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Internet and Telephone Access for Low Income Households

Some local libraries have hotspots available for checkout for up to 3 weeks, call your local library and check.

Community Voice Mail

Agency: Open Access Connections

Alternate Name: Voice Messaging Services

Description:

  • Individuals can obtain a community voice mail number with a 651 area code, to use on job applications, housing applications, and stay in touch with friends and family. Individuals will be able to retrieve messages from any touch tone phone.

  • Offers assistance to apply for the Lifeline cellphone program. Eligible participants will receive a free monthly phone plan which includes 1,000 minutes of talk, 500 units of text, and 100 MB of data.

https://openaccessconnections.org/services/ (651) 643-0883

Hours of Operation
10:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday – Friday

Eligibility
Residents of Minnesota

Program fee
Lifeline Android smart phones cost $40. Individuals can bring their already existing cell phone for no charge activation services.

Application Process
Call to schedule an appointment

Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center

Description:
Reprograms used cell phones and gives them to victims of domestic violence in the Duluth community. Accepts donations of items listed below; donations should be dropped off on Thursdays between 8am-3pm at 414 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.

Accepted Items:

  • New and unopened full sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash/soap and deodorant
  • Toilet Paper
  • New towels
  • Diapers
  • New and unopened socks and underwear for women and children
  • Gently used winter coats, gloves, hats and boots
  • Cleaning and sanitizing supplies
  • Cell phones and chargers

(218) 623-1000 http://www.safehavenshelter.org

 

Lifeline Telephone Service

Agency: Telephone Nation

Description:
Free phone service for those that are low income or in qualifying state or government programs. Qualifying individuals may be eligible for a free cell phone. Telephone Nation will deliver cell phones by mail or in person depending on staff availability.

Eligibility
Open to all with a household income at or below 135% FPG, or that are enrolled in a government benefits program

Program fee
Services are free if an individual is low income or is enrolled in a government qualifying program.

Application Process
Call or visit website to schedule appointment

(651) 291-0000, (800) 829-9965 http://www.telephonenation.com

 

Telephone Service Discounts

Agency: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission - Consumer Affairs Office

Alternate Name: Lifeline; TAP; Free Phone; Government Phone; Obama Phone; Access Wireless; American Assistance; Assist Wireless; EnTouch Wireless; Life Wireless; North American Local; Q Link Wireless; SafeLink Wireless; StandUp Wireless; Tag Mobile; Tempo Telecom; TerraCom; T-Mobile Lifeline; TruConnect

Description:
The federal Lifeline and the state Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) provide a monthly discount on phone bills, including cell phones. Lifeline is a discount of approximately $9.25, which can be used for wireless phones, broadband internet, home phones, or a bundle. Some cellular companies may provide free cellular phones, and additional discounts or minutes. TAP is discount of $7 that can only be used for home phones.

Those living on federally recognized tribal lands/reservations can receive additional discounts.

Customers cannot receive multiple discounts (landline and wireless, or two wireless). Only one discount per household is allowed. The discount continues for as long as the consumer remains eligible, but must certify their eligibility on an annual basis.

While all local telephone companies offer TAP, not all local telephone companies are required to offer Lifeline.

The following wireless companies offer the Lifeline program:

Eligibility
Low income households in Minnesota (at or below 135 percent Federal Poverty Guidelines) are eligible for this program.

Individuals enrolled in the following programs can also qualify by participation in:

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Medicaid/Medical Assistance
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension benefit

Hours of Operation
8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday (651)296-0406

 

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.

You are likely eligible if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant, or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch.

If your household is eligible, you could receive:

  • Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service

  • Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands

  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

  • A low-cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP*

* Through a separate non-FCC initiative, additional no cost plans may be available to Affordable Connectivity Program enrollees. To learn more please visit GetInternet.gov. Provision of a link to this initiative does not imply FCC endorsement of any particular participating provider.

Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer.

Here are the ways your household can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):

  • Based on your household income

  • If you or your child or dependent participate in certain government assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or other programs

  • If you or anyone in your household already receives a Lifeline benefit

Note: You may qualify for the ACP through a participating provider’s existing low-income program. Visit our How to Apply page to learn more.

Based on Your Income

You are eligible for the ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see the table below). The guideline is based on your household size and state.

The table below reflects the income limit by household size, which is 200% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Household Size

48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Territories

Alaska

Hawaii

1

$27,180

$33,980

$31,260

2

$36,620

$45,780

$42,120

3

$46,060

$57,580

$52,980

4

$55,500

$69,380

$63,840

5

$64,940

$81,180

$74,700

6

$74,380

$92,980

$85,560

7

$83,820

$104,780

$96,420

8

$93,260

$116,580

$107,280

For each additional person, add:

$9,440

$11,800

$10,860

You may have to show proof of income, like a tax return or three consecutive pays stubs, when you apply for the ACP.

If You Participate in Certain Government Assistance Programs Such As SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or Other Programs

Federal Assistance Programs

You are eligible for the ACP if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps

  • Medicaid

  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

  • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools

  • Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year

You may need to show a card, letter, or official document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for the ACP.

 

COMCAST

Comcast is offering 2 months free internet services for low income families to stay connected. The company says it is increasing access to and speeds of its Internet Essentials’ Low-Income Internet Service to support Americans through the coronavirus pandemic.

  1. Offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.

    • Send all new customers a free self-install kit that includes a cable modem with a Wi-Fi router. There will be no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee.

    • To sign up, applicants can simply visit internetessentials.com The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

  2. Increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward.

    • To receive the increased Internet speeds, existing customers will not need to do anything. The new speeds will be rolled out nationally over the next few days.

  3. Free Xfinity WiFi from Comcast
    Xfinity has announced free Internet access through their WiFi hotspots nationwide. A map of hotspots is available at: http://www.xfinity.com/wifi. When at a hotspot, just select “xfinitywifi” in the list of available connections and then launch a browser. Further information on additional services and options is available at the Free Xfinity WiFI from Comcast link above.

 

Spectrum Internet® Assist

Qualified households can SAVE on high-speed Internet at a special rate.

Features

Spectrum makes it simple for qualified households to sign up for low-income Internet assistance.

  • Free Internet modem

  • High-speed Internet at 30 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary)

  • No data caps

  • No contracts

  • Optional in-home WiFi service at $5/mo

Requirements
One or more members of your household must be a recipient of one of the following assistance programs: