Quick answer
Lifeline gives qualifying households a discount of up to $9.25 a month on phone or internet service, or up to $34.25 on Tribal lands. You qualify with income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level, or if someone in the household gets SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. Apply through the National Verifier or a participating company.
How to apply
- Check eligibility. Use the National Verifier at the Lifeline support site, which can check many program records automatically.
- Pick a participating company. The site has a company search by ZIP code.
- Sign up for service. The company applies the discount to your bill.
- Recertify every year. You must confirm you still qualify, or the discount ends.
Common questions
Can I have more than one Lifeline phone?
No. Lifeline is limited to one discount per household.
Is Lifeline a free phone?
The program is a discount. Some companies offer plans that cost nothing after the discount, but that is the company's offer.
Do I need to reapply each year?
You recertify once a year. Respond to the notice or the discount stops.
Where these facts come from
- FCC: Lifeline support for affordable communications
- USAC: Lifeline National Verifier
- HHS: poverty guidelines
Sources checked October 10, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm details with the agency or company before you act.
Disclosures
Not a lender. NeededCash.com is not a lender, loan broker, or agent of any lender and does not make credit decisions. We operate a free matching service that shares the information you submit with participating licensed lenders and lending partners, who may contact you with an offer and who pay us a referral fee.
Rates and terms. Each lender sets its own rates, fees, and terms and will disclose them in writing as required by the federal Truth in Lending Act before you sign. Personal and installment loans from lenders in our network typically carry APRs from about 5.99% to 35.99% with terms from 3 to 84 months. Representative example: a $5,000 loan over 36 months at 15.99% APR has 36 payments of $175.76 and a total cost of $6,327.36.