Lifeline
Lowering the monthly cost of phone or internet service
Upcoming Dates
Manage Your Account
Access USAC’s single sign-on dashboard. Lifeline service providers can log into the National Verifier, NLAD, and LCS using One Portal.
Use these links to directly access:
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).
Become an ETC
Create a Compliance Plan
Obtain a Study Area Code
Obtain a 498 ID
Announcements
Lifeline Claims System Notice
Apr 1, 2026
USAC is aware that the rate field in the claims input template is not pre-populating when the template is downloaded in the Lifeline Claims System (LCS). This issue affects all data months in which an original claim has not yet been submitted. Until the issue is resolved, providers must manually enter the rate for each subscriber on the...
Read MoreFCC Form 481 Due by July 1, 2026
Apr 1, 2026
Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) participating in the High Cost and/or Lifeline programs must annually file the FCC...
Read MoreLifeline Newsletter – March 2026
Mar 31, 2026
- Lifeline Introduces a Tribal Lands Verification Tool for Consumers
On March 26, 2026, Lifeline launched the Lifeline Tribal Lands Verification Tool to help consumers check...
Read MoreAd-Hoc System Maintenance
Mar 23, 2026
USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Tuesday, March 24, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m....
Read More