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

Childhood Cancer Lantern
Search Saved

Federal, exists in every state

A discount on phone or internet service (Lifeline)

A monthly discount through participating phone or internet companies for households on Medicaid, SNAP or SSI, or with low income.

What it is

A monthly discount through participating phone or internet companies for households on Medicaid, SNAP or SSI, or with low income.

Any one of Apple Health, Basic Food or SSI in the household qualifies on its own, and there is also an income route at 135% of the poverty line. Without one of those, the discount is not open yet.

Rules
  • Qualifying programs: Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, federal public housing, veterans’ pension, or income at or under 135% of the poverty level.
  • One benefit per qualifying household. Voice-only and Tribal-land benefits differ.
  • Renew eligibility and use the service as required, or the benefit ends.
What you get
  • A monthly discount of up to $9.25 on a participating plan.
What it is not
  • Approval of another benefit does not itself lower the phone bill; you must apply and pick a participating company.
If you decide to apply
  1. Apply through the National Verifier once a qualifying benefit is approved.
  2. Ask your phone or internet company whether it offers a qualifying plan, and what the bill would be after the discount.

FCC: Lifeline · Official page ↗

After approval
  • Keep the approval letter; recertify yearly.
Good to know

Ask for the remaining monthly price in writing before switching plans.

Other details
  • The discount can apply to a bundle or broadband; the company sets what qualifies.
Official sources
Ask your social worker

“Once a qualifying benefit is approved, can you point us to the Lifeline application for a phone or internet discount?”

Why I’m asking: Keeping a reliable phone line for treatment calls matters and the discount would help.

More background and detailed requirements

How this works

Medicaid, SNAP or SSI participation can qualify a household, including through an eligible child. There is also an income-based route; you do not need to wait for another benefit if you already meet that test.

The standard broadband or bundled-service discount is up to $9.25 monthly. The company and plan determine what you still pay. Apply for Lifeline and arrange service with a participating provider; another benefit does not automatically change your phone bill.

  1. Check Lifeline eligibility and ask your phone or internet company whether it offers a qualifying plan.

Before you start

  • The benefit is limited to one per qualifying household, not one per person.
  • Voice-only and qualifying Tribal-land benefits differ. Confirm the actual discount and remaining monthly bill.

The benefit is limited to one per qualifying household, not one per person.

Voice-only and qualifying Tribal-land benefits differ. Confirm the actual discount and remaining monthly bill.

Eligibility must be verified and continued according to Lifeline's rules.

Additional program information and published rules

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

← Back to your options