How to apply for Federal Lifeline

Who it's for

Federal Lifeline is a Universal Service Fund program that discounts a single phone or internet (or bundled) service line by $9.25 per month for low-income households — and by up to $34.25 per month for residents of qualifying Tribal lands. Eligibility has two paths: an income test (household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level) and a program-based path (current participation in Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP/CalFresh, SSI, federal public housing assistance, or the Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit). Either path qualifies the household — both don't have to be met. The federal Lifeline discount is separate from but designed to stack with California LifeLine, so most California seniors who qualify for one will qualify for the other.

What you'll need

• Photo ID for the applicant
• Proof of household income (Social Security award letter, pension statements, prior-year tax return) OR documentation of current participation in a qualifying program (Medicaid card, SNAP notice, SSI award letter, public-housing certification, VA Pension award letter)
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement)

Where to apply

What to say when you call

“Hello, I'm calling to ask about Federal Lifeline. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need photo id for the applicant, proof of household income (social security award letter, pension statements, prior-year tax return) or documentation of current participation in a qualifying program (medicaid card, snap notice, ssi award letter, public-housing certification, va pension award letter), proof of address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?”

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Confirm you qualify by checking either path: your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty level, OR you currently participate in Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, federal public housing assistance, or a Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit.
2. Gather your photo ID, such as a driver's license or government-issued ID card.
3. Collect proof of your qualifying status — either proof of household income (such as a Social Security award letter, pension statement, or prior-year tax return) OR proof of current program participation (such as a Medicaid card, SNAP notice, SSI award letter, public-housing certification, or VA Pension award letter).
4. Gather proof of your address, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement.
5. Apply online through the National Verifier (the official federal Lifeline application portal) or call 1-800-234-9473 for help applying by phone.
6. After your eligibility is confirmed, contact a participating phone or internet provider in your area to apply the Lifeline discount to your service.

What to expect: After submitting your application, the National Verifier will review your eligibility documents. Processing times vary, so contact the agency or your chosen provider for an estimate. Once approved, the $9.25 monthly discount — or up to $34.25 if you live on qualifying Tribal lands — will be applied to one phone, internet, or bundled service line. Every year, you will need to re-certify that you still meet the income or program-participation requirement to keep the benefit. If you live in California, the federal Lifeline discount is designed to stack with California LifeLine, so it is worth checking whether you qualify for both programs.

Renewals

annual (re-certification of income or program participation)