What are the Benefits?

The Lifeline Program provides support to telecommunications companies to make basic, local telecommunications service affordable for millions of Americans.

Approximately 2,000 telecommunications companies are eligible to provide these discounts. Consumers apply for the discounts through their local telecommunications company. These companies are then reimbursed through the Lifeline Program for the revenue they forgo by providing discounted service to eligible consumers.

What Is the Lifeline Program?

Lifeline Program support lowers the cost of basic, monthly local telecommunications service. An eligible consumer can receive Lifeline Program-supported service on either a wireline or wireless connection, but the discount is available for only one telephone connection per household. Discounts do not apply to taxes, surcharges, and mileage charges.

Eligible consumers can receive up to $9.25 per month in Lifeline discounts. Additional state support may be available.

Tribal Customers

In addition to the benefits described above, eligible residents of Indian reservations or Tribal lands can receive up to an additional $25 in discounts.

Consumer Notification

We, (USAC), the company that administers the Lifeline Program, may contact you if you receive discounts on more than one telephone. We will ask you to choose one discount to keep. The FCC has provided a tip sheet that outlines what will happen if you are contacted.

Please visit the FCC's website for more information from the FCC Lifeline Public Service Announcements (PSAs).