Farmers Mutual - Lifeline/ACP Disccounts

Farmers Mutual Telephone Company is a small member-owned telecommunications company that services Idaho residents. Being a member-owned company, they put a premium on customer service. The company was created in the early 1900s and has been servicing residents ever since. Since they participate in the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs, eligible low-income families can receive discounted phone and internet services.

One thing to note is that Farmer’s Mutual is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. They have an impressive rating of A+ (not many companies achieve such a high rating).

Plans Offered by Farmers Mutual

Farmers Mutual has a large selection of plans. Here’s a summary of the phone and internet plans below. For more details, spend some time on their website.

Phone Plans

VoIP phone seerrvice (requires stand-alone internet service). Includes 500 minutes of long distance calling monthly (long distance is continental US).
Cost: $20.43 monthly.

Traditional phone line. Long distance calls incurs an additional charge.
Cost: $32.79 per month.

Premium Internet Packages

500 Solo
500 Mbps upload/download speeds
Cost: $85 per month

500 Duo
500Mbps upload/download speeds
VoIP Phone
Cost: $100 per month

Gig Solo
1000 Mbps upload/download speeds
Cost: $115 per month

Gig Duo
1000 Mbps upload/download speeds
VoIP Phone
Cost: $130 per month

Fiber Internet

250 Mbps – Cost: $60 per month
500Mbps – Cost: $80 per month
1000 Mbps – Cost: $110 per month

Fixed Wireless Plans

Available in Payette, New Plymouth, Nyssa, Ontario and Vale

12Mbps Download/1.5 Mbps Upload for $55/month
25Mbps Download/3 Mbps Upload for $65/mo
50Mbps Download/5Mbps Upload for $75/mo

Plus monthly router lease - $7.95

Satellite Internet

The following satellite plans have a download speed of 12Mbps and an upload speed of 3Mbps:

Bronze: 35G $64.99
Silver 45G: $94.99

Gold: 65G - $149.99

Plus monthly equipment lease of $9.95

In addition to the above, Farmers Mutual charges one-time service charges such as a $25 membership fee, a fee for changing phone numbers, another fee for moving, and yet another fee for labor. Check the website for current fee charges.

Since there’s quite an extensive array of packages and pricing, it’s best to speak with one of the customer service reps to better understand what each plan offers and get help deciding which plan best fits your needs.

Lifeline Benefits at Farmer’s Mutual

If you qualify for Lifeline, you can save up to $11.75 monthly on services. Here’s how it works. The federal government provides a discount of $9.25 for internet service. The state discount is $2.50 for voice or internet service. So, if you choose voice only, the total discount would be $7.75. If you choose the internet service, the discount would be $11.75.

Farmer’s Mutual ACP Benefits

With the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible families receive a $30 monthly discount for broadband service. If you live on tribal lands, the discount increases to $75. There’s also a one-time discount of up to $100 for purchasing a tablet, desktop, or laptop. However, there is a copay that is more than $10 but less than $50 towards the purchase.

The two benefits are combinable. You may receive both Lifeline benefits and ACP benefits.

Lifeline/ACP Eligibility Requirements

As mentioned earlier, these programs were created to help low-income individuals/families afford mobile technology. Such technology is necessary for education, business, healthcare, employment-seeking, and more. These programs help to close the digital divide. To qualify for these programs, you must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

Have a household income of 135% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Lifeline eligibility. Or an income of 200% or below the guidelines to meet the ACP income eligibility.

You or someone in your household receive benefits from one of the following government programs:

SNAP
Medicaid
SSI
WIC
Lifeline
Federal Public Housing

Tribal Programs:

Tribal TANF
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Receive a Federal Pell Grand during the current award year

Check out the Affordable Connectivity site for more information on qualifying programs.

Applying for Benefits

To apply for these benefits, visit Affordable Connectivity.gov If you don’t want to apply online, you can download the application from the USAC website. Or, you can visit the Farmer’s Mutual office and pick up an application there. When completing the application be sure to have the necessary documentation to prove eligibility.

Once you receive approval from the government, contact Farmers Mutual and one of the Customer Service Reps will set you up with your internet or phone plan.

Lifeline/ACP Things to Know

Only one Lifeline/ACP benefit is allowed per household.
The benefits are subject to annual recertification. You must prove you still qualify for the programs.

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: 1 July 2023