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Lifeline Service allows qualified low-income customers to receive a reduction in their local residential service charges. Link-Up Assistance allows qualified low-income customers a discount on non-recurring charges for new, residential service. Customers who qualify for Lifeline services may opt to have wireless service instead of their landline.
A customer is allowed to have only one Lifeline benefit. The customer may have more than one phone line, but they can only have one line discounted. Similarly, they can only have one benefit total, one wireless line OR one land line.
Wireless Phone Overview
Overview
There is generally only one free phone that is offered on the Lifeline service. The make and model of the phone is subject to change based on inventory and availability. If there aren't any available free phones, then the customer may select the lowest priced GSM phone for free.
Other Phones
If a customer wants to purchase a phone they can sign a 2-year contract, and they can get the phone for a 2-year contract price, without a credit check.
List of All Available Phones
Promotional Phones
Lifeline is not eligible for promotional prices on phones, or specials that GCI has if a customer is signing a contract without credit. If a customer meets GCI's credit terms and conditions, the customer may qualify for the promotional offer if they've met the promotional offer criteria.
Promotional offers that require a minimum reoccurring revenue plans, such as, "FREE phone plans $49.99 or higher", Lifeline plans will not qualify. We consider the monthly reoccurring revenue for Lifeline plans to be $1.00 per month.
SmartPhones (Hero & BlackBerry)
Lifeline customers must do a credit check or have established credit in order to purchase SmartPhones (including BlackBerry and Hero) and services. If a customer passes the credit check, or pays the deposit, they can then receive a SmartPhone (including BlackBerry and Hero) at the regular 2 year-contract price or promotional price if they meet the promotional offer terms and conditions.
To qualify for Lifeline Service and Link-Up Assistance, a customer must meet one of the following requirements:
| Participate in one of the following programs: |
- Adult Public Assistance (which includes aid to the aged, blind and disabled)
- Alaska Public Assistance Program
- Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
- BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) General Assistance
- Child Care Assistance Program, Pass I, II, & II
- Denali KidCare
- Federal Public Housing Assistance Program
- Food Stamps
- Head Start (meeting qualifying income standards)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Medicaid
- National School Lunch Program's Free Lunch program
- Pioneer Home Payment Assistance
- State of Alaska Heating Assistance Program
- Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund
- State of Alaska Senior Benefits Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Veteran's Administration (VA) Disability Pension
- Women, Infants and Children Care (WIC) Program
- Alaska State Housing Corporation Programs:
- Public Housing
- Interest Rate Reduction for Low Income
- Home Investment Partnership
- Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
- Any other social services assistance program administered by the state or federal government but not specifically listed, could be eligible. A formal request will need to be submitted to the RCA, but the customer will not be eligible until tariff approval. If you get a customer inquiring about another program's eligibility, please get the name of the program and forward to the Local Marketing Specialist.
Customers can qualify for Lifeline Assistance if they have income at or below 135% of the poverty level - based on gross income, not exceeding the level amount allowable for number of family in household: {Updated 8/2010 with US Dept. Health and Social Services Poverty Level guidelines}
| Size of Household |
Lifeline Eligibility Level |
Documentation of "household" income must be provided in one of the following forms: |
| 1 |
$18,266 |
- A previous year's state of federal tax return
- A current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub
- A statement of benefits from the U.S. Social Security Admin.
- A statement of benefits from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
- A retirement or pension statement of benefits
- An unemployment or worker's compensation statement of benefits
- A federal or tribal notice of letter of participation in general assistance
- A divorce decree or child support document
- Any other official document to substantiate income
"Household" means all persons who occupy a housing unit, regardless of whether they are related to each other. |
| 2 |
$24,584 |
| 3 |
$30,902 |
| 4 |
$37,220 |
| 5 |
$43,538 |
| 6 |
$49,856 |
| 7 |
$56,174 |
| 8 |
$62,492 |
| For each additional person, add |
$6,318 |
All Wireless and Landline customers must complete the Lifeline Service and GCI Lifeline Service and Link-Up Discount Application & Certification Form.
Call or visit a GCI store near you to determine if Lifeline is available in your community.
*Some restrictions apply. You will be responsible for all taxes and fees that apply. "Household" means all persons who occupy a housing unit, regardless of whether they are related to each other. |
