$9.25/month

The Lifeline program helps people with low income pay for their phone or internet service. It is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). You may qualify for Lifeline if your income is low (below 135% of the federal poverty level) or if you get help from a government program like SNAP.

If you qualify, you can save up to $9.25 each month on your phone or internet bill. If you live on Tribal lands, you can get up to $34.25 in savings.

What is the Lifeline program?

Created in 1985, Lifeline is a government program that helps people with low income save money on their phone or internet service each month. It is run by the FCC and managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).

What does Lifeline pay for?

Lifeline can help you get monthly discounts on your:

• Landline
• Cell phone
• Broadband internet service
• Bundled voice-broadband packages

If you qualify for Lifeline, you can save up to $9.25 each month on your phone or internet bill. If you live on Tribal lands, you can get up to $25 more in savings. You get the discounts through your local telephone company or internet service provider.

Please note: You can only get Lifeline assistance for one telephone line in the household. A "household" means one person or a group of people living together at the same address and sharing expenses.

Who can get Lifeline?

You can get help from the Lifeline program if you have limited income (at or below 135% of the federal poverty level) or you currently get help from one of the following programs:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• HUD Public Housing or Section 8
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• Certain Tribal programs

How do I apply for Lifeline?

There are several ways to apply for Lifeline:

• Online: You can apply online through the Lifeline programs National Verifier online portal. 
• Mail: You can also print and mail in a paper application. Click here to access the Lifeline application in English or Spanish.
• Contact a Lifeline provider: You can also apply by calling your local telephone company or internet service provider and asking for the sales department. Tell customer service that you would like to apply for Lifeline. Click here to find participating companies in your state.

When you apply, you will need:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your home address
• The last 4 digits of your Social Security number or Tribal identification number

You may also need to provide additional documentation if the National Verifier cannot confirm your eligibility. These documents may include:

• Benefits statement from a qualifying program
• Participation notice letter from a qualifying program
• Prior year's state, federal, or Tribal tax return
• Current income statement from employer or pay stubs
• Benefits statement from Social Security, the VA, or a pension fund

What happens after I apply for Lifeline?

After you apply, your application will be reviewed. You will receive a decision by mail or email once a decision is made. If you’re approved, you will start getting the discount on your phone or internet bill. If you haven’t already, you will need to pick a phone or internet provider that offers Lifeline.

If your application is denied, you will be told why. You may be able to appeal this decision if you disagree

Also, to keep your discount, you must prove you still qualify for Lifeline once a year.

How can I get help with my application?

There are multiple ways to get help applying for Lifeline. You can:

• Contact the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473 or send an email to LifelineSupport@usac.org.
• Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), if there’s one near you. See if there’s one in your area.
• NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-800-794-6559.