What is Lifeline?
Lifeline began in 1985 as part of the FCC's universal service mission to keep Americans connected. Today it supports phone and broadband service. The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Providers like iPhone Government use the benefit to offer free monthly service and, in our case, a free device.
What Lifeline is worth each year
Annual value of the federal Lifeline benefit: $9.25 a month standard, $34.25 a month on qualifying Tribal lands.
$9.25monthly benefit
1benefit per household
$0credit check or contract
Lifeline eligibility at a glance
- SNAP (food stamps / EBT)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal programs such as Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance or Tribal TANF
- Income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
See details and exceptions on our eligibility page.
Rules to know
- One benefit per household, for phone or internet, not both.
- Annual recertification is required to stay enrolled.
- Use it or lose it: the service must be used at least once every 30 days.
- No credit check and no contract.
Lifeline vs. ACP
Lifeline continues. The separate Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024. Read what changed for ACP households.
Enroll through iPhone Government
Check what a free government phone includes, then apply online.
