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Eligibility

Lifeline Eligibility: How to Know If You Qualify

Lifeline is a federal program overseen by the FCC and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that provides a monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying low-income households. This page explains, in plain language, the two general ways people typically qualify.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Sources & further reading

  • Federal Communications Commission - Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers, fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers
  • Universal Service Administrative Company - Lifeline Support, lifelinesupport.org
  • USAC - National Verifier consumer information, usac.org/lifeline
  • USDA Food and Nutrition Service - SNAP, fns.usda.gov/snap
  • Medicaid.gov - official U.S. government site for Medicaid
  • Social Security Administration - Supplemental Security Income, ssa.gov/ssi

Two General Ways to Qualify

1. Program-Based Eligibility

You may qualify if you or someone in your household participates in a qualifying program, such as:

2. Income-Based Eligibility

You may also qualify if your total household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Income limits vary based on household size and state. See our income-based eligibility page for a full breakdown.

Only one Lifeline benefit is generally allowed per household, regardless of how many members would individually qualify.

Eligibility Signal Check

Eligibility signal check

Do you receive any of these benefits?

Select any that apply for a general signal - this is educational only, not an official eligibility determination.

Select a program below to see a general signal.
No programs selected yet. You can also qualify through income-based eligibility (roughly at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) even without selecting a program above.

This tool provides general educational guidance only. It is not affiliated with the FCC, USAC, or the National Verifier, and it does not submit or process applications. Final eligibility is determined by the National Verifier and participating providers.

What Happens After You Qualify?

Once your eligibility is confirmed - typically through the National Verifier - you choose a participating provider in your state to activate service. Available devices, plans, and pricing are set entirely by that provider and can vary significantly. See how to apply for the full step-by-step process.