Can I Get Help Paying My Phone or Internet Bill?
The federal Lifeline program offers a monthly discount on phone or internet service for households that qualify by income or through programs like SNAP and Medicaid. Here is how to apply and stay enrolled.
This guide is general information for borrowers in the U.S., not financial or legal advice. Lending laws differ by state and change over time; check with your state's financial regulator or a nonprofit credit counselor about your situation.
Key points
- Lifeline gives eligible households up to $9.25 off monthly phone or internet service, and up to $34.25 for those on qualifying Tribal lands.
- You can qualify with gross household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or through SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
- Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household, and you must respond to each annual recertification notice within 60 days or lose the discount.
- Apply through the National Verifier, or through your state website if you live in Oregon or Texas, and verify anyone who offers to enroll you.
When a phone or internet bill is the one you are about to skip, a federal discount can keep you connected for less. Lifeline has existed since 1985, yet many households that qualify never apply because they have never heard of it. Here is how the program works, who qualifies and how to apply without getting scammed.
What Is the Lifeline Program and How Much Does It Cut Your Bill?
Lifeline is a Federal Communications Commission program that discounts what you pay each month for phone or internet service. Qualifying households get up to $9.25 off each month, and households on qualifying Tribal lands can get up to $34.25. The discount applies to monthly service, not to the cost of a phone itself. The program is funded by telephone fees collected through the Universal Service Fund, so it is not paid for with taxpayer dollars.
If you are juggling several past-due bills, Before You Fall Behind on Utility Bills: A Checklist can help you decide what to pay first.
Who Qualifies Through Income or Benefit Programs?
There are two routes in. The first is income: you may qualify if your gross household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are adjusted annually, so check the current figures. The second is participation in a qualifying program:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
If you or your child or dependent participates in one of these, that can qualify your household. People on Tribal lands may also use certain Tribally administered programs, including the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, to qualify.
Only one benefit is allowed per household, and a household is everyone living at the same address who shares income and expenses. Under the Safe Connections Act, survivors who request a line separation can qualify for emergency Lifeline support for up to six months.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
You need to show either participation in a qualifying program or income at or below the guidelines. The National Verifier’s Acceptable Documentation page lists which documents count, and eligibility can sometimes be confirmed through a state government database without extra paperwork. If more than one person at your address receives Lifeline, or someone new applies there, a Lifeline Household Worksheet must be completed to confirm the one-benefit rule holds.
How Do You Apply and Recertify Each Year?
Apply through the National Verifier, the system the Universal Service Administrative Company runs to decide eligibility. Online applications usually get the fastest decision; a paper application mailed in with proof of eligibility typically takes one to two weeks. Consumers in Connecticut must use a paper application, and residents of Oregon and Texas apply through their state websites instead.
Once approved, reach out to a phone or internet company that takes part in the program to begin receiving the discount.
Approval is not permanent. Each year, USAC or your state checks that you still qualify, and you must respond to a recertification notice within 60 days or lose the benefit. Tell your company within 30 days if you move, no longer qualify, or more than one person in your household gets Lifeline. If you pay nothing out of pocket for the service, use it at least once every 30 days; otherwise you get a 15-day notice before it is turned off.
Can You Get Lifeline on a Home Phone, Cell Phone or Internet?
All three. The benefit can be applied to home phone service, mobile phone service, or high-speed broadband, including bundled plans. The limits are about quantity, not type: one discount per household, and you cannot receive discounts on both a wireline and a wireless service at the same time. In California, households must also choose between a home phone and a cell phone.
You can transfer your benefit to a new company once a month. Get in touch with a company that participates in Lifeline and request the switch; you may need to reapply first, and in most cases service is not interrupted.
How Do You Spot Lifeline Scams and Fake Enrollers?
Start with the rumors, because they feed the scams. Claims about free government phones are false; the program covers a monthly service discount only.
Helpful step
The program’s support center publishes its own contact details: (800) 234-9473 and LifelineSupport@usac.org, with staff available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern. If a caller or website gives different contact information, check it against the published details before sharing anything.
Stick to the official channels when you apply: the National Verifier, or your state agency if you live in Oregon or Texas. Anyone promising guaranteed approval is not describing how the program works. Answer all questions truthfully, because willfully false statements made to obtain the benefit can lead to de-enrollment, fines, imprisonment or being barred from the program.
What If Your Application Is Denied?
A denial often comes down to documentation. Read the reason given, compare it with the Acceptable Documentation requirements, and reapply with the missing proof. If you are stuck, the Lifeline Support Center answers questions by phone and email seven days a week.
While you sort it out, check what else exists. Help to Look for Before You Borrow covers assistance with food, rent and medical costs, and energy help is available through LIHEAP. These programs are worth exhausting before turning to a short-term loan, which costs more than the bill you were trying to cover.
Related guides
- Getting Started With LIHEAP Energy Assistance, which explains how to apply for federal help with energy bills.
- Before You Fall Behind on Utility Bills: A Checklist, for deciding which bills to pay first when money is short.
- Help to Look for Before You Borrow, for a rundown of assistance with food, rent and medical costs.
Common questions
How much can Lifeline cut from my bill?
Up to $9.25 per month on phone, internet or bundled service. Households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive up to $34.25 per month.
Can more than one person in my household get Lifeline?
No. Only one benefit is allowed per household, and a household means everyone living at the same address who shares income and expenses.
What happens if I miss the recertification deadline?
You lose the benefit. You must respond within 60 days of a recertification notice, or your discount ends and your service may be terminated or your bill may increase.
Does Lifeline give me a free phone?
No. The program discounts monthly service only and does not cover the cost of a phone itself.
