If you’re a senior needing affordable phone or internet services, the Lifeline Assistance Program may be able to help. This federally funded program provides eligible seniors a telephone and internet service discount.
This discount is offered to consumers in every state, commonwealth, territory, and Tribal land. A subscriber must meet income or governmental assistance eligibility requirements to be eligible.
It’s Free
Lifeline is a federal program that provides low-income customers with phone and broadband service discounts. It is available in every state, commonwealth, territory, and Tribal land.
To be eligible for a Lifeline subsidy, you must meet income guidelines and have a qualifying household. You can determine if you qualify using the USAC Lifeline Household Worksheet or verify your eligibility through your state’s government database.
Getting a free cell phone through the lifeline assistance programs in Georgia has always been challenging, thanks to new rapid verification systems that enable people to apply online. Plus, you can transfer your benefits to a different company anytime.
The program is a way to help Americans stay connected and improve their quality of life. This includes giving older adults access to their favorite apps and making emergency calling more accessible.
Today’s smartphones provide a variety of helpful features for seniors, including GPS navigation and voice-activated calling that can make them feel more independent. They also allow senior citizens to connect with their families and friends.
It’s Available in Every State
The Lifeline Assistance Program is a federally-funded discount program designed to help low-income households stay connected with telecommunications services. It provides a monthly discount on home telephone service (landline or cable), wireless phones, broadband Internet, and bundled voice/broadband packages.
The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, an independent non-profit based. Its duties include recertifying subscribers, determining eligibility, and managing the Lifeline Support Center.
In 1985, the FCC established Lifeline to subsidize the cost of telephone services for poorer Americans. The program has undergone significant reforms twice, first to bring its subsidies in line with emerging technologies and second to combat fraud.
Today, Lifeline is a nationwide discount program available to consumers who qualify through government benefit programs such as Medicaid and Food Stamps or if their income falls below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Consumers can apply for Lifeline online by completing an application form. They can also download a brochure from the Public Utility Commission in their state to learn more about the Lifeline program and how to enroll. They may also receive a paper application via mail each year.
The Universal Service Administrative Company Manages it.
Lifeline Assistance Programs are managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is a non-profit agency that collects payments from telecommunications companies to fund the Universal Service Fund.
USAC then distributes these funds to telecommunications companies to provide low-income customers with affordable phone and internet services. These funds are a federally-funded program that provides consumers with discounts on their basic telephone and broadband service.
Since 2008, USAC has managed the Lifeline program, which allows eligible low-income households to receive a discount on their landline phone and wireless service. This discount per month on either a home wireline or wireless service and can be applied to stand-alone broadband or bundled voice-broadband packages.
The Lifeline program is available to all residents in every state, territory, commonwealth, and Tribal land. However, only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.
Its Requirements Are Simple
One of the best parts about Lifeline is that its requirements are surprisingly simple. In general, household income is the deciding factor. Still, you may also be eligible if your family participates in federal or state assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and SSI.
A household of six or more can typically qualify for a discount on landline and wireless service, which is good news since there’s a lot of competition in the industry. You can even port your existing phone number over to your new carrier.
You may not be able to score the same deal on your Internet, but you can find affordable plans from providers that offer high-speed fiber optic connections for an additional monthly fee. There are even some options that are free. The most challenging part of the application process is identifying the provider that is the best fit for your family’s needs and budget. Fortunately, the Lifeline program has some help in the form of a free consumer guidebook and customer support to assist you with your decision-making.
It’s Available to Everyone
Lifeline is a federal subsidy program that reduces the cost of phone and internet service. It’s available in every state, commonwealth, territory, and Tribal land.
Consumers can use Lifeline to lower the cost of telephone or Internet services, but only one discount is allowed per household. Households must be income eligible.
To qualify, you must prove that you participate in an eligible program or that your household income is below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can use a card, letter, or official document to verify your eligibility.
Once approved, you can choose a participating telephone or Internet company and sign up for service with them. Or you can ask your current telecommunications company to apply your Lifeline benefit to the service you already receive.
To ensure you continue to be eligible for Lifeline, you must recertify annually by submitting a paper application to USAC. Please recertify to avoid de-enrollment from the program. You can find more information about this process on the USAC website.