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Choose the rule that applies to your household's circumstances.
- Age, veteran status, or unemployment alone does not establish Lifeline eligibility.
- Tribal lands and survivor situations have additional pathways.
- A physical location can sometimes be mapped if you have no standard street address.
Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and housing
These listed programs may qualify you or a dependent. Collect a current program letter or benefits statement if the verifier asks, then apply through the official path.
Seniors, veterans, students, and job seekers
Age, military service, enrollment in school, or unemployment alone does not qualify you. Check a listed program or the household income route. Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit is a qualifying program; other veterans benefits may differ.
Tribal lands and no permanent address
Additional Tribal programs may qualify on eligible Tribal lands. For a nontraditional address, USAC may accept a mapped physical location. Ask the support center for the right approach.
Moving, another Lifeline provider, or keeping your number
Tell your company when your address changes. If changing provider, contact the new provider about transferring the Lifeline benefit; ask SafeLink about a number transfer before cancelling your old service.
Survivors seeking a separate line
The Safe Connections Act creates an emergency Lifeline path for eligible survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, or related crimes. It requires documentation of a line-separation request and has special qualification rules; use USAC's survivor page and a safe device to learn more.
Reviewed September 2026. Rules, offers, and account decisions may change; confirm your next step with the official source.
USAC: Qualifying Pathways ↗