What Lifeline covers and who runs it

Lifeline is a federal program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that reduces what you pay for phone or internet service each month. The program gives you a discount on one service — either a landline, wireless phone, or broadband internet — not all three. A single household gets one Lifeline discount, even if multiple people live there.

The discount amount varies by state and by provider. Most states offer $9.25 per month off your bill, though some offer more. You pay the rest of the bill yourself. Lifeline does not give you free service; it lowers your monthly cost.

The FCC does not run Lifeline directly. Instead, each state has a Lifeline administrator — usually a nonprofit or state agency — that handles applications and verifies who qualifies. The administrator also works with phone and internet companies (called carriers) that actually provide the service and explore the discount.

Key Takeaways

  • Lifeline gives you a monthly discount on one phone or internet service, with the amount varying by state but typically around $9.25 per month.
  • You must meet income limits (usually 130 to 200 percent of the federal poverty line, depending on your state) or receive certain benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI.
  • You explore through your state's Lifeline administrator, not the FCC, and the administrator verifies your income or benefit status before approving you.
  • Once you are approved, you choose a participating carrier and service type, and the discount appears on your monthly bill.
  • You must recertify your income or benefit status every year, or your discount will be removed.

Income and benefit requirements by state

Lifeline has two paths to show you may have access to: income-based or benefit-based. Most people use the benefit path because it is faster — you do not have to prove your income.

The benefit path means you currently receive one of these: SNAP (food information), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Federal Public Housing information, LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program), Tribal TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families), or Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit. If you receive any of these, you meet Lifeline's income requirement automatically. You will need to show proof — usually a letter from the agency, a benefit card, or a recent statement.

The income path means your household income falls at or below a certain level set by your state. Most states use 130 percent of the federal poverty line, but some use 150 or 200 percent. For 2024, 130 percent of the poverty line for a single person is roughly $1,900 per month gross income; for a family of four, roughly $3,900 per month. These numbers change each year. Your state's Lifeline administrator will tell you the exact limit for your state and the current year.

If you use the income path, you will need to show recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from a benefits agency stating your income. The exact documents your state accepts vary.

How to find your state's Lifeline program and explore

The FCC maintains a list of state Lifeline administrators on its website at fcc.gov/lifeline. You can search by state to find the name, phone number, and website of the organization that handles Lifeline in your state.

Once you find your state's administrator, you can usually explore in one of three ways: online through their website, by phone, or by mail. Online is typically the fastest. When you explore, you will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and proof that you meet the income or benefit requirement. If you are explore based on benefits, bring a copy of your benefit letter or card. If you are explore based on income, bring recent pay stubs or tax returns.

After you submit your process, the administrator verifies your information — usually by checking with the benefit agency directly or by reviewing the documents you sent. This can take one to four weeks. Once you are approved, the administrator will tell you which carriers in your area participate in Lifeline and which service types (landline, wireless, or broadband) they offer.

You then contact the carrier directly, tell them you have been approved for Lifeline, and choose your service. The carrier applies the discount to your account, and you start paying the reduced rate the next billing cycle.

Choosing between phone and internet service

Lifeline covers one service per household. You must decide whether to use your discount on a phone line or broadband internet. You cannot split the discount or use it on both.

If you already have a phone or internet service, you can switch your Lifeline discount to a different carrier or service type, but you will need to contact your state's administrator to make the change. Some people use Lifeline for a wireless phone plan; others use it for home broadband. The choice depends on what you need most and which carriers in your area participate.

Not all carriers participate in Lifeline in all states. Your state's administrator will give you a list of participating carriers when you are approved. You can also search the FCC's National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) online to see which carriers offer Lifeline in your zip code.

Annual recertification and what happens if you lose Lifeline

Lifeline is not permanent. You must recertify your income or benefit status every 12 months, or your discount will be removed. Your state's administrator will send you a notice telling you when to recertify — usually by mail or email.

To recertify, you submit proof again: either a new benefit letter or recent pay stubs showing your income still qualifies. If you do not recertify by the important date, the administrator will remove you from the program, and you will pay full price for your service starting the next billing cycle.

If your income increases above the limit or you stop receiving a may have access to benefit, you are no longer may be able to access. You should notify your state's administrator so they can remove you from the program. If you do not tell them and they discover the change during recertification, they will remove you and may ask you to repay any discounts you received after you became ineligible, though this is rare.

Lifeline and other information programs

Lifeline works alongside other programs but does not replace them. If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or another benefit, Lifeline adds a phone or internet discount on top of that benefit — it does not reduce your benefit amount.

Some states also run their own phone or internet information programs separate from Lifeline. These vary widely by state. Your state's Lifeline administrator can tell you if other programs exist in your area.

If you are homeless or living in temporary housing, you may still may have access to for Lifeline. You will need to provide an address where mail can reach you — this could be a shelter, a friend's address, or a mailing service. Contact your state's administrator to ask what address options they accept.

Common reasons applications are denied or removed

The most common reason an process is denied is that your income is above the limit or you do not currently receive a may have access to benefit. If your process is denied, the administrator will tell you why. You can reapply if your situation changes — for example, if you start receiving SNAP or your income drops.

Applications are also sometimes denied if the documents you submit do not clearly show your name, address, or income. If this happens, you can resubmit with clearer documents. Ask your state's administrator what specific documents they need.

The most common reason people are removed from Lifeline is missing the annual recertification important date. If you miss it, you lose the discount when ready. You can reapply once you recertify, but there may be a gap in your discount while the administrator processes your new process.

If you move to a different state, your Lifeline approval does not transfer. You will need to explore to your new state's Lifeline program. Contact the new state's administrator to start the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lifeline if I am on a family plan with other people?

No. Lifeline covers one service per household, and only one person in that household can receive the discount. If you are on a family plan, the discount applies to the account holder's bill, not to individual lines. If multiple people in your household need phone service, only one line can use Lifeline.

What if I do not have a permanent address?

You can still explore. You need an address where mail can reach you — a shelter, a friend's house, a PO box, or a mail forwarding service. Contact your state's Lifeline administrator to ask what addresses they accept and what additional documents you may need to show.

Do I have to use Lifeline with a specific carrier?

No. Once you are approved, you choose from the participating carriers in your state. Different carriers offer different service types and prices. You can switch carriers later if you want, but you will need to contact your state's administrator to update your account.

What happens if I move and my new address is in a different state?

Your Lifeline approval ends. You will need to explore to your new state's Lifeline program. Contact that state's administrator to start a new process. You may have a gap in your discount while the new state processes your process.

Can I use Lifeline for a business phone line or internet?

No. Lifeline is only for personal household use. If you need phone or internet for a business, you do not may have access to for Lifeline, even if you also have a personal line.