Use It or Lose It
Your free Lifeline service comes with one important rule: you must use it at least once every 30 days or risk losing your benefit. Here is everything you need to know.
The 30-Day Usage Rule
The FCC requires all Lifeline subscribers to use their service at least once every 30 consecutive days. This federal rule, known as the “non-usage” policy, is designed to ensure that Lifeline benefits are being used by people who need them and to prevent waste in the program.
If you do not use yLifeline service for 30 consecutive days, your provider is required to begin the de-enrollment process. This means you could lose your free phone service, your phone number, and your Lifeline benefit.
What Counts as Usage?
Keeping your service active is easy. Any of the following activities count as “usage” under the Lifeline program:
Making a Phone Call
Placing an outgoing call to any number, including local, long distance, or toll-free numbers.
Answering a Call
Receiving and answering an incoming phone call counts as active usage of your service.
Sending a Text
Sending an outgoing text message (SMS or MMS) to any number registers as usage.
Using Data
Browsing the internet, using an app, checking email, or any activity that uses mobile data.
Important Note
Simply powering on your phone or charging it does not count as usage. You must actively make a call, send a text, or use data to satisfy the 30-day requirement.
How to Stay Active
Keeping yLifeline service active is simple. Here are some easy ways to make sure you never go 30 days without usage:
- Set a recurring reminder — Create a weekly or bi-weekly reminder on your phone to make a call or send a text.
- Call a friend or family member — Even a quick 30-second call to say hello keeps your service active.
- Send yourself a text — Sending a text message to your own number counts as usage.
- Browse the web briefly — Opening a website or checking the weather on your phone uses data and counts as usage.
- Check your voicemail — Dialing into your voicemail system counts as making a call.
- Use an app — Opening any app that uses an internet connection (email, social media, maps) consumes data and counts.
What Happens If You Are Inactive for 30 Days?
If you do not use yLifeline service for 30 consecutive days, here is what happens:
- You receive a warning — Your Lifeline provider will send you a notification (by text, call, or mail) informing you that your service is at risk of de-enrollment due to non-usage.
- 15-day grace period — After the notification, you have 15 days to use your service and prevent de-enrollment.
- Service disconnection — If you still do not use your service during the grace period, your Lifeline benefit will be de-enrolled and your service will be disconnected.
- Need to reapply — To get Lifeline service again, you would need to submit a brand new application and go through the full approval process.
Bottom Line
The easiest way to keep your free Lifeline service is to simply use your phone regularly. One call, one text, or a few minutes of web browsing within every 30-day period is all it takes. Make it a habit and you will never have to worry about losing your benefit.