Grants for Native Americans that Help with Telephone Bills

Having a phone today is essential. Whether it is needed for emergency purposes or to keep in contact with family, everyone needs access to a phone. Yet for some people who have financial difficulties they may find it hard to continue paying for their phone. The good news is that there are grants for Native Americans that help with telephone bills. By getting a grant to help cover the cost of your telephone you can maintain your peace of mind knowing that the phone is there when you need it.

Telephones have largely become an essential part of life in today’s world. Just about every adult in the country lives in a home where there is access to at least one telephone, as it should be. For those who do not have access to a phone or feel they cannot afford one, they may feel vulnerable when they need assistance or have an emergency situation. It also makes it difficult to simply reach those you need to speak with, such as schools your children go to, or the bank where your account is at. Having a telephone is necessary, even for those who feel they cannot afford one.

Native Americans who feel they cannot afford a telephone, or who are struggling to pay for theirs, may qualify for grants to help them pay the bill. The largest program that will help pay for telephone bills is called Lifeline Support. It is a federal program that is made possible through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The program was created to help those with low incomes be able to have communications services. The program provides a monthly discount or grant, which makes the telephone bill more affordable.

Here are some important things to keep in mind regarding grants for Native Americans that help with telephone bills:

• Lifeline provides those who qualify with a monthly discount, or grant, to help pay make their telephone bill more affordable.
• The Lifeline grants can be used for both landlines and mobile phones.
• You cannot have more than one Lifeline service per house. This means only one person per home can receive the monthly grant to help pay for the telephone bill.
• The Lifeline grants are available in every state around the country, as well as on all Tribal land. You must meet the low income requirements in order to be approved for the Lifeline Support assistance.
• You may be approved for Lifeline if you are already receiving such benefits as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Section 8. Additionally, those who live on Tribal lands and are receiving Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Distribution, or Head Start, may automatically qualify for the Lifeline telephone assistance program.
• The current monthly grant rate for those approved for Lifeline is $9.25 for telephone service. Native Americans who are living on Tribal Lands may receive a monthly discount of up to $34.25 on their telephone bill. Plus, those on Tribal Lands may be eligible to receive a one-time grant of up to $100 to cover the costs of installation or activation.
• Those who are approved for the grant that helps with telephone bills will have to re-apply once per year to continue getting it. Plus, you must use your telephone service every 60 days in order to keep it active.
• When applying for the Lifeline telephone assistance program, you will be required to show such documentation as your proof of address, birth date, and social security number.

The Lifeline program provides grants for Native Americans that help with telephone bills. To apply for these grants, you first need to visit the Lifeline website and find where the program is being offered in your area. The program may be offered in your area through the telephone company, for example. Once you know who is administering the program in your area, you can contact them to apply. Those who live in Tribal Lands can contact their local Tribal Office to inquire about applying for the Lifeline program. Those who may be struggling to pay for their telephone bill should apply for the Lifeline assistance program to see if they can get the help they need.