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

Announcements

September Lifeline Newsletter

September Monthly Newsletter Headlines:

  • Commission Provides Hawaii Wildfire Relief Updates
  • Typhoon Mawar Waiver Expired September 1
  • Maintenance Schedule
  • October Webinar: National Verifier 101
View full newsletter

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Relief to Lifeline and ACP Participants Affected by Hurricane Idalia

On September 1, 2023, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an...

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August 2023 Lifeline Newsletter

August Monthly Newsletter Headlines:

  • Bureau Waives Broadband Program Rules for Hawaii...

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Hawai’i Wildfires Waiver

On August 25, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission adopted Order 23-67A1 temporarily waiving the Lifeline...

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System Notice: Additional Maintenance

Users of the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), National Verifier Portal (NV), and National Verifier Carrier API...

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