Income-Based Eligibility
Your household is eligible for Lifeline service if your total household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, which vary depending on the size of your household. The definition of a "household" is anyone living at an address (including children, relatives, people not related to you, etc.) who share income and household expenses.
For 2023, the following income amounts represent 135% of the federal poverty guidelines:
| Persons in Household | Annual Income |
| 1 | $19,683 |
| 2 | $26,622 |
| 3 | $33,561 |
| 4 | $40,500 |
| 5 | $47,439 |
| 6 | $54,378 |
| 7 | $61,317 |
| 8 | $68,256 |
| For each additional person, add | $6,939 |
Each year the income-eligibility requirements for the Lifeline Program may change. You may be required to complete the provider’s household worksheet to help determine your household’s total income.
Program-Based Eligibility
Your household is eligible 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 (Section 8)
- Certain Federally-Recognized/State Tribal Assistance Programs
- Veteran's Pension or Survivor's Pension benefit
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Poverty Guidelines