Upcoming Dates

01/29
2026
California Office Hour
02/11
2026
February 2026 Monthly Webinar

See full calendar

Resources

How It Works

Lifeline is a federal program that offers a monthly benefit of up to $9.25 towards phone or internet services for eligible subscribers (up to $34.25 for those living on Tribal lands).

Eligible Consumers

A consumer can qualify for the Lifeline benefit if their income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines, or if they participate in SNAP, Medicaid, or other federal programs. See the full list of qualifying factors.

Eligible Services

Lifeline subscribers can apply their benefit to home or mobile phone service or to high-speed broadband.

The Process

These steps will help service providers navigate the process to join Lifeline as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC).

1

Become an ETC

2

Create a Compliance Plan

3

Obtain a Study Area Code

4

Obtain a 498 ID

Get Started

Announcements

Intermittent Issues in Lifeline Systems Resolved

Jan 23, 2026

USAC is aware that users may have been experiencing intermittent issues performing transactions in the National Verifier, National Verifier Carrier API, and the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD). The issue began around 9:30 a.m. ET and was resolved around 10:30 a.m.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused.

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January System Maintenance

Jan 21, 2026

USAC will perform scheduled monthly system maintenance on Friday, January 23, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET...

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Lifeline Newsletter – December 2025

Dec 30, 2025

  • Reminder: FCC Form 555 Due February 2, 2026

    • USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Wednesday, December 17, from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m....

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FCC Form 555 Now Open: Submit by February 2

Dec 10, 2025

The FCC Form 555 (Annual Lifeline Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Certification form) is now available for the...

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Read more announcements