Exploring Government Phone Programs

Lifeline provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for eligible subscribers on Tribal lands.

Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. The discount can be applied to either a wireline or wireless service.

Lifeline is available in every state, commonwealth, territory, and on Tribal lands. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).

Eligibility

You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you participate in one of these programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans Pension Benefits
• Certain Tribal Assistance Programs

Find out if you are eligible at lifelinesupport.org.

How to Apply

You can apply online, by mail, or through a participating phone or internet provider.

To apply online, use the National Verifier application system . The National Verifier is a centralized system established by the FCC and operated by USAC that verifies Lifeline applicants' eligibility and recertifies subscriber eligibility annually.

If you live in California, Texas, or Oregon, use your state's application process. For broadband-only service in California, you need to apply through the National Verifier application system.

Ask your selected phone or internet provider for help submitting your application. Use the "Companies Near Me" tool to locate a service provider in your area.

For help or a mailed form, call 1-800-234-9473 or email [email protected].

Program Rules

• Eligibility must be verified through a database or with documents dated within the past 12 months.
• Only one Lifeline service per household; if you have more than one, choose one and de-enroll from the others.
• Recertify your eligibility every year or you will be de-enrolled (in some cases, recertification is automaticed and you do not need to take any action).
• If your provider does not charge and collect a monthly fee from you for your Lifeline service, you must use it at least once every 30 days.

Tribal Enhanced Lifeline Benefits

Because telephone and broadband subscription levels on Tribal lands are the lowest in the country, low-income residents of Tribal lands can get enhanced benefits.

Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to $34.25 off the cost of qualifying services (either wireline or wireless). This includes the standard benefit of up to $9.25 for qualifying broadband or bundled services or up to $5.25 for phone service plus up to an additional $25 in enhanced support.

Link Up, another federal benefit program, provides a one-time benefit of up to $100 for the charge for starting voice-only service at a Tribal Lifeline subscriber's primary residence. For service initiation charges of up to $200, Link Up also provides a deferred, no-interest payment for up to one year.

Tribal Link Up support is only offered to carriers who are building out infrastructure on Tribal lands, so not all carriers may be discounting their activation fee. Consumers can check with their Lifeline provider to see if they offer Link Up.

How Is 'Household' Defined for Lifeline?

"Household" is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit. An "economic unit" is defined as "all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household."

However, Lifeline support is available to eligible low-income subscribers living in group living facilities as separate households. Lifeline applicants may be asked to complete a one-per-household worksheet, which asks questions about your household to determine if there is more than one household at your address.

Annual Recertification

Recertification is an annual requirement for Lifeline subscribers to ensure that active subscribers are still eligible for the program.

You may become ineligible for Lifeline if your income has increased, you no longer participate in a qualifying federal benefit program, or someone else in your household gets Lifeline service.

If you become ineligible, you must contact your provider immediately to de-enroll from the program. Otherwise, you may be subject to penalties. You may also contact USAC for assistance at 1-800-234-9473 or by email at [email protected]. Please do not share any sensitive personal information via email.

Issues with Devices from a Lifeline Service Provider

The FCC does not subsidize any hardware associated with the Lifeline program, which includes mobile phones provided by a service provider to a Lifeline customer. For issues with hardware associated with your Lifeline service, please contact your service provider directly.

Lifeline for People with Disabilities

If you have a question about whether your Lifeline service and equipment is accessible, contact the FCC's Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at [email protected].

Report Fraud

The FCC's Enforcement Bureau maintains a dedicated Lifeline Fraud Tip Line – 1-855-4LL-TIPS (or 1-855-455- 8477) – and an email address – [email protected] – to facilitate reporting of possible fraud in the program.

Please provide as much detail as possible, including the name and contact information of the individuals involved and the companies they are using to receive Lifeline-supported phone service.

Outreach

Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week

The FCC, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) have collaborated since 2005 to promote Lifeline. Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week (DCLAW) occurs annually the week after Labor Day week. DCLAW aims to provide state, local, and Tribal entities with resources to help low-income consumers understand and participation in the Lifeline program.