Assistance Programs



Today, staying connected is more important than ever. Whether you are working from home, studying, conversing with loved ones, or using telehealth services, reliable and affordable telecommunication services are essential. Learn about the Federal Assistance Programs that are currently available through NDTC to help ensure that your household* has access to quality broadband internet and phone services.

Lifeline

Federal Program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.

MORE INFORMATION

Affordable Connectivity Program

Federal Program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.

MORE INFORMATION


Lifeline customers are eligible to receive the Lifeline benefit plus the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit.

Lifeline

Lifeline Assistance is a non-transferable government benefit program that provides monthly discounts on one telephone service (landline or wireless) or eligible broadband service for qualified low-income consumers in every state, territory, and commonwealth, as well as on Tribal lands. Eligible consumers can receive a discount of up to $9.25 per month. Eligible residents of Tribal lands can receive up to $34.25 in Lifeline support.




Who is Eligible?


An individual may be eligible for the program-supported service if he or she has a household* income at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or if they receive benefits from one of the following qualifying programs:

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Program
  • Medicaid

Consumers residing on Tribal lands may be eligible for program-supported service if their household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or if they participate in one of the five federal programs listed above or in one of the following programs:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance
  • Tribal-administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting income qualifying standard)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Link Up


Link Up assistance reduces the cost of activation or installation of Lifeline service to eligible residents on Tribal lands at the subscriber’s principal place of residence. Consumers can receive a 100% discount off the one-time costs of initiating service. Link Up is a one-time benefit per address. Subscribers can request Link Up once for each change of address. Broadband data-only service is not eligible for Link Up assistance.


How To Apply


1

Go to checklifeline.org to apply online or print out a mail-in application.

2

Contact NDTC within 90 days at 701-662-1100 to sign up for service or to have the discount applied to your current service.

Visit lifelinesupport.org for more information about the Lifeline Program. You may also call the Federal Communications Commission at 1‑888‑225‑5322 or NDTC at 701-662-1100. NDTC’s telephone and broadband internet services are Lifeline and Link Up supported services.





Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government program operated by the FCC that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households* and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on Tribal lands.



Who is Eligible?


A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines;
  • Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
  • Participates in one of several Tribal-specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal TANF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
  • Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision; or
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.

NDTC broadband internet plans fully covered by the ACP Benefit:


Non-Tribal customers: None

Tribal customers with voice service: FiberZone 25, FiberZone 100, FiberZone 250

Tribal customer with broadband data only: FiberZone 100



How To Apply


1

Go to ACPBenefit.org to apply online or print out a mail-in application.

2

Contact NDTC at 701-662-1100 to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.


FCC Consumer Complaint Process


As a consumer, you have a right to file a complaint with the FCC regarding an ACP-supported service or if you have any difficulty enrolling with NDTC.

If your complaint is about an Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) billing or service issue, the FCC will serve your complaint on NDTC. NDTC has 30 days to send you a response to your complaint.

FCC Phone Number: 1‑888‑225‑5322
FCC Website: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov

*A household is defined as a group of people who live together and share income and expenses (even if they are not related to each other).



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