Lifeline Eligibility Requirements

Two Ways to Qualify for Lifeline

There are two primary ways to qualify for the Lifeline program and receive a free tablet and wireless service:

1. Income-Based Eligibility: Your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
2. Program-Based Eligibility: You participate in certain qualifying government assistance programs

You only need to meet one of these criteria to qualify. Let's explore each option in detail.

Income-Based Eligibility

If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you automatically qualify for the Lifeline program. The income limits are based on your household size and are updated annually.

2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines (135%)

What Counts as Household Income?

Household income includes all income received by all members of your household before taxes. This includes:

• Wages, salaries, and tips
• Social Security benefits
• Unemployment compensation
• Workers' compensation
• Veterans' benefits
• Pension or retirement income
• Child support or alimony
• Interest and dividends
• Rental income
• Any other income sources

Program-Based Eligibility

If you participate in any of the following qualifying government assistance programs, you automatically qualify for the Lifeline program, regardless of your income:

Additional Eligibility Requirements

In addition to meeting the income or program participation requirements, you must also meet these criteria:

Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for Lifeline benefits. However, emancipated minors may also qualify.

Residency Requirement

You must be a resident of one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

Citizenship or Qualified Non-Citizen Status

You must be either:

• A U.S. citizen, or
• A qualified non-citizen (permanent resident, refugee, asylee, etc.)

One Benefit Per Household

Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who:

• Live together at the same address
• Share income and expenses

This means that even if multiple people in your household qualify individually, only one person can receive the Lifeline benefit.

Required Documentation

When applying for the Lifeline program, you'll need to provide documentation to prove your eligibility. The specific documents required depend on how you qualify:

For Income-Based Eligibility:

• Previous year's tax return
• Three consecutive months of pay stubs
• Social Security statement of benefits
• Unemployment or Workers' Compensation statement of benefits
• Divorce decree, child support, or alimony documents
• Other official income documentation

For Program-Based Eligibility:

• Benefit award letter from the qualifying program
• Program participation letter
• Statement of benefits
• Other official documentation showing current participation

Additional Required Documents:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, passport, etc.)
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)
• Social Security Number or Tribal ID number

Annual Recertification

To continue receiving Lifeline benefits, you must recertify your eligibility every year. Your service provider will notify you when it's time to recertify. During recertification, you'll need to provide updated documentation to prove you still meet the eligibility requirements.

Failure to recertify on time may result in the loss of your Lifeline benefits. It's important to keep your contact information up to date with your service provider so you receive recertification notices.