Staying connected today isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s keeping in touch with family, applying for jobs, helping kids with school, or scheduling a doctor’s appointment, phone and internet service play a huge role in everyday life. But for many households, the cost can feel overwhelming. That’s where the Lifeline Application Online program steps in to help.
Lifeline is a federal program created to make phone and internet service more affordable for people with limited income. Eligible households can get a monthly discount of up to $9.25, and families living on Tribal lands can save even more—up to $34.25 each month. That’s money that can go toward other essential needs, while still keeping you connected.
The best part? Getting started with Lifeline is simple. First, you’ll check if you qualify based on your income or participation in specific assistance programs. Then, once approved, you can sign up with a phone or internet company near you that offers the Lifeline benefit. From there, your provider takes care of the rest—making sure your discount is applied every month and answering any questions you might have about your service.
With Lifeline, staying connected doesn’t have to break the budget. It’s about making sure everyone has access to opportunities, resources, and the people who matter most.
What Is A Lifeline Program For Low-Income Families?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the government assistance program known as the Lifeline Assistance Program in 1985. In every state, territory, commonwealth, and Tribal area, the Program seeks to lower the cost of communications services for low-income households.
To guarantee that all low-income Americans have access to the possibilities and security that phone services offer, including the ability to connect to family, look for work, and access emergency services, Lifeline offers a monthly discount on phone services to eligible families who are having difficulty paying their phone bills.
Describe a household
Each “independent economic household” is only eligible for one Lifeline discount. Even if they are unrelated, a household is made up of people who live together and share money. You are one household if you share a residence and income. You are two or more homes if you live together and do not share money.
Examples of One Household
- One Lifeline discount must be shared by a married couple living together.
- One Lifeline discount must be shared by a parent or guardian and their child living together.
- One Lifeline discount must be shared by an adult living with friends or family who provides financial help.
Several Examples of Households
- Four households are made up of four roommates who live together but do not split expenses or money.
- There are 30 households with 30 older citizens residing in assisted living facilities.
Check out the Lifeline Household Worksheet if you’re not sure how many households live at your address. To determine the number of households, this worksheet questions you about your relationship with the other adult or adults.
Read More: Lifeline Program Free Tablet
How to Utilise the Lifeline Help Directory
Finding out whether companies in your area are providing service under the Lifeline service is the first thing you should do before searching for a free phone stand nearby. You can use the Lifeline Assistance Directory to accomplish that.
This is what you must do:
- Go to https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ in your web browser.
- Give the name of your state or city, or your area code.
- From the list, pick the Lifeline program.
- You can choose between home and mobile services.
All local Lifeline cell phone providers will be highlighted as you press the search button, along with their phone number and the services they provide. The complete list is also available for download as a CSV file. After you’ve found the supplier, you may give them a call and inquire as to whether there is a free government phone booth close to your home.
Things to keep in mind:
One of the local providers shown in the results may not deliver the service to your address. Speak with the provider and get confirmation to be sure.
Not all of the providers in your area may be included in the search results.
READ MORE: Free Government Tablet Programs Now That ACP Has Ended
Who Can Participate in the Lifeline Program?
The Lifeline and its advantages are available to any person or household that meets the requirements related to the Lifeline.
The following are requirements to apply for the Lifeline.
- A person must be at least eighteen years of age.
- To be eligible for the Lifeline, a person must be a citizen of the state in which they wish to apply. Despite being a federal program, it requires applicants to be citizens of the state in which they submit their application.
After meeting these prerequisites, applicants need to complete the additional Lifeline standards. The following section discusses them.
What Are Requirements To Join The Lifeline Program?
You must fulfil the eligibility requirements listed below for each Program to be eligible for Lifeline.
Income-based eligibility
Your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for you to be eligible for the Lifeline on an income basis.
The table below reflects 135% of the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Territories | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,128 | $26,393 | $24,287 |
| 2 | $28,553 | $35,681 | $32,832 |
| 3 | $35,978 | $44,969 | $41,378 |
| 4 | $43,403 | $54,257 | $49,923 |
| 5 | $50,828 | $63,545 | $58,469 |
| 6 | $58,253 | $72,833 | $67,041 |
| 7 | $65,678 | $82,121 | $75,560 |
| 8 | $73,103 | $91,409 | $84,105 |
| For each additional person, add: | $7,425 | $9,288 | $8,546 |
You may have to show proof of income, like a tax return or three consecutive months of pays stubs, when you apply for Lifeline.
Program-based eligibility
If your income does not qualify you, you may still be eligible if you or a family member takes part in any of the government-sponsored programs listed below.
- Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid Survivors Benefit and Veterans Pension
- If you engage in the Program below, you may also be eligible for the Lifeline program if you reside on Tribal land.
- General Assistance Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Program for Food Distribution on Indian Reservations
- Only families who meet the qualifying income standard are eligible for Head Start.
- Tribal TANF, or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Households
Programs for Tribal Assistance
You may be eligible for Lifeline if you reside on Tribal territory and your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you or a household member engages in any of the following:
- Any of the aforementioned federal assistance programs
- General Assistance Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Only homes that fulfil the income-qualifying level are eligible for Head Start.
