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Stay connected with Lifeline

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) urges qualifying low-income residents to apply for Lifeline Telephone Assistance. Lifeline Assistance makes basic local telephone service more affordable for income-eligible families across Ohio. Those who qualify could receive discounts for monthly telephone bills and/or installation costs of telephone service. And now, some wireless companies offer Lifeline discounts.

Am I eligible?

You may qualify for Lifeline if your household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or if you participate in one of the following programs:

  • Medicaid

  • Food stamps

  • General/Disability Assistance

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • SSI - Blind and Disabled (SSDI)

  • Public Housing Assistance/Section 8

  • TANF/Ohio Works First

  • National School Free Lunch Program

  • Home Energy Assistance Program

A Lifeline eligibility pre-screening tool is available at www.lifelinesupport.org. 

Are there any restrictions?

Lifeline benefits may be applied to only one type of service – landline or wireless – and are limited to one line per household. An individual is only allowed to enroll in Lifeline once at the same address during a 12-month period. Customers receiving lifeline benefits must also reverify their eligibility annually.  Other restrictions may apply.

What are the benefits?

Eligible low-income customers receive a monthly discount on basic local landline telephone service, waiver of installation charges, waiver of deposit fees, optional toll blocking at no charge and optional 900/976 blocking at no charge. Lifeline discounts are also available for some wireless companies.

How do I apply?

Contact your local landline or wireless phone company and ask to apply for Lifeline. If you have any questions or have a complaint about Lifeline, please contact the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at (800) 686-7826.