The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) is supporting the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC) in recognizing Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, a national effort to reach those in need of communications assistance and access.

Lifeline is a federal benefit program that helps income-eligible households connect to the nation’s voice and broadband networks, find jobs, access health care services, connect with family, and call for help in an emergency.  Lifeline provides a monthly discount towards the cost of either a wireless or home phone service, broadband service (where available), or a bundled phone-broadband service from a certified Massachusetts Lifeline Provider.

To qualify for Lifeline, a household must show participation in one of the following programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), federal housing assistance programs, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit or by having income of 135 percent or below of the federal poverty guidelines. The Lifeline benefit is limited to one per household.

With many age- and dementia friendly communities focused on digital equity among older adults, MHAC encourages our partners to promote the Mass. DTC resources that support people interested in connecting to the Lifeline Program.