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Lifeline Assistance
Vexus Fiber is an “Eligible Telecommunications Carrier” for its service area for universal service purposes. The goal of universal service is to provide all citizens access to essential telecommunication services.
Vexus Fiber offers the supported services – voice telephone service and broadband Internet access service –throughout its designated service area. These supported services include:
- Voice grade access to the public switched network;
- Minutes of use for local service provided at no additional charge;
- Access to emergency services provided by local government or other public safety organizations, such as 911 and enhanced 911, to the extent the local government in Vexus Fiber’s service area has implemented 911 or enhanced 911 systems; and
- Broadband Internet access service which includes the capability to send data to and receive data from the Internet, but excludes dial-up service.
Vexus Fiber also offers qualified customers Lifeline service. Lifeline is a non-transferable, federal benefit that makes monthly voice or broadband service more affordable. The program is limited to one discount per household. Eligible households may apply the monthly Lifeline discount to either broadband service (home or wireless) or voice service (home or wireless) but not both. Lifeline customers also have the option to apply the discount to a service bundle, such as home phone and home internet. The Lifeline voice service also includes toll blocking to qualifying customers without charge.
A household is eligible for Lifeline discount if the customer’s annual household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. You may also qualify for the Lifeline program if a customer, a dependent, or the customer’s household participates in one or more of the following programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Texas customers should complete their Lifeline application using the self-enrollment portal: https://www.texaslifeline.org/
- Louisiana customers must complete the application and submit via email to lifeline@vexusfiber.com or mail to:
Vexus Fiber
Attn: Louisiana Lifeline
912 S. Main Street, Suite 106
Sikeston MO 63801
Lifeline Program Restrictions
- Only one Lifeline service is available per household.
- A household is defined, for purposes of the Lifeline program, as any individual or
group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. - A household is not permitted to receive Lifeline benefits from multiple providers
(i.e., if you receive a Lifeline discount on your wireless service, you would not also qualify to receive that discount on your home phone service).
Violation of the one-per-household limitation constitutes a violation of the Federal Communications Commission’s (or “FCC”) rules and will result in the subscriber’s de-enrollment from the program.
Lifeline is a non-transferable benefit meaning the subscriber may not transfer his or her benefit to any other person.
Lifeline is a federal benefit and willfully making false statements to obtain the benefit can result in fines, imprisonment, de-enrollment or being barred from the program.
General Lifeline Information – For Home Phone
Lifeline is a governmental assistance program that provides a monthly credit to a customer with either telephone, internet, or bundled internet and voice services. Eligible households may apply the monthly Lifeline credit to either internet service or phone service but not both. Please see the following per household examples:
- If you get Lifeline for phone service, you can get the benefit for one mobile phone or one home phone, but not both. Customer receives one $5.25 credit.
- If you get Lifeline for internet service, you can get the benefit for your mobile phone or home connection, but not both. Customer receives only one $9.25 credit.
- If you get Lifeline for bundled phone and internet service, you get the $9.25 credit one time.
- Texas State USF provides a monthly credit of $3.50 for voice and bundled voice.
- Texas State USF provides a monthly credit of $2.92 for voice and bundled voice for customers located in AT&T wire centers.
- Texas State USF provides a monthly credit of $1.65 for voice and bundled voice for customers located in Windstream wire centers.
- Texas is an opt-out state. Texas Public Utility Commission enrolls all customers via the self-enrollment portal: https://www.texaslifeline.org/
FCC Lifeline Rules FAQs
What do I need to fill in on the application?
It is important that you fill out the application completely and accurately to ensure there are no delays in being approved for the Lifeline program. Please review the instructions on the application carefully. Required:
- Customer Name
- Customer Service Address
- City, State, Zip
- Must note if your address is permanent or temporary
- Customer Telephone Number
- Social Security Number (last 4 digits only)
- Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
- Must check qualifying program or income; if income, must provide # of persons in household
- Must provide proof of program participation or income level
- Must check that you have read and agree to the list of certifications
- Signature
- Date
How do I qualify?
Here are the ways you can qualify for Lifeline: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/
How do I submit the application?
Texas customers should complete their Lifeline application using the self-enrollment portal: https://www.texaslifeline.org/
What proof do I need to bring?
If you qualify by program assistance, please bring in a copy of your benefits card or award letter. If you qualify by income, please bring in copies of any of the following qualifying documents — Vexus Fiber DOES NOT keep any documentation.
- Most recent state or federal tax return
- Retirement/pension statement of benefits
- Current income statement from an employer
- Unemployment/Workmen’s Compensation Statement of Benefits
- Paycheck stubs for most recent 3 months
- Federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Social Security Statement of Benefits
- Veterans Administration Statement of Benefits
- Child Support document
- Divorce decree
- Other official document containing income information
How do I get proof of Social Security (Social Security Statement of Benefits) if qualifying by income?
Social Security Statement of Benefits is mailed to all recipients annually. If you need a copy, please contact your local Social Security office. Click here to find your local Social Secutiry Office.
Can I send a copy of my paycheck as proof?
We will need a copy of your paycheck stubs for three consecutive months, as proof. A copy of your paycheck is not accepted.
Is Supplemental Social Security (SSI) the same as Social Security?
No. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It is designed to help aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income.
I’m a senior citizen, do I qualify?
Lifeline is not based on age. You must participate in one of the qualifying programs or meet the income guidelines to be eligible for Lifeline.
I receive Medicare, do I qualify?
No. Medicare is not a qualifier for the Lifeline program.
I babysit or am self-employed, what is acceptable for proof?
Please provide a photocopy of your most recent tax return.
Do I have to wait until I’m approved for Lifeline to get phone service?
No. You must have working phone service to be approved for Lifeline.
Will the Lifeline discount be on my next bill?
Lifeline will be applied to your account within 2 bill cycles and is retroactive back to your approval date.
Why isn’t Lifeline showing on my bill anymore?
You may have failed to complete a re-certification within the required 30 days. You must re-apply by using the Application for Lifeline to have the discount added back to your account.
Why has my bill amount changed?
The FCC has changed the federal Lifeline discount amount.
Why did I receive a re-certification form in the mail?
The FCC is requiring all customers who have Lifeline as of June 1, 2012, to certify that they are still eligible for Lifeline according to the new guidelines.
Why did FCC change its contribution to the Lifeline discount?
The FCC reformed many aspects of its Lifeline program and changing the old Lifeline discount rate structure to a simple, flat rate discount was one of those reforms. The FCC concluded that such a discount is easier for customers to understand.
How can I find out more about these changes?
How do I re-certify my eligibility?
You must re-certify by completing the form you received in the mail and returning it.