Carolina West Wireless is proud to participate in the U.S. Government Lifeline Communications Program
You may qualify for low-cost wireless service if your annual household income is within federal guidelines, or if you receive one or more of the following types of assistance: Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the National School Lunch Program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Discounts are available on basic phone service to low-income consumers. Carolina West Wireless offers Unlimited local minutes for $16.49 per month with a lifeline discount
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can qualified customers save?
Customers will save $13.50 on the Advance Pay Basic $29.99 plan. The qualified customers plan will total $16.49 + Taxes and Fees. In addition, qualified customers will not pay an activation fee saving up to an additional $25.00.
How do I know if I am eligible?
In North Carolina, Lifeline eligibility is determined solely by one of the following agencies: The North Carolina Department of Social Services, Social Security Administration representative at the local SSA, Housing Authority / Section 8 official. Customers who want Lifeline should contact their case worker at the Department of Social Services, local SSA representative at Social Security or Housing Authority / Section 8 official to qualify for Lifeline
Are there any restrictions?
Lifeline can only be used for the primary telephone line in a household. Customers may purchase additional services available to a non-Lifeline customer. Customers must establish phone service prior to applying for the Lifeline discount. The name on the phone bill must match the name of the household member participating on the eligible program.
How do I apply?
Customers may apply for Lifeline by visiting The North Carolina Department of Social Services, Social Security Administration representative at the local SSA, Housing Authority / Section 8 official or call your services case worker directly at DHHS or SSA.
What proof of eligibility do I need to provide?
You will be asked for proof of your eligibility by submitting a form signed under penalty of perjury that you receive benefits from or a copy of any dated document which verifies your participation in one of the qualifying programs listed above. Proof of total household income may be required for income based qualification. Your Lifeline benefits will take effect when proof of eligibility is received.
For More Information Call Carolina West, or Visit One of the Agencies Below
- North Carolina Department of Social Services
- Your local Social Security Administration (SSA) representative
- Your local Housing Authority Section 8 official
Overview of the Low Income Program
The Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. Similar programs have existed since at least 1985. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 reiterated their importance by including the principle that "consumers in all regions of the nation, including low income consumers . . . should have access to telecommunications and information services . . ."
In the May 8, 1997 First Report and Order (FCC 97-157), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established rules to govern Lifeline, Link Up, and Toll Limitation Service (TLS) program support - the three components of the Low Income Program. Lifeline support reduces eligible consumers' monthly charges for basic telephone service. Link Up support reduces the cost of initiating new telephone service. Toll Limitation Service support allows eligible consumers to subscribe to toll blocking or toll control at no cost.
On June 30, 2000, the FCC amended its rules to "increase access to telecommunications services and subscribership among low-income individuals living on American Indian and Alaska Native lands." As a result of the Tribal Order (FCC 00-208), residents of federal tribal lands receive up to an additional $25 in Lifeline support (Tier 4 support) and an additional $70 in Link Up support to cover 100% of all charges between $60 and $130. These provisions bring the cost of basic local telephone service for most tribal residents to $1.00, the minimum charge for tribal Lifeline service. The Tribal Order also expanded the federal default eligibility criteria to include low-income programs that residents of tribal lands were most likely to receive assistance from.
On April 29, 2004, the FCC released the Lifeline and Link Up Order (FCC 04-87) further modifying the Low Income Program. The new order expanded the eligibility criteria for qualifying consumers to include an income-based criterion and participation in National School Lunch free lunch program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as additional criteria. By expanding the eligibility criteria to include an income-based criterion, the FCC estimated that 1.17 million to 1.29 million additional households that do not participate in the program-based criteria would enroll in Lifeline based on the new criteria.
In addition, the Lifeline and Link Up Order adopted certification and validation procedures that are designed to minimize potential abuse of the Low Income Program. The FCC required carriers that serve in federal default states to complete a verification of a statistically valid sample of their Lifeline customers and submit the results to USAC by June 22, 2005 and annually on that date. The Lifeline and Link Up Order also clarified record keeping requirements and adopted outreach guidelines for carriers. USAC has worked closely with eligible telecommunications carriers and state commissions to help each understand what they need to do to implement the requirements of this order.
