Assistance Programs
Financial assistance is available to help qualified low-income households pay for broadband services. Eligible households can apply and possibly receive assistance for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline, and the Empowering Parents Program.
Affordable Connectivity Program
About the Affordable Connectivity Program
The benefit will provide a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount.
Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
- Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline
- Participates in Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income program
Lifeline & Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program
Lifeline (Idaho & Utah Customers)
The Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline Program offers a discount up to $9.25 a month on eligible services. Lifeline discounts are available to eligible customers in both Idaho and Utah.
A brief summation of program rules are listed below.
- If you qualify, your household can get Lifeline assistance for phone or internet service, but not both.
- If you get Lifeline for phone service, you can get the benefit for one mobile phone or one home phone, but not both at a reduced rate of $5.25.
- If you get Lifeline for internet service, you can get the benefit for your mobile phone or your home connection, but not both.
- Your household cannot get Lifeline from more than one phone or internet company.
- You are only allowed to get one Lifeline benefit per household, not per person.
- If more than one person in your household gets Lifeline, you are breaking the FCC’s rules and will lose your benefit.
- Your eligibility must be renewed each year.
ITSAP (Idaho Customers Only)
Financial assistance from the Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program (ITSAP) is available in Idaho to help qualified low-income individuals pay for telephone service. ITSAP offers a $2.50 discount on monthly telephone bills.
To qualify for both ITSAP and Lifeline, you must be a residential customer who is:
- Head of the household.
- Income eligible (income cannot exceed 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines).
- The name and telephone number on your application must match telephone company records.
To see if you qualify call 2-1-1.
Apply For Lifeline
Step One
Eligible households can apply HERE
Step Two
After your application has been submitted and approved through the FCC website. Please notify us by completing this short form.
Apply for ITSAP
You must first apply for Lifeline (see above). Note: ITSAP is only available for telephone service.
Other Links & Resources?
Federal Communications Commission
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Still have questions? Feel free to contact us.
