Lifeline: Free & Discounted Phone and Internet

What Is Lifeline?

Lifeline is a federal program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that lowers the cost of phone and internet service for people with low incomes. The program gives eligible households a discount of up to $9.25 per month on their phone, internet, or bundled service plan. If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, the discount goes up to $34.25 per month.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) manages the day-to-day operations of Lifeline on behalf of the FCC. As of mid-2025, about 8.12 million subscribers were enrolled in the program across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The program has been running since 1985, when the FCC created it to make sure every American could afford basic telephone service. In 2016, the FCC expanded Lifeline to cover broadband internet as well.

Each household can receive only one Lifeline benefit. That means one discount per address, not one per person. You choose whether to apply the discount to your phone service or your internet service. You cannot split it across both. The benefit goes directly to your service provider, so you see a lower bill each month rather than receiving a payment.

Lifeline is sometimes confused with the "Obama Phone" program, but no president created it. The program started under the Reagan administration and has been expanded by both parties over the decades.

Who Qualifies for Lifeline?

You can qualify for Lifeline in two ways: through your household income or through participation in certain government assistance programs. You only need to meet one of these two paths.

Income-Based Eligibility

Your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The table below shows the current income limits.

Source: USAC Lifeline Eligibility, reflecting 135% of 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Alaska and Hawaii have higher income limits. A single person in Alaska can earn up to $26,393 and still qualify. In Hawaii, the limit is $24,287 for one person.

If you apply based on income, you will need to provide proof such as a tax return, three consecutive pay stubs, or a benefits verification letter.

Program-Based Eligibility

You automatically qualify for Lifeline if you or anyone in your household participates in one of these federal programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (in some states)

If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you can also qualify through Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (income-qualifying households), Tribal TANF, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Program-based eligibility is usually the fastest path. If you already receive SNAP or Medicaid, the National Verifier system can often confirm your enrollment automatically without extra paperwork.

Qualifying Through a Child or Dependent

You do not have to be the program participant yourself. If your child or dependent participates in any of the qualifying programs listed above, your household is eligible for Lifeline.

Safe Connections Act for Survivors

The Safe Connections Act helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes access Lifeline. Survivors who can show proof of a line separation request and financial hardship may qualify. The income threshold for survivors is higher at 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Survivors can also qualify through enrollment in WIC, free and reduced school lunch programs, or a Federal Pell Grant. Eligible survivors receive up to six months of emergency Lifeline support.

You can use our free screener to check if you qualify for Lifeline and other programs in about five minutes.

How Much Can You Get?

The Lifeline discount depends on the type of service you choose and where you live.

Standard Lifeline Benefit

Source: FCC Lifeline Program.

The $9.25 discount applies when your plan includes broadband internet. If you choose voice-only phone service without internet, the discount is $5.25 per month. Most subscribers today choose plans that include internet access, since the higher discount makes it the better deal.

At $9.25 per month, the Lifeline benefit saves you $111 per year. That is enough to cover a basic internet plan from many providers, or to bring a $30-per-month plan down to about $21.

Tribal Lands Benefit

Subscribers living on qualifying Tribal lands receive an extra $25 per month on top of the standard discount. That brings the total to $34.25 per month for broadband service. Tribal subscribers can also receive up to $100 off their first-time connection charges through the Link Up program.

At $34.25 per month, the Tribal benefit saves $411 per year, which is enough to fully cover basic internet or phone service in many areas.

Minimum Service Standards

The FCC sets minimum service standards that Lifeline providers must meet. For 2026, broadband plans must offer at least 75 GB of data per month for mobile service and minimum download speeds. These standards increase over time to keep pace with how people actually use the internet.

One Benefit Per Household

You can only receive one Lifeline discount per household, even if multiple people in the household qualify. USAC uses the National Lifeline Accountability Database to prevent duplicate benefits. A household is defined as a group of people who live together and share income and expenses.

How to Apply for Lifeline

Applying for Lifeline takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can apply online, by mail, or through a participating phone or internet company.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use our free eligibility screener or review the income limits and qualifying programs above. The screener checks Lifeline along with 20 other benefit programs at once.

Step 2: Gather your documents

You will need:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, passport, or tribal ID)
• Proof of eligibility: either income documents (tax return or three months of pay stubs) or a program participation letter (SNAP award letter, Medicaid card, SSI benefit letter)
• Date of birth
• Last four digits of your Social Security number
• Home address

Step 3: Apply through the National Verifier

Online: Go to checklifeline.org and complete the application. The National Verifier system will check your eligibility and, in many cases, confirm it automatically if you receive SNAP or Medicaid.

