Lifeline Assistance Program – What You Need to Know

Lifeline is an assistance program initiated in 1985 by the Federal Communications Commission. Its purpose is to facilitate low-income households' access to communication services, such as broadband internet service, phone, etc. This blog will cover everything you need to know about the Lifeline Assistance Program, so you can check your eligibility and apply for it.

What is the Lifeline Assistance Program?

Lifeline is a federal program designed to make phone and internet service affordable for low-income families. With this program, the qualified customers can get:

• Up to $9.25 off on the price of phone, internet, or bundled services.
• A discount of up to $34.25/mo($100 off on first-time connection charges) for customers residing on Tribal lands.

Who is Eligible for Lifeline?

Here are the qualifying metrics to determine eligibility for the Lifeline Assistance Program.

Qualifying Based on the Income

You can qualify for the Lifeline Program if your income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The table below is a demonstration of 135% of the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

When applying for the program, you’ll need to provide proof of income (tax returns or consecutive monthly pay stubs).

Qualifying Based on Federal Enrolled Programs

You can also qualify for the Lifeline Assistance Program if you(or someone in your household) is enrolled in any of the following Federal Programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

When applying, you’ll be required to show proof of participation in the program, such as a benefit letter or official document.

Tribal Assistance Programs

You can apply for the Lifeline program if you reside in a tribal area with an income less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you(or someone in your family) participate in:

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

You’ll need to provide proof of enrollment when applying for the Lifeline.

The tribal areas include any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, pueblo, or colony. This also includes former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions, Hawaiian Home Lands, and Indian Allotments.

Qualifying Based on the Safe Connections Act (SCA)

The Safe Connections Act (SCA) is an FCC program for the protection of survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes. The survivors can get discounted internet, phone, and bundled services through this program.

In addition, it allows the survivor to acquire a separate phone line after providing proof of a line separation request. Survivors can apply for the Lifeline program if:

• Their household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• They are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• They are enrolled in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast program, including enrollment at a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school or school district.
• They received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year

Through Survivor Benefits, the users’ information will be protected, and they’ll be eligible for up to 6 months of emergency Lifeline support.

Qualifying Based on Child or Dependent’s Enrolment

You (or anyone in your household) can also apply for the Lifeline program if you have a child or dependent who falls in any of the above categories.

How to Apply for Lifeline?

If you fall into any of the above categories, then you can apply for the Lifeline Assistance Program. Here’s how you do it:

Online

• Visit getinternet.gov
• Hit ‘Apply’ and enter your details in the form
• Provide the necessary information as requested in the form

Through the Internet Company

• Contact your internet company and ask if they are affiliated with Lifeline
• Ask customer support to help submit your application

Through Mail

• Print the Lifeline application form
• Fill in the form and attach the necessary documents requested
• Mail it to:

Lifeline Support Center

PO Box 1000.

Horseheads, NY 14845

Once you’re done applying and qualify for the program, you can sign up and choose the service for which you want the discount. If you’re applying through your internet company, you can ask them to apply the discount on your existing service(s) or choose the service afterward.

What are Lifeline Program Rules?

Before applying, ensure that you’re aware of the rules set for the applicants of this program.

• Applicants are verified through the program eligibility database or by completion of the documentation requested. Failure to provide necessary documentation/ proof of eligibility will result in the rejection of the application.
• Only one Lifeline program is allowed per household. Any household with more than one Lifeline discount must de-enroll or face penalties.
• Existing Lifeline subscribers must recertify their eligibility every year.
  • The National Verifier/ State Lifeline administrator will reach out in case recertification is required.
  • Failure to recertify will result in the de-enrollment of the applicant
• Enrolled subscribers must use the service benefits they’re getting from their provider to continue to be enrolled in the program.

How Can You Recertify for Lifeline?

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will reach out to you in case you need to recertify your enrollment. In this case:

• You will receive an email or mail with a recertification alert and instructions
• You will have up to 60 days to respond to recertify before the enrollment is canceled

Once you’ve received the recertification, here’s what to do:

• Go online to fill out the recertification form and submit the documentation required.

Or

• Download the recertification form, complete it, attach necessary documents, and mail it to ‘Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845’.

Or

• Call (855) 359-4299 or (800) 234-9473 (for Tribal ID Number recertification)
• Follow the prompts to complete the recertification

Note: the calling option is only available if you don’t have to submit any proof documentation.

FAQs

How does Lifeline work?

Lifeline Assistance Program offers eligible customers a discount of up to $9.25 per month, and those on Tribal lands may get a discount of up to $34.25 per month on their internet, phone, or phone broadband bundle bills.

What is the main purpose of Lifeline?

The Lifeline assistance program provides a monthly discount to qualifying, low-income households for internet, phone, or phone-broadband bundles.