The Lifeline Assistance Program – Empowering Low-Income Families for a Brighter Future

Internet access is increasingly essential for Americans to stay connected, be informed, find jobs, and advance their lives. Yet many low-income households need help to afford the Internet service they need.

The Lifeline program helps eligible households afford phone and broadband services. To help keep pace with telecommunications advances, the program is periodically modernized.

What is Lifeline?

A vital part of the Universal Service Fund, the lifeline assistance program provides low-income households with phone and internet discounts. The service helps to ensure that these families have a connection to the world so that they can find jobs, access health care services, and connect with family.

Lifeline participants can choose from a wide range of phone and broadband providers. These include major national carriers and regional or discount providers. Some states also offer their own Lifeline programs. In addition, Lifeline can purchase a smartphone through a few participating companies. These phones are free for Lifeline participants who sign up for a monthly plan with the provider.

The Lifeline program has undergone substantial reform in recent years. In addition to addressing concerns over fraud, Lifeline supports broadband by allowing eligible subscribers to use their subsidy for service from qualified broadband providers. Some also made the system more secure and set minimum standards for service, in line with how Congress defines universal service.

Despite these efforts, participation in Lifeline continues to decline. This is likely due to the low awareness of the program and a perception that the subsidy needs to be higher to meet modern communications needs.

Eligibility

Currently, households eligible for Lifeline can receive a monthly phone service discount (for residents on federally recognized tribal lands). The program also offers deals on broadband internet service and broadband-voice service bundles. To determine if you qualify, visit your provider’s website or contact them directly.

The eligibility requirements for Lifeline are determined by household income and participation in specific government assistance programs. Those programs include SNAP food benefits, TANF welfare, HEAP assistance, Medicaid, any disability aid, Section 8 housing, the National School Lunch Program, and more. To verify your status, you can submit documentation that includes proof of your income, copies of your social security card, or a letter from the program you are enrolled in.

If your household qualifies for Lifeline, you may also be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) and offers a monthly discount on broadband services and a one-time discount on a device. To determine if you’re eligible, contact your participating broadband service provider or use the ACP consumer portal to check eligibility.

The ACP is available to Lifeline participants and other low-income households that meet eligibility criteria. You can apply for both programs simultaneously and choose to use your Lifeline discount on either a mobile phone or a broadband connection.

Requirements

The Lifeline program is a subsidy to help eligible low-income households get affordable phone or broadband service. It is a program run and funded by contributions from interstate and international telecommunications service providers.

The program is only available for some, and the qualifications for a lifetime discount are strict. To be eligible, you must actively participate in Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI, and the household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Several state and local programs, including Head Start, Tribal TANF, and the Food Distribution Program on Reservations, can also be used to qualify for Lifeline.

In addition to Lifeline, the Lifeline assistance program recently created another Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) program that offers broadband discounts for eligible consumers. These subsidies can be combined with the monthly phone or bundled Lifeline benefit to make the internet more affordable.

Several central telephone and broadband providers offer Lifeline and ACP. To see if you qualify for these services, visit the online site, which provides a database of participating providers in your area. 

Benefits

For those who can take advantage of Lifeline, the program can make it easier to access phone, broadband, and bundled services. The benefits can include a monthly discount on telecommunications service, free smartphone and mobile data, and reduced-rate phone plans. In addition, many Lifeline participants receive help paying for installation charges when they sign up for new home or wireless services.

If you are eligible for Lifeline, it is essential to understand the rules and requirements of the program. The Lifeline program is only available for one household, and subscribers must keep their eligibility current by recertifying each year. Also, the Lifeline discount cannot be used to pay for more than one phone or broadband account per household.

Depending on the provider, Lifeline participants can keep their existing phone number when they switch to a new plan. This is referred to as porting. However, it is best to check with your preferred provider before switching so you can make an informed decision about which plan is best for you.

In addition to the Lifeline program, some low-income households can qualify for a free broadband internet connection through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Some providers offer this benefit, and offerings from a handful of other service providers and non-profits.