GTE announced Lifeline service eligibility changes.

The previous income eligibility requirement for Lifeline, a basic telephone service for low-income subscribers, was $11,500 a year, regardless of family size. The new criteria, General Telephone said, allows one or two people to qualify with an annual income of $11,900, and families of three or more to qualify on a sliding scale. Lifeline service applications will be sent to Lifeline subscribers and General Telephone’s 2.5 million other customers in May describing the new eligibility requirements. Lifeline customers are required to self-certify annually to maintain their reduced rates.