Lifeline Program Eligibility Checker
Check your eligibility for the 2026 Lifeline program and see your monthly phone or internet discount amount.
Lifeline offers up to $9.25/month off phone or internet service (up to $34.25/month on Tribal lands) if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guideline in 2026, $21,546/year for one person, or if you already participate in a program like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI.
Lifeline is the main remaining federal discount for phone or internet service since the Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024. There are two ways to qualify, by income or by participating in another assistance program. Check both below.
Check Your Lifeline Eligibility
Your discount:
This is ONE benefit per household, applied to either phone or internet, not both. Annual recertification is required to keep the benefit active.
Lifeline replaced only part of what the now-discontinued Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provided. ISP-specific low-cost programs, like Internet Essentials or similar carrier programs, can sometimes be combined with Lifeline for additional savings, since those are separate from and not restricted by Lifeline's one-per-household rule.
Lifeline has two separate paths to eligibility, and you only need to qualify through one. The income path uses 135% of the federal poverty guideline, which works out to $21,546 a year for a single person in 2026. The program-based path is often faster to confirm: if you or anyone in your household already receives SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or a Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, you qualify automatically regardless of your income. The standard discount is up to $9.25 a month for broadband or bundled service, or $5.25 for voice-only service, which the FCC has extended through at least the end of 2026. Households living on qualifying Tribal lands receive a larger discount, up to $34.25 a month, combining the standard benefit with an additional Tribal supplement. One important limit: Lifeline provides a single discount per household, applied to either your phone bill or your internet bill, not both. You'll also need to recertify your eligibility each year to keep the benefit active.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Lifeline in 2026?
135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, $21,546/year for one person or $44,550/year for a family of four in the contiguous 48 states.
How much is the Lifeline discount?
Up to $9.25/month for broadband or bundled phone and internet service, or up to $5.25/month for voice-only service. Households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive up to $34.25/month.
Can I get Lifeline without meeting the income limit?
Yes, if you or someone in your household participates in a qualifying program like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension/Survivors Benefit, you qualify regardless of income.
Can I use Lifeline for both my phone and internet bill?
No. Lifeline provides one benefit per household, applied to either phone or internet service, not both at the same time.
What happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
It ended in 2024 when Congress didn't renew its funding. Lifeline is the remaining federal discount program, though it provides a smaller benefit than the ACP did.
Do I need to reapply for Lifeline every year?
Yes. Annual recertification is required to keep your Lifeline benefit active.
This calculator provides a general estimate based on 2026 federal Lifeline eligibility rules and does not constitute a guarantee of enrollment. For an official eligibility determination and to apply, visit lifelinesupport.org or contact a participating phone or internet provider.