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Federal Communications Commission - Lifeline

Federal Agency/Bureau
Federal Communications Commission/Wireline Competition Bureau
Program Name
Lifeline
Authorizing Legislation

Communications Act of 1934, as amended

Program Overview

The Lifeline program provides a discount on phone and broadband service for qualifying low-income households to ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that those services bring, including being able to connect to jobs, family, and emergency services.

CFDA

32.003

Type of Funding

Subsidy

Link to application site, NOFO, FOA, or Grants.gov (if different from program website above)
Important Dates (if applicable)

Not Applicable

FY2023 Appropriations Amount

Total Amount: Approximately $610 million was disbursed in Calendar Year 2022 (the FCC’s Universal Service Programs are not funded through appropriations; funding instead comes through contributions collected from providers of interstate and international telecommunications).

Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified): The Lifeline program offers reimbursement to service providers for costs provided to consumers. Approximately 94% of Lifeline subscribers receive some broadband support in their service offering.

Matching Requirement

No

Complementary Federal Funding Option

Lifeline leverages other federal programs’ eligibility determinations by allowing consumers to establish eligibility through participation in any of the following federal programs: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. In addition, persons living on Tribal Lands are eligible if they, or someone in their household, are eligible for BIA General Assistance, Head Start, Tribal TANF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Consumers may use Lifeline participation to establish eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Broadband-related Program Purpose/Eligible Expenditures
If "Other", Program Purpose(s)

Ensuring the availability and affordability of broadband and voice service for low-income consumers, while minimizing the impact on ratepayers.

Speed/Technical Requirement for Broadband Infrastructure

Not Applicable

If "Other", Eligible Recipient(s)

Providers of voice and broadband service, either wireless of wireline, designated as "eligible telecommunications carriers"

Criteria for Eligible Recipients

Consumers are eligible to receive Lifeline if their household income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of their household is eligible to participate in at least one of the following federal programs: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. In addition, persons living on Tribal Lands are eligible if they, or someone in their household, are eligible for BIA General Assistance, Head Start, Tribal TANF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. See: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/

Grant Beneficiaries (if different from eligible recipients)

The intended beneficiaries of this funding are consumers in low-income households.

Publicly-available programmatic data
Contact Information
Additional Information
Updated

March 2023

Funding Guide