Apply for the Lifeline Phone or Internet Benefit Without Stalling
Your eligibility is verified, a participating provider is selected, the benefit is activated, and the annual recertification date is recorded.
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Guide 4 of 6
Who it's for
Low-income U.S. households that qualify for Lifeline by income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size) or by participation in a qualifying program such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension. It fits households that can document identity and a residential address and want a lower bill on a phone or internet plan. It is not for households that already receive Lifeline, since the benefit allows only one discount per household.
About this playbook
This guide takes a low-income U.S. household from a simple eligibility check to a working Lifeline discount on a phone or internet plan. Lifeline is the federal program that cuts up to US$9.25 a month (more on Tribal lands) from a qualifying service for households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or enrolled in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI. You will confirm eligibility, gather the documents the National Verifier accepts, submit the application at nv.fcc.gov/lifeline, pick a participating provider, and activate the service. The path includes what to do when the application needs manual review or is denied, and how to keep the benefit past the annual recertification. It does not cover choosing a specific phone or internet plan beyond Lifeline eligibility, nor state-run low-income programs that can be combined with the federal discount.
What you'll do, step by stepFree preview
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Phase 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
4 stepsPhase 2: Gather the Evidence
4 stepsPhase 3: Apply and Get Verified
4 stepsPhase 4: Choose a Provider and Activate
4 stepsPhase 5: Keep the Benefit and Fix Problems
3 steps
Details
What you need first
You live in the United States (the 50 states, DC, or a U.S. territory) and want a discount on a phone or internet plan. Your household does not already receive Lifeline. You can prove your identity with a Social Security number or another accepted document and give a residential address. You have either income documents (a tax return, pay stubs, or a benefits statement) or a current award letter for a qualifying program. You need access to a computer or smartphone with internet — a public library works — plus a phone number and email for the application.
