Lifeline is a federal program that helps eligible households lower the monthly cost of phone or internet service. It is a communications benefit, not assistance for electricity, gas, or water bills. The Federal Communications Commission oversees the program, and the Universal Service Administrative Company, known as USAC, administers it.
Getting Lifeline involves two separate steps: qualifying for the benefit and enrolling with a participating phone or internet company. An approved application does not, by itself, activate service or reduce an existing bill.
Here is how the program works, who qualifies, and what applicants should do to receive and keep the discount.
What Does Lifeline Pay For?
The standard federal benefit provides up to $9.25 per month for qualifying internet service or a qualifying phone-and-internet bundle. For voice-only phone service, the standard benefit is up to $5.25 per month. Eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive enhanced support, with a maximum monthly benefit of up to $34.25, depending on the service.
Lifeline is a service discount, not a cash payment. It also does not guarantee a free smartphone. The FCC does not subsidize phones or other hardware through Lifeline, so any device offer comes from the provider rather than a guaranteed federal equipment benefit.
For illustration, a qualifying internet plan priced at $30 per month would cost $20.75 after a full $9.25 Lifeline discount, before any other applicable charges. Ask the provider to confirm the final monthly price and any equipment costs before enrolling.
Who Qualifies for Lifeline?
Most applicants qualify through either participation in an approved assistance program or household income. You do not have to meet both tests. Program-based eligibility is an alternative to the income-based qualification route.
Qualifying Through an Assistance Program
You may qualify when you, your child or dependent, or your household receives benefits through Medicaid; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called SNAP or food stamps; Supplemental Security Income, or SSI; Federal Public Housing Assistance; or the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit. Qualifying federal housing assistance includes public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
For example, Angela works and does not receive Medicaid herself, but her dependent daughter does. Angela may apply for Lifeline based on her daughter’s Medicaid participation. She would identify her daughter as the qualifying dependent and provide the requested information about that benefit.
Receiving a qualifying benefit does not automatically enroll someone in Lifeline. The applicant still needs to complete the application and provider enrollment process.
Qualifying Through Household Income
You can also qualify when your household’s gross income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The limit depends on household size and location. The following figures are USAC’s published annual income limits for 2026, not monthly amounts.
| Household size | 48 contiguous states, Washington, D.C., and territories | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,546 | $26,933 | $24,786 |
| 2 people | $29,214 | $36,518 | $33,602 |
| 3 people | $36,882 | $46,103 | $42,417 |
| 4 people | $44,550 | $55,688 | $51,233 |
| 5 people | $52,218 | $65,273 | $60,048 |
| 6 people | $59,886 | $74,858 | $68,864 |
| 7 people | $67,554 | $84,443 | $77,679 |
| 8 people | $75,222 | $94,028 | $86,495 |
| Add for each person beyond 8 | $7,668 | $9,585 | $8,816 |
These limits change annually. Review the official Lifeline eligibility and income chart before submitting an application.
The income test considers household income, not just the applicant’s personal earnings or take-home pay. Federal rules define which income is included and excluded, so applicants with unusual income sources should ask USAC how to document their circumstances.
For example, Maria lives alone in Ohio and has $20,000 in gross annual income. She meets the 2026 income limit of $21,546 even without receiving SNAP or Medicaid. A two-person household with $31,000 in annual income exceeds the $29,214 income limit, but it could still qualify through an approved assistance program.
Meeting the Age Requirement
An applicant must be at least 18 years old unless they are an emancipated minor. Applicants under 18 who qualify as emancipated minors must provide a court document or certificate establishing that status. A parent may still qualify through a child’s benefits without making the child the Lifeline subscriber.
Understanding the One-Benefit-Per-Household Rule
Lifeline permits one benefit per household, not one benefit per person. A household consists of an individual or people living together as one economic unit, sharing income and expenses. Related and unrelated people can belong to the same household.
For example, a married couple living together cannot each claim a separate federal Lifeline discount simply because each spouse has a phone. Their household must choose one eligible service to receive the benefit. Likewise, a household cannot claim one Lifeline benefit for a mobile phone and another for separate home internet service.
Sharing an address does not necessarily mean sharing a household. Financially independent roommates may be separate households. When another Lifeline subscriber already lives at the address, applicants must complete a Household Worksheet to establish whether they are an independent economic household. The worksheet is available through USAC’s supporting documents page.
Additional Eligibility Options on Tribal Lands
People living on qualifying Tribal lands may qualify through the standard income or assistance-program rules. They can also qualify through Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Head Start when the household meets Head Start’s income-qualifying standard.
The enhanced benefit depends on living on qualifying Tribal lands. Tribal membership alone does not establish eligibility for the higher discount. Applicants should review the official Tribal Lands Benefit guidance and verify their residential location during the application process.
Some eligible Tribal households may also receive Tribal Link Up assistance of up to $100 toward starting phone service through certain providers. This is separate from the monthly discount and is not available through every Lifeline company.
Special Lifeline Support for Survivors
Survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes may qualify for up to six months of emergency Lifeline support under the Safe Connections Act. This route requires documentation of an attempted request to separate a phone line from an account shared with an abuser, along with proof of qualifying financial hardship.
The survivor benefit has broader eligibility options than standard Lifeline. A survivor may qualify with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, through the regular qualifying programs, or through certain additional programs. These include WIC, qualifying school lunch or breakfast participation, and a Federal Pell Grant received in the current award year.
These expanded rules do not apply to every Lifeline applicant. WIC participation or income below 200% of the poverty guidelines alone does not establish standard Lifeline eligibility. Survivors should use the official Survivor Benefit page for application instructions and information about continuing under standard Lifeline rules after the emergency period.
