Check your eligibility for the Lifeline Program

You may qualify for the Lifeline Program in one of three ways: through income eligibility, program eligibility, or Survivor eligibility.

Income Eligibility

Your household qualifies for Lifeline if your total income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The income limit depends on how many people live in your household.  A “household” includes everyone who lives at the same address and shares income and expenses. This can include children, relatives, and people who are not related to you.

For 2026, the following income amounts represent 135% of the federal poverty guidelines:

Persons in Household	Annual Income
1	$21,546
2	$29,214
3	$36,882
4	$44,550
5	$52,218
6	$59,886
7	$67,554
8	$75,222
For each additional person, add	$7,668

You may be required to complete a Household Worksheet as part of the Lifeline application process to help determine your household’s total income.

Program Eligibility

Your household qualifies for Lifeline service if a member participates in one of the following federal assistance programs:

• Medicaid (MassHealth is the Massachusetts Medicaid Program)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Certain Federally-Recognized/State Tribal Assistance Programs
• Veteran's Pension or Survivor's Pension benefit

Survivor Eligibility 

Under the Safe Connections Act, survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes who are experiencing financial hardship may qualify to receive emergency Lifeline support for up to six months if they pursue a line separation request. Qualifying survivors can receive a discount of up to $9.25 on phone, internet, or bundled services. Visit the Lifeline Support Center to learn more about the Survivor Benefit.

Additional Resources

The Lifeline Support Center offers additional eligibility information. You can begin the application process online through the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline Application Portal.