Affordable Connectivity Program & Lifeline FAQs

Are there other FCC programs I may qualify for?

Yes, there is another FCC program called Lifeline. It helps to lower the monthly cost of phone and/or 

internet service.

The benefits of the Lifeline Program include:

• A service discount of up to $9.25/month, or

• A service discount of up to $34.25/month if you live on qualifying Tribal lands

Learn more about the Lifeline program.

What is Lifeline? 

Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making phone and internet service more affordable for lowincome households. This benefit provides eligible consumers with a monthly discount of up to $9.25. 

Consumers living on Tribal lands are eligible for an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month.

Do I qualify for Lifeline? 

You can qualify for Lifeline if your household income is up to 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if 

you or someone in your household participates in certain federal assistance programs like SNAP and 

Medicaid. As part of the application process, you may have to show documentation that confirms that 

you meet the Lifeline program’s eligibility requirements. 

How are the qualification requirements different from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?

Eligibility for Lifeline includes: Eligibility for ACP includes:

• Participation in Federal Assistance Programs:

o Medicaid, 

o SNAP, 

o Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 

o Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), 

including Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 

Program (Section 8 Vouchers), ProjectBased Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 

202/Section 811, Public Housing, 

Affordable Housing Programs for American 

Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians

o Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit,

• household income is at or below 135% of the 

Federal Poverty Guidelines.

• All of the Federal Assistance Programs that 

qualify for Lifeline, and additional federal 

assistance programs, including 

o Lifeline

o Federal Pell Grant, 

o Free and Reduced Price School Lunch 

Program or School Breakfast Program, 

including at Community Eligibility Provision 

(CEP) schools 

o Special Supplemental Nutritional Program 

for Women, Infants, and Children Program 

(WIC)

• household income is at or below 200% of the 

Federal Poverty Guidelines, 

• household meets the eligibility criteria for a 

participating provider’s existing low-income 

internet program.
How do I apply for Lifeline?

You can visit lifelinesupport.org to apply for Lifeline and learn more about the program. Once you have 

completed your application, your information will be checked to confirm if you qualify for Lifeline. Please 

note that the qualification requirements for Lifeline are different than those for the ACP. 

If you qualify, you will have 90 days to choose a participating phone or internet company and sign up for 

qualifying service. You can find participating service providers by visiting the Companies Near Me Tool. 

If you have a preferred service provider that participates in the Lifeline program, you can also apply 

directly with that service provider. 

If I am enrolled in the ACP, will it automatically transfer to Lifeline?

No, you will need to apply for Lifeline separately. You may be enrolled in both Lifeline and the ACP 

concurrently and apply the Lifeline and ACP benefits to the same or different services.

Do I need to de-enroll in the ACP to enroll in Lifeline? 

No. The ACP and Lifeline are separate programs and if you qualify for both, you can be enrolled in both 

at the same time. 

How long does Lifeline last for?

Lifeline is a long-term assistance program offered by the federal government.

If I reside on Tribal lands, can I receive a higher Lifeline benefit?

You can get a monthly discount of up to $34.25 off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services if you 

live on Tribal lands. This discount includes the standard discount of up to $9.25 plus up to an additional 

$25, which is available only to eligible consumers living on qualifying Tribal lands.

If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you can get the Tribal benefit if your income is at or below 135% of 

the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you participate in one of the government assistance programs 

including certain Tribal assistance programs. Learn more about qualifying and learn more about the 

enhanced Tribal benefit.