How to Apply for Lifeline, Step by Step
Step 1: Identify the Correct Application Process for Your State
In most states, applicants use the federal National Verifier, the system that determines Lifeline eligibility. USAC currently directs Oregon and Texas residents to their state application processes. Residents should start with Oregon Lifeline or Texas Lifeline, respectively.
California residents should also note an important change. Since February 1, 2026, new customers seeking both federal Lifeline and California LifeLine benefits must enroll separately in each program. The California Public Utilities Commission explains the distinction in its California LifeLine versus Federal Lifeline guide.
Step 2: Gather Your Personal Information
The federal application asks for your full name, date of birth, home address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or your Tribal identification number. Applicants qualifying through a child or dependent must also provide the requested identifying information for that person.
Use the name and other details shown on your official records. Check every entry before submitting, particularly your birth date, address, and identification number.
Not having a permanent home does not automatically prevent someone from applying. USAC allows temporary home addresses, such as a shelter or a family member’s home, and descriptive addresses identifying where someone physically lives.
Step 3: Prepare Documents That Show Why You Qualify
For program-based eligibility, useful documents include a benefit award letter, benefit verification letter, statement of benefits, or an acceptable screenshot from an official benefits portal. The document should identify the beneficiary, qualifying program, and issuing agency or administrator. It must have an issue date within the past 12 months or an expiration date in the future.
For income-based eligibility, acceptable evidence can include the previous year’s tax return, an employer’s income statement, or an appropriate benefits statement. When using pay stubs or other documents that do not cover a full year, provide the same type of documentation covering three consecutive months within the previous 12 months.
You may also need to verify your identity or address. Depending on the issue, acceptable evidence can include a valid government-issued ID, a lease or mortgage statement, or an appropriate utility bill. Review USAC’s Supporting Documents guide for the evidence that matches your situation.
Keep your original records. Submit clear copies when documentation is requested.
Step 4: Apply Online, by Mail, or With a Participating Provider
To apply online, start at the official Lifeline application instructions page and select “Apply Now.” Follow the application prompts, complete the required certifications, and sign the application.
To apply by mail, obtain the current English or Spanish application from that page. The federal mailing address is Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845. Complete the required sections and include appropriate supporting copies and a Household Worksheet when needed.
A participating phone or internet company can also help with an application. However, applicants must review and sign the required certifications themselves. A representative cannot sign those statements on the applicant’s behalf.
Step 5: Respond to Verification Requests
The National Verifier checks available records to confirm eligibility, identity, and address information. When it cannot verify something automatically, it may request documents for manual review. A request for additional information does not necessarily mean you are ineligible.
For example, an applicant may genuinely receive a qualifying benefit even though the available database does not confirm it. Providing acceptable documentation gives USAC another way to review the application.
Read each notice carefully and submit what it requests. Keep your application number and copies of your submissions so you can refer to them when contacting support.
Step 6: Choose a Provider and Activate the Benefit
Once approved, contact a participating company and ask it to enroll you in Lifeline. Use USAC’s Companies Near Me tool to search by ZIP code or city and state. The directory may not include every available company, so it is also worth asking your current provider whether it offers Lifeline at your address.
Do not leave an approval unused. National Verifier eligibility decisions generally expire after 90 days, after which another eligibility application may be necessary. Follow the enrollment deadline shown in your approval notice.
Before choosing a plan, ask about coverage, monthly data allowances, speeds, equipment costs, and the amount you will owe after the discount. Ask whether you can keep your current number and use your existing device.
Finally, confirm that the company has completed enrollment and tell it which service should receive the benefit. USAC determines federal eligibility, while the participating company manages the service, device, and billing relationship.
How to Keep Your Lifeline Benefit
Lifeline eligibility is checked each year. When USAC can confirm continued eligibility automatically, the subscriber does not need to take further action. When USAC requests annual recertification, the subscriber must respond within 60 days or risk losing the benefit. The official recertification page explains the available response methods.
Report an address change, loss of eligibility, or another Lifeline benefit in your household to your provider within 30 days.
Subscribers who do not pay an out-of-pocket monthly charge for their Lifeline service must use it at least once every 30 days. After nonuse, they receive a 15-day notice to use the service before it is turned off.
Read all eligibility notices, not just annual renewal letters. USAC also has a separate continued-eligibility review that can require a response within 30 days. The deadline on the specific notice matters.
Common Questions About Lifeline Eligibility
Does Medicare or Social Security Automatically Qualify Someone?
No. Medicaid is a qualifying program, but Medicare by itself is not. SSI is a qualifying program, but Social Security retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance are not automatically qualifying programs. Likewise, being a veteran is not enough by itself; the listed qualifying benefit is the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.
People in these situations may still qualify through household income or another approved assistance program. The distinction is between receiving a specifically listed benefit and simply belonging to a broader group, such as retirees or veterans.
Can Someone Who Is Working Receive Lifeline?
Yes. Employment does not prevent eligibility. A working applicant may qualify through an approved benefit program or because household income remains within the applicable limit. The federal test is based on the qualifying circumstances, not whether the applicant has a job.
Is Lifeline the Same as the Affordable Connectivity Program?
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, was a separate program that ended on June 1, 2024, after its funding ran out. Its former discounts should not be confused with the Lifeline benefit. Previous ACP participation does not, by itself, establish Lifeline eligibility.
Where to Get Help and Start Your Application
The Lifeline Support Center is available at 800-234-9473, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants can also email LifelineSupport@usac.org. Have your application number available when asking about an existing application. Visit the official Get Help page for contact information.
To begin, use the official How to Apply for Lifeline page. Check your eligibility, complete the correct application for your state, and respond to any verification requests. Then finish the process by enrolling with a participating provider. Approval establishes eligibility; provider enrollment puts the discount to work.