Navigating Lifeline: How to Apply for Free Phone and Service

Reliable phone and internet services should be accessible to everyone. In recent years, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) made sure low-income families and individuals were guaranteed this access. As ACP winds down, you might be wondering: what are my other options? That's where Lifeline, a long-standing federal program dedicated to making phone and internet services more affordable, comes into play.

At Assurance Wireless, we understand the importance of staying connected. We're dedicated to providing eligible consumers with free phone service through the Lifeline program. We’ve put together a simple guide to help you apply and make the process as easy as possible.

What is LifeLine?

Lifeline is a federal program that provides discounted phone and internet services to eligible low-income households. With Lifeline, qualified consumers can receive free service from the government, plus free phones from Assurance Wireless. This ensures they can stay connected with friends, family, and important contacts like doctors’ offices, employers and more.

How to Qualify and Required Documentation

Government Program(s) Participant

If you are already participating in certain government assistance programs, you may qualify for the Lifeline program. These include: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. To apply through this route, you'll need to provide proof of participation.

The government program participation document must include:

• Your name or dependent's name
• The program name
• The issuing agency's name
• An issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date

Examples of accepted government program participation documentation include: 

• Benefit award letter
• Approval letter
• Statement of benefits
• Benefit verification letter

Based on Your Income

Alternatively, if your income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may also qualify for Lifeline. Check out Lifeline’s income table to see if you qualify. To apply based on income, you'll need to provide documentation of your household income. 

The household income document must include:

• Your first and last name or dependent’s name
• Your annual income
• Documentation must cover three months in a row within the past twelve months

Examples of accepted household income documentation include:

• Prior year’s state or federal
• Current income statement from your employer or paycheck stub
• Veterans’ administration statement of benefits
• Unemployment or workers’ compensation statement of benefits
• Federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
• Divorce decree, child support award
• Other official documents containing income information

Before You Apply

Make sure to gather all the documents needed before beginning the application. This will help speed up the process and the likelihood of getting approved. Remember, you'll need to complete the application in one sitting—you cannot save your place and come back. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete, so make sure you are prepared ahead of time and have set aside enough time to apply. 

We're committed to empowering individuals with the resources and information they need to access Lifeline phone service and an Assurance Wireless phone. If you're ready to take the first step toward affordable connectivity, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

For more information on Lifeline and how Assurance Wireless can help, visit our blog post here.