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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

Ad-hoc System Maintenance, November 16

Nov 16, 2024

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance starting today, Saturday, November 16, from 10 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 17.

Users may experience intermittent performance issues with the following systems:

  • National Verifier Portal

    • USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance starting today, Friday, November 15, from 10 p.m. to 8:30...

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Ad-hoc System Maintenance, November 19

Nov 15, 2024

USAC will perform an ad-hoc system maintenance starting on Tuesday, November 19, from 9 p.m. to 1...

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Intermittent Issues in Lifeline Systems Resolved

Nov 14, 2024

USAC is aware that users were experiencing unexpected intermittent errors with Lifeline systems, including the National Verifier...

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Intermittent Issues in Lifeline Systems

Nov 13, 2024

USAC is aware that users are experiencing intermittent issues performing transactions in Lifeline systems, including the National...

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Read more announcements