Free & Discounted Phone Service for Low-Income

Millions of qualifying Americans — including a large share of seniors on fixed incomes — are either unaware of the Lifeline program or have been scared off by misinformation claiming “the free phone program is over.” That confusion refers to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which lost funding in June 2024. The Lifeline program is an entirely separate federal benefit, funded through the Universal Service Fund, and has operated continuously since 1985. The FCC confirmed in July 2025 that voice-only plans remain covered through at least December 2026. Here is what you actually need to know.

• 1
  Is the free government phone program still available? Yes — the FCC Lifeline program is fully active in every state, territory, and on Tribal lands as of March 2026.

  The program that ended in June 2024 was the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — a separate broadband subsidy. The Lifeline program, which has operated since 1985, remains fully funded through the Universal Service Fund. The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau extended its waiver in July 2025, keeping voice-only plans covered through at least December 1, 2026. The 2026 budget for the Lifeline program is $2.9 billion, per Congress.gov. USAC updated its systems in March 2026 to reflect the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines. The program is not ending.
• 2
  How much is the monthly Lifeline benefit? Up to $9.25/month for most subscribers — up to $34.25/month for those on qualifying Tribal lands.

  The standard Lifeline discount is $9.25 per month, applied directly to your phone or internet bill by the participating provider. For residents of Tribal lands, the enhanced benefit is $34.25 per month — a critical distinction that many Tribal community members never claim. The FCC does not send you a check or put money in your account; the credit is applied by your chosen provider. Many providers fully cover their lowest plan with this credit, making your monthly bill $0. You select the provider and plan; the discount is automatic once you are approved.
• 3
  Does regular Social Security retirement income alone qualify me? Not by itself — but many retirees qualify through SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, or the income threshold without knowing it.

  Standard Social Security retirement benefits are not a qualifying program for Lifeline. However, many seniors who collect Social Security also qualify through other routes: receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), being enrolled in Medicaid, participating in SNAP, living in Federal Public Housing, or having a total gross household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For a single person in the 48 contiguous states in 2026, that income threshold is $21,546 per year — approximately $1,795 per month. Many retirees living on a modest Social Security check fall below this threshold and qualify on income alone.
• 4
  Is the benefit one per person or one per household? One per household — not per person. This is the most commonly misunderstood rule in the program.

  Lifeline provides one discounted service per household, and “household” is defined as any individual or group who live together at the same address and share income and household expenses. If two adults in the same home each currently receive Lifeline, one must de-enroll — and both could face penalties for duplicate enrollment. The FCC’s National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) checks for duplicates automatically. The one-per-household rule also means that if one adult in your home is already enrolled in Lifeline through a phone provider, you cannot independently enroll in a separate Lifeline internet discount.
• 5
  Does the government send me a free phone as part of the Lifeline program? No — the FCC confirmed it does not subsidize hardware. Free phones come from individual providers as promotional offers, not from the government.

  The FCC explicitly states on its official website that Lifeline does not fund any hardware, including phones. When a provider offers a “free phone” with a Lifeline plan, that device is being provided by the carrier — not the government — as a promotional incentive to attract Lifeline subscribers. The quality and type of free phone varies enormously by provider and changes frequently. Assurance Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, and Q Link Wireless are among the providers that historically offer devices with their Lifeline plans. Always confirm what device, if any, is included before choosing a provider.
• 6
  Can I use Lifeline for both phone and internet service? No — Lifeline covers either phone or internet service, never both simultaneously for the same household.

  The Lifeline discount applies to one qualifying service — either a wireline or wireless phone plan, a broadband internet plan, or a bundled phone-plus-internet service — but not a separate phone discount and a separate internet discount at the same time. If you need a discount on both phone and internet, a bundled plan from a single provider may let you apply the $9.25 monthly credit to the combined service. Some providers participate in both Lifeline for phone and separate low-income internet programs — compare your options before committing to one service type.
• 7
  What happens if I do not use my phone for 30 days? If your provider does not charge a monthly fee, failing to use the service within 30 days can result in automatic de-enrollment.

  The FCC requires that if a Lifeline provider does not collect a monthly fee from the subscriber, the subscriber must use the service at least once every 30 days to remain enrolled. A qualifying “use” includes making or receiving a call, sending or receiving a text message, accessing the internet, or purchasing additional minutes. If you go 30 days without any usage and your plan has no monthly charge, the provider will de-enroll you. Providers are required to give 30 days notice before de-enrolling for non-usage. Set a reminder to use your phone at least once every 30 days — even a single text message counts.
• 8
  Must I recertify my eligibility every year? Yes — annual recertification is required, and failure to recertify results in automatic de-enrollment within one year of your enrollment date.

  USAC conducts annual eligibility checks through the National Verifier. You will receive a notice asking you to confirm you still meet the income or program requirements. In some cases, recertification is automated — USAC checks federal databases and if your eligibility is confirmed electronically, you do not need to take any action. But if your eligibility cannot be confirmed automatically, you must respond to the notice within the deadline. If you do not respond, you will be de-enrolled. Set a calendar reminder for 11 months after your enrollment date as a prompt to watch for the recertification notice.
• 9
  Can I switch Lifeline providers if I find a better plan? Yes — you can switch providers as often as you need, but your old Lifeline benefit ends when you transfer to a new provider.

  Switching Lifeline providers is allowed and is sometimes the smartest move — plan quality, data amounts, and phone offerings vary significantly between participating providers. To switch, apply with the new provider and inform them you are an existing Lifeline subscriber transferring your benefit. The National Verifier transfers your enrollment to the new provider and terminates the old one. You cannot receive Lifeline benefits from two providers simultaneously, even temporarily during a switch. Ask your new provider how long the transfer takes and whether your current benefit continues during the transition period.
• 10
  Is Lifeline available in every state, and can I apply from home? Yes — Lifeline is available in all 50 states, every U.S. territory, Washington D.C., and on Tribal lands. You can apply online in about 10 minutes.

