Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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Federal, exists in every state

Phone or internet discount (Lifeline)

Official name: Lifeline (Federal Communications Commission)

A federal discount of up to $9.25 a month on one phone or internet line per household. Medicaid, SNAP or SSI for anyone at home, your child included, is a way in on its own.

Up to $9.25 a month off one phone or internet line.

Program details

Who does what

The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.

You

Apply with the Medicaid, SNAP or SSI letter once it arrives; one line per household.

Your social worker

Nothing to do. Ask only if you cannot find the application.

The care team

Records and letters when the application asks for them.

Who decides
The Lifeline National Verifier and the phone or internet company
Ask the agency
“My household gets Medicaid (or SNAP or SSI). Can you apply the Lifeline discount to this line?”

How to apply

First step: Apply through the Lifeline National Verifier or a participating company using qualifying-benefit evidence or the income-based route.

  1. Check eligibility using an approved qualifying benefit or the income-based route; gather the required evidence.
  2. Apply through the National Verifier or your phone or internet company with that letter.

Where it starts: Apply through the National Verifier or the company, with the Medicaid, SNAP or SSI letter

What to gather

  • The Medicaid, SNAP or SSI approval letter
  • The phone or internet account number

How long: The verifier answers in minutes when the benefit is on file; otherwise it asks for the letter.

What a yes looks like

The discount on the next bill.

What a no looks like, and the next move

“Could not verify”: send the approval letter, or apply on income (135% of the poverty line) instead.

Watch out

  • It is one line per household, not one per person.
  • Some states add a discount of their own (California does). Ask the company which you are getting.

The numbers and the rules

The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 8, 2026.

What it is worth

Up to $9.25 a month off broadband or a bundle ($5.25 voice-only; up to $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands), one line per household.

  • $9.25/month (up to) — Monthly discount on broadband or a bundle
  • $5.25/month (kept in place by FCC waiver until December 1, 2027) — Monthly discount on voice-only service
  • $34.25/month (up to) — Monthly discount on qualifying Tribal lands

Legal protection: Medicaid, SNAP or SSI for the consumer, a dependent or anyone in the household qualifies on its own

What it costs the family: None. The discount comes off the bill.

The eligibility facts, as published

Categorical
Medicaid, SNAP or SSI received by the consumer, a dependent or the household (47 CFR 54.409(a)(2)); other federal programs also listed
Income alternative
household income at or below 135% of the poverty line
One per household
yes

Decisions this site cannot make: National Verifier check of the qualifying benefit

Expect friction on: Proof of the qualifying benefit · One line per household

The trap: You can qualify through an eligible benefit or the income-based route. Apply with the required evidence, then confirm the discount and remaining price with a participating provider.

What changes by state: Some states add their own discount on top (California's LifeLine does). The federal $9.25 is the same everywhere.

Where I read this

← Pick your state