GCI Alaskan Lifeline and ACP Plans

GCI offers qualified Alaskan residents a discount on their monthly phone and Internet services. GCI can offer this because they participate in the the federal Lifeline program, which offers free and discounted phone service to eligible residents. And they also participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Affordable Connectivity Program has replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefits program effective 2/28/22.

The ACP and EBB programs have similar objectives in that they both help low-income households pay for broadband services. However, some of the eligibility criteria used in the EBB program are not allowed under the ACP. As a result, if you were previously enrolled in the EBB program, you will have to re-qualify to prove eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

GCI Lifeline Plans

Currently, GCI offers two different Lifeline plans. There’s the wireless mobile plan (Lifeline Mobile) and the wired plan (Wireline) as explained below:

Mobile Lifeline:

• Unlimited texting - Nationwide
• Unlimited Voice Minutes - Nationwide
• Unlimited Long Distance
• 12GB of Data
• 4GB Hotspot
• Monthly Fee: $1

Lifeline Wireline Plan

• Unlimited Local Calls
• Directory Assistance calls: $1.50 each
• Free Installation

Although the plans are free, you will be responsible for applicable fees and taxes.

While the wireless Lifeline plan is available throughout Alaska, the Wireline plan is not. Therefore, before choosing a plan, check to see what is available in your area

GCI Affordable Connectivity Plans

1. Eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a device such as a laptop, computer, or tablet from providers that participate in the ACP program. The participating provider must contribute between 10 and $50 toward the purchase price.


2. A monthly $79.99 credit applied to the price of the GCI internet plan of your choice.

Qualifying for CGI’s Lifeline/ACP Benefits

If you’re currently participating in the Lifeline Program, you are already eligible for ACP. Just contact CI support and request ACP benefits. However, if you are not enrolled in the Lifeline program, you must apply. Before applying, however, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for Lifeline.

The requirements for an approved Lifeline enrollment are as follows:

1. You must have a. household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (ACP applications require at least 200% or below of the Federal Poverty Guidelines). Or,


2. Participate in one of the following government assistance programs:
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Additional programs if living on Tribal lands:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Tribal Head Start
• Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

For more information on qualifying programs, please visit the Consumer Eligibility page of the universal Service Administrative Company’s website.

Applying for Lifeline

Once you confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements, visit the National Verifier site and start your application. You will need to upload the documents necessary to prove that you meet the eligibility criteria. The documents must be current. You will also need a government-issued form of ID to prove you are who you say you are.

After your application is approved you are automatically enrolled in Lifeline, but you will hace to request ACP benefits from CGI.

To sign up, for GCI, either sign up online, visit one of the locations or contact them by phone at 265-5400 or 800-800-4800.

Things to Know

• Only one Lifeline benefit per household. In other words, you may sign up for either Mobile Lifeline Unlimited or the Wireline Lifeline. You may not sign up for both.


• If you change your address, you must notify CGI within 30 days of your move.


• If you sign up for Lifeline Unlimited, you must recertify annually to prove you are still eligible for Lifeline benefits.


• The benefits are not transferrable.


• Do not make false statements on your application. False statements is grounds for losing Lifeline benefits.


• You must use your service at least once very 30 days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. We do not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor do we provide service. If you have questions about phone service we suggest you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 20 November 2022