  Lifeline is a nationwide federal program with no geographic restriction. The National Verifier application at LifelineSupport.org processes applications from every state. Texas and Oregon residents use a separate state-level application process. You can apply online in minutes, by mail using a paper form, or in person with the help of a participating provider. If you are in Texas, visit the Texas PUC website; if you are in Oregon, use the Oregon PUC site. Once approved through the National Verifier, you then choose a participating provider in your area. Use the “Companies Near Me” tool at LifelineSupport.org to find all providers at your address.

Sources: FCC.gov/lifeline-consumers (Mar 2026); USAC.org/lifeline (Mar 18, 2026 system update); LifelineSupport.org/do-i-qualify (2026 FPG updated); Congress.gov CRS IF12637; FCC WCB Order Jul 1, 2025 (voice phase-out waiver to Dec 1, 2026); ASPE.hhs.gov 2026 Poverty Guidelines; BudgetSeniors.com Lifeline Phone Program (Mar 2026); SSA.gov Lifeline announcement (Mar 16, 2026); Mass.gov Lifeline eligibility 2026

Sources: AssuranceWireless.com (Mar 17–27, 2026 offer text; T-Mobile network; device offers); SafeLinkWireless.com (BYOP; Verizon company; AT&T or T-Mobile); QLinkWireless.com; LifeWireless.com; FCC.gov Lifeline provider search; LifelineSupport.org Companies Near Me tool; BudgetSeniors.com Lifeline Phone Program (Mar 2026); Wikipedia Lifeline FCC program (Feb 2026 update)

• 1
  Gather your proof of eligibility before starting Decide which qualifying route you will use: income or program participation. For program participation, gather a current benefit letter, award letter, EBT card, Medicaid card, SSI award notice, or VA benefit letter — dated within the past 12 months. For income eligibility, you will need a recent tax return or three consecutive months of bank statements or pay stubs showing your gross income. Having these ready before you start prevents delays.
• 2
  Check your eligibility at LifelineSupport.org Go to LifelineSupport.org/do-i-qualify and use the eligibility checker tool. Enter your household size, state, and the program you participate in (or your income). The National Verifier will check federal databases automatically for SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP. If your eligibility is confirmed automatically, no document upload is required. If you live in Texas or Oregon, you will be directed to your state’s separate application process. California residents must now use the federal National Verifier as of February 1, 2026.
• 3
  Submit your application through the National Verifier Click “Apply Now” at LifelineSupport.org and complete the online form. You will need your name, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and home address. Upload a photo or scan of your eligibility document if the automatic database check did not confirm your eligibility. The application typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. In many cases, approval is nearly immediate.
• 4
  Find and choose a Lifeline provider at your address After receiving your Lifeline eligibility approval, use the “Companies Near Me” tool at LifelineSupport.org to see every participating provider that serves your specific zip code. Compare data amounts, included devices, network coverage, and customer reviews. Assurance Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, Q Link Wireless, and Life Wireless are among the largest national providers — but local and regional options may also appear at your address. If you already own a working smartphone, check which providers offer a Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) option so you can keep your device.
• 5
  Complete enrollment with your chosen provider Go directly to your chosen provider’s official website or call their customer service number and tell them you have a Lifeline approval from the National Verifier. Provide your Lifeline approval ID or let the provider look you up by your Social Security information. The provider will activate your plan, ship your SIM card or device, and apply the $9.25 federal discount (or $34.25 for Tribal lands) to eliminate or reduce your monthly bill. If you are bringing your own phone, activate the new SIM when it arrives and follow the provider’s simple switching steps.
• 6
  Use your phone at least once every 30 days If your plan has no monthly charge (which is the case for most Lifeline subscribers), you must use the service at least once every 30 days to remain enrolled. A qualifying use includes making or receiving any call, sending or receiving any text, or using data. Set a recurring monthly reminder on your phone’s calendar — even sending a single text to a family member counts. Providers are required to notify you before de-enrolling for non-usage, but catching it before the notice arrives is simpler.
• 7
  Watch for your annual recertification notice and respond promptly Once per year, USAC will check whether you still qualify. In many cases this is automatic — USAC checks federal databases for your qualifying program and, if confirmed, sends you a notice that you do not need to act. If USAC cannot confirm automatically, you will receive a notice with a deadline to respond with updated documentation. Watch for letters, emails, or text messages from USAC or your provider. Missing the deadline results in de-enrollment. Set a calendar reminder for 11 months after you enroll.

Green = best/confirmed. Yellow = conditional or varies by state. All providers require active Lifeline eligibility. Data amounts, device availability, and coverage vary significantly by state and zip code. Always use the “Companies Near Me” tool at LifelineSupport.org to see every eligible provider at your specific address before choosing. Verify BYOP compatibility with your current device before switching.

Sources: FCC.gov/lifeline-consumers (Mar 2026); FCC WCB voice phase-out waiver order Jul 1, 2025; Congress.gov CRS IF12637 (ACP end, Lifeline funding); USAC.org Lifeline (Mar 18, 2026); LifelineSupport.org Do I Qualify; Benton Institute California Lifeline changes (Nov 2025); California LifeLine californialifeline.com; SSA.gov Lifeline (Mar 16, 2026); BudgetSeniors.com Lifeline Phone Program (Mar 2026)

Allow location access when prompted for nearest results. Many Lifeline providers have storefronts or partner locations where you can apply in person and receive immediate help with setup.