Description:

LIFELINE is a government program that provides qualified consumers with a discount on monthly charges for their primary home phone line, even if it's a cell phone. Wisconsin residents are eligible if their household receives benefits from one of the following programs:

*Wisconsin Homestead Tax Credit (WHTC)

*Wisconsin Works (W-2)

*Medical Assistance/Medicaid (MA)

*Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

*Badger Care Plus

*Food Stamps/Food Share

*Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

*Federal Public Housing Assistance

*TANF

*National School Lunch Program

Participating telephone companies in Wisconsin include Alltel Wireless, AT&T, Cellular One, CenturyTel, Einstein Wireless, MTI, Sprint Nextel, TDS Telecom, U.S. Cellular and Verizon. To find out more, call your local telephone company and ask to apply for the Lifeline assistance. Check the website.

Contact your case worker or county benefits specialist if you are found ineligible by the telephone company.