Affordability Options

The Lifeline program lowers the monthly cost of high speed Internet or Digital Phone services. Eligible customers receive up to $9.25/mo discount toward their monthly bill.


Only one Lifeline benefit is available per household. A household is defined, for purposes of the Lifeline program, as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. The benefit is non-transferrable and is limited to one service provider.

LifeLine Program?


Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides a monthly discount on qualifying phone, internet, or bundled service from participating providers.

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 DO I 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 Texas or Oregon, use your state's application process.

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 LifelineSupport@usac.org.

 

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.


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 lifelinesupport@usac.org. 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.