Millions nationwide depend on the Lifeline program to help them afford basic phone service. With it, they could contact emergency services, their family and friends, phone doctors, and find jobs.
The Federal Communications Commission operates Lifeline to ensure low-income Americans can afford essential communication. The program discounts monthly telephone, broadband Internet, or voice-broadband bundled service from participating wireline and wireless providers.
Benefits
Access to a cell phone can help you make the most of your time and money. It will help you stay in touch with friends and family, find jobs, access health care services, and more.
The Lifeline program helps low-income households get a monthly discount on one telephone service (wireline or wireless), including toll-free phone calls and blocking. It is a government benefit available in every state, territory, commonwealth, and Tribal land.
You can apply for the Lifeline service online. Once approved, you’ll receive a discount directly on your monthly bill from the provider.
In addition, you may also receive a discount on internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides a value per month for home internet service and for eligible households to purchase devices from participating providers.
To qualify for the ACP, you must live in a household like the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can also be eligible for the ACP if any family member participates in a government assistance program.
You must complete your Lifeline application before receiving the ACP benefit and recertifying your income each year. You can use the application online, by mail, or at a participating provider.
Requirements
You need to meet several requirements to receive a Lifeline cell phone. Among them are that you have a low income and your household is eligible for government assistance programs.
In most states, for example, you can get a Lifeline cell phone if any of the members of your household participates in many programs. These government aid programs also qualify your home for discounts on Lifeline cell phones.
The federal government created Lifeline to help very low-income families, and senior citizens have cell phones and other needed services. Another service available to very low-income households is Link-Up, which can help pay for establishing a landline or wireless account.
To apply for Lifeline service, you must show proof of eligibility, including income verification, like a tax return or three pays stubs. You can also indicate that you receive specific government assistance programs.
The Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the Lifeline program, so rules must be followed. One of the rules is that only one Lifeline benefit can be offered per household (i.e., home telephone and wireless phone services). The FCC also requires that Lifeline subscribers recertify their eligibility annually. Subscribers who fail to recertify will be de-enrolled from the program.
Costs
Lifeline is an important program that helps low-income households afford phone service. It provides discounts on several different kinds of phone service, including wireless or wireline landline and broadband (internet) services.
It also offers a discount on a free smartphone. To get the benefit, you must qualify for one of several federal or state assistance programs and meet certain income limits.
Consumers can sign up for the program by completing an online application, printing a PDF form, and mailing it in. To qualify, you must show proof of your household income (pay stubs, tax returns, or other documentation).
It would help if you recertified annually that you and your family still qualify for the discount. Failure to do so could drive your de-enrollment from the program.
In addition, only one Lifeline discount can be received per household (not individual). Households are defined as those individuals or families who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.
The Lifeline subsidy has undergone two significant reforms: the first to bring it in line with emerging technologies and the second to combat allegations of fraud. The program will likely experience another reform shortly as it continues evolving.
The cost of a Lifeline cell phone for low-income households depends on the provider, the type of service, and your income level. If you want to save money on your monthly phone bill, consider choosing a plan with a lower data cap or a more affordable rate.
Availability
If you live in a low-income household, you can receive a free cell phone through the Lifeline program. This program is run by the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) and is available in many states.
You can get a Lifeline cell phone for free by submitting eligibility documentation and answering a few questions. This will help you get a government-funded smartphone and free wireless service that covers monthly data, text, and talk.
A Lifeline phone is essential for a low-income household because it offers access to the Internet and other low-cost communication services. It can be used for online shopping, social media, emailing, video streaming, and more.
Lifeline benefits are offered to qualified households, including families, seniors, the homeless, and people in nursing homes or shelters. Eligibility for the government-funded Lifeline phone program is based on income or program participation and other federal assistance programs.
If you qualify for a Lifeline cell phone, you must find a participating provider that accepts your benefits. You can search for providers in your area using this USAC tool.
