What Lifeline and ACP do, and who runs them

Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are two separate federal programs that reduce what you pay for phone service and internet. Lifeline has existed since 1985 and covers phone bills. ACP is newer — it started in 2021 — and covers internet bills. Both are run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but the actual money and enrollment happen through your phone or internet provider, not through a government office you call.

Lifeline gives you a discount on your monthly phone bill — the amount varies by state and provider, but typically ranges from $9 to $15 per month off. You can use it for a landline, mobile phone, or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. ACP works differently: it pays a portion of your internet bill directly to your provider, and the amount depends on your income level and where you live. If your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, ACP typically covers up to $30 per month; if you receive certain federal benefits, you may be covered at higher income levels.

You cannot use both programs to pay for the same service — you pick one or the other. But you can use Lifeline for phone and ACP for internet at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • Lifeline reduces your phone bill by $9 to $15 per month depending on your state, while ACP covers up to $30 of your internet bill if your income qualifies.
  • Both programs work through your existing phone or internet provider, not through a separate government process process.
  • You must meet income requirements or receive certain federal benefits to use either program, and you will need to verify your income or benefit status when you enroll.
  • Lifeline requires you to recertify your income every year; ACP recertification happens every year as well, though the program's future funding is uncertain.
  • You can use Lifeline and ACP together if you use them for different services — phone and internet — but not for the same service.

Income limits and who can enroll in Lifeline

Lifeline is open to you if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or if you already receive benefits from certain programs. Those programs include SNAP (food information), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing information, or Tribal TANF. If you receive any of these, you meet the income requirement automatically and do not need to prove your income separately.

If you do not receive one of those benefits, you will need to show proof of your household income. What counts as proof depends on your provider, but typically includes recent tax returns, pay stubs, a benefit letter from Social Security or unemployment, or a lease or mortgage statement. The income limits change each year, so the exact dollar amount varies — your provider can tell you the current threshold for your state.

One household can have only one Lifeline discount, even if multiple people live there. If you already have Lifeline through one provider and switch to another, you must cancel the first one before enrolling in the second.

Income limits and who can enroll in ACP

ACP has two income pathways. If your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, you can enroll. Alternatively, if you or anyone in your household receives benefits from SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing information, SSI, Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, or Tribal TANF, you meet the income requirement without proving your income.

Like Lifeline, you will need to provide proof of income if you do not receive one of the may have access to benefits. The same documents work: recent tax returns, pay stubs, benefit letters, or housing documents. ACP also allows you to use a statement from your employer or a recent utility bill in some cases.

Unlike Lifeline, a household can have more than one ACP discount if multiple people in that household have separate internet accounts with different providers. However, the total ACP benefit across all accounts in one household cannot exceed $30 per month. If you have two internet accounts and each receives $20 from ACP, the second one would be reduced to $10 so the total stays at $30.

How to enroll and what documents you need

To enroll in Lifeline, contact your phone provider directly — either the one you already use or one you want to switch to. Ask them if they participate in Lifeline; not all providers do. They will ask you to fill out an enrollment form, which you can do in person, by phone, by mail, or online depending on the provider. On that form, you will declare your income level or list the federal benefit you receive. If you claim a benefit, you may need to provide a copy of your benefit letter or a recent statement showing you receive it.

For ACP, the process is similar but slightly different. You can enroll through your internet provider, or you can pre-enroll through the National Verifier, which is a website run by the FCC at fcc.gov/acp. Pre-enrolling through the National Verifier means the FCC checks your income or benefit status before you contact your provider, which can speed things up. If you pre-enroll and are found to meet the requirements, you then choose an internet provider and they set up your discount. If you enroll directly with your provider instead, they will verify your information themselves.

For both programs, bring or upload documents that match what you claimed. If you said your income qualifies, bring a recent tax return, pay stub, or benefit letter. If you said you receive SNAP or Medicaid, bring a copy of your benefit card or a recent letter from the agency. Providers vary in exactly what they accept, so ask what they need before you gather documents.

How much you save and what happens to your bill

Lifeline discounts range from about $9 to $15 per month depending on your state. Some states offer higher discounts than others. The discount applies directly to your phone bill — your provider subtracts it before you pay. If your bill is $40 and your Lifeline discount is $12, you pay $28. The discount does not roll over if you do not use it in a given month.

ACP works differently because it is a larger benefit. If you may have access to at the 200% poverty line level, you receive up to $30 per month toward your internet bill. If you receive certain federal benefits, you may receive up to $75 per month, though this higher amount is only available in specific circumstances and varies by program. Your provider applies the ACP credit to your bill, and you pay the difference. If your internet bill is $50 and you receive $30 from ACP, you pay $20. Like Lifeline, unused credit does not carry forward.

Both programs reduce your out-of-pocket cost but do not cover the full bill if your service costs more than the discount. You are responsible for any amount above the program's limit.

Recertification and what happens if you lose coverage

Lifeline requires you to recertify your income or benefit status once per year. Your provider will contact you and ask you to confirm that you still meet the requirements. If you do not respond, your Lifeline discount will be suspended. You can reactivate it by recertifying, but there is a gap in coverage while you do. Recertification is usually straightforward — you may just need to confirm your information online or by phone — but you have to do it or you lose the discount.

ACP recertification also happens annually. The FCC or your provider will ask you to confirm your income or benefit status. If you do not recertify, your ACP benefit stops. Unlike Lifeline, ACP's future is uncertain because it depends on Congress to fund it. The program has faced funding gaps in the past, and there is no may provide it will continue indefinitely. If Congress does not renew funding, the program could end, and you would lose the benefit even if you recertify on time.

If you lose Lifeline or ACP because you no longer meet the income requirement, you can reapply later if your circumstances change. There is no penalty for losing coverage and reapplying.

What to do if your provider does not offer these programs

Not all phone and internet providers participate in Lifeline or ACP. If your current provider does not, you have two options: switch to a provider that does, or contact your state's Public Utilities Commission to ask about alternatives in your area.

To find providers that offer Lifeline in your state, visit the FCC's Lifeline page at fcc.gov/lifeline or call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). For ACP, visit fcc.gov/acp to search for participating providers near you. Both websites let you enter your state or zip code and see which companies offer the program.

If you live in a rural area or a place with limited provider options, you may have fewer choices. In that case, contact your state's Public Utilities Commission — they regulate phone and internet service in your state and can tell you what options exist and whether any providers are required to participate in these programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lifeline and ACP at the same time?

Yes, if you use them for different services. You can have Lifeline for your phone bill and ACP for your internet bill at the same time. You cannot use both programs for the same service — for example, you cannot use both Lifeline and ACP to pay for the same internet account.

What if I receive benefits but do not have a physical benefit card?

Providers accept different forms of proof. A recent letter from the agency that provides your benefit — such as Social Security, your state's SNAP office, or your Medicaid program — usually works. You can request a benefit verification letter from the agency if you do not have a card or recent statement.

Do I have to use the same provider for Lifeline or ACP that I use now?

No. You can switch to any provider that participates in either program. If you switch, you must cancel your discount with your old provider before enrolling with the new one. The FCC website lists participating providers in your area.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I enroll?

You are required to report the change when you recertify. If your income is now above the limit, you will lose the discount. You can reapply later if your income drops back below the threshold.

Can someone else in my household enroll if I already have Lifeline?

No. Only one Lifeline discount per household is allowed, even if multiple people live there. For ACP, multiple people can have separate accounts with different providers, but the total benefit across all accounts cannot exceed $30 per month.