Lifeline is a government assistance program that makes basic home telephone and broadband Internet access services more affordable for low-income households. The program is available in every state and territory.
To qualify, households must meet income guidelines and participate in specific government support programs. Willfully making false statements to obtain Lifeline benefits can result in de-enrollment or criminal prosecution.
How It Works
The federal Lifeline Assistance Program subsidizes the cost of telecommunications services for low-income households. It’s administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). To qualify, you must have an annual household income at or below 135% of current federal poverty guidelines, adjusted yearly. You may also be eligible if you receive other federal benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Lifeline subsidy covers a portion of your monthly home, wireless, or broadband internet plan. The participant bears the remaining cost.
You can choose which provider to use for your telecommunications services through Lifeline, but you must only have one account per household. Violations of this rule violate federal regulations and will result in de-enrollment from the program. The only exception is if your family members each have their own Lifeline accounts for different phone or internet services, which would be allowed under state regulations.
Many carriers offer free phones for Lifeline participants who sign up for a monthly phone or internet plan. Those phones usually include hands-free calling, GPS, and mobile data for connecting to the internet. You can transfer your existing number for free if you want to use a phone not offered through your Lifeline provider.
Who Qualifies
The lifeline assistance programs in Texas are designed to provide eligible low-income households with a discount on monthly telephone service. To qualify for this discount, a household’s total income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. These guidelines may vary from state to state. A “household” is anyone living together at the same address who shares in the household income and expenses. The Lifeline discount can be used for a single landline or mobile phone, broadband Internet access, or a bundled service. Only one Lifeline discount is available per household.
Most Lifeline-subsidized services are offered through local, regional, and discount telecommunications providers. The carriers vary by area, but most provide a range of plans, including wireless and bundled internet and telephone service. A few offer smartphones that are free of charge to participants. Significant national telecommunications companies and many regional and discount carriers participate in the Lifeline program. Consumers can find the list of participating providers by visiting the National Verifier database (USAC) website or contacting their local provider.
Consumers need to know that their eligibility for the Lifeline program is recertified each year. To recertify, a consumer must contact their Lifeline service provider and provide proof of eligibility. The provider will then confirm that the consumer meets all program requirements.
Requirements
To qualify for the Lifeline program, consumers must either participate in a qualifying government assistance program or prove that their income falls below established poverty guidelines. The specifics of which programs and documents are accepted will vary by state. In general, applicants must provide proof of participation in the SNAP or Medicaid programs or be able to demonstrate that their household income is 135% below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In addition, households primarily composed of seniors may be eligible for an even deeper discount on their Lifeline service through the Link-Up program.
More than 1.3 million people in most states utilize the benefits of both Lifeline and Medicaid. If you live in this state and need affordable phone and internet services, you can apply for the Lifeline benefit online.
The company will conduct a National Verifier check to confirm your eligibility for the program before providing you with your Lifeline discount. This verification process is done using the USAC database. It requires you to provide your full name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tribal identification number, and address where you live.
If you are approved for Lifeline, you can receive the service through one of the hundreds of nationwide wireless and broadband providers offering a discount. These include significant providers and many smaller regional and discount carriers. Most companies also provide cost-free phones compatible with the Lifeline program, including smartphones with hands-free calling features and GPS capabilities.
Recommendations
If you are a Lifeline-supported customer, make sure you continue to check in and verify your eligibility each year. The program is based on income, so household size and income-eligibility limits change yearly. You may also be required to submit a Household Worksheet when more than one household member receives Lifeline phone or broadband service or when new members join an existing service at the same address. A household is anyone living at an address who shares income and expenses, regardless of relationship.
If your household meets the income guidelines, you should know that many service providers offer discounted internet plans for low-income families in addition to subsidized phone and broadband services.
While the program is primarily administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), each state, territory, and Tribal Land have its own Lifeline administrator responsible for helping consumers apply and understand requirements. Generally, each state or tribal administration will have an online application to help you determine your eligibility and complete the process. You should also know that Lifeline beneficiaries in most states can keep their current phone number when they switch carriers and, in some cases, are eligible to receive a free smartphone through the program.
