Do you need to apply for a job? How about receiving a call from your kid’s school about them being sick in the nurse’s office? What about contacting emergency services because Grandpa may be experiencing a heart attack? Having a phone and internet is about as vital as electricity nowadays.
That’s why there is Lifeline, a federally funded program that provides discounts on phone and internet services. But before you start thinking that you’re going to get the latest iPhone for free or pay almost nothing for a gazillion gigabits of data, the reality is that the monthly discount is only $9.25. Still, that little bit of savings adds up over the year for something you were probably going to pay for anyway.
Understanding the Lifeline Program
The Lifeline program is managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Telecommunication companies pay a percentage of their revenue, but they are allowed to pass that cost to their consumers.
The idea is that all Americans should have access to communications services. And this isn’t a concept formed in the smartphone age. It dates back to the Communications Act of 1934.
However, the Lifeline program we know today was established in 1985. Initially, the Regan administration redesigned it to ensure that low-income households could afford landline service, primarily for emergency calls.
As technology shifted, so did the policy. Between 2005 and 2008, the program expanded to include wireless (cellular) services. In 2026, the focus has returned to ensuring that these baseline services are robust enough to handle data-heavy tasks like video conferencing and remote learning.
The program does not typically provide a direct check to consumers. Instead, it provides a monthly subsidy to participating telecommunications providers, which is then passed on to the consumer as a discount plan.
To ensure that the service isn’t useless, the FCC mandates minimum standards. In 2026, a Lifeline-supported plan must generally provide at least 4.5 GB of mobile data and 1,000 minutes of talk time, though many private providers offer unlimited talk and text to remain competitive.
The Social and Economic Impact
Why does the government bother with this? The return on investment for digital inclusion is massive.
- Employment: In 2025, 95% of job applications were submitted online. A phone is the primary tool for scheduling interviews and receiving offer letters.
- Healthcare: Telehealth has reduced the cost of emergency room visits. By providing low-income individuals with data access, the government reduces the overall burden on the public healthcare system.
- Safety: For survivors of domestic violence—protected under the Safe Connections Act—a private phone line is often the first step toward physical and financial independence.
Lifeline provides digital equity. It ensures that poverty doesn’t result in total isolation. As technology evolves, the definition of “essential communication” will change, but the need for a literal lifeline will remain constant.
Who can enroll in the Lifeline Program?
The federal government established the Lifeline program in 1985 to help low-income households secure a landline. Having a phone made it possible for families to connect to jobs, schools, and emergency services, at the very least.
The current income requirement for the program is having a household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) for the size of your family. For an individual in 2026, that is an annual income of $21,546 or less. For a family of four, that’s $44,550. However, residents in Hawaii and Alaska have higher guidelines since it’s more expensive to live outside of the continental U.S.
Your household may automatically be eligible for the Lifeline program if you currently participate in at least one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
You may also be eligible for the program if you are a survivor of domestic violence, human trafficking, or related crimes. Survivors are usually eligible even with incomes up to 200% of the FPL. They can also be eligible if:
- They’re enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- They’re 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
Similarly, adults may be able to enroll in the program if their child or dependent participates in any of the above programs.
About the Lifeline Application Process
Applying for a government-supported phone is a multi-step process that has been streamlined in recent years through the National Verifier.
- Step One – Verification: You will need to visit the National Verifier portal to see if you qualify. This system checks federal databases to confirm your participation in programs, like SNAP or Medicaid. You can also apply by mail by submitting documents that prove you are eligible, or directly through a connected phone or internet provider.
- Step Two – Documentation: If the system cannot automatically verify you, you will need to upload digital copies of ID, tax returns, or benefit award letters. If you are applying based on income, you will need to establish that your household income is less than the limit.
- Step Three – Choose a Carrier: Once approved, you have 90 days to choose a carrier. Popular national providers include Assurance Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, and AirTalk Wireless, though many local prepaid carriers also participate.
- Step Four – Activation: After you receive your SIM card or phone, you must activate it.
- Step Five – Usage and Recertification: To keep the benefit, you must use the service at least once every 30 days. Furthermore, you must “recertify” every year to prove you are still eligible.
It can take a few days to a few weeks for the program to approve you. Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking may qualify for expedited or temporary benefits.
You can only apply for one discount per household. This benefit is not meant for multiple lines. A household is a group of people who live together and share money, even if they are not related.
Other Programs That Can Reduce Your Phone and Internet Bill
If you don’t qualify for the Lifeline program or if the $9.25 discount isn’t enough to cover your needs, there are several private-sector and nonprofit programs. Many major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer plans that provide high-speed access for a fraction of the standard retail price.
Most major internet providers have assistance programs. These are separate from government subsidies and are funded by the companies themselves, such as:
- Xfinity Internet Essentials: Eligible households can get up to 75 Mbps speeds for $14.95 per month or 100 Mbps speeds for $29.95 a month. In 2026, Comcast expanded this to include anyone making up to 200% of the FPL or participating in welfare programs.
- Spectrum Internet Assist: Households with a member receiving SSI or participating in the National School Lunch Program can get up to 50 Mbps speeds for $25 per month (often reduced to $15 with additional local credits).
- AT&T Access: This plan provides speeds up to 100 Mbps for $30 per month or fiber speeds up to 300 Mbps to 1 GIG for only $20. Households with incomes up to 200% of the FPL or participating in other welfare programs may be eligible.
- Cox Connect2Compete: This plan costs just $9.95 per month and is for families with K-12 students who participate in welfare programs.
- PCs for People: This nonprofit offers low-cost mobile hotspots with data plans starting around $15 per month. They also provide refurbished laptops and desktop computers for as low as $100 to $150. They
Don’t forget to check with your state’s Public Utilities Commission. States like California, Texas, and Oregon have their versions of Lifeline that can be added on top of the federal discount, sometimes bringing your total monthly bill down to $0.
