Lifeline is a program that provides discounts on phone and broadband service for low income customers. These services are even more essential as more people are working, learning, and job seeking from home.
Consumers qualify for Lifeline if they participate in certain federal benefits programs (such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing, or the Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit), or their household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Lifeline discount is limited to one benefit per household. To learn more about Lifeline, please see the attached fact sheets, and visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org/how-to-get-lifeline/.
In response to COVID-19, the FCC has temporarily eased the documentation requirements for those who seek to qualify for the Lifeline program based on their income. For further information about this relief, you can go to the “Announcements” page at https://www.usac.org/lifeline.
Additionally, in Illinois, a program funded entirely through voluntary donations subsidizes the cost of phone installation for Lifeline participants. To learn more about this program, please visit http://linkupillinois.org/to-enroll/. While the program is being highlighted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lifeline has actually existed for decades. That means even after this crisis is over, Lifeline will continue to be a resource for consumers.
