The 2026 guide
Lifeline, explained in plain English
Lifeline is a federal program that makes phone service free (or nearly free) for households that qualify. This is our complete guide — no marketing, just how it actually works.
What's in this guide
How Lifeline works
The basics: who runs it, who pays for it, how the monthly benefit actually gets applied.
Lifeline eligibility
Program-based eligibility (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, etc.) and income-based eligibility (135% of FPG).
Lifeline vs. ACP
ACP ended in May 2024. Lifeline is still running. Here's what each program covered and what's left.
National Verifier walkthrough
The federal system that confirms your eligibility. What it asks, what to upload, how long it takes.
Documents you'll need
The list of documents that prove eligibility — and what to do if you don't have them handy.
Recertification
You have to recertify every 12 months to keep your benefit. Here's how to not lose it.
Lifeline with SNAP / food stamps
If you have SNAP (food stamps / EBT), you qualify. Here's how to use it.
Lifeline with Medicaid / Medi-Cal
Medicaid is the most common path to Lifeline. Works the same across all state Medicaid programs.
Lifeline with SSI
Supplemental Security Income qualifies you automatically. SSDI does not — here's the difference.
Lifeline for veterans
Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension qualify you. VA Disability Compensation alone does not.
How Lifeline actually works
Lifeline is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a nonprofit that runs federal telecom subsidy programs under FCC oversight. The program has been around since 1985.
Here's the flow:
- You apply for Lifeline through an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) — a provider authorized by the FCC to offer Lifeline service.
- The provider submits your eligibility to the National Verifier.
- Once approved, the provider applies the $9.25/month benefit (or $34.25 on Tribal lands) to your bill. Most wireless providers structure their Lifeline plans so this covers the entire cost.
- You use the service. You recertify annually. If you stop qualifying, the benefit ends.
Cliq Mobile does not provide Lifeline service. We're a resource site that helps you pick a provider that does.
Do you qualify?
There are two ways to qualify: by participating in a qualifying program, or by household income.
1. Program-based eligibility
You qualify automatically if you (or anyone in your household) participate in any of these programs:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8, etc.)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (if on Tribal lands, only if income qualifies)
2. Income-based eligibility (135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines)
If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you qualify. Here's the 2026 cap:
| Household size | 48 states + DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,783 | $25,974 | $23,900 |
| 2 | $28,017 | $35,019 | $32,220 |
| 3 | $35,251 | $44,064 | $40,540 |
| 4 | $42,485 | $53,109 | $48,860 |
| 5 | $49,719 | $62,154 | $57,180 |
| 6 | $56,953 | $71,199 | $65,500 |
For each additional household member, add $7,234 (48 states), $9,045 (Alaska), $8,320 (Hawaii).
The National Verifier — what to expect
The National Verifier is the federal system (run by USAC) that checks your eligibility for Lifeline. When you apply through a provider, they submit your info to the Verifier behind the scenes.
It checks:
- Your name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your SSN
- Whether you're in a state-level eligibility database (this is why many people get approved instantly — the Verifier can confirm SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI automatically in most states)
- If automatic confirmation fails, the Verifier asks you to upload documents
Documents you might need
For program-based eligibility
- SNAP card or benefit letter from your state agency
- Medicaid card or acceptance letter
- SSI benefit verification letter
- VA benefits letter
- Housing authority benefit letter
For income-based eligibility
- Prior year's tax return (1040 or 1040-SR), OR
- Three consecutive months of pay stubs, OR
- Social Security benefit statement, OR
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits, OR
- Unemployment/workers comp statement
For identity verification
- Valid government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
Annual recertification — don't lose your benefit
Every 12 months, USAC (or your provider) will ask you to confirm you still qualify. This is called recertification. If you don't respond, your benefit gets suspended — and you'll have to re-apply from scratch.
You'll usually get a notice 60 days before your recertification deadline. Watch for it in the mail or in emails from your provider.
Recertification is usually just confirming a few things (are you still on SNAP/Medicaid/etc., has your household size changed). If you're still in the state eligibility database, it can be instant.
Lifeline vs. ACP: what's the difference?
Lifeline is the phone program, run under USAC since 1985. Still active in 2026.
ACP (the Affordable Connectivity Program) was a separate federal internet subsidy — up to $30/month off broadband, plus up to $100 toward a computer. It ran from 2021 until May 2024, when Congress let the funding lapse. ACP is over.
If you were on ACP and lost it — that's why. Lifeline is still available; ACP is not. Some Lifeline providers offer unlimited data plans that compensate a bit for the loss of ACP home internet subsidy.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to pick a provider?
See the top Lifeline providers of 2026 — ranked independently.
See the 2026 rankings →