Lifeline Phone and Internet Program: How It Works and Who It Helps

The Lifeline program is a federal benefit that helps low-income households lower the cost of phone or internet service so they can stay connected for work, school, health care, and emergencies.

HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; you must use official government or provider channels to apply or manage benefits.

What the Lifeline Program Actually Is

Lifeline is a federal communications assistance program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). It typically provides a monthly discount on either home phone, mobile phone, home internet, or some mobile data plans.

The program does not give cash directly to you; instead, approved providers receive the subsidy and lower your bill or offer a low-cost plan. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household, even if multiple people qualify.

Key terms to know (plain language)

• Lifeline – Federal program that lowers the cost of phone or internet service for eligible low-income households.
• Household – Everyone who lives together and shares income and expenses, even if not related.
• Service provider – The phone or internet company that offers Lifeline plans and applies your discount.
• National Verifier – The online/central system that usually checks and confirms your eligibility.

Does the Lifeline Program Apply to You?

You may qualify for Lifeline based on income or participation in certain government assistance programs, but you must meet federal rules and, in some cases, additional state rules.

You typically qualify in one of two ways:

1. Income-based eligibility

   • Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (this threshold can vary slightly by state or tribal area).
   • Proof usually involves recent tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit award letters that show total income for the household.

2. Program-based eligibility
   You may qualify if you or someone in your household is enrolled in certain means-tested programs, such as:

   • SNAP (food stamps)
   • Medicaid
   • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
   • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA/Section 8)
   • Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
   • Certain Tribal programs (for those living on eligible Tribal lands), which can sometimes include enhanced benefits

You must also:

• Have a valid U.S. address (some providers accept descriptions for rural locations without traditional street addresses).
• Not already be receiving Lifeline through another company; duplicate benefits are not allowed.
• Recertify annually that you still qualify, usually through the National Verifier or your provider.

Program rules and available providers can vary by state and territory, so the exact options you see locally may differ. To identify the correct official portal, you can typically start with the Lifeline page on USAC or your state public utility commission website.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Apply

Having documentation prepared usually speeds up the process and helps avoid delays.

Commonly required information and documents include:

• Identity:

  • State ID, driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID
  • For minors or dependents, sometimes a birth certificate or other official document

• Address:

  • Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or official mail showing your current address
  • If you have no traditional address, some providers accept a letter from a shelter or a description of your location

• Eligibility proof (one of these paths):

  • Income: Recent federal or state tax return, three consecutive pay stubs, Social Security benefit statement, unemployment/worker’s comp benefit statement, or similar income documentation
  • Program participation: Official approval or benefit letter for SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, Veterans Pension, or eligible Tribal program

• Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number or other allowed identification number (for verification in the National Verifier system, when applicable)

Real-world friction to watch for: A common reason applications get delayed is that the name or address on your documents does not match what you type in the application (for example, using a nickname or old address), so it usually helps to enter everything exactly as it appears on your official paperwork.

How to Start: Your Next Steps With Lifeline

Lifeline is managed at the federal level but often accessed through participating phone and internet companies in your area. You typically have two basic paths: apply through the National Verifier first or apply directly through a participating provider that uses the Verifier in the background.

Step-by-step: Typical application path

1. Check your basic eligibility.

   • Do this first: Confirm that your household meets the income limit or that someone in your home is enrolled in an eligible assistance program.
   • You can review program details and current rules on the official Lifeline website operated by USAC, which is linked from the FCC’s Lifeline page.

2. Use the National Verifier (in most states).

   • In many areas, you start at the official Lifeline / National Verifier portal to create an account and submit your eligibility information.
   • You’ll usually upload digital copies or clear photos of your documents, then submit the application.

3. Wait for an eligibility decision.

   • Many applicants receive a decision quickly, but processing can sometimes take longer if documents are unclear or additional checks are needed.
   • What to expect next: You’ll typically get an approval, denial, or request for more information via email, mail, or an online account notice.

4. Choose a participating provider.

   • Once you’re confirmed eligible, contact a Lifeline-participating phone or internet company in your area and tell them you want to sign up for service using your Lifeline benefit.
   • Some providers let you complete everything online; others may require a call or in-person visit.

5. Enroll your Lifeline benefit with the provider.

   • The provider will usually ask for your Lifeline approval information and may check your status through the National Verifier.
   • What to expect next: When enrollment is successful, the Lifeline discount is applied to your bill or attached to a specific low-cost plan going forward.

6. Keep your benefit active.

   • You must generally use your Lifeline service regularly (for example, placing a call, sending a text, or using data within a set period) and recertify each year that you still qualify.
   • Providers often send reminders before your recertification deadline, but you are responsible for ensuring you respond.

If you get stuck online, a simple phone script for a provider or state assistance line could be: “I’m trying to apply for the Lifeline phone and internet program. Can you tell me which website or office handles applications in my area and what documents I should bring?”

Costs, Discounts, and What Lifeline Usually Covers

Lifeline does not make service entirely free in every case, but it reduces the cost of qualifying plans. The exact discount amounts and plan types can vary, especially on Tribal lands or in states with additional state-level support.

Typical features:

• Monthly discount on:

  • Home landline phone, or
  • Mobile phone service, or
  • Fixed home internet, or
  • Sometimes bundled phone-and-internet plans

• One benefit per household:

  • You cannot receive a separate Lifeline discount for both home internet and mobile service in the same household at the same time.
  • Households in certain Tribal areas may qualify for enhanced support and sometimes additional credits.

Below is a simple summary table of how Lifeline typically works in practice (details and dollar amounts can vary):

Avoid Mistakes and Lifeline Scams

Because Lifeline involves bill credits and personal information, there is a real risk of scams and misuse, especially from unofficial websites or unsolicited calls.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

• Being asked to pay a “Lifeline application fee” → The official Lifeline program does not charge an application fee; if someone demands a fee to “guarantee approval,” that is a warning sign.
• Sharing full Social Security numbers or ID images by text/social media → Only upload documents through official government portals or verified provider websites, or present them in person.
• Giving information to door-to-door solicitors without verification → Ask for the company name, then look it up yourself on the FCC or USAC Lifeline provider list before sharing anything.
• Not realizing a relative already used the address → Households usually can have only one active Lifeline benefit, so clarify whether someone at your address already has Lifeline before applying.

To reduce risk:

• Only use official websites ending in .gov or clearly identified provider sites you can verify through the FCC or your state public utility commission.
• Never share one-time verification codes or account passwords with anyone claiming to “help with Lifeline.”
• If you suspect fraud or misuse of your information, you can commonly contact your provider’s fraud department and, if needed, file a complaint through the FCC consumer complaint center.

If Lifeline Doesn’t Work for You

Some people do not qualify, or find that Lifeline alone does not meet their connectivity needs. In those cases, consider:

• ACP or replacement state/local programs: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has changed over time; check current status on the FCC’s official ACP page and look for any state-level broadband affordability programs through your state government website.
• Low-income plans from providers: Many internet and phone companies offer separate low-cost programs that do not require Lifeline but may have their own income rules.
• 211 or local social service agencies: Calling 211 in many areas connects you with local agencies that can point you to regional phone/internet assistance programs or digital equity initiatives.

Because eligibility rules and available programs can change, your best next step is usually to check the official Lifeline information at USAC or the FCC, then contact a participating provider in your area to ask what Lifeline and low-income plans they currently offer.