Upcoming Dates

08/13
2025
August Monthly Webinar
09/10
2025
September Monthly Webinar

See full calendar

Resources

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

Get Started

Announcements

July Monthly Maintenance Reminder

Jul 16, 2025

Monthly System Maintenance, July 18

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, July 18 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 19. 

The production environments of the following systems are impacted: 

  • National Verifier Portal
    • USAC Webinars Page Enhancements
    • New RAD Acceptable...

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June System Notice

Jun 24, 2025

Ad-Hoc System Maintenance, June 26

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system...

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June Monthly Maintenance Reminder

Jun 18, 2025

Monthly System Maintenance, June 20

USAC will perform scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, June 20 from 10 p.m....

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Reminder: Accurate and Complete Consumer Email Addresses Required on Lifeline Applications

Jun 17, 2025

USAC reminds users of the National Verifier that per the National Verifier Terms and Conditions, users must...

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Read more announcements