A Monthly Discount on Your Phone or Internet Bill

There may be money off your phone or internet bill

If you are on a tight budget, staying connected can feel like one more bill you cannot afford. Lifeline is a federal program that helps with exactly that.

Lifeline gives a monthly discount on phone service, internet service, or a bundle of both. You pick one company that takes part, and the discount comes off your bill each month.

This is not a loan and not a temporary offer. As long as you stay eligible, the discount keeps coming. And it costs nothing to apply.

Who can qualify

You can qualify for Lifeline in two main ways. The first is by income. If your household income is at or below the program limit, you may qualify.

The second is by being in another benefit program. If you or someone in your home already gets certain government help, such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits, you may qualify through that.

Lifeline is limited to one discount per household. That means one benefit per group of people who live together and share money for things like food and rent.

How the discount works

Once you are approved, you choose a phone or internet company in your area that offers Lifeline. The discount is applied to the service you pick.

You do not get cash. The savings show up as a lower monthly bill for the service.

Note: this is different from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has ended. Lifeline is still running and still accepting applications.

Frequently asked questions

Does Lifeline cost anything to apply?

No. Applying through the official Lifeline site and the National Verifier is free. You never have to pay a fee or a middleman to sign up.

Is this the same as the ACP?

No. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has ended. Lifeline is a separate program that is still running and still accepting new applications.

Can I use Lifeline for phone and internet?

You can apply the discount to phone service, internet service, or a bundle, depending on what the participating company offers. The limit is one discount per household.

How do I keep the discount going?

You may need to recertify your eligibility each year. The official Lifeline site will guide you through this step for free.