Upcoming Dates
Manage Your Account
Verify consumer eligibility and dispute verification failures:
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/Native 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
National Verifier Full Launch in California
Nov 18, 2020
Today, the FCC and USAC announced the Lifeline National Verifier (NV) will fully launch in California, a state in the December 20, 2019 launch group, on Friday, December 18, 2020.
As a reminder, the other two states in the December 20, 2019 launch group (Oregon and Texas) fully launched on November 18, 2020.
While the NV relies...
November Monthly Maintenance Schedule
Nov 17, 2020
Monthly System Maintenance, November 20 National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), National Verifier (NV), and Lifeline Claims System (LCS) will be...
Read MoreMinimum Service Standards Updated
Nov 17, 2020
Ensure NLAD is Up to Date
On November 16, the FCC released an order addressing a petition...
All Temporary Lifeline Program Changes in Response to the Pandemic Extended
Nov 16, 2020
Today, Monday, November 16, 2020, the FCC released a waiver to ensure low-income consumers can continue to access affordable...
Read MoreUSAC Implements National Verifier Connection with Florida
Nov 9, 2020
National Verifier Now Has 22 State and Federal Connections
On November 5, 2020, USAC implemented an automated database...
