Do I Qualify?
Here are the ways you can qualify for Lifeline:
Based on Your Income
You can get Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state.
Show proof of income, like three consecutive pay stubs or a tax return, when you apply for Lifeline.
If You Use SNAP, Medicaid, or Other Programs
Federal Assistance Programs
You can get Lifeline if you (or someone in your household) participates in one of these federal assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands)
Show a card, letter, or official document, as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for Lifeline.
Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent
You can sign up for Lifeline if your child or dependent participates in any of the programs listed above.
Tribal Lifeline
Tribal Lifeline takes up to an extra $25 off your monthly bill, for a total Lifeline discount of up to $34.25 per month.
You can get Tribal Lifeline if you live on Tribal lands. Tribal lands include any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, Pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions, Hawaiian Home Lands, or Indian Allotments.
If you live on Tribal lands, you can qualify for Lifeline if you or someone in your household participates in:
- Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Show a card, letter, or another document as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for Lifeline, and tell them you’re applying for Tribal Lifeline.
Limit: One per Household
You are only allowed to get one Lifeline discount (phone or internet, but not both) per household, not per person.
If someone at your address already gets Lifeline, your company will use a Household Worksheet to see if more than one household lives at your address.
Ready to Apply?
If you think you qualify for Lifeline, visit the How to Get Lifeline page to learn your next steps.
