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NOTE: NO LONGER OFFERING CELL PHONES ON LIFELINE SERVICE
Alaska Communications is the one and only source of government-subsidized cell phones in the great state of Alaska. And they only provide this service in Alaska. Like a couple other states, they do not allow no-cost Lifeline cell phone service — you’ll have to pitch in a buck a month. But — and this is a big but — you get a heck of a deal for that dollar. And what is that good deal? Unlimited phone and unlimited text (in Alaska Communications service areas). This, friends, is the absolute best deal in the whole Lifeline program.
The qualifications to get a phone from Alaska Communications are the similar to Lifeline Service companies in the lower 48. In general, any of the following qualifies you:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
- Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
- Adult Public Assistance (which includes aid to the aged, blind and disabled)
- BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) General Assistance
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Head Start (meeting qualifying income standards)
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch program
- Denali KidCare
- WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children Care Program)
- Pioneer Home Payment Assistance
- Alaska State Housing Corporation Programs
- Public Housing
- Interest Rate Reduction for Low Income Borrowers
- Home Investment Partnership
- Low Incumbent Housing Tax Credit Program
- State of Alaska Heating Assistance Program
- Veterans Administration Disability Pension
- Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund
- State of Alaska Senior Benefits Program
- Childcare Assistance Program, Pass I, II and III
If you are not on any of these government assistance programs, you can still qualify if your income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (see chart below).
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for Alaska, which we’ve calculated for you in the table below:
| Income Based Eligibility for Alaska | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual income | |
| 1 member | $20,331 | |
| 2 members | $27,392 | |
| 3 members | $34,452 | |
| 4 members | $41,513 | |
| 5 members | $48,573 | |
| 6 members | $55,634 | |
| 7 members | $62,694 | |
| 8 members | $69,755 | |
| For each additional member add $7,061 annually | ||
Unlike some companies, Alaska Communications isn’t just going to give out this great deal without some proof that you qualify. You will have to submit one of the following:
- A federal or tribal notice of letter of participation in general assistance
- A previous year’s state of federal tax return
- A current income statement from an employer or 3 months of paycheck stubs
- A statement of benefits from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- An unemployment or worker’s compensation statement of benefits
- A statement of benefits from the U.S. Social Security Admin.
- A retirement or pension statement of benefits
- A divorce decree or child support document
- Any other official document to substantiate income
Lifeline service offers Unlimited Networkwide Talk, Nationwide Text Messaging, Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, and 3-Way Call Waiting. Unlimited Alaska Communications Statewide Wireless Voice Minutes include only minutes on calls made within the ACS Lifeline Service Areas to callers that are also within those areas. Calls that do not fall within those areas will incur roaming, long distance, and/or international charges as appropriate.
Contact:
Website: Alaska Communications Lifeline Page
Phone: 1-800-808-8083
E-mail: through contact page
Latest News on Alaska Communications:
Susan Bowman says
I am getting APA and food stamps. I am on social security. I need a phone for doctor appointments and to keep in touch with family