Lifeline Program for Affordable Communications

Lifeline Program for Affordable Communications is sponsored by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Lifeline program provides discounted phone and internet services to eligible low-income individuals to ensure they have access to essential communication services.

Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides a monthly discount on qualifying phone, internet, or bundled service from participating providers. ### **Safe Connections Act Survivors** Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking may be eligible to receive emergency Lifeline support for up to six months under the Safe Connections Act.

The Safe Connections Act also makes it easier for survivors of domestic abuse to separate their phone line from a service plan shared with their abuser. For details, visit lifelinesupport. org/survivor-benefit.

Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. The discount can be applied to either a wireline or wireless service. Lifeline is available in every state, commonwealth, territory, and on Tribal lands.

The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company(USAC).

You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if you participate in one of these programs: * Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) * Federal Public Housing Assistance * Supplemental Security Income (SSI) * Veterans Pension Benefits * Certain Tribal Assistance Programs Find out if you are eligible at lifelinesupport. org.

You can apply online, by mail, or through a participating phone or internet provider. If you live in Texas or Oregon, use your state's application process. Ask your selected phone or internet provider for help submitting your application.

Use the "Companies Near Me" tool to locate a service provider in your area. For help or a mailed form, call **1-800-234-9473** or email **LifelineSupport@usac. org**.

* Eligibility must be verified through a database or with documents dated within the past 12 months. * Only one Lifeline service per household; if you have more than one, choose one and de-enroll from the others. * Recertify your eligibility every year or you will be de-enrolled (in some cases, recertification is automaticed and you do not need to take any action).

* If your provider does not charge and collect a monthly fee from you for your Lifeline service, you must use it at least once every 30 days. ## Tribal Enhanced Lifeline Benefits Because telephone and broadband subscription levels on Tribal lands are the lowest in the country, low-income residents of Tribal lands can get enhanced benefits. Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to $34.

25 off the cost of qualifying services (either wireline or wireless). This includes the standard benefit of up to $9. 25 for qualifying broadband or bundled services or up to $5.

25 for phone service plus up to an additional $25 in enhanced support. Tribal Link Up support is only offered to carriers who are building out infrastructure on Tribal lands, so not all carriers may be discounting their activation fee. Consumers can check with their Lifeline provider to see if they offer Link Up.

## How Is 'Household' Defined for Lifeline? "Household" is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit. An "economic unit" is defined as "all adult individuals contributing to and sharing in the income and expenses of a household."

## Annual Recertification You may become ineligible for Lifeline if your income has increased, you no longer participate in a qualifying federal benefit program, or someone else in your household gets Lifeline service. If you become ineligible, you must contact your provider immediately to de-enroll from the program. Otherwise, you may be subject to penalties.

You may also contact USAC for assistance at 1-800-234-9473 or by email at lifelinesupport@usac. org. Please do not share any sensitive personal information via email.

## Issues with Devices from a Lifeline Service Provider The FCC does not subsidize any hardware associated with the Lifeline program, which includes mobile phones provided by a service provider to a Lifeline customer. For issues with hardware associated with your Lifeline service, please contact your service provider directly.

## Lifeline for People with Disabilities If you are a person with a disability and need assistance with your Lifeline application, contact the Lifeline Support Center at lifelinesupport. org or call 800-234-9473. If you have a question about whether your Lifeline service and equipment is accessible, contact the FCC's Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.

gov. Please provide as much detail as possible, including the name and contact information of the individuals involved and the companies they are using to receive Lifeline-supported phone service.

**Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week** The FCC, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) have collaborated since 2005 to promote Lifeline. Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week (DCLAW) occurs annually the week after Labor Day week.

DCLAW aims to provide state, local, and Tribal entities with resources to help low-income consumers understand and participation in the Lifeline program. **Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Consumer Outreach Media Contacts** * NARUC: Regina Davis, rdavis@naruc. org * NASUCA: Barrett C.

Sheridan, (717) 783-5048, bsheridan@paoca. org * FCC: Mike Snyder, michael. snyder@fcc.

gov ### FCC Consumer Resource Library The FCC offers free printable tip cards, posters, graphics and other resources on consumer topics that you can share with your community.