be eligible for additional federal financial aid for local telephone service under programs established by the Federal Communications Commission.
Additionally, financial assistance is offered to cover the expense of new telephone service. For further information, contact the tribe office or the Community Action Partnership office in your area.
