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Lifeline Eligibility: Who Qualifies for the Lifeline Program in 2025?
The Lifeline program provides essential discounts on phone and internet services to make communication more affordable for low-income individuals and families. As the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) winds down, Lifeline continues to be a reliable resource for those who qualify. This comprehensive guide explains the eligibility requirements and how to determine if you qualify for this valuable benefit.
How To Qualify for Lifeline in 2025
You can qualify for Lifeline benefits in one of two ways:
- Income-based eligibility: Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Program-based eligibility: You participate in certain federal assistance programs
Let’s explore each qualification path in detail.
1. Qualifying by Income
If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify for Lifeline. The income threshold varies based on your household size and where you live.
2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines (135% of Federal Poverty Level)
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States & D.C. | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18,347 | $22,937 | $21,103 |
| 2 | $24,719 | $30,902 | $28,431 |
| 3 | $31,091 | $38,867 | $35,759 |
| 4 | $37,463 | $46,832 | $43,087 |
| 5 | $43,835 | $54,797 | $50,415 |
| 6 | $50,207 | $62,762 | $57,743 |
| 7 | $56,579 | $70,727 | $65,071 |
| 8 | $62,951 | $78,692 | $72,399 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,372 | $7,965 | $7,328 |
2. Qualifying Through Federal Assistance Programs
You automatically qualify for Lifeline if you (or someone in your household) participate in any of these government assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
SNAP (Food Stamps)
SNAP helps low-income families purchase food through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Eligibility is based on factors like income, assets, and family size. If you’re already enrolled in SNAP, you automatically qualify for Lifeline.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals. This government insurance program helps pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, and other healthcare services. Because Medicaid is jointly funded by states and the federal government, eligibility rules vary by state.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides monthly financial assistance to individuals who are disabled, blind, or aged 65 or older with limited income and resources. This federally funded program is available in all states.
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
FPHA is an HUD-sponsored program that provides financial assistance to help low-income families secure affordable housing.
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
This program provides monthly payments to wartime veterans who meet certain age and disability requirements, as well as income limits. The Survivors Pension offers qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime Veterans similar benefits.
3. Tribal Land Residents
If you live on federally recognized Tribal lands, you may qualify through participation in these additional programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start (only households that meet income qualifying standards)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
The One-Per-Household Rule
Lifeline benefits are limited to one per household. For Lifeline purposes, a household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.
If you live with others who also need Lifeline service, you may still qualify if:
- You live at an address with multiple households
- You do not share income and expenses with the other residents
- You complete a Household Worksheet during the application process
Violation of the one-per-household rule will result in removal from the program.
Required Documentation
When applying for Lifeline, you’ll need to provide documentation to prove your eligibility:
For Income-Based Qualification:
- Prior year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return
- Current income statement from an employer
- Social Security statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Divorce decree, child support award, or similar official document showing your income
For Program-Based Qualification:
- Benefit award letter
- Approval letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit verification letter
How to Apply for Lifeline
- Check your eligibility using the criteria above
- Gather your documentation
- Find a Lifeline provider in your area
- Complete the application process with your chosen provider
- Recertify your eligibility annually to maintain benefits
Conclusion
Lifeline remains a vital resource for low-income Americans who need affordable communication services, especially as the ACP program ends. If you meet the eligibility requirements through income or program participation, apply today to start receiving benefits.
Remember that you must recertify your eligibility every year to continue receiving Lifeline benefits. If your eligibility status changes, you must notify your service provider within 30 days.