Many phone companies and internet service providers operating in Massachusetts offer discounted home phone service, wireless phone service, home internet service, or a wireless data plan to low-income households.13 Verizon, Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless, and other companies14 offer a discount service called “Lifeline Assistance” to households that receive SSI, Mass Health/Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), or Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension benefits. Customers are also eligible if their income is less than 135% of the federal poverty guideline. Only one service is available per household. The discounted monthly service is currently $9.25 per month, but check with the phone or internet company about the discounted prices and available services. Application forms for the discounted service can be obtained from the company.
The household must recertify its eligibility annually, or face the risk of being dropped from the program.
Finally, some charitable organizations and domestic violence programs may provide money towards overdue phone bills. There are also agencies that help homeless people set up voicemail at no charge.
13 Details of most of the Lifeline programs offered in Massachusetts are available at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/lifeline-services.
14 The list of service providers is subject to change. The most current information on service providers can be found at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/lifeline-services or at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/.