If you get SNAP, Medicaid or another qualifying benefit, you may be leaving free money on the table every month. The Lifeline program takes a slice off your phone or internet bill, and for many households it can mean a much cheaper plan.
This guide explains how the Lifeline program works, who qualifies, how to apply step by step, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Quick answer: The Lifeline program is a federal benefit that takes up to $9.25 a month off one phone or internet service for eligible low-income households (more on Tribal lands). You qualify through income or by receiving a program like SNAP or Medicaid. You apply through the National Verifier at the official Lifeline website or through a participating provider, then recertify every year. Confirm current rules and amounts with the official program before you apply.
What the Lifeline program is
Lifeline is a federal program that helps lower-income households afford communication service. It was created decades ago for phone service and now covers internet service too. The government doesn’t send you cash. Instead, a participating provider applies the discount to your monthly bill.
The program is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Your phone or internet company is the one that actually gives you the discount, so you need to use a provider that participates.
What it covers
You can apply the benefit to one of these:
- Home or mobile phone service (voice and text)
- Home or mobile internet service (broadband)
- A bundle of phone and internet, if your provider offers it
It’s one benefit per household, not one per person. You choose which service gets the discount.
How much can you save?
The standard benefit is up to $9.25 per month. Households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive a larger monthly benefit. Amounts and rules can change, so check the official Lifeline website for the current figures.
What that means in real life depends on your plan. Some providers offer plans designed around Lifeline that can be very low-cost or even free after the discount. Others simply subtract the credit from a regular bill. If you’re looking to switch providers, explore cheapest internet providers available in your area.
| Situation | Typical effect |
|---|---|
| Prepaid or low-cost phone plan with Lifeline | Bill may drop to little or nothing, depending on the plan and provider |
| Standard monthly phone plan with Lifeline credit | Up to about $9 off each month, roughly $110 a year |
| Home internet with Lifeline credit | Up to about $9 off each month, if your provider participates |
| Tribal lands | A higher monthly benefit may apply |
Prices and availability vary by area and provider, and nothing here is a guarantee. The point is simple: even a modest credit adds up, and combined with a cheap plan it can erase a bill. If you need help with other utility costs, assistance is available for electric bills too.
Nine dollars a month sounds small until it’s the difference between paying a phone bill and not.
Who qualifies for the Lifeline program
There are two main ways to qualify. You only need one.
Qualify by program participation
You, or someone in your household, may qualify if you receive benefits from certain assistance programs. Commonly accepted programs include:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Certain Tribal assistance programs, if you live on Tribal lands
The exact list of qualifying programs can vary and may include additional state-level programs, so check the official Lifeline website for the current list.
Qualify by income
If you don’t receive one of those benefits, you may still qualify if your household income is at or below a set percentage of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The threshold depends on your household size. Look up the current figure at the official Lifeline site rather than relying on an old number.
If you’re not sure you qualify, apply anyway. The National Verifier will check your information and tell you.
How to apply, step by step
The process is easier than most people expect. Here’s the usual path.
- Gather your documents. You’ll typically need proof of identity (a government-issued ID or similar) and proof of eligibility, such as a benefits letter or recent income documentation.
- Check eligibility at the official site. Go to the official Lifeline website (the program’s National Verifier application) and start an application. You can also apply by mail using a paper form.
- Answer the questions honestly. You’ll confirm your household information and how you qualify. You’ll also certify that you won’t claim more than one Lifeline benefit per household.
- Get approved. If the National Verifier confirms you qualify, you’ll receive an approval you can take to a provider.
- Pick a participating provider. Choose a company that offers Lifeline in your area and enroll in a plan. The official site has a tool to find providers near you.
- Confirm the discount appears. Check your first bill or account page to make sure the credit is applied.
Some providers will help you apply directly, which can speed things up. Just make sure they’re a legitimate participating provider, and never pay anyone a fee to apply. Applying for Lifeline is free.
Money move: Before you apply, call your current phone or internet company and ask, “Do you participate in the Lifeline program, and can I apply the credit to my existing plan?” If the answer is no, you may be able to move to a participating provider with a cheaper plan.
What to say when you call a provider
Providers differ a lot in how they handle Lifeline, so a quick call can save you money and hassle. Here’s a simple script.
