Lifeline
Lowering the monthly cost of phone or internet service
Upcoming Dates
Manage Your Account
Access USAC’s single sign-on dashboard. Lifeline service providers can log into the National Verifier, NLAD, and LCS using One Portal.
Use these links to directly access:
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).
Become an ETC
Create a Compliance Plan
Obtain a Study Area Code
Obtain a 498 ID
Announcements
New! Program Recovery Payments System
Sep 25, 2026
Beginning today, all users will be directed to USAC’s One Portal dashboard when they click the blue Sign In button on usac.org and log in using their existing credentials. From One Portal, users can log into the USAC systems they have access to, including the new Program Recovery Payments system for returning funding to USAC.
USAC is aware that users were experiencing unexpected intermittent issues performing transactions in Lifeline systems, including the...
Read MoreIntermittent Issues in Lifeline Systems
Sep 22, 2026
USAC is aware that users are experiencing intermittent issues performing transactions in Lifeline systems, including the National...
Read MoreSeptember Monthly System Maintenance
Sep 16, 2026
USAC will perform scheduled monthly system maintenance on Friday, September 18, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET...
Read MoreCalifornia Continued Eligibility Issues
Sep 3, 2026
USAC is aware of certain outreach and reporting issues affecting the California continued eligibility process. We are...
Read More