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

Defendant Sentenced for Defrauding Lifeline

The Michigan Department of Attorney General announced on February 21, 2023, the sentencing of an individual who had been defrauding the Lifeline program and who had been convicted for conducting a criminal enterprise and identity theft in Michigan. Read the full Press Release here.

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March 2023 Monthly Maintenance Schedule

NLAD Maintenance The National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Lifeline Claims System (LCS), Representative Accountability Database (RAD), and the Affordable Connectivity Claims...

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February 2023 Monthly Maintenance Schedule

NLAD Maintenance The National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Lifeline Claims System (LCS), Representative Accountability Database (RAD), and the Affordable Connectivity Claims...

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January 2023 Monthly Maintenance Schedule

January 20 NV Maintenance

The National Verifier (NV) will be unavailable due to scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, January 20 from...

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Resolved: USAC Systems Back Online

The National Verifier (NV), National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), and Representative Accountability Database (RAD) systems are back online. Users should...

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