Discounted Telephone Service by Lifeline Assistance

The Lifeline is a federal program offering a monthly phone or internet service discount. Landline consumers receive a bill credit, and wireless users receive mobile internet and phone services at discounted pricing.

 
To receive mobile internet and/or phone discounts, check if your current phone or internet provider offers it or enroll in a company that does. Check the companies’ lifeline programs below.
 
– AT&T www.att.com/wirelesslifeline
– Spectrum www.spectrum.net/support/home-phone/new-york-lifeline-phone-credit
– T-Mobile en.t-mobilepr.com/Lifeline
– Verizon www.verizon.com/support/residential/account/manage-account/lifeline-discount
 

You can qualify for the Lifeline program if you meet the following criteria: 

 
–> Your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR
–> You participate in one of the following programs
— Supplemental Security Income (SSI) OR
— Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly Food Stamps OR
— Medicaid OR
— Federal Public Housing Assistance OR
— Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) OR
— Family Assistance/Safety Net Assistance OR
— National School Lunch Program
 

2022 Poverty Guidelines

 
Household Size
1 $18,347
2 $24,719
3 $31,091
4 $37,463
5 $43,835
6 $50,207
7 $56,579
8 $62,951
Add $6,372 for each additional person.
 
Visit www.lifelinesupport.org or call 1-800-234-9473 for the latest income guidelines.
 
Lifeline eligibility is automatically verified annually. Each household gets one Lifeline discount. You can apply to Lifeline in two different ways, depending on the type of benefit you get, whether federal or state-based.
 

You have State-Based Benefits

If you receive benefits from state programs like HEAP or the school lunch program, ask your phone company about their Lifeline Program when you call them.
 

Federal Benefits

If you receive benefits from a federal program like SNAP or Medicaid, you should send your application to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which runs the government Lifeline program. To see if you are eligible for the program and to apply, go to www.usac.org.
 
Updated on July 14, 2024