Lifeline is a government program that makes low-cost phone and broadband Internet service more accessible to low-income Americans. It discounts subscribers eligible monthly telephone service, broadband Internet, and voice-broadband packages. Qualifying for Lifeline is simple. You can qualify if you meet income requirements or participate in an eligible assistance program.
How do I recertify?
You must undergo a yearly lifeline recertification process to keep your benefit active. You can renew your service by phone, online, or by mail. When your service is about to expire, you will receive a letter or text from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) with instructions on how to recertify. You have 60 days from the date on this letter to recertify your eligibility. You may lose your free or discounted Lifeline service if you do not recertify by the deadline. Your benefit may be turned off, or your monthly bill may increase. You can recertify by submitting proof of your eligibility, such as a statement of help from a government assistance program or an income tax return. You can also provide an official document showing that your total household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines for your state.
In most cases, USAC can verify your eligibility through an automated database. If they cannot, they will send you a form that asks for proof of your continued eligibility, and you must respond to this notice within 60 days. During this process, you will receive up to three robocalls and a reminder postcard from USAC if you have a mobile device with both Lifeline and ACP benefits. You will also be able to complete your renewal over the phone using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, which will take about 10 minutes.
What happens if I don’t recertify?
The government requires income-driven repayment (IDR) plan borrowers to recertify their loan information annually. This process is essential for ensuring you’re on the best plan for your financial situation and goals. Failure to recertify on time can have several consequences, including interest capitalization on your student loans. This means any unpaid interest will be added to the principal balance of your loans, which can add up quickly. This could increase your monthly payments and reduce the money you’ll save over time by qualifying for public service loan forgiveness. In addition, if you need to remember to recertify your family size, your servicer will assume that you have a family size of one, which can increase your payment amount or make it harder for you to qualify for student loan forgiveness. This can also make it harder to qualify for the program, which is only for those with meager incomes. Another important reason to recertify is that it allows you to request an immediate payment adjustment if you’ve had a significant change in your financial situation. For example, if you’ve lost your job or had a child, you can request a lower payment immediately. Your servicer will let you know when your recertification paperwork is due, so it’s a good idea to complete the process early on, even months before the actual deadline. This will ensure that you arrive on time on your student loan-related taxes and get everything that needs to be submitted to your servicer on time.
How do I know if I’m recertified?
If you’ve been receiving SNAP benefits, your local SNAP office will send you a recertification packet several weeks before your certification period ends. This packet will have detailed instructions on how to recertify. You will need to update your address and income information during the process. If your information changes significantly, your SNAP office may also require you to complete an interview. Once you have recertified, your case will be updated in the system, and you’ll start getting SNAP benefits again. If you still need to receive your recertification packet, contact your SNAP office and ask for one.
How long do I qualify for Lifeline?
Lifeline is a subsidy program for low-income consumers to help them afford telecommunications services, including phone and Internet. It is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Consumers qualify for Lifeline assistance based on their income or participation in a government-sponsored benefit, such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance, or Tribal benefits. Generally, household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Lifeline discount is offered by authorized telephone service providers that partner with the USAC to provide discounted telecommunications plans for customers. Many of these companies also offer enhanced service plans to their Lifeline customers at a reduced cost. Consumers can keep their landline or wireless phone number with a Lifeline plan. However, consumers must use their Lifeline benefit within 30 days, or it will be terminated. A customer can enroll in a Lifeline discount for a maximum of one phone line and one broadband service per household. This is a non-transferable benefit.
