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

April Lifeline Newsletter

  • Coming Soon: New P.O. Box Address for Lifeline Support Center
  • Reverification Group Two: On-Hand Documentation Deadline Approaching
  • Lifeline Program Compliance Reminder: RAD Annual Agreement
  • May Webinar: Navigating USAC Systems
  • May Maintenance Schedule
View full newsletter

Read More
Ad-hoc System Maintenance

USAC will be conducting an ad-hoc system maintenance to the following staging environments starting on Monday, April...

Read More
April Monthly Maintenance Reminder

System Maintenance USAC will perform a scheduled monthly maintenance starting Friday, April 19 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET on...

Read More
Intermittent Issues in Lifeline and ACP Systems Resolved

USAC is aware that users were experiencing unexpected intermittent issues with Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) systems, including the...

Read More
Intermittent Issues in Lifeline and ACP Systems

USAC is aware that users are experiencing unexpected intermittent issues with Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) systems, including the...

Read More