Park Region, Otter Tail Telcom, Rothsay Telephone, and Valley Telephone offer Financial Assistance Programs to assist in paying your telephone or internet bill. You may qualify if your income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines OR you participate in certain government benefit programs.

One of the qualifiers for the Federal Lifeline Program/Telephone Assistance Plan is your income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level and for the Affordable Connectivity Program is your income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The 2023 poverty limits per individuals in a household are listed below.

Household Size | Household Income at or below 135% (Lifeline/TAP) | Household Income at or below 200% (ACP)
One | $19,683 | $29,160
Two | $26,622 | $39,440
Three | $33,561 | $49,720
Four | $40,500 | $60,000
Five | $47,439 | $70,280
Six | $54,378 | $80,560
Seven | $61,317 | $90,840
Eight | $68,256 | $101,120
For each additional person, add $6,939 for at or below 135% and $10,280 for at or below 200%.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands.

You qualify if:

Your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines

OR

You participate in any ONE of these government benefit programs:

  • Lifeline
  • Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) (including Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811, Public Housing, and Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians)
  • Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision
  • Federal Pell Grant (current award year)
  • Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting affordableconnectivity.gov or getinternet.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.

Federal Lifeline Program

The Federal Lifeline Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages.

You qualify if:

Your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines

OR

You participate in any ONE of these federal assistance programs:

  • Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit

OR

You participate in any ONE of these tribal assistance programs:

  • Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting lifelinesupport.org or getinternet.gov or by calling 1-800-234-9473.

Telephone Assistance Plan

The Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) provides eligible subscribers with a monthly credit on the basic service portion of their telephone bill. The credit applies on the main home telephone number listed in the applicant’s name. Additional benefits are available to persons living on tribal lands.

You qualify if:

Your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines

OR

You participate in any ONE of these federal assistance programs:

  • Medicaid/Medical Assistance
  • Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Low Income Heat Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
  • National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program

OR

Additional qualifying programs for persons living on a reservation:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
  • National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting mn.gov/commerce/consumer/telecom/phone-discounts or by calling 651-539-1876.

Contact Park Region Telephone, Otter Tail Telcom, Rothsay Telephone, or Valley Telephone for more information on how to apply for Financial Assistance Programs.