Limited-income Consumers in Maryland Can Now Sign Up for Reduced-Rate Phone Services

Staff from the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel and Verizon are requesting low-income Maryland residents to get discounted phone service starting at 66 cents a month through federal and state Lifeline and Link-Up programs.

In this regard, Staff from the Maryland Office of People's Counsel and Verizon will open the doors from 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Community Action Council of Howard County's Dasher Green Center, 6680 Cradlerock Way in Columbia, to answer questions and provide information.  

“Raising awareness of Lifeline and Link-Up is half the battle in making sure that limited-income customers get access to necessary telephone service,” said Maryland People's Counsel Paula M. Carmody.  “These programs provide significant assistance to eligible customers in setting up and paying for telephone service and helping them to stay connected.”

Through this initiative, the eligible Marylanders may have to pay as little as 66 cents a month for up to 30 outgoing local calls, or $10 a month for unlimited local calling in case of the Lifeline program. 

Users can also adapt the Link-Up program, which will lower the cost for eligible consumers for setting up new phone service at their home, including cell phone service.  This federal program pays a maximum of $30 toward the initial installation fee for landline phone service in Maryland.  When the program is combined with state support, customers who enroll in Verizon's Lifeline program will not pay any installation charges.  

William R. Roberts, Verizon's president in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia, said, “At Verizon, we know how critical communications are, and we work hard every day to enhance and maintain our network – making it one customers can count on when they need it most.”  

For more information, Marylanders who have been certified by the Maryland Department of Human Resources to receive one or more of the following public assistance benefits can also apply for Lifeline and Link-Up services such as Electric Universal Service Program; food stamps; Maryland Energy Assistance Program; medical assistance; Public Assistance to Adults; Supplemental Security Income; Temporary Cash Assistance; and Temporary Disability Assistance Program.