- Tribal TANF, or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Program for Food Distribution on Indian Reservations
- When you apply for Lifeline, you could be required to provide documentation of your involvement, such as an official document or benefit letter. Study up on the Tribal Advantage.
Considering Are You a Survivor?
Survivors of human trafficking, domestic abuse, and related crimes can receive subsidised phone, internet, or bundled services through the Safe Connections Act (SCA). The SCA mandates that cell operators separate phone lines associated with family plans if the abuser is on the account, if a survivor requests line separation.
If you are a survivor and can prove that you are in financial distress and that you have requested a line separation, you are eligible to take part in the Lifeline program. Survivors who are struggling financially may qualify by meeting the standards of the Lifeline program as stated above or by using one of the SCA-specific procedures listed below:
- If your family’s income is 200 per cent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less
- Participation in Women, Infants, and Children’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC)
- Enrollment in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school or school district, as well as participation in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast program
- During the current award year, a Federal Pell Grant was awarded.
You can get up to six months of emergency Lifeline support if you are eligible, and your anonymity will be safeguarded. Go to the Survivor Benefit page to learn more.
Get Qualified Through Your Dependent or Child
If your dependent or child is enrolled in any of the programs above, you are eligible to receive Lifeline.
Read more: Get a FREE 10-inch Government Tablet – Limited Offer, Apply Now!
Documents Needed for Lifeline Program
You might have to provide documentation if we are unable to verify your identity, residence, or eligibility for Lifeline. If you need to provide evidence, we will get in touch with you to let you know.
Program Participation
Provide a letter or official document as verification that you are enrolled in one of the qualifying programs.
Documentation has to contain:
- Your name or the name of your dependent
- The name of the program, like SNAP
- The government or tribal organization’s name that issued the document
- An expiration date in the future or an issue date within the previous 12 months
Examples of Documents
- Letter of benefit award
- Letter of approval
- Benefits statement
- Letter of benefit verification
Household Income
You will need to submit a document proving your yearly income if your income qualifies you.
Documentation has to contain:
- Your dependent’s name or your first and last name
- Your yearly salary
- Current pay stubs and other documentation of income that does not span an entire year must cover three consecutive months within the last 12 months in order to be considered.
Examples of Documents
- State, federal, or tribal tax return from the previous year
- A pay stub or your employer’s most recent revenue statement
- Statement of Benefits from the Veterans Administration
- Benefits statement for workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance
- Notice letter of participation in General Assistance from the Federal Government or a Tribal agency
- Child support orders, divorce decrees, or other government documents including income details
Date of Birth
Documentation must include:
- Your first and last name
- Date of birth
Document Examples
- Government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Driver’s license
- Birth Certificate
- Government assistance program document
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalisation
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
Social Security Number or Tribal ID Number
Documentation must include:
- Your first and last name
- The Last four digits of your Social Security number or your complete Tribal ID
Document Examples
- Social Security Card
- W-2 from the last 2 years
- Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
- Government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Government assistance program document
- Military discharge documentation
- Unemployment/Workers’ compensation benefits
Address VERIFICATIONS
Documentation must include:
- Your first and last name
- Shows your physical address
Document Examples and Tips
- You will use the mapping feature in the online application to assist USAC in locating your address if you are addressing this mistake.
- You can provide a map that clearly displays your actual address or position, together with your latitude and longitude coordinates, if you are mailing information to USAC to resolve this mistake (coordinates are required if you are on Tribal territory).
Other choices include of:
- Bill for utilities
- Statement of a mortgage or lease
- latest tax return or W-2
- A valid driver’s license or other form of state, federal, or tribal identification
Duplicate Address
To determine whether your family is eligible for multiple benefits, you will need to respond to a series of questions if you live with another adult who receives Lifeline.
Requirements for Documents:
If someone else already receives Lifeline at your address, fill out a Lifeline Household Worksheet.
Examples and Advice for Documents
- The worksheet will show up in the application to finish if you are using the online application to fix this problem.
- You must fill out the paper form and mail it to the Lifeline Support Center if you are mailing information to USAC in order to fix this problem.
Life Documentation
To confirm your identification and your existence, present copies of official documents.
The following documentation is required to prove your identity:
- Your first and last name
- Date of birth
- The Last four digits of your Social Security number or your complete Tribal ID
Document Examples
- Government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Government assistance program document
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- W-2 from the last 2 years
- Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
Documentation has to contain:
- Your first and last name
- Shows last 3 months life activity
Document Examples
- Government assistance program document
- Current utility bill
- Current income statement, such as a paystub
- Current mortgage or lease statement
Emancipated Minor
To be eligible for Lifeline, you must be at least eighteen years old. Lifeline is only available to emancipated adolescents under the age of 18.
Documentation has to contain:
- Your first and last name
- Verifying Emancipated Minor Status
Examples of Documents
- Certificate of court document
How to Submit Your Proof to get lifeline benefits
Use a scanner, copier, camera, or smartphone to capture images or make copies of your papers. Don’t submit any photographs or documents that are dark or fuzzy. Don’t send in original copies of your paperwork.
