Lifeline is a government program established to make basic telephone service more affordable to eligible customers. The discount applies to the primary residential line only - one per residence, no matter how many people/families reside at that residence. The applicant cannot be a dependent as defined by the Federal Income Tax Code, under the age of 60. Lifeline subscribers must re-certify their eligibility on an annual basis by completing and returning a renewal form. Failure to do so will result in removal from the Lifeline program and return to standard rates.
Lifeline - Hollis & Gould (Oklahoma)exchanges - Subscribers in the Hollis and Gould exchanges (Harmon County) and the Greer County portion of the Carter Exchange are eligible if they are a recipient of benefits under one of the following certified programs: Medicaid (Sooner Care), Food Stamps, Federal Public Housing, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program or Supplemental Security Income; income assistance for Vocational Rehabilitation (including Aid to the Hearing Impaired); receive assistance or benefits as certified by the State Department of rehabilitation Services, under program producing vocational rehabilitation including aid to the Hearing Impaired; or are eligible for or receive assistance or benefits, as certified by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, pursuant to the Sales Tax Relief Act, Section 5011 et. Seq. of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
To determine eligibility subscribers in the above exchanges will be required to obtain Form No. 325 from the Hollis or Sentinel business office for completion and have it signed by the administering agency as evidence of eligibility.
Enhanced Lifeline Service - Subscribers who qualify for Lifeline in all exchanges except those listed above under the criteria listed above or who are eligible under one of the following programs: Federal Public Housing Assistance; Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; BIA General Assistance; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); tribally administered block grant program; Head Start Programs (under income qualifying eligibility provision only); or National School Lunch Program (free meals program only) and reside on tribal land are eligible for credits reducing their basic local service rate to $1.00.
To establish eligibility these subscribers should obtain and complete Form No. 356 from their local Pioneer office.
Universal Services are offered to all customers within the service area of Pioneer Telephone Cooperative landline phone service. Universal Service available include: Voice grade access to the public switched network; Local usage; Dual tone multi-frequency signaling or its functional equivalent; Single-party service or its functional equivalent; Access to emergency services; Access to operator services; Access to interexchange services; Access to directory assistance; and Toll limitation for qualifying low income consumers.
LINK-UP OKLAHOMA - Customers who qualify for Lifeline Service will also be eligible for a 50% reduction in their installation charge under the Link-Up program.
For more information and/or to establish eligibility for Lifeline or Link-Up, please contact your local Pioneer office or call 1-888-782-2667.