What Lifeline is and who can get it

Lifeline is a federal program that reduces your monthly phone or internet bill if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or if you already receive certain government benefits. The discount ranges from about $9.25 to $34.25 per month, depending on which service you choose and which provider offers it in your area. You pick one service — either phone or broadband internet — and stay enrolled as long as you remain income-may be able to access.

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to explore, but you must have a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The program is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered through individual phone and internet providers, which means the process process and the discount amount can differ slightly depending on which company you use.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program), Federal Public Housing information, or Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF), you are automatically income-may be able to access and do not need to prove your income separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Lifeline gives you a monthly discount on either phone service or broadband internet if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or if you receive certain government benefits.
  • You explore directly through a phone or internet provider that participates in Lifeline, not through a government office.
  • You will need to prove your income or show that you receive a may have access to benefit, using documents like a recent pay stub, tax return, or benefit letter.
  • Once approved, your discount starts on your next billing cycle, and you must recertify your income or benefit status every year to stay enrolled.
  • If you already have phone or internet service, you can add Lifeline to your existing account; you do not have to switch providers.

Finding a Lifeline provider in your area

Not every phone or internet company offers Lifeline, and the providers available depend on where you live. The easiest way to find out which companies near you participate is to visit the National Lifeline Accountability Database at lifelinephone.org or call the Lifeline support line at 1-888-641-8722. Both will show you which providers serve your address and what discount each one offers.

Some providers offer Lifeline on phone service only, others on broadband only, and some offer both. If you already have service with a company that participates, you can ask them directly whether you can add Lifeline to your account. If you do not have service yet, you can choose any participating provider in your area — you are not locked into one company.

Keep in mind that the monthly discount amount varies by provider and by state. One company might offer $9.25 off, while another offers $34.25 off for the same service. Checking the database before you explore helps you pick the provider that saves you the most money.

Documents you will need to prove income or benefits

When you explore, you will need to show either your household income or proof that you receive a may have access to benefit. If you are claiming income, bring one of these documents from the past 30 days:

  • A recent pay stub or letter from your employer showing your gross income
  • A tax return from the past year
  • A Social Security statement or benefit letter
  • Unemployment benefits documentation
  • A letter from your employer or a government agency confirming your income

If you receive SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, Federal Public Housing information, or TANF, you can show a current benefit letter or award letter instead of proving income. Some providers will let you upload these documents online during the process, while others may ask you to mail them or bring them in person. Ask your provider which method they accept.

You will also need to provide your name, address, phone number, and Social Security number or ITIN. If you are explore for broadband, some providers may ask for your current internet service details or a bill.

The process process and timeline

Most providers let you start the process online, by phone, or in person at a store. If you explore online, you will fill out a form with your personal information, household income or benefit status, and the service address where you want Lifeline. You upload or attach your proof documents at that time. If you explore by phone, a representative will walk you through the same questions and may ask you to mail or email your documents afterward.

After you submit your process, the provider sends it to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which is the federal agency that verifies Lifeline applications. USAC typically takes 7 to 21 days to review your process and confirm your income or benefit status. Once approved, your discount begins on your next billing cycle — not retroactively.

If your process is denied, the provider will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include income above the 135% threshold, missing or unclear documents, or a mismatch between the name on your process and your Social Security record. You can reapply once you have corrected the issue.

Recertifying your may be able to access every year

Lifeline enrollment is not permanent. You must recertify your income or benefit status once every 12 months to stay on the program. Your provider will send you a notice — usually by mail or email — asking you to confirm that you still meet the income or benefit requirement. You respond by submitting the same type of documents you used when you first applied.

If you do not recertify by the important date your provider gives you, your Lifeline discount will be removed and your bill will return to the full price. If you recertify late, you can reapply, but the discount will not be backdated to cover the months you were without it. Mark your calendar or set a phone reminder when you first enroll so you do not miss the important date.

If your income or benefit status changes during the year — for example, you lose a job or stop receiving SNAP — you should report the change to your provider right away. Lifeline is designed for people who truly need it, and keeping your information current helps the program serve more households.

What happens if you move or change providers

If you move to a new address, tell your provider as soon as possible. Lifeline is tied to your service address, so your discount will continue as long as the new address is in an area where your provider offers Lifeline. If your new location is not served by your current provider, you will need to switch to a provider that does serve that area and reapply for Lifeline with them.

If you want to switch to a different provider while keeping Lifeline, you can explore with the new provider and let them know you are already enrolled in Lifeline elsewhere. USAC will deactivate your old enrollment and set up the new one. There is usually no gap in your discount, but it is a good idea to confirm the timing with both providers before you make the switch.

You can only be enrolled in Lifeline once, across all providers and all services. If you try to enroll in both phone and broadband at the same time, USAC will ask you to choose one. You can switch between phone and broadband later by contacting your provider, but you cannot hold both discounts at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lifeline if I already have phone or internet service?

Yes. If your current provider participates in Lifeline, you can add the discount to your existing account without switching companies or changing your service. Contact your provider and ask how to enroll. If your current provider does not offer Lifeline, you would need to switch to one that does.

What if my household income is slightly above 135% of the poverty line?

If your income is above the threshold, you do not meet the income requirement. However, if anyone in your household receives SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, Federal Public Housing information, or TANF, you are automatically income-may be able to access regardless of your total household income. Check whether you or a family member receives any of these benefits.

Do I have to use the discount with a specific company?

No. You can choose any participating provider in your area. Different providers offer different discount amounts and service quality, so it is worth comparing your options using the National Lifeline Accountability Database before you explore.

What happens if I miss my recertification important date?

Your Lifeline discount will be removed and your bill will go back to full price. You can reapply once you submit your recertification documents, but the discount will not cover the months you were without it. Your provider will send you a notice before the important date, so watch for it and respond on time.

Can I get Lifeline for both phone and internet at the same time?

No. Lifeline allows one discount per household, and you must choose either phone service or broadband internet. You can switch between the two services later by contacting your provider, but you cannot hold both discounts at the same time.