Lifeline Program for Low-Income Households

What is the Lifeline Program?

Phone and broadband services are virtual lifelines, allowing seamless exchange of information, irrespective of the distance. Unfortunately, Americans pay 40 percent more for their essential telecommunications services as compared to people in France, Israel, and Japan. The high cost of voice and digital communications impedes the progress of low-income families who are deprived of opportunities that the online world presents in terms of work, education, and emergency assistance. 

To ensure that telephone and broadband services are affordable for Americans from all social strata, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expanded the reach of Lifeline, an assistance program initially launched in 1985. The new and improved version of the Lifeline Program offers discounts of up to $9.25 on phone, internet, and bundled services, and up to $34.25 off each month for consumers living on Tribal lands. Families facing financial hardships can apply for Lifeline discounts by subscribing to Internet and Voice plans offered by partnered providers. 

Let’s deconstruct the Lifeline Program to understand the list of benefits it unlocks, the eligibility criteria, and its verified application process. Remember, broadband internet and related services are no longer a luxury but a lifeline for human connectivity. 

Benefits of the Lifeline Internet Program

Transforming lives through Lifeline! The Lifeline Program was curated and updated to offer the following benefits to its worthy recipients. 

Discounted Phone or Broadband Plans

Participants of the Lifeline Program get a monthly discount of $9.25 on their telephone and internet bills. Whereas, applicants living on tribal lands receive up to $34.25 off on their month-to-month plans. The discounts apply to one service, either a wired/ wireless home phone or a broadband connection. However, providers that combine the services (Phone and Internet Bundles) and issue a single bill each month apply a discount on the total cost. 

Installation Fee Waivers

The regional distribution networks of FCC’s Lifeline Program, such as Tribal Lands Link Up, Lifeline Utility Assistance in New Jersey, and the Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program in New Hampshire, offer up to $100 off on first-time installations of telephone connections at home. In some cases, service activation charges of up to $200 may also be waived or adjusted in a yearly no-interest payment plan. 

Equal Opportunities for All Americans 

The average monthly cost of a home phone service in the USA ranges between $20 and $30. Whereas, the monthly fee for a home internet service is typically between $60 and $90 per month. The rising levels of income inequality in the USA exacerbate the digital divide, restricting at least 42 million Americans from accessing opportunities offered in the digital realm. But with the Lifeline Program discounts of up to $34.25 per month, essential telecommunication services, like the home phone and broadband, become increasingly affordable, ensuring all Americans get equal opportunities. 

Better Quality of Life 

It was reported in a Washington Post article that only a quarter of Americans are still using landlines for voice communication. The remaining have cut the cord and made the switch to cellphone services. However, it is hard to dispute that landline phones offer “superior call quality” compared to mobile phones prone to poor reception, voice distortion, and signal loss. Residential communities and business districts can harness the power of affordable telephone and broadband connections to enhance their quality of life. They can dial emergency helplines, access information, and explore online avenues for income generation, all in the comfort of their homes.    

Enhanced Engagement of Tribal Communities

The FCC-powered Lifeline Program has increased the engagement of indigenous peoples in the decision-making processes, allowing them to play a bigger role in cultural preservation. Previously, the Native Americans were excluded from socio-economic projects and lacked a political voice to pull investment for the uplifting of their communities. But thanks to the Lifeline Program’s umbrella approach, residents of the Tribal lands are not only included but given special consideration with discounts of up to $34.25 per month on home phone and broadband lines. 

Lifeline Program Eligibility Criteria

You can check your eligibility for the Lifeline Program based on your household income level or participation in one of the following government assistance programs. 

If you or any member of your household participates in one of the following Federal Assistance Programs, you are automatically qualified to receive the Lifeline Program benefits. 

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

OR

If your household income is 135 percent or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can refer to the table below to gauge your eligibility for the Lifeline Program. 

Source: USAC Lifeline Support 

Residents of Tribal lands can check their eligibility through participation in one of the following Tribal Assistance Programs.

• Any of the Federal Assistance Programs stated above 
• Tribal Head Start/ Early Head Start
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations 
• Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Please note that you will be required to show proof of participation in any of the Federal and Tribal Assistance programs mentioned above to apply and qualify for the Lifeline benefits. For example, you may have to upload a confirmation letter or a Medicaid Card as evidence. 

Lifeline Program Application Process

There are two straightforward methods to apply for the Lifeline Program. You can either use the centralized National Verifier application system developed by the FCC or directly contact a participating phone or internet provider for the application. Use the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) database to check for the best Lifeline-supported phone and internet providers in your area. 

Potential applicants of the Lifeline Program in California, Oregon, and Texas will have to use the existing state-specific application page for verification. For example, Californians must visit Californialifeline.com to apply for the Lifeline program. However, the application must be submitted on the National Verifier portal to avail of Lifeline Internet Program discounts on standalone broadband plans. 

Lifeline vs. Affordable Connectivity Program 

Both, the Lifeline Program and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are government-sponsored initiatives, managed and distributed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to eradicate digital inequality in the United States. While there is an increased possibility that your chosen telecommunications company offers both, Lifeline and ACP have some distinguishing features which are discussed in the side-by-side comparison table below. 

Final Word 

Under the leadership of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), no one gets left behind. Since 1985, the federal government has offered subsidized telephone services through its Lifeline Program to ensure every American can access the basics of life. Eligible low-income households can receive monthly discounts of up to $9.25 (up to $34.25 on Tribal lands) on their telephone, internet, and bundled plans. So, check if you qualify and apply right away because affordable phone and broadband access await you at the door of digital paradise.