This article originally appeared on the NICOA blog.
Lifeline consumers can receive up to $25 per month discount (and up to $100 reduction for first-time connection charges) in addition to the standard Lifeline benefit amount if they live on federally recognized tribal lands.
Lifeline customers residing on tribal lands are eligible for Link Up. Link Up is a one-time benefit per address; you can request Link Up each time you change your primary residential address. Link Up can reimburse the full cost of initiating service with certain phone/internet companies at your primary residence, up to $100. If the cost of initiating service is more than $100, the company will provide a no-interest payment plan for up to $200 for up to one year.
Federally recognized tribal lands for the Lifeline Program include: any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, pueblo or colony; former reservations in Oklahoma; Alaska Native regions established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; Indian allotments; Hawaiian Home Lands; or any land approved as tribal for the purposes of the Lifeline Program by the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy or Wireline Competition Bureau. Your Lifeline company can help determine whether your address is on tribal lands.
For a high-level overview of the Lifeline Program and enhanced tribal benefit, review the Tribal Advocate Training. For more information about how tribal consumers can apply and manage their benefit, review the Tribal Flyer.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Diverse Elders Coalition.