Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers
Federal Lifeline assistance lowers the monthly cost of phone, internet, or bundled service for eligible households, with a larger benefit and possible Link Up support on qualifying Tribal lands.
Save on Phone or Internet Service Through the Lifeline Program
Lifeline is a federal benefit for households that need help paying for phone or internet service. It is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. The program is still active and accepts applications on an ongoing basis; there is no single annual closing date. An eligible household applies, receives an eligibility decision, and then works with a participating phone or internet company to put the discount on a service plan.
The practical value depends on the service selected. The standard Lifeline benefit is up to $9.25 per month for internet or bundled service and up to $5.25 per month for phone-only service. A household on qualifying Tribal lands may receive an enhanced benefit of up to $34.25 per month for phone, internet, or bundled service. The benefit is a discount applied through the company, not a cash payment sent directly to the applicant. If the plan costs more than the benefit, the customer pays the remaining amount and any charges the plan does not cover.
This page describes the current program rules shown in USAC’s Lifeline FAQ, Consumer Eligibility guidance, and National Verifier instructions. Because the program is ongoing, the right time to apply is whenever you qualify and need service; applicants do not need to wait for a new funding round.
At a glance
| Detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Application timing | Ongoing; the official consumer form may be submitted at any time |
| Standard internet or bundle benefit | Up to $9.25 per month |
| Standard phone-only benefit | Up to $5.25 per month |
| Enhanced Tribal benefit | Up to $34.25 per month for service on qualifying Tribal lands |
| Link Up | Up to $100 off an initial phone setup fee on qualifying Tribal lands, subject to provider participation |
| Income route | Gross household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Program route | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit |
| Household limit | One Lifeline benefit per household |
| Eligibility system | National Verifier, except for the Oregon and Texas opt-out arrangements |
| Administrator | Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for the FCC |
What the benefit pays for
Lifeline can support a home phone, mobile phone, high-speed broadband connection, or a qualifying bundle. The maximum standard amount is not identical for every service type: a phone-only plan has a maximum discount of $5.25, while internet and bundled service can receive up to $9.25. The enhanced Tribal amount is up to $34.25 and can apply to phone, internet, or bundled service when the household lives on qualifying Tribal lands.
The company must offer a qualifying Lifeline service, so a person cannot apply the benefit to any ordinary bill from a company that does not participate. A provider may offer a plan that costs less than the maximum benefit, a plan that costs more, or a plan with its own limits on minutes, texts, data, equipment, installation, or other charges. Ask the provider exactly what the plan includes and what amount will remain due each month.
Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. USAC defines a household as people who live together and share income and household expenses. The limit is based on the household, not on the number of adults, phones, or internet accounts. Roommates who live at the same address but do not share income and expenses may be separate households, but they may need to complete a Lifeline Household Worksheet to explain that arrangement.
The enhanced Tribal benefit has a separate location requirement. Living in a community that identifies as Tribal is not enough by itself; the address must be on qualifying Tribal lands. USAC provides a Tribal Lands Verification Tool for checking the location. The tool is informational, so the final benefit decision still depends on the application and the participating company.
Link Up for qualifying Tribal lands
Link Up is related support for eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands. It may provide up to $100 off the initial setup fee for phone service at the home address. If the setup cost is more than $100, USAC says Link Up can provide a no-interest payment plan for up to $200 over one year. Link Up is a one-time benefit per address, and it is available only through a phone company that participates in the program.
Link Up is not the same as the monthly Lifeline discount. An applicant should ask the company whether it participates in Link Up, whether the address qualifies, and which setup charges are included. The company can explain how a Link Up credit or payment plan would appear on the account.
Who can qualify through income
The income route uses gross household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The relevant amount depends on household size and location. USAC’s current table uses the 2026 guidelines and lists different limits for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and territories, Alaska, and Hawaii.
| Household size | 48 contiguous states, DC, 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 |
| Each additional person | Add $7,668 | Add $9,585 | Add $8,816 |
These figures are gross household income limits, not take-home pay. The limits are adjusted annually, so an older table should not be used for a new application. If the household is close to the limit, use the current USAC eligibility page and be ready to provide the documents the National Verifier requests.
