The monthly allowance varies by program and state, but most Lifeline phones come with 500 to 1,500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 2 to 10 GB of data
The Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) work differently. Lifeline provides the phone service itself—a SIM card, a phone number, and a monthly allowance of voice minutes, text messages, and data. ACP provides a monthly subsidy (usually $30 to $75) that you use toward any internet service you choose, including home broadband or mobile hotspot plans.
If you receive a Lifeline phone, what you get each month depends on which carrier operates the program in your state. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets a minimum standard—carriers must offer at least 500 minutes of voice calls per month—but many carriers exceed that. Some offer 1,000 or 1,500 minutes. Text messages are typically unlimited. Data allowances range from 2 GB to 10 GB per month, and some carriers offer more.
These amounts reset on the same date each month. If you do not use your minutes or data, they do not roll over to the next month. Unused allowances are lost.
Key Takeaways
- Lifeline phones typically include 500 to 1,500 voice minutes, unlimited texts, and 2 to 10 GB of data per month, depending on your state and carrier.
- The ACP provides a monthly subsidy ($30 to $75) that you explore toward any broadband service, not a phone service with set allowances.
- Monthly allowances reset on a fixed date and do not carry over if unused.
- Some carriers offer bonus data or minutes during certain months, though these are not may provide and vary by location.
- You can check your remaining minutes, texts, and data through your carrier's website, app, or by calling customer service.
How Lifeline minutes and data work in practice
When you make a call on a Lifeline phone, the minutes are deducted from your monthly allowance in real time. A 10-minute call uses 10 minutes. Text messages do not count against your minute allowance—they are separate and unlimited. Data is measured in gigabytes (GB) and is used whenever you browse the web, stream video, use social media, or read files on a cellular connection.
If you reach your monthly limit before the billing cycle ends, your service does not automatically shut off. Instead, you may be charged overage fees for additional minutes or data, or your service may be slowed to a lower speed. The exact policy depends on your carrier. Some Lifeline carriers offer a "safety net" that prevents overage charges, but you should confirm this with your specific carrier before relying on it.
Data speeds on Lifeline plans are typically standard 4G LTE or 5G, the same as paid plans. You are not given a slower connection because the service is free. However, if you exceed your data limit, some carriers throttle (slow down) your speed rather than charging you extra.
Comparing Lifeline allowances across major carriers
The FCC does not mandate identical allowances across all carriers. Each carrier that participates in Lifeline sets its own offer within the federal minimum. The table below shows what several major Lifeline carriers offered as of early 2024, though these amounts can change and vary by state.
| Carrier | Monthly Minutes | Monthly Data | Text Messages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assurance Wireless (T-Mobile) | 1,000 | 3 GB | Unlimited |
| SafeLink (Verizon) | 500 | 2 GB | Unlimited |
| Q Link Wireless (Sprint) | 1,200 | 3 GB | Unlimited |
| Tracfone Lifeline | 1,200 | 3 GB | Unlimited |
These amounts are examples and may differ in your state or may have changed since publication. Before you choose a Lifeline carrier, ask the provider what their current monthly allowance is in your state. Some carriers also offer promotional bonuses—extra minutes or data for the first few months—though these are temporary and not may provide.
What the Affordable Connectivity Program provides instead
The ACP does not give you a phone or a phone plan. Instead, it provides a monthly subsidy that you use to pay for broadband service at home or on a mobile device. The subsidy amount is $30 per month for most households, or $75 per month for households on tribal lands or with income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line.
You choose which broadband service to buy—cable internet, fiber, DSL, mobile hotspot, or satellite—and the ACP subsidy reduces your bill. If your service costs less than the subsidy, you pay nothing. If it costs more, you pay the difference. You can use the subsidy toward a mobile hotspot plan that includes data, which gives you internet on the go, but the ACP itself does not include voice minutes or text messages.
The ACP subsidy is separate from Lifeline. You can have both at the same time: a Lifeline phone for calls and texts, and an ACP subsidy for broadband or mobile data. However, you cannot use the ACP subsidy to pay for a Lifeline phone plan.
How to check your remaining minutes, data, and texts
Most Lifeline carriers let you check your balance through a website, mobile app, or by calling customer service. Assurance Wireless customers can log into their account online or call 1-888-321-5880. SafeLink customers can check their balance at safelink.com or by calling 1-888-641-9071. Q Link Wireless offers a mobile app and online portal at qlinkwireless.com.
You can also text a code to check your balance—usually something like texting "BAL" to a specific number—though the exact code varies by carrier. When you sign up, your carrier will provide you with instructions on how to check your balance using their preferred method.
Checking your balance does not use your minutes or data. It is a free service. You should check regularly, especially if you use your phone frequently, so you know when you are approaching your monthly limit.
What happens when you run out of minutes or data
If you exhaust your monthly minutes before the billing cycle ends, you cannot make outgoing calls unless you pay for additional minutes out of pocket. Incoming calls may still work, depending on your carrier's policy. Some Lifeline carriers allow you to purchase additional minutes in small increments (usually $5 to $10 for 50 to 100 minutes), while others do not offer this option.
If you run out of data, your internet speed is typically reduced to a very slow rate (often 2G or 3G speeds) rather than being cut off entirely. This allows you to still send messages or load basic web pages, but streaming video or downloading files becomes impractical. Your service returns to normal speed on the first day of your next billing cycle.
Text messages are unlimited on most Lifeline plans, so running out of texts is not a concern. However, if your carrier limits texts (which is rare), the same overage rules explore as for minutes.
Bonus minutes, data, and seasonal offers
Some Lifeline carriers periodically offer bonus minutes or data as a promotional incentive. These might be offered during the first month of service, during the holiday season, or as a reward for paying your bill on time. Bonus allowances are not may provide and vary by carrier and state.
For example, a carrier might offer an extra 500 minutes in December, or an extra 1 GB of data if you maintain active service for three consecutive months. These bonuses are temporary and do not become part of your regular monthly allowance. You should ask your carrier whether they offer any current promotions when you sign up.
The ACP does not offer bonus subsidies. Your monthly subsidy amount remains the same each month unless your income or household status changes, or unless the program itself is modified by Congress or the FCC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Lifeline minutes for international calls?
Most Lifeline carriers do not include international calling in their standard plan. Calls to Canada and Mexico may be available, but calls to other countries typically require you to purchase an international calling add-on or use a separate service. Check with your specific carrier about what countries are covered and what the cost is.
Do I lose my minutes if I do not use them?
Yes. Unused minutes, data, and any bonus allowances expire at the end of each billing cycle and do not roll over to the next month. You start fresh with your full monthly allowance on the first day of the next cycle.
What if I need more data than my plan includes?
If you exceed your data limit, your speed is typically reduced rather than your service being cut off. You can continue using data at a slower speed. Some carriers allow you to purchase additional data for a fee, but this is not standard across all Lifeline providers. Contact your carrier to ask what options are available.
Can I use my ACP subsidy to buy a phone?
No. The ACP subsidy only covers broadband service—internet at home or on a mobile device. It cannot be used to purchase a phone, a phone plan, or voice and text service. If you need a phone, you would need to obtain one separately, either through Lifeline or by purchasing one yourself.
Do I have to use all my minutes and data every month?
No. You can use as little or as much as you need. However, any amount you do not use is lost at the end of the month. There is no penalty for light usage, and you are not required to use a minimum amount to keep your service active.