LINK-UP and Lifeline Services

LINK-UP and Lifeline services are available to qualifying customers.  Application information included below.

LINK-UP Assists with connection charges. The Low-Income Connection Assistance Program (LINK-UP) is a plan that assists qualified low-income applicants with reduced service connection charges. The assistance applies to a single telephone line at the applicant’s principal place of residence. A reduction of fifty percent of all service connection charges, or $30.00, whichever is less, will be provided to qualified applicants.

The consumer shall receive the benefit of the LINK-UP program for a second or subsequent time only for a principal place of residence with an address different from the residence address at which LINK-UP assistance was provided previously.

Eligibility requirements: An applicant must participate in one of the following to be eligible for assistance:

1. Medicaid (such as Title XIX/Medical, state supplemental assistance)
2. Food Stamps
3. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
4. Federal public housing assistance
5. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
6. An income below 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
7. Temporary assistance to Needy Families (FANF)
8. National free school lunch program

Application for Assistance

Applicants shall request assistance by completing a form provided by HMU.  Please contact the HMU business office to obtain an application.

Charges and deferred payments include:

1. All tariffed service connection charges for installing basic residential telephone service, except security deposits, shall be reduced by 50% OR $30.00 whichever is less.

2. Applicants may defer payment of the service connection charges or security deposit. Payments may be deferred up to 12 months with a payment schedule of equal payments up to $200.00 assessed for commencing services. Interest will not be charged on deferred payments.