The Lifeline program is a government benefit program that provides free or discounted telecommunications services to eligible low-income consumers. The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
What is the Lifeline program?
The federal Lifeline program provides a monthly discount on eligible telecommunications services to qualifying low-income consumers. The Lifeline program is available to eligible consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and tribe.
Lifeline is a non-transferable benefit, which means it is limited to one discount per household. Consumers who qualify for Lifeline can enrol by contacting their local telecommunications service provider.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
What are the eligibility requirements for the Lifeline program?
To qualify for the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in certain assistance programs.
What services are eligible for the Lifeline discount?
Lifeline discounts one basic monthly telecommunications service, either mobile phone service or home phone service. In some areas, broadband Internet service may also be eligible for the Lifeline discount.
How much is the Lifeline discount?
The Lifeline discount is $9.25 per month.
How do I apply for the Lifeline program?
To apply for the Lifeline program, contact your local telecommunications service provider.
How does the Lifeline program work?
The program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state and territory and on Tribal lands.
To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain assistance programs, such as Medicaid, the Food Stamp Program, Supplemental Security Income, or the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program.
- Lifeline is a government benefit program that provides a discount on the monthly telephone or broadband service for eligible low-income consumers.
- Lifeline service is non-transferable and limited to one per household.
- Lifeline service is provided by eligible telecommunications carriers, who must offer the service to eligible consumers.
- The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Please get in touch with your local telecommunications carrier if you have questions about the Lifeline program or would like to apply for the benefit.
What are the benefits of the Lifeline program?
The Lifeline program has been shown to reduce poverty and improve the health and well-being of participating families. Families participating in the program are more likely to have stable housing and food security and less likely to experience financial stress. The program also improves access to health care and child care and helps families afford necessities.
The Lifeline program is an important safety net for low-income families and positively impacts participants’ lives. If you or someone you know is struggling to make ends meet, please consider applying for the Lifeline program.
- Access to essential communication services: With the Lifeline Program, low-income individuals can stay connected with the people and information they need, even if they can’t afford to pay for these services independently.
- Improved quality of life: The ability to stay connected can positively impact an individual’s quality of life, helping them feel more secure and connected to the wider world.
- Increased access to job opportunities: With access to cell phone service, low-income individuals may have increased access to job opportunities that they might otherwise miss out on.
How to Qualify for the Lifeline program?
To qualify for the Lifeline program, you must participate in one of the following programs:
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Section 8 Housing Assistance
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- National School Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Tribal programs for low-income households
Suppose you don’t participate in any of the above programs. You can still qualify for the Lifeline program if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you qualify for the Lifeline program, you’ll need to provide your name, address, and date of birth to your phone or internet service provider. You’ll also need to show proof of your eligibility for the program.
Once enrolled in the Lifeline program, you’ll receive free or discounted phone and internet service. You can use your Lifeline service to stay connected with your family and friends, access emergency services, and get information about job opportunities and government benefits.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Lifeline program?
- Proof of identification: This can be a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or government-issued ID.
- Proof of address: This can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or documentation that shows the consumer’s name and current address.
- Consumers must participate in a government benefit program: Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or other programs. Consumers who do not participate in a government benefit program may still be eligible for Lifeline if they have an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you think you might be eligible for Lifeline, contact your local phone or internet provider to see if they offer the program.
FAQs
The Federal Communications Commission administers the Lifeline program, and service providers must offer the program to eligible customers. Customers must enrol with a participating service provider to participate in the Lifeline program. Once enrolled, customers will receive a monthly discount on their phone service bill.
What is the Lifeline program?
The Lifeline program is a federal program that provides a monthly discount on phone service for eligible low-income customers. The program is available to eligible customers who either participate in certain public assistance programs or have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
How do I qualify for the Lifeline program?
To qualify for the Lifeline program, you must either participate in certain public assistance programs or have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
What public assistance programs qualify me for the Lifeline program?
The following public assistance programs qualify you for the Lifeline program:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start (only those households that are at or below the poverty line)
How do I apply for the Lifeline program?
To apply for the Lifeline program, you must contact a participating service provider and enrol. Once enrolled, you will receive a monthly discount on your phone service bill.
What is the Lifeline program discount?
The Lifeline program discount is a monthly discount on your phone service bill. The discount amount will vary depending on your service provider, but the maximum discount is $9.25 per month.
How do I get the Lifeline program discount?
It would be best if you enrolled with a participating service provider to get the Lifeline program discount. Once enrolled, you will receive a monthly discount on your phone service bill.
How does my service provider offer the Lifeline program?
All service providers that offer Lifeline-supported services are required to offer the Lifeline program discount to eligible customers. You can contact your service provider to inquire about the availability of the Lifeline program.
I am already receiving a Lifeline discount from my service provider. Can I switch to another service provider and get the Lifeline discount from the new provider?
Yes. You can switch to another service provider and receive the Lifeline discount from the new provider as long as the new provider offers the Lifeline program.
I am eligible for the Lifeline program. Can I get a discount on more than one phone line?
Yes. You can receive the Lifeline discount on more than one phone line as long as each line is used for primary residential purposes.
Do I have to re-apply for the Lifeline program every year?
No. Once enrolled in the Lifeline program, you will continue to receive the discount as long as you remain eligible. However, service providers are required to periodically verify your eligibility for the program.
I may be eligible for the Lifeline program. How can I find out for sure?
You can contact your service provider to inquire about your eligibility for the Lifeline program.
