Lifeline Eligibility in 2026
You may qualify through an accepted assistance program, household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or—if applicable—the separate Safe Connections Act survivor-benefit rules.
Standard program-based eligibility
You can qualify if you or a child/dependent in your household participates in one of the standard federal qualifying programs below.
- Medicaid
- SNAP / EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
Additional Tribal-program pathways
For households on qualifying Tribal lands, the following programs can also qualify.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Head Start, when the household meets the income-qualifying standard
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
135% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines
USAC publishes separate limits for the contiguous states/DC/territories, Alaska and Hawaii.
| Household size | 48 states, DC & territories | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,546 | $26,933 | $24,786 |
| 2 | $29,214 | $36,518 | $33,602 |
| 3 | $36,882 | $46,103 | $42,417 |
| 4 | $44,550 | $55,688 | $51,233 |
| 5 | $52,218 | $65,273 | $60,048 |
| 6 | $59,886 | $74,858 | $68,864 |
| 7 | $67,554 | $84,443 | $77,679 |
| 8 | $75,222 | $94,028 | $86,495 |
| Each additional person | +$7,668 | +$9,585 | +$8,816 |
WIC and Pell Grant: important exception
WIC and a Federal Pell Grant are not standard Lifeline qualifying programs by themselves. They can be used under the separate Safe Connections Act survivor benefit for qualifying survivors, which has its own financial-hardship rules and temporary emergency support.
The survivor benefit also has an expanded income pathway at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and additional qualifying programs. Use USAC's Survivor Benefit page for those rules.
Check whether you may qualify
This educational checker covers the standard federal Lifeline pathways. USAC makes the official eligibility decision.
Documents USAC may request
USAC may verify eligibility automatically or ask for documents. The exact document depends on whether you qualify by program, income, identity or address.
- Program participation letter or official benefits document
- Tax return, income statement or other accepted income proof
- Identity or address documentation when requested
Eligibility does not guarantee an iPhone
After eligibility is confirmed, you still choose a participating provider. The provider controls whether it offers a free phone, discounted iPhone, paid device or BYOD option. Model, price, fees, condition, shipping and stock can vary.
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