The Lifeline government program is a federal benefit that gives eligible low-income households up to $9.25 off their monthly phone or internet bill, or up to $34.25 per month if they live on qualifying Tribal lands. It has been running since 1985 and is available in every state, U.S. territory, and on Tribal lands. You qualify either by income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or by participating in certain government assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI.
What the Discount Covers
Lifeline applies to one qualifying service per household. That can be a landline, a wireless phone plan, home internet, or a bundled phone-and-internet plan from a participating provider. You choose which service gets the discount. The program does not hand out free service on its own, but many participating providers offer plans priced so the $9.25 credit covers the full monthly cost, which is why Lifeline service often ends up being free at the register.1Federal Communications Commission. Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications
One boundary worth naming up front: the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offered a separate $30 monthly internet discount, stopped accepting enrollments and ended its benefit on June 1, 2024, after Congress did not approve additional funding. Former ACP participants who also qualify for Lifeline can still get the Lifeline benefit, but the discount is smaller.
Who Qualifies
There are two paths in: income-based or program-based. You only need to meet one.
Income Path
Your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2026, the limits for the 48 contiguous states, D.C., and U.S. territories are:
- 1 person: $21,546
- 2 people: $29,214
- 3 people: $36,882
- 4 people: $44,550
Add $7,668 for each additional household member. Alaska and Hawaii use higher thresholds because they have their own poverty guidelines. These figures update each year when HHS publishes new guidelines.2Universal Service Administrative Company. How to Qualify
Program Path
If you or anyone in your household participates in any of the following federal assistance programs, you qualify without an income review:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Enrollment in any one of these is enough.1Federal Communications Commission. Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications
The One-per-Household Rule
Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household, not per person. A household means everyone at one address who shares income and expenses. Married couples living together are always a single household. Roommates who keep their finances entirely separate can each qualify on their own, but they must fill out a Household Worksheet showing they do not share the cost of food, rent, utilities, or other bills.3Universal Service Administrative Company. Lifeline Support – Consumer Eligibility
Enhanced Benefits on Tribal Lands
Households on qualifying Tribal lands receive up to $34.25 per month instead of the standard $9.25.1Federal Communications Commission. Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications Residents also have access to additional qualifying programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Head Start (for households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Participation in any of these, on top of the standard qualifying programs, establishes eligibility.2Universal Service Administrative Company. How to Qualify
Tribal households can also apply for Link Up, a separate one-time benefit that covers up to $100 off the initial setup fee for home phone service. If the setup fee runs higher, Link Up provides a no-interest payment plan for up to $200 over one year. Link Up applies once per address, but you can request it again if you move.4Universal Service Administrative Company. Tribal Lands Benefit
How to Apply
Before starting, have this information ready:
- Your full legal name and date of birth
- The last four digits of your Social Security number, or your Tribal identification number
- Your home address (P.O. boxes are not accepted as your residential address)
These are used to verify your identity through the National Verifier system.5Universal Service Administrative Company. Online Application Instructions – Lifeline Program
If you are qualifying by income, you will also need a document showing your name, your annual income, and a date within the last 12 months. A prior year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return works, as does a Social Security statement of benefits, or official documents covering three consecutive months of income such as pay stubs dated within the past year.6Universal Service Administrative Company. Supporting Documents
If you are qualifying through a program, submit a document that shows your name (or a dependent’s name), the qualifying program’s name, the issuing agency, and either a date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date. A benefit award letter is the cleanest option.7Lifeline Support. Acceptable Documentation Guide – Lifeline Program
Most applications go through the National Verifier online at the Lifeline Support website. The system often confirms eligibility automatically within minutes by matching your information to SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI records. When automatic verification fails, you upload your supporting documents for manual review by USAC staff.
If you cannot apply online, mail a paper application with copies of your documents to:
USAC
Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 1000
Horseheads, NY 148458Universal Service Administrative Company. Paper Application Instructions – Lifeline Program
Once you are approved, your eligibility stays valid for 90 days. You have to pick a participating provider and sign up for service in that window. Miss it and the approval expires, meaning you would need to reapply.9Universal Service Administrative Co. National Verifier for Service Providers Without Portal Access
If You Are Denied
You have 60 days to appeal a National Verifier denial. Appeals go to USAC first. If USAC upholds the denial, you can escalate to the FCC within 60 days of that decision by filing through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System, referencing WC Docket No. 11-42.10Universal Service Administrative Company. Appeals Denials caused by an incomplete form (a missing signature or date of birth, for example) typically cannot be appealed. You just resubmit a complete application.
Finding and Switching Providers
Not every phone or internet company participates in Lifeline. To see which providers cover your area, use the “Companies Near Me” search tool on the Lifeline Support website; you can search by zip code or by city and state.11Universal Service Administrative Company. Companies Near Me
Already enrolled and want to switch? Contact the new provider and ask for a benefit transfer. You will need to give them your full name, date of birth, last four digits of your SSN or Tribal ID, home address, and phone number, along with verbal or written consent acknowledging that the transfer ends your benefit with your old provider and that only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.12Universal Service Administrative Company. Change My Company The new provider handles the transfer and your old provider is notified automatically.13Universal Service Administrative Company. Benefit Transfers
Keeping the Benefit
Annual Recertification
Every year, USAC checks whether you still qualify. You will receive a notice at your registered address or email asking you to confirm that your income or program participation has not changed. You have 60 days to respond. Miss the window and you lose the discount, which means your monthly bill goes up or your free service stops.14Universal Service Administrative Company. Recertify Some recertifications happen automatically when the National Verifier can confirm your continued program participation through federal databases, but you should still watch for any notice that requires a manual response. Keeping your contact information current with your provider is the easiest way to avoid being dropped over a missed notice.
The 30-Day Usage Rule
This one catches people off guard. If you have a free Lifeline service (one where the provider does not charge a monthly fee) and you do not use it for 30 consecutive days, your provider must send you a 15-day warning. If you still do not make a call, send a text, or use data during that 15-day notice period, the provider will terminate your service.15eCFR. 47 CFR 54.405 – Carrier Obligation to Offer Lifeline Use your Lifeline line at least once a month to keep it active.
Changes and Honest Answers
The application includes a certification that all your information is true. Submitting false information to get a Lifeline benefit, or keeping the benefit after you no longer qualify without telling your provider, can lead to penalties, and the FCC actively pursues enforcement against both carriers and individuals for Lifeline fraud.1Federal Communications Commission. Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications If anything about your eligibility changes, including another person in your household signing up for Lifeline, contact your provider right away.