“Hi, I’m approved for the Lifeline program and I’d like to use it on my service. Which of your plans are eligible, and what would my monthly bill be after the credit? Are there any activation fees, equipment charges or taxes I’d still owe?”
Write down the answers. If the quote doesn’t match your first bill, call back and point to your notes. For more word-for-word scripts, see our guide to how to negotiate bills.
Ask for the total monthly price after the credit, including taxes and fees, before you agree to anything.
Keeping your benefit: annual recertification
Lifeline isn’t a one-and-done sign-up. Each year you have to confirm that you still qualify. Your provider will contact you, usually by mail, text or phone, with instructions and a deadline.
If you miss the deadline, your benefit can be removed and you may be billed regular rates. Open anything that looks like it’s from your Lifeline provider, and respond right away. Keep your contact information current so notices actually reach you.
You may also be asked to use your service periodically to keep it active, since some providers can de-enroll customers who don’t use their service for a set period. Ask your provider what its usage rule is.
Common problems and how to fix them
You were denied
Denials often come from a typo, a mismatched name or address, or missing documents. Review the reason given, correct it and reapply. If you think the decision was wrong, you can usually appeal through the program’s support channels listed on the official site.
Someone else at your address already has the benefit
Because it’s limited to one benefit per household, a duplicate can block you. If you share an address with a separate household (for example, a roommate with separate finances), the application usually lets you explain that. Read the household definition carefully and answer truthfully.
The credit isn’t showing on your bill
Call your provider and ask them to confirm your Lifeline status and the date the credit started. If they can’t fix it, you can file a complaint with the FCC and your state utility or public service commission.
You’re being pushed to buy extras
You should never have to pay to enroll. If someone is selling you “guaranteed approval” or charging an application fee, walk away and use the official site.
Other ways to cut phone and internet costs
Lifeline works best as one tool among several. You can stack smart moves around it:
- Switch to a cheaper plan. Our cheapest cell phone plans guide compares the budget options on major networks.
- Review your whole setup with the complete guide to lowering your cell phone bill.
- Trim your home connection with our internet bill playbook, and look at low-income internet plans and programs in your area.
- Check for senior discounts on phone, internet and utilities if they apply to you.
- Use our free Cell Phone Plan Savings Calculator to see what you could save.
Qualifying for Lifeline often means you qualify for other help too. Our roundup of every bill-help program worth knowing covers energy aid like LIHEAP and more. You can also call 211, the bill-help hotline, to be pointed to local programs. Browse more in the Bill Help Programs category.
Bill Reduction Institute is an independent publication, not a phone company or government agency, and may earn referral fees from partners. We’ll always tell you when that applies, and it never changes our advice.
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Key takeaways
- Lifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off one phone or internet service per household, with more available on Tribal lands.
- You qualify through participation in programs like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI, or through income. Confirm current rules at the official Lifeline website.
- Applying is free. Never pay anyone to apply or trust “guaranteed approval” offers.
- Ask providers for the total monthly price after the credit, including taxes and fees.
- Recertify every year and respond to provider notices, or you could lose the benefit.
- Pair Lifeline with a cheaper plan and other bill-help programs to cut your costs further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Lifeline program save?
The standard Lifeline benefit is up to $9.25 a month off one phone or internet service per household, and the benefit can be higher on Tribal lands. Whether that covers your whole bill depends on the plan and provider. Confirm the current amount at the official Lifeline website or with your provider.
Can I get Lifeline if I already have a phone plan?
Often yes. Many participating providers let you apply the discount to your existing service, and others will transfer you to a Lifeline plan. Call your current provider and ask whether it participates in Lifeline before you switch.
Is Lifeline the same as the Affordable Connectivity Program?
No. Lifeline is a long-running federal program with its own rules. The Affordable Connectivity Program was a separate, temporary internet benefit that has ended, so don’t confuse the two when you search for help.
Can two people in the same home both get Lifeline?
No. Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household, not per person. A household is generally defined as people who live together and share income and expenses, so a family can’t stack multiple discounts.
What happens if I don’t recertify my Lifeline benefit?
You are required to confirm each year that you still qualify. If you don’t respond by the deadline, the benefit can be removed, and you may be billed regular rates afterward. Watch for notices from your provider and respond promptly.