By mail: Download the application from lifelinesupport.org and mail it to USAC.

Through a provider: Many phone and internet companies that participate in Lifeline will help you apply. Ask your current provider if they accept Lifeline, or search for providers near you on the USAC website.

Some states run their own Lifeline applications. Oregon and Texas have state-specific processes, so check with your local provider or state utility commission.

Step 4: Choose a service provider

After the National Verifier confirms your eligibility, you pick a participating phone or internet company. You can apply the discount to a plan you already have, or sign up with a new provider. Some providers offer free plans to Lifeline subscribers where the discount covers the entire cost.

Step 5: Start using your benefit

Once your provider activates the Lifeline discount, you will see the $9.25 (or $5.25 for voice-only) taken off your monthly bill. The discount appears as a line item on your statement.

Tips for a Smooth Application

Apply online for the fastest results. The National Verifier can often confirm program-based eligibility within minutes by checking directly with SNAP and Medicaid databases.

If you are denied, the denial notice will explain why and how to appeal. Common reasons include missing documents or address mismatches. You can fix these and reapply right away.

Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was a separate FCC program that gave eligible households up to $30 per month off their internet bill (or $75 on Tribal lands). ACP ended on June 1, 2024, when its funding ran out. Congress did not approve new funding to continue the program.

If you were an ACP subscriber, Lifeline is the main remaining federal discount for phone and internet service. The Lifeline discount is smaller ($9.25 versus $30), but the program has permanent funding through the Universal Service Fund, so it is not at risk of running out the same way. Check with your internet provider about any transitional discounts they may still offer to former ACP subscribers.

Lifeline and Other Programs

Many people who qualify for Lifeline also qualify for other federal benefits. Since program participation is one of the main ways to qualify, there is significant overlap. Here are programs worth checking:

• SNAP (food assistance) qualifies you automatically for Lifeline. A family of four can receive up to $994 per month in grocery benefits through an EBT card.
• Medicaid (health coverage) also triggers automatic Lifeline eligibility. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health insurance based on income.
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) provides monthly cash payments to people who are aged, blind, or disabled with limited income. SSI recipients automatically qualify for Lifeline.
• LIHEAP (energy assistance) helps pay heating and cooling bills. If your income qualifies you for Lifeline, you likely qualify for LIHEAP too.
• TANF (cash assistance) provides temporary financial help to families with children.

Our free screener checks Lifeline and all of these programs at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Lifeline provides one discount per household. You must choose whether to apply the $9.25 discount to your phone service or your internet service. You cannot split it across two separate accounts or services.

Is Lifeline the same as a free government phone?

Not exactly. Lifeline is a discount program, not a free phone program. However, some participating providers offer plans where the Lifeline discount covers the full cost of a basic phone plan, effectively giving you free service. The phone itself may also be provided at no cost by certain carriers, but that is the provider's decision, not an FCC requirement.

How do I recertify for Lifeline?

USAC checks your eligibility every year. You will receive a notice asking you to confirm that you still qualify. You must respond by the deadline or your benefit will end. If you qualify through a program like SNAP or Medicaid, the system may verify your enrollment automatically.

Can I transfer my Lifeline benefit to a different provider?

Yes. You can switch your Lifeline benefit to a new phone or internet company at any time. Visit lifelinesupport.org/change-my-company or contact your new provider to start the transfer.

Does Lifeline affect my immigration status or public charge determination?

No. Lifeline is a discount on telecommunications service, not a cash benefit. Receiving the Lifeline discount does not count as a public benefit under the public charge rule and will not affect your green card or visa application.

What happens if I move to a new address?

You must update your address with USAC and your service provider. If you move to a new state, you may need to reapply or choose a new provider that participates in Lifeline in your area. Your eligibility does not change just because you moved, but your provider options might.

Can college students qualify for Lifeline?

Yes, if they meet the income or program requirements. There is no student exclusion for Lifeline like there is for SNAP. If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you receive Medicaid or another qualifying program, you can apply.

What is the difference between Lifeline and the ACP?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided a larger discount of $30 per month, but it ended in June 2024 when its funding expired. Lifeline provides a $9.25 monthly discount and has ongoing funding through the Universal Service Fund. Lifeline is the only remaining federal discount program for phone and internet service.