Lifeline: Discounted Phone and Internet in 2026
Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the cost of phone or internet service for people with low income. It's a monthly discount you can use with many providers — one benefit per household.
Lifeline can provide up to $9.25 a month, or up to $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands. SNAP, Medicaid or SSI participation is one route to review. One household discount can support eligible phone, internet or bundled service; approval and provider enrollment are still needed.
Who qualifies
The main routes to review are:
- Your annual household income is at or below 135% of the applicable federal poverty guidelines, or
- You (or someone in your household) take part in a qualifying program like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. Tribal and survivor routes have additional conditions.
The service type changes the amount. Federal base support is $5.25 a month for voice-only service or a bundle meeting only voice standards. It is $9.25 for broadband or a bundle meeting broadband standards. Eligible Tribal residents can receive up to $25 extra. These are support amounts, not the final plan price; confirm the service and any state support with the provider. USAC: service types and support amounts · Reviewed September 8, 2026.
A Lifeline household is people who live together and share income and expenses. Use USAC’s annual income table for your state; Alaska and Hawaii differ. If a household already receives Lifeline, ask about managing or transferring that benefit.
USAC · Qualifying routes · Household and services · Renewal
Choose a route you can document
You do not need SNAP to review Lifeline. Choose one of the following standard routes; the application checks the other conditions.
I already receive an accepted benefit
- Why this may help. You, your child or a dependent participate in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI or another program accepted by USAC. SSI is different from SSDI.
- What still needs checking. The exact program, identity, household, any existing Lifeline discount and the provider’s service.
- What I prepare. If requested, a letter or record showing the participant, program, issuing agency and an accepted date. Follow the USAC or state document list.
- Where I continue. Open the application route for your state and keep the confirmation.
I want to review the income route
- Why this may help. Annual household income may be at or below 135% of the applicable guidelines. Receiving another benefit first is not required.
- What still needs checking. The Lifeline household, all income required by the application, the state table, any existing discount and identity verification.
- What I prepare. Review USAC’s annual 2026 table. If proof is requested, check the accepted records, such as a tax return or three consecutive months of income records.
- Where I continue. Use the state route. If a record is missing, ask what proof is accepted; an example in this guide is not income evidence.
Source: USAC: qualifying routes and 2026 table.
Source: USAC: supporting documents.
Sharing an address does not always mean sharing a household
Two adults at one address can be separate Lifeline households when they do not share income or expenses. If there is already a discount at that address, use the official household questions or worksheet. Do not request a second discount for the same household.
Source: USAC: household verification.
Routes with additional checks
- Tribal lands. Residence on qualifying lands and Tribal program routes have specific conditions. Check USAC’s list before relying on the higher discount; Tribal identity alone does not establish this route.
- Survivor benefit. USAC has an emergency benefit of up to six months for qualifying survivors who document an attempted line separation from a shared plan. It accepts additional income or program criteria, but WIC alone is not a universal standard route. Review USAC’s conditions and contact privately.
Where to continue for your state
- Oregon: Oregon Lifeline · Public Utility Commission. Choose the free-service or discounted-service option on that page and check providers in your area. State support and plans can vary; confirm the final price.
- Texas: Texas Lifeline. This is the state process linked by USAC. Follow its current instructions to apply or renew.
- Other states and territories: USAC Lifeline Support. Start the application or get help from the official page. Approval and enrollment with a provider are separate steps.
Source: USAC: application and state exceptions.
How to apply
- Choose the route you will document. Review the program or income route and the remaining conditions above.
- Use your state's route. The official Lifeline site directs Oregon and Texas residents to their state processes. Other residents can follow its online, mail or provider application options.
- Choose a provider. Once approved, pick a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline in your state and apply the discount.
- Watch for a recertification notice. Eligibility is checked each year. If USAC can confirm it, no response is needed; if you receive a notice, follow its instructions and deadline. Oregon and Texas use their state processes.
Source: Apply for Lifeline — FCC / USAC
Keep your service active: if you do not pay out of pocket each month, use the service at least once every 30 days under USAC rules. Tell the provider within 30 days if your address changes, you no longer qualify or another household member receives Lifeline. If USAC asks you to recertify, the notice gives 60 days to respond; Oregon and Texas use their state process.
Review sources: USAC: keeping the discount; FCC: ACP ended June 1, 2024.
Continue through the right route
Check the state before applying. This site does not collect your application or documents.
Find my state’s routeCommon questions
Does WIC alone qualify me for Lifeline?
WIC is not listed as a standard Lifeline program route. It can be an income-eligibility route within the survivor benefit, which has additional conditions and documentation. You can also review the standard income route; USAC or the state decides the application.
Can I use Lifeline for a cell phone?
Yes. The one household discount may support eligible mobile, home internet, landline or bundled service. It is not a separate discount for each person or each service.
Is Lifeline the same as a free government phone?
Lifeline is a service discount, not a guarantee of a free phone. Providers choose the devices and plans they offer. Before enrolling, confirm the final price, data allowance, coverage, fees and what the plan includes.
How do I prove I qualify?
Follow the official application for your state. It may confirm records or request proof of income or participation in an accepted program. Oregon and Texas use separate state processes. SSI is not SSDI.
What happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The ACP, a separate larger internet discount, ended in 2024 when its funding ran out. Lifeline still operates. Always check the official site for current programs.
Priority rules and application routes reviewed September 8, 2026. Check the sources and their periods; confirm your circumstances with the official agency.