Upcoming Dates

08/12
2026
August 2026 Monthly Webinar
09/09
2026
September 2026 Monthly Webinar

See full calendar

Resources

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).

1

Become an ETC

2

Create a Compliance Plan

3

Obtain a Study Area Code

4

Obtain a 498 ID

Get Started

Announcements

July Monthly System Maintenance

Jul 15, 2026

USAC will perform monthly system maintenance on Friday, July 17, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. ET.

The production environments of the following systems are impacted:

  • National Verifier Portal
  • National Verifier Carrier API  
  • National Lifeline...

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Relief to Lifeline Participants Affected by Bavi Weather Events

Jul 9, 2026

On July 8, 2026, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an...

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Lifeline Newsletter – June 2026

Jun 30, 2026

  • WCB Public Notice: FCC Form 481 Due July 1, 2026
    • ...

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Reminder: Form 481 Due July 1, 2026

Jun 25, 2026

The 2026 annual FCC Form 481 filing window deadline is Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The FCC Form...

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June Monthly System Maintenance

Jun 24, 2026

USAC will perform a scheduled monthly system maintenance on Friday, June 26, from 10 p.m. to 3...

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Read more announcements