Income limits and household size determine Lifeline may be able to access

Lifeline is a federal program that reduces your monthly phone bill if your household income falls at or below 135% of the federal poverty line. The income threshold changes each year and depends on how many people live in your household. For 2024, a single person earning up to roughly $1,800 per month qualifies; a family of four earning up to roughly $3,700 per month qualifies. Your phone company or the Lifeline National Verifier (the official verification system) can tell you the exact current limit for your household size.

You do not need to own a home, have a job, or have a credit history to may have access to. You only need to prove your household income is low enough. If you receive benefits from certain programs—SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, Tribal information, or Veterans Pension—you are automatically considered income-may be able to access and do not have to report a specific income number.

Only one person per household can hold a Lifeline account. If you already have Lifeline service through another provider, you cannot sign up again with a different company. The program covers one phone line per household, whether that is a landline or mobile phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, which varies by household size and changes yearly.
  • If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, Tribal information, or Veterans Pension, you meet the income requirement automatically without reporting income.
  • You can have only one Lifeline account per household, and it covers one phone line—either a landline or a mobile phone.
  • You will need to verify your income and identity through the Lifeline National Verifier, either online, by phone, or by mail.
  • Your phone bill discount typically ranges from $9.25 to $15 per month, depending on your provider and service type.

How to verify your income and identity

Before you can start Lifeline service, you must go through verification with the Lifeline National Verifier, which is run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission. You can verify in three ways: online at the National Verifier website, by phone at 1-877-832-8477, or by mail.

For online or phone verification, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and your household income or the name of the benefit program you receive. If you are claiming income-based may be able to access, you may need to upload or mail a recent document that shows your income—a pay stub, tax return, bank statement, or a letter from your employer. If you are claiming program-based may be able to access (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.), you will need to provide the case number from that program.

Verification usually takes one to three business days if you submit online or by phone. If you mail documents, allow two to three weeks. Once you are verified, your status is good for one year. After that, you will need to re-verify to keep your service active.

Signing up with a phone provider

After you are verified through the National Verifier, you choose a phone company that offers Lifeline service. Many major carriers participate—including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and dozens of smaller regional and prepaid providers. Not every company offers Lifeline in every state, so you may have limited choices depending on where you live.

Contact the phone company directly and tell them you want to sign up for Lifeline. They will confirm your verification status in the National Verifier system and set up your account. You do not need a credit check, deposit, or prior phone service history. Some providers offer a free or discounted phone with Lifeline; others do not. Ask what is included before you sign up.

Your discount starts the month after your account is active. Most providers reduce your bill by $9.25 to $15 per month, depending on whether you have a landline or mobile service and what your base plan costs. The discount is applied directly to your bill—you do not receive a separate check or voucher.

What happens if your income changes or you move

If your household income rises above the 135% threshold, you will lose Lifeline may be able to access. You should report income changes to the National Verifier as soon as they happen, or wait until your annual re-verification. If you do not report and the program discovers the change during re-verification, your service will be disconnected.

If you move to a different state or a different area within your state, your Lifeline service may or may not transfer. Some phone companies can move your account; others require you to sign up with a new provider in your new location. Contact your current provider before you move to find out what happens. You will still need to be verified through the National Verifier, and your new address must be in a service area where Lifeline is available.

If you stop receiving a benefit program that made you income-may be able to access (for example, your SNAP case closes), you should report that change to the National Verifier. Your Lifeline service will end unless you can prove your income is still low enough through another method.

Lifeline does not cover long-distance or data charges

The Lifeline discount applies only to your base monthly phone bill. It does not cover long-distance charges, text messages, data overage fees, or premium services like call waiting or call forwarding. If you use a prepaid phone, the discount may be applied as a credit toward your prepaid balance each month, but the exact method depends on your provider.

If you need internet service, Lifeline does not help with that. However, some states and nonprofits offer separate low-income internet programs. You can search for those through 211.org or by calling 2-1-1 from any phone.

Keeping your Lifeline service active

You must re-verify your income and identity once per year to keep your Lifeline account open. The National Verifier will send you a notice (by mail or email, depending on how you signed up) asking you to re-verify. You have 30 days to respond. If you do not re-verify within that window, your service will be disconnected.

You also need to use your Lifeline phone at least once every 30 days. If your account shows no activity for 30 days, your provider may suspend or close it. This rule exists to prevent people from holding Lifeline accounts they do not actually use.

If your phone is disconnected for non-payment or non-use, you can reactivate it by contacting your provider. You do not have to go through the full verification process again if you re-set up within a certain timeframe—usually 30 to 60 days, depending on your provider. After that window, you may need to re-verify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have Lifeline if I am homeless?

Yes. You can use a shelter address, a friend's address, a mailing address, or a care-of address on your Lifeline account. You do not need to own or rent a home. When you verify, you will need to provide an address where mail can reach you, but it does not have to be a permanent residence.

What if I already have a phone plan and want to switch to Lifeline?

You can switch to a Lifeline provider at any time. Your old plan will end when you cancel it with your current provider. Some Lifeline providers will port your existing phone number to their service, but not all do—ask before you sign up. You will need to be verified through the National Verifier before the new provider can set up your account.

Does Lifeline work with prepaid phones?

Yes. Many prepaid carriers offer Lifeline service. The discount is usually applied as a monthly credit to your prepaid balance rather than a reduction in a monthly bill. Check with your prepaid provider to see if they participate in Lifeline and how the credit works.

What if the National Verifier says I do not meet the income limit?

You can request a reconsideration if you believe the decision is wrong. Contact the National Verifier by phone at 1-877-832-8477 or through their website. You will need to provide additional documents that show your actual income. The reconsideration process usually takes one to two weeks.

Can I use Lifeline for a business phone line?

No. Lifeline is for personal household use only. You cannot use it for a business, nonprofit, or commercial purpose. If your phone is primarily for business, you do not meet the program rules.