Last month, Cindy and I were helping her cousin Dolores go over her budget again. You might remember Dolores from our post about Medicare Savings Programs. She's been doing great, but one bill was still pinching: her phone.
Dolores pays about $45 a month for a basic cell phone plan. It's her lifeline, literally. It's how her doctor's office reaches her, how she calls her daughter in Phoenix, and how she'd call for help if she fell. "I can't give it up," she said. "But $45 is a lot."
Well, folks, if you qualify for help with Medicare costs, you may also qualify for a program called Lifeline. So we looked it up together.
What is the Lifeline program?
Lifeline is a federal program that gives a monthly discount on phone service, internet service, or a bundle of both for households with limited income. According to the official Lifeline website, the standard discount is up to $9.25 a month. On qualifying Tribal lands, it can be up to $34.25 a month.
That may not sound like much, but $9.25 a month is $111 a year. And some phone companies that take part in Lifeline offer low-cost plans where the discount covers a big share of the bill.
Who qualifies for Lifeline?
In plain words, there are two ways to qualify. You can qualify by program, if you already get SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or a Veterans Pension. Or you can qualify by income, if your household income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The official site's how to qualify page has the current details.
Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household, so you can have it on a phone or on internet service, but not both.
How do I apply for Lifeline?
Here are the steps in words. Check whether you're eligible at lifelinesupport.org. Gather proof, like a Medicaid or SNAP benefit letter or income papers. Apply online or by mail. Then choose a phone or internet company that takes part in Lifeline, and confirm exactly what your final monthly bill will be.
If you live in Oregon or Texas, the official site will point you to your state's own application.
What happened to the internet discount program?
You may remember the Affordable Connectivity Program, which gave many households a bigger discount on internet service. That program ran out of money and ended in 2024. Lifeline is a separate, older program, and it's still available. If you lost your internet discount when that program ended, it's worth checking whether Lifeline can help now.
Some internet companies also offer their own low-cost plans for households that get SNAP or other benefits. Ask your provider directly.
What should I watch out for?
Start at the official site, not with an ad or a table at a shopping center promising "free phones for everyone." Some offers are legitimate phone companies, but the ad isn't the program. Never pay a fee to apply. Before you switch, ask the company about coverage where you live, data limits, and whether you can keep your current phone number. And don't cancel your old service until your new one is working.
You'll also need to renew, or recertify, every year. Watch for that notice so you don't lose the discount.
What Dolores saved
Dolores qualified right away based on her income. Her current carrier didn't take part in Lifeline, but a participating company offered a plan with plenty of talk and text for her needs. After the discount, her bill dropped to about $15 a month, and she kept her phone number. That's around $360 a year back in her budget.
If your budget is tight in other places too, take a look at our guides on getting help with heating bills and canceling streaming services you don't watch.
Did you know about Lifeline before today? Share this with someone who might qualify, and tell us in the comments if you have questions, folks.
