Access Montana - Lifeline Discounts

Access Montana is a regional telecommunications company servicing the state of Montana. They participate in the Federal Lifeline program and offer discounted phone rates for qualified low-income households.

Unlike many other Lifeline participants, Access Montana does not offer free government phones nor do they appear to offer wireless phone service. Their discounts apply to landline services only.

The landline discounts as outlined by the Lifeline program includes a $30 per month for non-tribal lands households, and $75 per month for households living on qualified Tribal Lands. In Montana, residents living in the Flathead Indian Reservation may qualify for the $75 discount as long as they meet the Lifeline criteria.

Lifeline Criteria for Access Montana

To receive the Access Montana Lifeline discounts, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Participate in one of the following government assistance programs:
• BIA General Assistance
• Federal Public Housing Assistance Program (Section 8)
• Head Start (Income qualifying standard applies)
• Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid
• National School Lunch Program (Free lunch only)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Or

2. Have a household income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Applying for Lifeline

After meeting the eligibility criteria, next sign up for Lifeline. You have the choice of downloading the Lifeline Application from the Access Montana website or visiting the National Verifier website and completing the online application. The online application is usually approved within 30 minutes as long as all of the documentation is in order. Whichever way you choose to apply, you will need to submit the appropriate documentation along with your application.

You will need proof of program eligibility if that’s your method for qualifying. Proof could be an Approval or Award Letter from the government program you participate in. If you qualify based on income, you will need to show annual income along with the number of people in the household. Tax returns or three months of current pay stubs are acceptable.

In addition to proof of eligibility, you must show proof of identity and proof that you are alive. Below are examples of acceptable forms of proof:

Contact Access Montana for Service

Once you are approved for Lifeline and have your National Verifier ID, it’s time to call Access Montana (406) 676-3300 or contact them via their online form to sign up for service and receive the Lifeline discounts.

Please Note: You will be required to recertify your eligibility annually.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. The ower of this site does not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor provide phone service. If you have questions about phone service it is suggested that you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 17 January 2023