Lifeline
If you are a low-income consumer and need help paying for voice, broadband or wireless service, you may be eligible to participate in the Lifeline program.
Lifeline is a non-transferable, federal benefit that makes monthly voice or broadband service more affordable. Eligible households may apply the monthly Lifeline discount to either landline voice or landline broadband service.
You may be eligible to receive Lifeline if you, or a dependent, receive any of the following:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and/or Survivor Benefits
- or if household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Unresolved complaints concerning Lifeline service can be directed to the Georgia Public Service Commission’s Consumer Affairs Unit at (404) 656-4501 or, Toll-free in Georgia, at (800) 282-5813.
Basic phone service as low as $33.95 and stand-alone internet begins at $69.95
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many low income households pay for broadband service.
You are likely eligible if your household’s income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line or you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
You can check eligibility requirements and apply for the ACP by visiting GetInternet.gov. If you have questions about the ACP or wish to check your application status you can contact the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.
Complaints concerning ACP service can be directed to the FCC Consumer Complaint center at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/ or 1-888-225-5322.
Georgia Relay: Dial 7-1-1
Georgia Relay is a FREE public service administered by the Georgia Public Service Commission that makes it possible for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking to communicate over the telephone. A specially-trained Communication Assistant (CA) facilitates the call. All relay calls are confidential and there are no records kept of relay conversations. Relay services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. There’s no limit on the length or number of calls you may place or receive.
To learn more, call 1-888-297-9461 (Voice/TTY) or visit www.gcdhh.org/gatedp.
Keeping Communities Connected
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for access to reliable broadband service became more evident than ever. In an effort to keep everyone connected, Pineland Telephone launched free Wi-Fi service at thirty-one of its office locations, available to all members of the public. Although there has been a return to pre-COVID practices, the need for broadband access remains. Connecting for work, completing schoolwork, communicating on a telehealth visit, or staying in touch with family and friends, all requires broadband. Because of this, Pineland continues to broadcast it’s free Wi-Fi service. If you need to connect, simply pull up to one of our following locations, and select the network “Connect2PinelandFREE”.
In addition to our office locations, Pineland broadcasts Wi-Fi in three community parks – Metter, Louisville, and Swainsboro. At these locations look for the network “Pineland In The Park”.
As part of the State of Georgia’s Broadband Program, you can also find a list of free public Wi-Fi access points throughout the entire state by visiting https://broadband.georgia.gov/free-public-wifi.