Government Internet: How to Find Out if You Qualify for Internet Welfare
can YOU get the government to pay your phone bill or discount your wifi bill? USAC has a program called Lifeline that provides internet service. There was another program called The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), but it ended June 1, 2024. The ACP was enacted to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), which Congress chose not to fund. However, less than a year later Congress chose not to fund the ACP either and set it to be defunded. Lifeline is still available though. Eligible individuals can receive up to a $9.25 discount per month on the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services (up to $34.25 if you live on Tribal Lands). One can qualify for Lifeline three different ways: 1. Based on income; 2. Based on eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, or other programs; or 3. Based on being a survivor of domestic violence or human trafficking crime. Based on Income You can get Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines (table below). The guideline is based on your household size and state (Hawaii and Alaska have their own columns but all other states have the same income cutoff). See information about how to calculate your household size. The table below reflects 135% of the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Household Size 48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Territories Alaska Hawaii 1 $21,128 $26,393 $24,287 2 $28,553 $35,681 $32,832 3 $35,978 $44,969 $41,378 4 $43,403 $54,257 $49,923 5 $50,828 $63,545 $58,469 6 $58,253 $72,833 $67,041 7 $65,678 $82,121 $75,560 8 $73,103 $91,409 $84,105 For each additional person, add: $7,425 $9,288 $8,546 You may have to show proof of income, like a tax return or three consecutive months of pays stubs, when you apply for Lifeline. Based on Receipt of Other Qualifying Benefits Federal Assistance Programs You can get Lifeline if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs: You may have to show proof of participation, like a benefit letter or official document, when you apply for Lifeline. Tribal Assistance Programs If you live on Tribal lands, you can get Lifeline if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you (or someone in your household) participate in: You may have to show proof of participation, like a benefit letter or official document, when you apply for Lifeline. Learn more about the Tribal Benefit. Based on If You Are a Survivor The Safe Connections Act (SCA) helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes get discounted phone, internet, or bundled services. If a survivor pursues a line separation request, the SCA requires mobile providers to separate phone lines linked to family plans where the abuser is on the account. If you are a survivor, you can participate in the Lifeline program if you provide proof of a line separation request and if you are experiencing financial hardship. Survivors experiencing financial hardship may qualify through existing Lifeline program requirements mentioned above or through one of the SCA-specific methods below: If you qualify for Lifeline, your privacy will be protected, and you can receive up to 6 months of emergency Lifeline support. For more information, visit the Survivor Benefit page. Qualify Through Your Child or Dependent You can get Lifeline if your child or dependent participates in any of the programs listed above. Is it Worth it? Should I apply? Probably not worth it. You probably shouldn’t apply. It seems like a lot of work for very little benefit. I would never voluntarily involve the federal government in my life any way, even if the program was offering more than $8 a month. This seems like an extremely dumb waste of taxpayer money. If you do want to see if you can get Uncle Sam to subsidize your phone or internet bill then you can checkout the website or the documents obtained therefrom.
