Phone bill help or free government phones in Indiana.
Find how to get a free cell or smart phone in Indiana and also learn how to get financial assistance to pay the bill. The federal government FCC, state of Indiana, and telephone companies across the state participate in Lifeline as well as Link Up. Both of these programs help seniors, the low-income, people with a disability and others either get free telephone service or a phone. Learn how to get free cell phone or help paying a bill in Indiana below.
Linfelie is the nation’s main low income assistance program for addressing a household’s communication needs, with tens of thousands enrolled in Indiana. The intent of it is to ensure that families have some form of access to a phone for an emergency, with free smart phones including iPhones or Samsung Galaxies provided as well as tablets.
Type of phone bill assistance programs in Indiana
There are a couple main components to this particular benefit, and they include both discounts on existing service as well as help in establishing a new account, and this is known as Link-Up which gives free government phones. While the state regulates it through the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, any resident that wants to apply for assistance needs to contact their phone company directly for an application.
All providers in the state participate, from the biggest companies such as AT&T to smaller providers, including Safelink (owned by Verizon). As noted, both wireless and standard providers will also offer the discount to those who qualify. Companies that only offer cable service as a form of Internet phone must also provide the Lifeline discount program if the applicant meets all other conditions.
Savings are passed on by local telephone companies directly to the customer, including the elderly or senior citizens in Indiana. Or for those households that have cut the cord to their landline and are wireless only, there may be some discounts on a cellular account too, but this is only for income qualified residents.
In order to apply, income targets need to be met. Or someone in the family needs to be receiving public assistance, such as the examples noted below. All lifeline applications in Indiana need to be submitted directly to the phone company, as they are fully involved in the process and will review them. There is also assistance in paying for internet or devices (laptops, computers, etc.) to get online, and learn more about assistance from the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program.
How to get a free government phone in Indiana
For households that receive one or more of the Indiana or federal benefits identified here, they will be automatically qualified for a discount. Applicants can receive Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid, SNAP Food Stamps / EBT Card, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Section 8 state of Indiana Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or even if a child gets a free lunch at school, they may qualify. However they will still need to formally request and apply for the savings.
Or, for families that not receive government aid, they may still qualify for help with their phone bills. The total household income needs to meet guidelines of about 150% of federal poverty guidelines. However the Department of Health and Human Services or your phone company can provide the most recent thresholds. Proof of this will also be required.
Applying for phone bill assistance in Indiana
Once again, call your telephone company to apply for Lifeline, or to get more details. Proof of everything will be required as part of the process, whether it is income or the receipt of benefits such as SSI or a pension. Only a home or cellular phone can be enrolled, not both, and it doesn’t matter how many people live in the home. Still, only one unit is allowed to be enrolled for residence. One one free smart phone is given to each low-income family by the government.
The discount will last for only one year, and it will more than likely be less than $15 per month. The savings to connect a phone are limited too, and that may be about 50% of the connection fees. So the customer will still need to contribute towards their monthly phone bills, and this is not a free program.
If you apply and think are being unfairly denied enrollment in Lifeline, then this is when the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor may be able to help. Their role is to ensure all people are treated fairly. They oversee and are involved in regulating many state and federal programs, including Lifeline. Together there may be some help to pay for telephone bills from this Indiana service.
Applying for and phone number for phone bill help in Indiana
Contact a phone company/provider to apply, such as Verizon, AT&T, Assurance or others. The organization, also known as OUCC, can be called at 1-888-441-2494. While the main office is at 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South, Indianapolis, IN 46204, consumers should always call first to get their questions answered.
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