ITSAP Fact sheet.pdf

1 of 2 Updated May 10, 2022
IDAHO TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
How can I get help paying for telephone service?
Financial assistance is available in Idaho to help qualified low-income individuals pay for
telephone service. The Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program (ITSAP) offers a $2.50
discount on monthly telephone bills. A separate program – the Federal Communication
Commission’s Lifeline Program (Lifeline) - offers a monthly discount of $5.25 for Voice support,
$9.25 for Broadband support alone or bundled with Voice Support.

Who is eligible?
To qualify for both ITSAP and Lifeline, you must be a residential customer who is:
• Head of the household.
• Income eligible (income cannot exceed 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines).
• The name and telephone number on your application must match telephone company
records.

How do I apply?
• Contact your current telephone provider and request a telephone assistance application
be mailed to your home address.
o CenturyLink’s Customer Service: 1-888-833-9522 or 1-800-244-1111
o Frontier: 1-800-921-8101
OR
• Download the form from your provider’s website.
o CenturyLink: http://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/community-
development/lifeline.html
o Frontier: https://frontier.com/resources/discountprograms/lifeline-program

Suggestion (for your records):
• Make a copy of the completed application
• Request Delivery Confirmation from the US Postal Service (to show proof of receipt at the
Company)

• Do I need to apply every year?
• Yes. If you still meet the eligibility criteria and wish to continue receiving financial
assistance, you must re-apply every year.

What if my income is more than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines?
• If your income exceeds 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), you do not qualify
for ITSAP. However, you may qualify for Lifeline if you are a participant in one of the
following federal assistance programs:
2 of 2 Updated May 10, 2022
o Medicaid
o Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
o Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
o Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
o Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
o Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
o National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program
• If your income exceeds 135% FPG and you are a participant in one of these programs, you
must apply for Lifeline directly with your local telephone company.

Is telephone assistance available for cellular (wireless) service?
Some cellular companies offer telephone assistance discounts. See the list of Eligible
Telecommunication Carriers (http://www.puc.idaho.gov/telecom/etc%20list.PDF) on the
Commission’s website. If you already receive assistance for landline service, you cannot receive
an additional discount for cellular service. Some cellular companies only participate in the Federal
Lifeline Program. Customers of those companies are not eligible to receive the ITSAP (state)
discount and must apply directly to the cellular company for Lifeline (federal) assistance.

What if I live on tribal lands?
Under programs established by the Federal Communications Commission, a customer living on
tribal lands may be eligible for additional federal financial assistance for local telephone service.
Assistance is also available for the cost of setting up new telephone service. Contact your tribal
office or your local Community Action Partnership office for more information.

More information about ITSAP

The Idaho Telephone Assistance Program (ITSAP) provides a communication “lifeline” to those
who might not otherwise be able to afford telephone service. It also enhances the value of
service for everyone by increasing the number of people who can be reached by telephone. A
small surcharge is applied to every Idaho telephone line each month to reimburse local
telephone companies for the cost of state discounts under ITSAP. The surcharge is waived for
customers receiving the ITSAP discount. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) reviews
the surcharge annually and may increase or decrease the surcharge.