Lifeline Qualifications

On February 6, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission produced a Reform Order for the Lifeline assistance program, making much needed corrections to the communications assistance program. The reform created a default set of eligibility requirements, yet allowed the states to create their own added criteria for eligibility.



You may qualify to get Lifeline benefits if you presently are enrolled in at least 1 of these baseline ass't programs shown below or, if your household income is no greater than 135% of the federal poverty amount (see table below). Your state could have additional programs not listed here which could also be a qualification.

To receive a federal lifeline subsidy because of program eligility, you'll need to show some proof of participation for that program. To receive benefits because of your low household* income, you will need to provide proof of income.

Baseline Eligibility Programs (at least 1) Federal Public Housing Ass't (Section 8)

Supplemental Nutrition Ass't Pgm (SNAP, f.k.a. Food Stamps

Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension Benefit

Additionally, you can also be qualified if you reside on federally recognized Tribal land and you participate in any program listed above or any of the following: Head Start (income qualifying)

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Tribal TANF

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

If you are not enrolled in one of the above programs, use the table shown below to calculate your elibility for your income. You will be requested to show current documentation that proves your household* income.

Federal 2020 Poverty Guidelines x135%

# People Lower 48

and D.C. 1 $17,226 2 $23,274 3 $29,322 4 $35,370 5 $41,418 6 $47,466 7 $53,514 8 $59,562 Each Person After 8 $6,048

Source: The Federal Register

*Household is a person or group of people living at the same physical address sharing expenses and contributing to income.