Lifeline Service and Link Up Program

The Federal Communications Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas have established two programs to make telephone service more affordable to eligible customers. Lifeline Service, supported in part by federal universal support mechanisms and the Texas universal service fund, is a program designed to make telephone service available at reduced rates to eligible residential customers. Link-Up is a program designed to offer eligible customers a reduction in installation charges for telephone service equal to one-half of the service connection charges or $30.00, whichever is less.

Services supported by the federal universal service support mechanisms and the Texas universal service fund include: voice grade access to the public switched network, tone dialing, single party service or its functional equivalent, access to emergency services (911), access to directory assistance, toll limitation to qualifying low-income subscribers, availability of an annual local directory, the ability to report service problems seven days a week, access to toll service, and Lifeline service.

Totelcom Communications, LLC, offers Lifeline Service at the reduced rate of $4.60 per month. Information about customers who qualify for Lifeline Service or Link-Up Program may be shared between state agencies and Totelcom Communications.

Who Qualifies?

You are eligible for Lifeline Service and Link-Up Program if your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if you participate in at least one of the following programs:

  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Health Benefit Coverage under Child Health Plan (CHIP)
  • Eligible Resident of Tribal Lands

How Do Telephone Customers Apply For Lifeline Service?

  • Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI recipients:
    If you currently have telephone service, you should automatically receive the Lifeline Service reduction. If you have telephone service and participate in one of the programs listed above, or your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and you are not receiving the Lifeline Service reduction, please contact the Low-Income Discount Administrator (LIDA) at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP).
  • FPHA and LIHEAP recipients:
    If you have telephone service and participate in one of the programs listed above, or your annual household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and you are not receiving the Lifeline Service reduction, you need to contact the Low-Income Discount Administrator (LIDA) at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP) to request a blank self-certification form for Lifeline Service. Once you receive the form, complete and sign it and mail it back to LIDA. You will see the Lifeline Service reduction in your monthly bill within sixty days.
  • Low-Income Standard:
    If you do not participate in any of the programs listed above and believe your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and you currently have telephone service, call LIDA at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP) or call us at 254-893-1000 to request a blank self-certification form for Lifeline Service. Once you receive the form, complete and sign it and mail it back to LIDA. You will see the Lifeline Service reduction in your monthly bill within sixty days.

How Do Telephone Customers and Applicants for Telephone Service Apply for Link-Up Program?

The Link-Up Program provides applicants for telephone service and telephone customers who move their service a discount on installation charges.

If you do not have telephone service and wish to obtain telephone service, or if you have telephone service and you move, and you qualify for Link-Up Program by participating in one of the programs listed above, or your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may receive a 50% reduction or $30.00 credit, whichever is less, on installation charges to establish service or move service. Please call our office at 254-893-1000 to establish your new service or move your existing service and request a Link-Up discount.

Please call the LIDA at 1-866-454-8387 (1-866-4-LITE-UP) if you have any questions regarding the Lifeline Service and Link-Up Program, or call our business office at 254-893-1000 during normal business hours or click here to view and print the application online (Adobe Reader required).