What Lifeline Provides and Who Runs It

Lifeline is a federal program that pays your phone or internet provider directly to reduce your monthly bill. You get a discount — not a free service, but a subsidy that lowers what you pay. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) runs the program, but you do not explore to the FCC. You explore to your phone or internet provider, or to a third-party organization that handles Lifeline enrollment for multiple providers in your state.

The monthly subsidy amount varies by state and changes each year, but typically ranges from $9 to $15 per month. That discount applies to either a phone line or broadband internet, not both at the same time — you choose one service. Some states have added their own programs that stack on top of Lifeline, so your discount could be higher, but the base Lifeline benefit is the federal amount.

Lifeline has been running since 1985 and is one of the oldest subsidy programs for low-income households. It is not new, it is not a pilot, and it does not expire — though you have to recertify your income and household size every year to keep receiving the discount.

Key Takeaways

  • Lifeline gives you a monthly discount on either phone service or broadband internet, paid directly to your provider, if your household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty line.
  • You explore through your phone or internet provider, or through a third-party enrollment organization in your state — not through a federal office.
  • You must recertify your income and household size every year, usually by mail or online, or your discount stops.
  • Some providers offer Lifeline on prepaid plans, some on postpaid plans, and some on both — what you get depends on which provider you choose and what your state allows.
  • If you receive SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, LIHEAP, or certain other benefits, you can use that to prove your income instead of submitting tax documents.

Income Limits and Proof of Household Size

Your household income must be at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty line. For 2024, that means a single person can earn up to roughly $1,935 per month, and a family of four up to roughly $3,995 per month. These numbers change each year when the poverty line updates, usually in January.

You prove your income one of two ways. The first is to show a recent document: a tax return, a pay stub, a benefits letter, or a utility bill with your name on it. The second is to show you receive one of these programs: SNAP (food stamps), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Medicaid, LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program), Tribal TANF, or Federal Public Housing information. If you receive any of those, you do not need to submit income documents — the program itself proves you meet the income limit.

You also state how many people live in your household. The program does not verify this independently; you report it on the process. If you live alone, you report one person. If you have a spouse and two children, you report four. Lifeline uses this number to calculate whether your household income falls below the threshold.

how the process works Through Your Provider or a Third Party

Start by finding out which providers offer Lifeline in your state. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer it, as do many smaller and prepaid carriers. Your state may also have a dedicated Lifeline enrollment organization — search "[your state] Lifeline enrollment" to find it. That organization can tell you which providers participate and can handle your process without you having to contact the provider directly.

When you explore, you will need to provide your name, address, phone number or email, household size, and proof of income. If you are explore for phone service, you may need to give the provider a phone number you want to keep, or they will assign you one. If you are explore for broadband, you will need to choose a plan and confirm your service address.

The process itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. You can explore online, by mail, or by phone, depending on the provider or enrollment organization. After you submit, the organization verifies your information — usually within two to four weeks — and then contacts your provider to set up the discount. You should see the subsidy on your next bill after approval.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once approved, your monthly bill is reduced by the Lifeline subsidy amount. If your bill is $40 per month and your subsidy is $12, you pay $28. The provider applies the discount automatically each month — you do not have to do anything to receive it.

You must recertify every 12 months. The program will send you a notice — by mail, email, or text, depending on how you set it up — asking you to confirm your income and household size again. You submit the same kind of proof you used when you first applied. If you do not recertify, your discount stops. Many people lose Lifeline not because they became ineligible, but because they missed the recertification important date.

If your income or household size changes, you should report it to the program. If you earn more money and go above 135 percent of the poverty line, you will lose the subsidy. If your household size shrinks, your income threshold may change. You can update this information by contacting your provider or the enrollment organization.

Switching Providers or Changing Your Service Type

If you want to switch from phone to broadband (or vice versa), you can do that, but you have to go through the process again. You cannot receive both subsidies at the same time. You de-enroll from one service and then explore for the other. This usually takes a few weeks.

If you want to switch to a different phone or internet provider while keeping the same service type, the process is simpler. You contact your new provider, tell them you have an active Lifeline discount, and they transfer it over. Your old provider stops the service, and your new provider starts it. The discount continues without a gap if the transfer is handled correctly, but confirm with both providers that the handoff is complete.

If you move to a new address, tell your provider or enrollment organization right away. Lifeline is tied to your service address, and if you move without updating, your discount may stop. Some providers allow you to update online; others require a phone call or mail.

What Lifeline Does Not Cover

Lifeline does not pay for installation, equipment, or set up fees. If your provider charges $50 to set up a new phone line, Lifeline does not cover that. Some providers waive these fees for Lifeline customers, but not all — ask before you sign up.

Lifeline does not cover overage charges. If you go over your data limit or your minutes, you pay the overage cost on top of your discounted bill. Choose a plan with enough data or minutes for your actual use, or you will end up paying more than the discount saves you.

Lifeline does not cover taxes or regulatory fees that your provider adds to the bill. These are separate line items and are not reduced by the subsidy. Your bill will show the Lifeline discount as a separate credit, and then taxes and fees added on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lifeline if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must have a valid Social Security number to enroll in Lifeline. You do not have to be a citizen, but you do need an SSN. If you do not have one, you cannot use this program. Some states have separate low-income phone or internet programs that do not require an SSN — contact your state's public utilities commission to ask.

What if I lose my job and my income drops?

You can recertify early. You do not have to wait for your annual recertification notice. Contact your provider or enrollment organization, submit new proof of income, and they will update your account. If you now receive SNAP or another may have access to benefit, you can use that instead of a pay stub.

Can I have Lifeline on a prepaid phone plan?

Some providers offer Lifeline on prepaid plans, and some do not. AT&T and T-Mobile offer it on both prepaid and postpaid. Verizon offers it mainly on postpaid. Check with the specific provider you want to use — they will tell you which plan types may have access to for the subsidy.

What happens if I do not recertify?

Your discount stops after you miss the recertification important date. Your bill goes back to the full price. You can re-enroll later by submitting proof of income again, but there is no grace period — once it stops, you lose the subsidy until you recertify.

Can I get Lifeline for both my phone and my internet?

No. Lifeline covers one service per household. You choose either phone or broadband. If you want both, you pay full price for one and get the discount on the other. You can switch which service gets the subsidy once per year during recertification.