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SOUTH ARKANSAS TELEPHONE COMPANY
LIFELINE & LINK-UP LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Low income assistance for telephone connections and services. You might qualify - apply now!
Every person in America should have access to quality, affordable telecommunications service. This principal of Universal Service has been the goal of the telecommunications industry for decades. In 1934, Congress made the goal a law and reaffirmed it in 1996 by establishing policies for the preservation and advancement of Universal Services.To achieve the Universal Service goal, telephone companies have access to a fund that is generated by contributions from the telecommunications providers in the United States. Telephone companies draw from the fund to provide two programs that support telecommunications services nationwide. Lifeline Assistance Program (Lifeline) and Link-Up America (Link-Up) are part of the Fund's Low Income Program and are described in detail below.
Lifeline and Link-Up support provide discounts to eligible low-income consumers to help them establish and maintain telephone service.
What type of discount is available?
Link-Up reduces the cost of initiating (starting) new telephone services. Eligible consumers can receive a 50% discount off the one-time costs associated with initiating telephone service, up to a maximum of $30.00. Eligible consumers also qualify for a deferred payment schedule for remaining costs of up to $200.00.
Lifeline assistance lowers the cost of basic monthly local telephone service. Eligible consumers will receive a $8.25 discount off their normal monthly local service charge. Lifeline service is limited to one line per household at the customer's primary resident.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Individuals are eligible if he or she participates (or the household) in one of the following programs:
- Low-Income Home Energy
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- National School Lunch Free Lunch Program (household children)
- In addition, a consumer may be eligible if his or her household income is at or below 135% of the Federal poverty guidelines.
How do I apply for Lifeline and Link-Up service and receive the discounts?
- Visit or call South Arkansas Telephone Company (SATCO) at (870) 798-2201 if you live in the SATCO local service area.
- Contact Lifelink Certification, LLC if you do not know your telephone company or you wish to contact a company that can help you through the application process. Call toll free in Arkansas at (866) 886-5465 or write to P.O. Box 1714, Malvern, AR 72104. You will receive assistance or an application in the mail.