Lifeline is a federal program that provides low-income consumers with discounted phone and broadband service.
Customers may qualify for Lifeline service if they or one of their dependents receives benefits through programs.
Eligibility
If you live in a qualifying household and qualify for Lifeline assistance, you can get free phone service to help make your life more affordable. The government created this program to ensure that all Americans have access to the benefits of telecommunications services, including job opportunities and family communication.
The Lifeline program provides a discount on the home telephone and wireless service for low-income households in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on land. It is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and is available to customers with an income that meets federal poverty guidelines.
Depending on your lifeline cell phone service providers in California may offer a monthly discount on home phone service and a one-time value on an internet-capable device for eligible households. Sometimes, you’ll receive a bill credit or a waiver of the federal subscriber line charge for your home phone service.
To determine eligibility for Lifeline, your service provider may ask you to fill out a Household Worksheet. This worksheet will help you decide on your total household income.
Lifeline is a federally funded program since 1985 to help eligible consumers afford telephone and Internet services. Its goal is to help reduce the cost of phone and Internet service for those with lower incomes so that all households can afford to be connected to their community.
Your household’s income must be below the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for Lifeline. The income level used to calculate your eligibility is based on your family size and household expenses.
Your household must also provide a copy of your most recent pay stub or form. The provider will then review your application, confirm your eligibility, and notify you via letter if it is approved or denied.
Once your application has been approved, you can sign up for service with the provider of your choice. The provider will then verify your eligibility and will provide you with a Lifeline card that you can use to get free phone service.
Devices
A federal program, Lifeline, assists low-income people in paying for wireless phone service. It’s a great way to stay in touch with your loved ones, but it can also be pricey.
If you are on food stamps, have a disability, have an elderly parent or another person in your household, or live below the poverty line, you may be eligible for a free cell phone and a discount on a monthly plan through Lifeline. However, before signing up for public service, you should know a few things.
First, you need to find a participating service provider. There are hundreds of nationwide wireless and broadband providers that participate in Lifeline.
You can use the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) search tool to locate participating providers near you. Be sure to call the interested companies to verify their participation.
Once you have found a participating provider, you can apply for Lifeline online. You will need your full legal name, physical address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Getting approved for Lifeline will typically happen immediately, but the new provider may ask you to provide more information.
The new provider may also ask you to confirm that you are the only household member needing a Lifeline phone and plan. It’s important to remember that it violates Lifeline rules to have more than one provider in your home at any time.
If you do not qualify for Lifeline, you can get a discounted device through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). ACP offers a one-time discount on laptops, tablets, and other internet-capable devices that can be purchased through a participating service provider.
ACP can also reduce the cost of phone and internet service. The list of companies that offer these services varies by state—still, some of the most popular options.
When choosing the best Lifeline cell phone service, you must select a provider with a strong reputation for customer service. This will ensure that you have a reliable connection and that service issues never disrupt your service.
Plans
The federal Lifeline program subsidizes wireless services for qualified low-income customers. The program is regulated and designed to provide low-income customers with reliable phone service at a reasonable price.
Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) can offer discounts to low-income consumers on wireless or fixed voice services and internet access with federal universal service fund reimbursement. To participate in the program, service providers must be designated as eligible telecommunications carriers by their respective state regulatory commission or, in some cases.
To be approved for the Lifeline program, service providers must submit a compliance plan to the USAC. This compliance plan includes a summary of the terms and conditions of the Lifeline program, whether they make their plans available to the public, and how they ensure that their customers are eligible for the program.
Some cell phone service providers also offer Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) simultaneously, which can reduce your monthly phone bill. You can find these companies through this tool or by asking your service provider if they participate in the Lifeline and ACP programs.
Currently, Lifeline only offers one discount per household, which is not transferable. However, the company can change this policy if it feels that other eligible customers in a family could benefit from the discounted service.
If you qualify for the program, you can get a free government-approved cell phone with a free monthly plan, including an Android smartphone. Check your eligibility, then see which cell phone service provider fits you best.
Customer Service
A good Lifeline cell phone service provider should offer competitive prices, free trial offers, and customer support that is both friendly and effective. Most companies go out of their way to ensure customers feel cared for. The company may have a designated customer service team, offer free in-person customer service training, or use online customer support chatbots and other automated systems to handle customer questions. In addition, the company may have a well-stocked customer support library to help customers troubleshoot their issues.
The customer service department at a Lifeline cell phone provider will likely be staffed by an experienced customer service representative who can answer your question and suggest the best plan for your needs. The company may also have a handy FAQ page to refer you to.
A good Lifeline cell phone provider should also have an enviable network of stores where you can test drive a device or get answers to your questions. This is especially important if you are an elderly or disabled customer looking to test out a new Lifeline cellular service for the first time. Getting a hands-on demonstration of a device is a surefire way to decide whether or not it’s right for you. The customer service representatives at the store should be able to point you in the direction of the latest Lifeline mobile devices, including the ones with the most impressive features.
