St. Paul, Minn. – Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to all residents. During “Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week,” September 11-17, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) wants residents to get and stay connected through two federal programs – the Lifeline Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offer discounts to help residents gain access to voice and/or broadband services.
In Minnesota, 71,000 Minnesotans are enrolled in Lifeline, but more than 550,000 qualify.
“Access to voice and broadband services has become such a routine part of our lives that we hardly even think about it anymore,” says PUC Commissioner John Tuma. “Many of us take for granted that we can pick up our phone to dial friends and family, hop online to send an e-mail, connect to vital services, or apply for a job. It is important to recognize that not everyone has access and raise awareness that there are public-assistance programs to help connect people.”
Lifeline helps low-income consumers connect to the nation’s communications networks, find jobs, access health care services, connect with family and call for help in an emergency. Under the federal Lifeline program, low-income consumers who participate in certain public assistance programs, or qualify based on income can receive a discount of up to $9.25 per month off their monthly bill for broadband, or bundled phone and broadband service, up to $5.25 for voice-only service, and up to a total of $34.25 per month for residents of qualifying Tribal lands. More information at www.lifelinesupport.org.
In 2021, the Federal Communications Commission implemented a new program – the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP provides eligible households up to a $30/month discount for broadband services – up to $75/month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Current Lifeline participants are automatically eligible, but they still need to select a provider and eligible ACP plan to receive the benefit. More information at www.affordableconnectivity.gov.
If you need assistance with either of these programs, contact the PUC's Consumer Affairs Office at 800-657-3782 or email at consumer.puc@state.mn.us. The PUC has Spanish and Hmong language speakers on staff.
About the Commission
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy: electricity, natural gas, and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate, and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional, and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc.
