Cricket Community

What is the Cricket Lifeline Credit?

Lifeline is a government assistance program that grants eligible individuals a credit each month on their phone bill. Millions of Americans benefit from this credit. Eligible customers may receive the Lifeline credit for landline or wireless service, but the credit is only available for one phone line per household. Cricket now offers a $13.50 Cricket Lifeline Credit to our Idaho Cricket Wireless customers; the Cricket Lifeline Credit is not available for Cricket Broadband or Cricket PAYGo service or those individuals living on tribal land.

Who qualifies for the Cricket Lifeline Credit?

If you are a resident of Idaho, you may qualify for the Cricket Lifeline Credit by one of two methods. Method 1 is program-based; if you or another person in your household is enrolled in at least one of the public assistance programs listed below, you may qualify. Method 2 is income-based; you may also qualify if your household’s total annual gross income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You will be required to provide documentation verifying your participation in one of the eligible programs or your household income.

METHOD 1: PROGRAM-BASED

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance) 
• Medicaid Medical Assistance
• NSLP (National School Lunch Program; Free Lunch Program Only)
• Section 8 (Federal Public Housing Assistance)
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Food Stamps)
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income, not including Security Retirement benefits)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) 

METHOD 2: INCOME-BASED*

• One Person Household: $15,512
• Two Person Household: $20,939
• Three Person Household: $26,366
• Four Person Household: $31,793
• Five Person Household: $37,220
• Six Person Household: $42,647
• Seven Person Household: $48,074
• Eight Person Household: $53,501
• More Than Eight Person Household: $53,501 plus $5,427 for each additional household member

*Income eligibility guidelines are subject to change

How do I apply?

If you don’t have a Cricket Wireless account already, you must activate a new account before you can apply for the Cricket Lifeline Credit. Once you have Cricket Wireless service, you can apply for the Cricket Lifeline Credit by contacting either your local offices of the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare (IDHW) or Community Action Partnerships (CAPs). You may be required show a government-issued photo ID and provide documentation verifying your participation in one of the eligible programs listed above or documentation verifying your income eligibility.

How does it work?

You will be billed the regular rates for Cricket Wireless phone service until your application is approved by the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho (CAPAI). CAPAI is responsible for administering ITSAP benefits (Monthly Lifeline Assistance) on a statewide basis. Once your application is approved, Cricket will add the Lifeline Credit to your account. Once the credit has been applied to your account, you will receive a SMS notification from Cricket. You should see this credit within 60 days of being approved for the Cricket Lifeline Credit. If you haven’t received this credit by your second full month of service, just come back to the store for help or call the CAPAI at 1-877-375-7382.

What does the Cricket Lifeline Credit mean for me?

When you take advantage of the Cricket Lifeline Credit, Cricket service delivers even more value for the dollar. Step-up to a higher-value rate plan, add a feature you’ve always wanted, or just enjoy the savings each month!

Are there any restrictions?

You must be a resident of Idaho to receive this credit. Only eligible consumers may enroll and the service is non-transferable. You must be the head of household and no one in your household can receive land or wireless Lifeline service from another provider. Lifeline can only be applied to ONE PHONE LINE PER HOUSEHOLD, and the name on the account must match the name of the person submitting the application. To receive the Cricket Lifeline Credit, you must live in Cricket’s designated service area (individuals living on tribal land do not qualify), must meet Idaho’s qualifications, and must verify your qualification annually.

Where can I learn more?

For more information about the Cricket Lifeline Credit, please visit the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho’s website or call them at 1-877-375-7382. You can also call the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare by dialing 211.

You can also visit one of the Cricket locations listed or visit mycricket.com/locations to find a Cricket Corporate-Owned Store or an Exclusive Cricket Dealer near you. 

Cricket Lifeline Credit Locations

Boise: 287 N. Milwaukee Street, 83704 

Nampa: 1459 Caldwell Boulevard, 83651

Haz clic aquí para obtener más información.