Lifeline Program

Link

https://www.lifelinesupport.org/

Additional Links

Lifeline Fact Sheet
Tribal Lifeline Fact Sheet

Deadline

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Sponsor

Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

Purpose

Offers a monthly federal benefit designed to make phone and internet services more affordable and accessible to low-income households. The discount can be used to help pay for home or mobile phone service or for high-speed broadband connection.

Amount of Funding

Eligible participants may receive up to $9.25 monthly discount for phone or internet service. Individuals living on tribal lands may receive a discount up to $34.25 per month.

Who Can Apply

Individuals may apply if they meet one of the following qualifying factors:

  • Their income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines
  • Anyone in their household participates in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit programs
  • Their child or dependent participates in one of the qualifying federal assistance programs

If living on tribal lands, the household income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or anyone in the household participates in:

  • Any of the federal assistance programs mentioned above
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Head Start for only households meeting the income qualifying standard
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

A full list of qualifying factors is available on the program website. Eligible participants may receive one Lifeline benefit per household. Benefits are not granted on a per-person basis. The discount may be used for phone, internet, or bundled voice and internet services.

Geographic Coverage

Nationwide

What This Program Funds

Capacity Building

Application Process

Application instructions and other information about the application process can be found on the program website.

Contact

For general program questions or for help finding a local service provider:
Lifeline Support Center
800-234-9473
lifelinesupport@usac.org

For service questions or issues contact your local service provider.

Topics This Program Addresses

Social Services • Teleservices and Technology