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
California Subscribers Continued Eligibility Starts Today, August 6
Aug 6, 2026
Under direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and pursuant to the FCC OIG Advisory Regarding Deceased and Duplicate Lifeline Subscribers, USAC is initiating a continued eligibility process for federal subscribers who were previously determined eligible by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). The continued eligibility process started today, August 6, 2026, and fulfils the 2026...
Read MoreLifeline Newsletter – July 2026
Jul 30, 2026
- Improved Representative ID Retrieval in RAD
- California...
Ad-Hoc System Maintenance on 7/30
Jul 27, 2026
USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Thursday, July 30, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m....
Read MoreAd-Hoc System Maintenance on 7/23
Jul 21, 2026
USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance on Thursday, July 23, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m....
Read More