CenturyLink Inc. is spreading the word about low-income assistance programs that help qualifying consumers obtain reduced-price voice and high-speed Internet services.
National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week, which began Monday, is designed to raise awareness of and participation in Lifeline, a government benefit program that helps make telephone service more affordable for qualified customers. CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program to make residential telephone service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Qualifying consumers are those who meet eligibility standards defined by the Federal Communications Commission and state public service and utilities commissions.
The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone line per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless telephone. For the purpose of the Lifeline program, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Lifeline service is not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in the program. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain Lifeline telephone service can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.
To find out more about the Lifeline program, visit the government website at www.lifeline.gov. Individuals living in a CenturyLink service area should call 855-954-6546 or visit www.centurylink.com/lifeline to inquire about Lifeline eligibility.
In addition to reduced-price phone service, CenturyLink offers discounted high-speed Internet service starting at $9.95 per month, plus applicable taxes and fees, to eligible consumers in markets where Internet service is available. The program, known as CenturyLink Internet Basics, uses the same income and program eligibility criteria as the Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up programs and provides access up to 1.5 Mbps downstream capability. Higher bandwidth services, where available, are offered at a comparable discount. A qualifying individual may enroll in this service plan once for a 12-month term, which may be extended on a month-to-month basis.
CenturyLink is also offering program participants an Internet-ready netbook computer for $150, plus taxes, shipping and handling.
In addition, CenturyLink is arranging basic computer education and technology training at no cost. The classes are being offered through community groups and senior centers, as well as schools, libraries and other state and local institutions, in more than 100 markets throughout the country.
For more information about the CenturyLink Internet Basics program, visit http://www.centurylink.com/internetbasics or call 1-800-257-3212.