What Is Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal program administered by the FCC that provides a monthly discount on phone or broadband internet service for qualifying low-income households. It's funded through the Universal Service Fund — a small fee collected on most phone and internet bills nationwide. Lifeline has operated since 1985 and is the primary federal connectivity assistance program remaining after the Affordable Connectivity Program ended in June 2024.
Who Qualifies
Program-based (automatic eligibility — no income documentation needed): SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8 or public housing), Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
Income-based: Household income at or below 135% FPL. For 2026: 1 person ($20,331/yr), 2 people ($27,567/yr), 3 people ($34,803/yr), 4 people ($42,039/yr).
Program-based eligibility is the simplest path — if your household receives SNAP or Medicaid (most low-income households do), you automatically qualify. The Lifeline Eligibility Checker confirms eligibility quickly.
Benefit Amounts
Standard Lifeline benefit: $9.25/month off your monthly phone or internet bill. On qualifying Tribal lands: $34.25/month ($9.25 standard + $25 Tribal enhancement). These amounts apply to all non-Tribal eligible households as of 2026.
Phone vs Internet — Which to Choose
Lifeline can be applied to either voice phone service or broadband internet — not both simultaneously. For most households without home internet, applying to wireless phone service is the better choice: many Lifeline wireless plans are priced at $9.25 or less after the discount, making effective monthly cost $0 for basic unlimited talk, text, and some data. Applying to broadband reduces your internet bill by $9.25 — meaningful but smaller relative impact unless combined with an ISP low-income program.
One Benefit Per Household
Only one Lifeline benefit per household — not per person. A household is anyone sharing income and expenses at the same address. If anyone in your household already receives a Lifeline discount, no other member can receive an additional one. Claiming multiple benefits is fraud with fines up to $100,000 per violation.
How to Apply
- Go to lifelinesupport.org and complete the National Verifier eligibility application
- For SNAP/Medicaid: have your case number or ID ready — eligibility is typically verified automatically
- After approval, select a participating provider from the list shown for your address
- Contact the provider to enroll and activate your benefit
- Recertify annually when your provider sends a notice — missing recertification suspends the benefit
Choosing a Provider
Key comparison factors: data allowance (ranges from 3GB to unlimited), network coverage at your specific address, whether a free device is included, and customer service reputation. National providers: SafeLink Wireless (Verizon network, best rural coverage), Q Link Wireless (T-Mobile), Assurance Wireless (T-Mobile). See Best Lifeline Providers by State for a current comparison.
After ACP — Lifeline Now
The Affordable Connectivity Program provided an additional $30/month broadband discount alongside Lifeline, making home internet effectively free for many households. ACP ended June 1, 2024 when its $14.2 billion funding ran out. Lifeline's $9.25 continues, but the combined $39.25 discount that made free broadband possible is gone. ISP low-income programs from Comcast ($9.95/mo), AT&T ($10/mo), and Cox ($9.95/mo) partially fill the gap for households in those service areas. See ACP Internet Discount Program for alternatives.