Who can qualify through a program
A household can also qualify when the applicant, the applicant’s child, or the applicant’s dependent participates in a qualifying assistance program. The standard program list includes:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
People living on qualifying Tribal lands may also qualify through Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Tribal Head Start. USAC notes that Tribal Head Start eligibility uses the income-qualifying standard, so participation alone is not a blanket substitute for the income test in that case.
Participation in a related state or local program does not automatically mean that the program is on the Lifeline list. Check the current USAC eligibility page, and submit an award letter, benefits statement, or other accepted proof if the National Verifier cannot confirm participation electronically.
What to prepare before applying
The application asks for identifying information for the applicant. USAC’s FAQ says to expect to provide the applicant’s full name, date of birth, the last four digits of a Social Security Number or Tribal ID number, and home address. If eligibility is based on a child or dependent, the application also requests that person’s full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security Number or Tribal ID number.
Applicants may need documents that confirm identity, address, income, or program participation. Keep a recent benefits notice, pay documentation, tax document, or other official record available, but send only the documents requested by the application instructions. If an automated check cannot verify the information, the National Verifier can ask for additional documentation and send it for manual review.
A permanent address is not required in every situation. USAC says a person without a permanent address may use a temporary home address, such as a shelter, family, or friend’s address, or provide a descriptive address that explains where they physically live. The address still needs to describe the applicant’s actual living situation and must be handled consistently with the application certifications.
If another person at the address already receives Lifeline, or if more than one applicant at the address says they are separate households, expect to complete the Household Worksheet. It asks about the adults at the address, whether anyone receives Lifeline, and whether the people share money or household expenses. Do not apply for a second benefit for the same household; resolve the household status first.
How to apply
There are three official routes into the eligibility process.
Apply online through the consumer portal. Start at LifelineSupport.org and use the application link. The National Verifier checks the information submitted and may ask for documents. Review every certification before signing and save the application status or confirmation details.
Apply with a participating phone or internet company. A company representative can help through the provider process and submit the required information with the applicant’s consent. After the eligibility decision is approved, the company enrolls the customer and applies the benefit to an eligible plan. Compare companies by coverage, data, equipment, fees, and the amount that will remain after the discount rather than choosing only by the word “free.”
Apply by mail. Download or request the official Lifeline Application Form. Complete every required page, initial the certifications, sign the form, and mail it to the address printed on the application. Include copies of proof of identity or eligibility only when the instructions call for them. If a paper application is approved, contact a participating company to enroll in service.
The National Verifier is used throughout most of the country. Oregon and Texas have the opt-out arrangements identified by USAC, so the eligibility process and forms can differ there. Follow the state-specific instructions presented for the applicant’s address. California is not part of the current Oregon-and-Texas exception listed in USAC’s consumer guidance.
After approval, eligibility is not the same as enrollment in a service plan. The applicant must still contact a participating company, choose an eligible service, and authorize the company to apply the benefit. USAC’s Companies Near Me tool can help locate providers serving the area. A company handles account billing, equipment, service problems, and plan changes; USAC handles the Lifeline eligibility process.
Keeping the benefit active
Tell the phone or internet company within 30 days if the address changes, the household no longer qualifies, or more than one person in the household is receiving Lifeline. These changes can affect eligibility or the one-benefit-per-household rule.
USAC or the applicable state checks eligibility each year. If automatic checks cannot confirm eligibility, the subscriber receives a recertification request. USAC says a subscriber who is asked to recertify must complete it within 60 days or lose the benefit. Watch for notices by mail or electronically, and use the official contact information if a notice is unclear.
A subscriber who does not pay anything out of pocket for the Lifeline service must use the service at least once every 30 days. If the subscriber does not use it, the company sends a 15-day notice to use the service before turning it off. The exact qualifying use and account status are managed by the company, so ask the provider what activity counts for the plan.
You may switch phone or internet companies at any time. Speak with the new company about transferring the benefit; it may need a new eligibility check or application. Before switching, confirm that the new company serves the address, participates in Lifeline, supports the needed service, and explains any device, activation, data, or installation charges.
Getting help
For an application question, call the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473 or email [email protected]. USAC lists support hours as 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week. For a bill, device, coverage, or service problem after enrollment, contact the phone or internet company first.
Start at LifelineSupport.org, confirm eligibility using the current National Verifier process, and then choose a participating company. The program is ongoing, but eligibility is not permanent: household income, qualifying-program participation, address, annual recertification, and service use can all affect whether the discount continues.