There are two ways to qualify for Lifeline: by income, or by taking part in a qualifying federal program. You only need one of them. This page explains both paths, the income limits, the Tribal programs, and the documents you will need to prove you qualify.
The income path: 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Check the income limit for your household size before you apply.
If your household income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you qualify through income. The guidelines are updated every year, and the limit depends on how many people are in your household. For 2026, the one-person limit is $21,546 per year, and the four-person limit is $44,550 per year. A two-person household has a limit between those two figures, and larger households have higher limits. Your household includes everyone who lives with you at the same address and shares income and expenses, so count carefully before you check the limit.
Income means the money your household receives before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, and other regular income. It does not include every dollar that passes through your hands; for example, a one-time gift is treated differently from regular wages. If you are not sure what counts, gather your tax return or pay stubs and let the National Verifier decide. The Verifier checks your income against the current guidelines for your household size, so you do not need to work out the percentage yourself.
If your income is just above the limit, do not assume you cannot qualify. Check the program path below, because program participation can qualify you even when your income is higher. And if your income has recently fallen — for example, because you lost a job — the documents you provide should reflect your current situation, and the Verifier will consider what you submit. Keep records of any change in income, because you may be asked to show them.
Key figure: 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines is the income test for Lifeline. For 2026, that is $21,546 a year for one person and $44,550 a year for a household of four.
The program path: qualifying federal programs
If you or someone in your household takes part in one of the following programs, you qualify through that program. You only need one qualifying program, and you will need proof of participation, such as a benefit letter or an official program document.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — food assistance for low-income households.
Medicaid — health coverage for people with low income, including many children, parents, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — monthly payments for people with limited income who are aged, blind, or disabled.
Federal Public Housing Assistance — housing help through a public housing agency.
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit — pension benefits for eligible veterans and their survivors.
On qualifying Tribal lands, additional programs count. These include Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and Tribal Head Start for households that meet its income rule. If you live on Tribal lands, check the Tribal list as well as the main list, because you may qualify through a program that is not on the main list.
One program that does not qualify by itself is WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC is a valuable nutrition program, but the federal Lifeline rules do not list it as a qualifying program. If WIC is the only program in your household, you will need to qualify through the income path or through another qualifying program such as SNAP or Medicaid. Many households that receive WIC also receive SNAP or Medicaid, so check those first before you conclude that you do not qualify.
To understand the phone offers that providers make to eligible households, see this free government iphone guide for background — but remember that the official eligibility decision is always made through the National Verifier, not through any website.
Documents checklist
When you apply, the Verifier may ask for documents. Having them ready makes the process faster. You will usually need three kinds of proof.
Proof of identity
A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. The name on your ID should match the name on your application.
Proof of address
A document showing where you live, such as a utility bill, a lease, a mortgage statement, or an official letter sent to your address. The address must match the address on your application.
Proof of income or program participation
For the income path, a prior-year tax return or three months of pay stubs is usually accepted. For the program path, a benefit letter, an award letter, or an official document showing that you take part in the program is usually accepted. Make sure the document is current, that names and dates are clear, and that you keep a copy of everything you submit.
If the Verifier cannot confirm your eligibility automatically, it will ask you to upload these documents. That is a normal part of the process. Upload clear photos or scans, check that nothing is cut off, and wait for the result. If a document is rejected, read the reason carefully and submit a clearer or more recent document.
Household rules and common questions
Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household. A household is a group of people who live together and share income and expenses. A married couple is one household. Roommates who live at the same address but do not share money may count as separate households, but they must be able to show that they are separate. If you share an address with another Lifeline subscriber, you may be asked to explain your household situation.
Children and other dependents are part of your household for income purposes, even if they do not earn money. Their income, if any, counts toward the household total. If a child in your household receives Medicaid or SNAP, that can qualify the household through the program path, because the program participation of any household member can qualify the household.
You must recertify every year. Each year, the Verifier or your provider will ask you to confirm that you still qualify. If your income has risen above the limit, or if you no longer take part in a qualifying program, you must tell your provider, and your discount will end. If you do not recertify, you will lose the discount even if you still qualify, so watch for the recertification notice and respond to it promptly.
For the application steps, see How to Apply, and for answers to the most common questions, see the FAQ page.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC, USAC, or any government agency. Lifeline does not guarantee a free iPhone. Program rules and income limits can change; confirm current details on the official Lifeline websites before you apply.
