Lifeline: cheaper phone and internet for students

Lifeline is a federal program that knocks up to $9.25 a month off a phone or internet bill, and you can qualify just by being on SNAP or Medicaid or having low income.

Checked against official sources October 11, 2026

Who qualifies

You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (for 2026, $21,546 a year for 1 person or $29,214 for 2 in the 48 contiguous states, DC and territories; higher in Alaska and Hawaii).
Or you qualify if you (or your household) take part in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, or the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit; people on Tribal lands can also qualify through certain Tribal programs.
A Federal Pell Grant is NOT on the current list of qualifying programs on the FCC and USAC pages, so Pell alone does not qualify you; you would need the income test or another listed program.
Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household, where a household means people at the same address who share income and expenses; roommates who keep separate finances can be separate households, and people in group living facilities can be separate households (you may be asked to fill out a household worksheet).

What you get

Up to $9.25 a month off qualifying internet or bundled service, or up to $5.25 a month off phone-only service, from a participating provider.
Up to $34.25 a month for eligible people living on Tribal lands (the standard benefit plus up to $25 in enhanced support), and possibly a one-time Link Up benefit of up to $100 toward starting voice service there.
The discount can go on either a wireline or wireless service.

How to apply

Apply online through the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org, by mail, or through a participating phone or internet provider (find one with the USAC 'Companies Near Me' tool). In Texas or Oregon, use your state's own process.
Prove eligibility through a database match or with documents dated within the past 12 months (for example, a SNAP or Medicaid letter, or proof of income).
Choose a participating provider to apply the discount to your service.
Recertify every year or you will be removed; if your provider does not charge you a monthly fee, use the service at least once every 30 days. For help or a mailed form, call 1-800-234-9473.

Common mistakes

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has ended: the FCC says its monthly internet discount ended June 1, 2024 for lack of funding, and warns that websites still advertising ACP enrollment may be collecting personal information. Lifeline is the program that still exists.
Lifeline does not pay for phones or other devices; the FCC does not subsidize any hardware.
Only one Lifeline benefit per household: if more than one person in the household has it, choose one and drop the others.
If you stop qualifying (higher income, no longer on SNAP/Medicaid, or someone else in your household gets Lifeline), you must tell your provider to de-enroll or you may face penalties.

Official pages

Your state's version

Program names, extra state rules and where to apply.

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