Need Help Paying for Your Telephone or Internet Bill?
LIFELINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. This benefit provides eligible consumers a monthly discount of up to $9.25 per month. However, Tribal lands are eligible for an enhanced discount. The Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”), on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), is the administrator of the program. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per independent economic household. A household is a group of people who live together and share income and expenses.
- USAC’s Lifeline Support Center helps you apply for the program, understand eligibility requirements, and keep your benefit current through an annual recertification process. The support center may be found at the following link: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/get-started/
- Low-income consumer eligibility is verified by the USAC National Verifier system. A participating provider may assist consumers with the eligibility process. The National Verifier website is: https://www.usac.org/lifeline/national-verifier/how-to-use-nv/
- Once eligibility is verified by the USAC National Verifier system, the low-income consumer may then select a participating phone or internet provider for enrollment in the Lifeline program. To find a participating phone or internet provider near you, use the following link: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/companies-near-me/
- The participating phone or internet company that you select then enrolls you in the Lifeline program, manages your service, and answers questions about your service, phone or device, or bill. Documentation may have to be provided to the service provider or National Verifier when applying for Lifeline.
- You may apply online, by mail, or with the assistance of your phone or internet company. To apply online, use the following link: https://nv.fcc.gov/lifeline?ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D
A household may qualify for Lifeline either based on income or if someone in the household participates in one of the following Federal Assistance Programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income ("SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance ("FPHA")
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
Lifeline is available if a household’s income is 135% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines which is based on your household size and state. The following link at USAC explains this further: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/
AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM:
The Affordable Connectivity Program will stop accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. Please refer to the FCC's website at fcc.gov/acp for more information. Consumers must be approved and enrolled with a service provider by 11:59p.m. ET on February 7th to receive the benefit.
Consumers who qualify for Lifeline may obtain additional assistance under the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) is a U. S. government program that helps many low-income households pay for broadband and internet connected devices. The Affordable Connectivity Program is also administered by USAC with oversight from the FCC. Those eligible for ACP may receive up to $30/month discount on internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. A co-payment for the device is required but should not exceed $50.00. Like Lifeline, Tribal consumers are eligible for an enhanced monthly benefit. Consumers who qualify for Lifeline are also eligible for ACP but will have to apply for this benefit separately.
To receive ACP, consumers must enroll in ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices. Participating ACP providers may be found at the following link: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/companies-near-me/
Eligibility for ACP is based on household income of 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participation in one of the following Federal Assistance Programs:
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children ("WIC")
- SSI
- FPHA (including House Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 vouchers), Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) 202/811, Public Housing, and Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision Schools
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
For more online information, please go directly to the following link: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/
LIFELINE AND ACP COMPANIES
Lifeline is offered by those companies that are designated by the FCC as an eligible telecommunications company (“ETC”). ACP providers are designated directly to the FCC. Not all internet companies offer ACP. To find a Lifeline or an ACP provider near you, please follow one of the following links:
https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/companies-near-me/