How does Lifeline work?

To get the Lifeline discount, you can either: Check if your current phone or internet company offers the Lifeline discount, or Enroll in service with a phone or internet company that offers the Lifeline discount. The discount can be applied to either phone or internet service, but not both. Your household may also qualify for a temporary $50 monthly discount on your internet bill through the Emergency Broadband Benefit . Your eligibility for Lifeline will be checked automatically every year.

Am I eligible for Lifeline?

Only one Lifeline discount is available per household. A household is one person or group of people who live together at the same address and share money. Check here for more information on what a household means. Your household is eligible if its income is 135% of less than the federal poverty level: Household size Income at 135% or less than the federal poverty level 1 $17,388 2 $23,517 3 $29,646 4 $35,775 5 $41,904 6 $48,033 7 $54,162 8 $60,291 For each additional person add $6,129 You are also eligible if you, a child, or dependent in your household participates in one of these programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medicaid Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit If you are eligible for Lifeline, you are also eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit .

How do I Apply to Lifeline?

Complete the online application on the National Verifier . After you submit an application online, you may receive an immediate approval. If your eligibility cannot be proven automatically, you will have to submit additional documents . Once you are approved for Lifeline, enroll in the Lifeline program with a participating phone or internet company . Visit a company in-store, or contact one online or by phone. Your eligibility for Lifeline will be checked automatically every year. If your eligibility cannot be verified automatically, you will be contacted with more instructions. Print an application in English or Spanish . Complete the application and gather documents to prove your eligibility. If you live at an address with other households, fill out and send the Household Worksheet with your application. If you are under age 18, include proof that the government declared you an emancipated minor. Mail your application and proof of eligibility to: Lifeline Support Center P.O. Box 7081 London, KY 40742 You will receive a letter from USAC letting you know if you qualify. Once you qualify for Lifeline, enroll in the Lifeline program through a participating phone or internet company . Visit a company in-store, or contact one online or by phone. Your eligibility for Lifeline will be checked automatically every year. If your eligibility cannot be verified automatically, you will be contacted with more instructions. Ask your phone or internet company if they offer Lifeline or contact a company that offers Lifeline near you. Ask your phone or internet company if they offer Lifeline or contact a company that offers Lifeline near you.

Lifeline – ACCESS NYC

Q: What do I need in order to apply to Lifeline?

You will need a social security number (SSN) to apply. You will also need to give proof of income or proof of program participation .

1. How it Works

Lifeline is a federal program that gives up to a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service. You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both.

To get the Lifeline discount, you can either:
- Check if your current phone or internet company offers the Lifeline discount, or
- Enroll in service with a phone or internet company that offers the Lifeline discount.
The discount can be applied to either phone or internet service, but not both.
Your household may also qualify for a temporary $50 monthly discount on your internet bill through the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
Your eligibility for Lifeline will be checked automatically every year.

Next section:

2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

Only one Lifeline discount is available per household.

A household is one person or group of people who live together at the same address and share money. Check here for more information on what a household means.

Your household is eligible if its income is 135% of less than the federal poverty level:

Household size	Income at 135% or less than the federal poverty level
1	$17,388
2	$23,517
3	$29,646
4	$35,775
5	$41,904
6	$48,033
7	$54,162
8	$60,291
For each additional person	add $6,129

You are also eligible if you, a child, or dependent in your household participates in one of these programs:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

If you are eligible for Lifeline, you are also eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

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3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

You will need a social security number (SSN) to apply.

You will also need to give proof of income or proof of program participation.

Prove that you or someone in your household participates in:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

Submit one document that includes:

Your name, your child’s name, or the name of a dependent who participates in a qualifying program
The name of the Lifeline-qualifying program, such as SNAP;
The government or Tribal program administrator or the managed care organization (MCO) that issued the document; and
An issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date that aligns with the benefit period.

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Complete the online application on the National Verifier.
- After you submit an application online, you may receive an immediate approval.
- If your eligibility cannot be proven automatically, you will have to submit additional documents.
Once you are approved for Lifeline, enroll in the Lifeline program with a participating phone or internet company. Visit a company in-store, or contact one online or by phone.
Your eligibility for Lifeline will be checked automatically every year.
- If your eligibility cannot be verified automatically, you will be contacted with more instructions.

Apply online

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Lifeline | Federal Communications Commission (FCC) | Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

1. How it Works

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More ways to get help with this program

2. Determine your eligibility

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3. What you need to include

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4. How to apply

Here are your options.

More ways to get help with this program

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