Lifeline: Free or Discounted Phone Service for Low-Income Households
Lifeline is a federal program that provides eligible low-income households with a discount on monthly phone or internet service. It is one of the less well-known utility assistance programs, but for households trying to maintain a phone for work, job searching, or medical appointments, it can make a meaningful difference. Enrollment is straightforward, and eligibility is automatically established if you already receive certain other benefits.
Written by the Uplift editorial team · Reviewed against official federal program sources
What Lifeline provides
The Lifeline program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone or internet service — or $34.25 per month for households on tribal lands. The discount is applied directly to your bill through your participating carrier; you do not receive a check.
Some carriers offer plans specifically designed for Lifeline recipients that, after the discount is applied, cost nothing. These are often referred to as "free government phone" plans, though the phone itself may or may not be included depending on the carrier's promotion. The most common carriers offering Lifeline-based free plans include SafeLink Wireless, Q Link Wireless, and several regional providers.
Lifeline can be applied to a landline, a cell phone plan, or a broadband internet plan. Only one benefit per household — not per person — is allowed. Households receive either phone or internet assistance, not both.
Who qualifies
Eligibility for Lifeline is based either on income (at or below 135% of the federal poverty level) or on participation in certain federal assistance programs. Automatically qualifying programs include SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit programs.
Qualifying through program participation means you do not need to document your income separately. If you receive SNAP, you can apply for Lifeline and your SNAP enrollment is sufficient proof of eligibility. The documentation requirements vary by carrier but generally include a copy of your benefit award letter or EBT card.
Each household may receive only one Lifeline benefit regardless of how many people in the household participate in qualifying programs. For tribal land residents, additional benefits are available and income qualification is extended to 135% FPL for the tribal census area.
How to enroll
Apply through the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) at lifelineenrollment.com, or contact a participating Lifeline carrier directly. When you apply, you confirm your eligibility either by submitting documentation (an award letter, tax return, or pay stub) or through the National Verifier, an automated system that checks eligibility against existing federal and state databases.
Recertification is required annually. Each year, USAC sends a recertification notice, and you must confirm you still meet eligibility requirements. Failing to recertify causes your Lifeline benefit to be terminated. Many people lose Lifeline benefits not because they are no longer eligible but because they miss the recertification notice or deadline.
If you are already receiving Lifeline and want to switch carriers, you can transfer your benefit to a new provider without losing it. Contact your desired new carrier and request a transfer.
The Affordable Connectivity Program and what replaced it
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — a COVID-era expansion that provided up to $30 per month for internet service — ended in June 2024 after Congress did not renew its funding. Many households that had relied on ACP for discounted or free broadband internet lost that benefit.
Lifeline's $9.25 internet discount remains available for eligible households. Some internet service providers also offer their own low-income programs: Comcast's Internet Essentials, AT&T's Access plan, and Charter's Spectrum Internet Assist provide reduced-cost service independently of the federal Lifeline program. These provider programs are worth checking separately if Lifeline alone does not bring service into your budget.
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