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 concerning1 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.
Currently, the lowest cost service offerings of Planters Broadband Cooperative are as follows:
Residential Voice Service $21.89/month
Residential Voice & Data Service Package $69.95/month
Residential Standalone Data Service $59.95/month
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program designed to assist low-income households in paying for broadband internet service. ACP is under the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is administered by USAC. ACP replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP).
If your household is eligible, you can receive up to a $30/month discount on your broadband internet service. Your household may qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program if it has an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR any member of the household:
- Already receive a Lifeline Benefit; participate in certain Federal Assistance Programs (National School Lunch Program, WIC, Federal Pell Grant Program, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a service providers’ existing low-income or COVID-19 program (if service provider offers such a program).
The ACP benefit is non-transferrable and limited to one monthly internet discount per household. ACP is available for all service offerings (includes broadband internet access service or a bundle of broadband internet access service with voice telephone service). You may obtain ACP-supported broadband internet access service from any participating provider of your choosing and may change providers at any time. In the event the program ends or when a household is no longer eligible, customers will be subject to Planters Telephone Cooperative’s regular rates, terms, and conditions.
Households may apply for ACP with USAC at the Affordable Connectivity Program website. After USAC determines you are eligible, call Planters Telephone Cooperative to enroll in the ACP program.
For more information, please call our customer service number at 912-857-4411 or visit www.fcc.gov/acp or www.usac.org/about/affordable-connectivity-program/. If you are having issues with Planters Telephone Cooperative regarding an ACP-supported service or having difficulties enrolling with Planters Telephone Cooperative, you have the right to file a complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center. For more information, please contact the FCC’s Consumer Complaint Center at 888-CALLFCC (888-225-5322) or visit https://consumerc