Lifeline Qualifications

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), on February 6, 2012, released its Lifeline Reform Order (FCC 12-11), making significant changes to the program. The order established a uniform floor of eligibility requirements, while allowing individial states to establish more permissive eligibility criteria.

If you are currently enrolled in one or more of the baseline programs listed below, you qualify for Lifeline benefits. However, your state may have assistance programs not listed below that could also qualify you. To receive lifeline benefits based on program eligility, you will be required to provide proof of participation in that program.

Additionally, you may be eligible if your household* income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see table below). To qualify based on income, you will be required to provide current documentation that shows your household* income.

2021 Federal Poverty Guide - 135%

Source: Federal Register

*Household is defined as "any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address as one economic unit".
Economic unit is defined as "all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household".