Help Pay Phone Bill: A Guide to Getting Assistance With Your Phone Service

Having a working phone is vital in today’s world. It lets us stay in touch with friends, family, schools, employers, and more. But when money is tight, it can be hard to pay the phone bill. There are places that can help you if you’re having trouble paying for your phone service. We’ll go over some of the main ways you can get help with your phone bill in this guide.

Overview of Phone Bill Assistance Programs

There are a few main types of assistance programs available for phone bills

• Government Programs: The main government program is called Lifeline, and it helps low-income households save money on their phone and internet service. More on this later.

• Programs for Utility Companies: A lot of big phone and internet companies, like AT&T are

• Non-Profit Organizations: Local non-profits and charities often have funds to help pay phone bills as part of their overall assistance for basic needs.

• Help in an Emergency: Some programs offer one-time emergency help in exchange for a shut-off notice or a re-connection fee if your service was disconnected.

The best approach is to explore all of these options. Every little bit helps when trying to cover the phone bill.

Lifeline Program Overview

Lifeline is a federal benefit program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. It was started in 1985 and is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Lifeline Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Lifeline, you must have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines OR participate in certain government assistance programs:

• Income Requirements: Up to 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, depending on your state and household size. For example, for a family of four in 2022, the income threshold is $37,590 per year or less.

• Assistance Programs: Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, Tribal Programs, and a few others automatically qualify you.

You must also show proof of identity and that you only receive one Lifeline benefit per household. Some states add their own eligibility requirements too.

How Much Lifeline Saves You

If eligible, you can receive the Lifeline discount on either phone OR internet service, but not both. The discount amount depends on your state but ranges from $9.25 to $34.25 per month.

For example, if the Lifeline discount in your state is $15 per month and your current phone bill is $60 per month, you would only pay $45 per month with Lifeline assistance.

Some Lifeline cell phone plans include free minutes and data too. Overall, the program can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

How to Apply for Lifeline

You have a few options for applying to Lifeline:

• Apply Online: Visit CheckLifeline.org to apply online and find Lifeline providers in your state.

• Phone Company Application: Contact your current phone or internet company directly to ask about applying for Lifeline through them.

• Mail-In Application: You can print out and mail in a Lifeline application. Just search “Lifeline application FORM” to find the right form for your state.

Make sure to have all your eligibility documentation ready. You will need to prove identity, age, income status, and participation in qualifying programs (if applicable).

Once approved, you will select a Lifeline phone or internet company and service level. Your benefit will be applied as a monthly discount to your bill.

Company and Non-Profit Bill Assistance Programs

In addition to Lifeline, there are many other programs that provide help with phone bills:

• AT&T Access Program – Offers low-cost wireline home internet service to qualifying households. Provides in-home Wi-Fi router and installation at no cost. Call 855-220-5211 or go to att.com/access for more details.

• Verizon Lifeline – Verizon’s Lifeline Program offers discounted phone service and free 500 monthly voice minutes to eligible consumers. More details at verizon.com/lifeline.

• Comcast Internet Essentials – Low-cost high-speed internet service for $9.95/month plus tax. Also provides option to purchase a computer for less than $150. Call 1-855-846-8376 or go to internetessentials.com.

• Local Energy/Utility Assistance – Programs that help pay electric/gas bills often also assist with phone bills. Call your local Social Services office for information.

• Religious Organization Assistance – Churches and religious charities like The Salvation Army may have funds to help pay essential bills, including phone service. Call local organizations directly to inquire.

• Emergency Broadband Benefit – A temporary federal program offering up to $50/month toward internet service for eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic. More details at getemergencybroadband.org.

One-Time Emergency Help for Re-Connection

If your phone service has already been cut off, emergency assistance may be able to help get you re-connected:

• Lifeline Support – People enrolled in the Lifeline program can contact Lifeline Support at 800-234-9473 for emergency help if their service was suspended.

• 211 Referrals – Call 211 from any phone and speak with a community resource specialist who can refer you to emergency utility assistance in your area.

• Local Energy/Utility Assistance – One-time grants may be available to help cover a shut-off or re-connection fee. Contact your utility provider or local Social Services office.

• Religious Organizations – Local churches or charities may have emergency funds set aside to help restore disconnected phone service.

• Family/Friends – Consider borrowing money from people close to you for a re-connection fee and set up a repayment plan.

Ways to Reduce Your Phone/Internet Bill

Along with the assistance programs above, there are things you can do to lower your phone and internet costs:

• Review your plan usage and features to see if a lower-cost plan makes sense. Can you reduce minutes? Drop extras you don’t use?

• Use apps like WhistleOut to compare cell phone plans across providers and find cheaper service.

• Consider a family plan if you have relatives also needing service. The cost per person is usually lower.

• For cell service, use WiFi calling from home to reduce minutes used. Disable data roaming and auto video playback.

• Buy your own modem/router for home internet instead of paying monthly equipment fees.

• Call providers directly and politely ask about any available discounts for your situation.

• Bundle home phone, internet and cable together on one bill for lower pricing.

Where to Get Help Applying for Bill Assistance

Navigating all the different assistance programs and completing the applications can be challenging. If you need guidance, reach out to one of these organizations:

• United Way – Call 211 or visit 211.org to speak with a United Way specialist who can help you apply for bill assistance.

• Family & Community Resource Centers – Non-profit centers assist low-income households with accessing services. Locate one near you at findhelp.org.

• State/Local Assistance Offices – Visit or call your local Department of Human Services or Social Services office for application help.

• Legal Aid – Local legal aid organizations provide free assistance applying for income-based programs. Find yours at lsc.gov/apply-for-assistance.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many kind people willing to assist you through the process of getting your essential phone service paid for.

Key Takeaways

• Lifeline provides monthly discounts up to $34.25 for low-income households. Apply online, through your phone company, or via mail.

• Major phone/internet companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast all offer their own bill assistance programs.

• Contact non-profits and churches about possible funds to pay phone bills.

• Seek emergency assistance if your service is shut off and you need help restoring it.

• Take steps to reduce your monthly phone and internet costs.

• Call 211 or local aid organizations if you need help applying for bill assistance programs.

Having phone and internet access is vital for work, school, healthcare and more. Hopefully this guide provided you with some helpful options to explore so you can maintain affordable service. The assistance is out there if you just take the time to seek it out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with your phone bill.