LIFELINE

Making phone and Internet more affordable for those with limited income

What is Lifeline?

Gibson Connect knows the importance of having access to fast and reliable Internet in today’s world. That is why we are happy to partner with Lifeline – a federal program that provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or Internet service for qualifying customers - to offer qualifying low-income households the following package for $25 per month:

  • High-speed 25 Mbps (download and upload) Internet with no data caps
  • Fiber modem/router included
  • Professional-grade Wi-Fi included
  • No contracts required
  • No additional taxes, fees or surcharges 
  • Late fees - Delinquent accounts will incur a 5% late fee when the account is not paid in full within 60 days of the date the bill is emailed. 
  • Disconnection - Delinquent accounts will be disconnected when the account is not paid in full within 81 days of the date the bill is emailed.

You may only use Lifeline for either phone or Internet, but not both. A household may get a Lifeline discount from only one provider and it is a non-transferrable service. The federal Lifeline discount can also be applied to Gibson Connect's 250 Mbps and 1 Gbps service plans.  Please note that consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from the program.

 

Qualifications

You may qualify for a Lifeline discount based on one of the following qualifiers:

  • Income – You may be eligible for a Lifeline discount if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Participation in federal assistance programs – You may be eligible if you or one or more of your dependents are a recipient of benefits from the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Supplemental Security Income; Federal Public Housing Assistance; or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.

You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click "Do I Qualify?"). Customers who qualify for the Lifeline package will need to recertify their eligibility annually to maintain their Lifeline package offering. If you do not recertify your qualification within 60 days of notification, you will lose your Lifeline package eligibility.

 

How to apply

We offer several ways to apply for Lifeline services:

  • Go to www.checklifeline.org and apply online.  
  • Print and fill out the Lifeline application and bring it and your proof of qualification (at right) to your local Gibson Electric Membership Corporation (Gibson EMC) member service center.  
  • Visit your local Gibson EMC member service center to fill out a Lifeline application and provide your proof of qualification.
  • Call your local Gibson EMC member service center and request that a Lifeline application be mailed to you. Complete the application and send it and copies of your proof of qualification to: Gibson Connect Lifeline, 1207A S College St., Trenton, TN, 38382. 


How to recertify

We offer several ways to recertify for Lifeline services:

  • Print and complete the recertification form and bring it to your local Gibson EMC member service center.  
  • Visit your local Gibson EMC member service center to complete and submit a Lifeline recertification form.
  • Call your local Gibson EMC member service center and request that a Lifeline recertification form be mailed to you. Complete the recertification form and mail it and copies of your proof of qualification to: Gibson Connect Lifeline, 1207A S College St., Trenton, TN 38382. Do not mail us originals as they cannot be returned to you.


Determining your eligibility

Only one Lifeline discount is permitted per household. Complete the Lifeline household worksheet to confirm your eligibility. You also can request a Lifeline worksheet from a Gibson EMC member service center in person or by mailing the request to: Gibson Connect Lifeline, 1207A S College St., Trenton, TN, 38382.


Contact us

Phone:           Please call 731-562-6003 during regular business hours.

Internet:       Contact us here by email.

Mail:                Gibson Connect Lifeline
                         1207A S College St.
                         Trenton,  TN 38382

Completing the Lifeline application

If you qualify for the Lifeline benefit through your income, you must provide a photocopy of your official document or documents. Please see the list below for qualifying documents. Please do not mail original documents, as they cannot be returned.


Required documentation

If your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may provide the following documentation to qualify for Lifeline services:

  • Prior year's state, federal or Tribal tax return
  • Current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub
  • Paycheck stub ( if it does not cover a full year, you must show documentation for three consecutive months within the previous 12 months)
  • Social Security statement of benefits
  • Veterans Administration statement of benefits
  • Retirement or pension statement of benefits
  • Unemployment statement of benefits
  • Worker's compensation statement of benefits
  • Federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
  • Divorce decree, child support award
  • Other official document containing income information

More detailed information regarding acceptable documentation can be found at: https://www.usac.org/lifeline/eligibility/national-verifier/acceptable-documentation-for-the-national-verifier/. 

If you currently receive benefits from the following federal assistance programs, you may provide the following documentation to qualify for Lifeline services:

  • Medicaid - benefit card or award letter
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - benefit card, award letter, pay or benefit statement
  • SSI - federal Social Security Administration (SSI) - award letter, pay or benefit statement
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) - award letter, lease agreement or benefit statement
  • Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit - pension grant letter listing the name address and monthly payment; Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) letter; or survivors benefit summary letter listing the beneficiary name, address and monthly payment

Please note that the FCC has modified its income documentation requirements through June 30, 2021, to facilitate the application process during the COVID-19 crisis. During that period, consumers who do not have three consecutive months of income documentation may provide an official document that confirms their current income information. This may include a notice of unemployment benefits. More information can be found at: https://www.usac.org/lifeline/additional-requirements/covid-19-response/. 

If your eligibility cannot be confirmed automatically or through any documentation you provide, you cannot participate in the Lifeline program. In addition, your eligibility cannot be confirmed by an automated database check. 
 

Lifeline Program