Use one of the following methods to submit your proof documentation:
Online
Upload copies of your proof papers after logging in or creating a new account.
Fill out the cover sheet and mail copies of your supporting papers to the following address.
Lifeline Support Centre
PO Box 1000
Horseheads, NY 14845
Contact your phone or internet company
Ask your company for assistance with submitting your proof documentation.
Benefits Of The Lifeline Program
We have listed all of Lifeline’s advantages below.
- Qualified households can receive a discount on monthly phone service, broadband Internet service, voice-broadband bundles, and other services through Lifeline.
- These benefits are provided by the numerous wireless service providers that are part of the Program to help low-income individuals with affordable phone bills and easily accessible internet.
- It offers qualified low-income households in every state a monthly savings of up to $9.25 and up to $34.25 for inhabitants of Tribal property who have broadband internet service or an eligible bundled internet/phone service.
- Additionally, families who want to utilise the voice-only service advantage can receive a discount of up to $5.25. To reduce your internet service bill, the federal government pays the participating service providers directly.
- The Lifeline savings make it possible for those with low incomes to get broadband and use it to look for work, locate medical facilities, and access educational materials.
- Certain Lifeline providers give low-income households free handsets along with extra perks like complimentary text messages, minutes, or data each month.
The Lifeline Program’s Restrictions
The FCC has placed various restrictions on the Lifeline despite its many advantages. A couple of them are listed below.
- There is only one Lifeline discount permitted per family (not per person) because Lifeline is only offered per household and not per individual.
- To keep the Program active, the eligible family must use their Lifeline benefits once every 30 days.
- Benefit-receiving families are required to apply for the Program annually.
- If a household is no longer eligible for the Lifeline, they have 30 days to notify its providers.
- The eligible person can utilise Lifeline for internet access (including bundled phone and internet) or phone service (one landline or one wireless phone) at home or through a wireless telephone.
Rules for the Program
- By registering for Lifeline, you consent to abide by its guidelines. Show that you are eligible.
- Only subscribers who can demonstrate their eligibility are eligible to use Lifeline. You must provide evidence of income or enrollment in a qualifying program when you apply for Lifeline. Recertify annually.
- USAC will verify that you are still eligible each year. You may also receive reminders via email, mail, or pre-recorded messages on your phone, in addition to an email or letter in the mail if we are unable to verify your eligibility. You will forfeit your Lifeline benefit if you are required to recertify, and you have sixty days to comply. Keep your business current.
- Notify your employer within 30 days if you move, lose your eligibility for Lifeline, or if more than one member of your household is receiving Lifeline. Each household gets one discount.
- Each household is only eligible for one discount. A group of people who live together and split expenses and income is referred to as a “household.” Please make use of it or lose it.
- To keep your Lifeline service active, you must utilise it at least once every 30 days if it is free. You will be given 15 days to use it, or it will be switched off if you don’t. Be truthful when filling out paperwork and applications.
- Lying on any Lifeline-related form or questionnaire is illegal.
FAQs About the Lifeline Program
1. What is the Lifeline Program?
The Lifeline Program is a federal assistance program in the U.S. that helps low-income households get free or discounted phone and internet service. It is managed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company).
2. Who qualifies for the Lifeline Program?
You qualify if:
- Your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or
- You participate in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension.
3. What benefits do I get with Lifeline?
Lifeline offers:
- Free or discounted monthly cell phone or home phone service
- Discounted internet service
- Free smartphones (in some cases, provided by participating carriers)
4. Is the Lifeline Program the same as ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program)?
No, but they are related.
- Lifeline: Helps with phone and internet service.
- ACP: Helps with broadband and devices like tablets.
- You can combine both for bigger discounts if eligible.
5. How do I apply for the Lifeline Program?
- Go to the National Verifier (USAC.org) and fill out the application.
- Provide proof of identity, income, or participation in a qualifying program.
- Choose a participating Lifeline provider in your area.
6. What documents do I need to apply?
You may need:
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, benefits letter).
- Proof of participation in Medicaid, SNAP, or other qualifying programs.
- Government-issued ID and proof of address.
7. Do I get a free phone with the Lifeline Program?
Yes, in many cases. Some providers like SafeLink Wireless, Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless, and TruConnect give free smartphones with free monthly service to Lifeline customers.
8. Can seniors apply for the Lifeline Program?
Yes. Seniors who meet the income requirements or participate in government aid programs like Medicaid or SSI can apply.
9. How many people in a household can use Lifeline?
Only one Lifeline benefit per household is allowed. A household can’t receive multiple Lifeline discounts.
10. How long does it take to get approved for Lifeline?
Approval can take a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on your documents and the provider’s processing time.
Bottom Line
The Lifeline program is more than just a discount—it’s a lifeline to staying connected in today’s world. If you qualify, it’s a simple way to save money each month while making sure you never miss out on important opportunities, services, or connections with loved ones.