What is NTAP/Lifeline Program?
- NTAP assists qualifying low-income individuals in Nebraska with obtaining and keeping telephone service by lowering the cost of monthly service.
- NTAP reduces the cost of local phone service by an additional $3.50 per month for qualifying individuals on one landline/wireless phone bill or provides minutes to an eligible cellular phone service. NTAP is supplemental to the federal Lifeline program which can provide support of up to $9.25/month for qualifying individuals.
- Some telephone companies do not participate with this program.
- The discount will appear as a credit on your monthly telephone bill or minutes will be uploaded to an eligible account.
- No cash or checks will be distributed.
- The telephone bill must be in the name of, or contain the name of, the applicant.
Who is eligible for NTAP/Lifeline Program?
Programs accepted for customer eligibility of NTAP/Lifeline participation:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplements Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension Benefit/Survivors Pension Benefit
If you do not participation in any qualifying programs, you may qualify by demonstrating that your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty income guidelines. A table reflecting 135% of the federal poverty guidelines can be found at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/.
Click here to view a video about the Federal Lifeline Program
How do I apply for NTAP/Lifeline Program?
STEP 1:
To receive an application form: Contact a phone provider, go online and complete an online application at: NV.FCC.gov or print off an application form - Application
Provide proof of eligible program form - Proof of Eligibility
NOTE: You are only allowed to get one Lifeline benefit per household. If you are unsure about the number of households at your address, review the Lifeline Household Worksheet.
Lifeline Program Household Worksheet
Mail your completed application to: Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 9100, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773, along with proof of eligible program participation (for providing proof of eligible program see "providing proof of eligible program" form)
STEP 2:
To participate in the Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program (NTAP) applicants must also submit a Citizenship Attestation form. Print and complete a Citizenship Attestation form - Click Here
Mail your completed Citizenship Attestation form to: NTAP, PO Box 94927, Lincoln, NE 68509
REQUEST AN APPLICATION PACKET
If you would like an application packet mailed to you, send an e-mail to psc.ntap@nebraska.gov. Include the name and address you want the application to be sent to within the e-mail body.
PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS
For a list of phone companies that currently participate in the Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program/nationally known as the Lifeline Program - Click Here
CARRIERS ONLY: NTAP Claim Submission Process
Participating carriers can submit NTAP reimbursement requests using the NTAP Claims Template. Claims should be emailed to psc.ntap@nebraska.gov by the 15th of each month for the previous month's reimbursements. This process is separate from the USAC Claim Process, but the template should contain the same information provided to USAC for claims. The PSC will use the NLAD "Snapshot" report as of the 1st of each month, detailing existing subscribers enrolled by each carrier, as the baseline for reimbursement. We will match the NTAP claim submission to the NLAD "Snapshot" report and reimburse carriers for the NTAP support provided to eligible voice or bundled customers that have the necessary citizenship attestations on file.
NOTE: Carriers that do not already have a direct deposit set up must establish a direct deposit account before receiving reimbursement. The W9/ACH form can be accessed at: https://das.nebraska.gov/accounting/forms/ACH__W9_Fillable.pdf. Once the form is completed, please submit it to psc.ntap@nebraska.gov. The PSC staff will then coordinate the process to set up ACH payments for the carrier.
