Free Government Phone Eligibility
Find out if your household qualifies for a Free Government Phone through Lifeline — by program participation or income.
Ways to qualify for a Free Government Phone
You qualify if you, your dependent, or anyone in your household participates in one of these programs — or meets the income limit.
Federal Public Housing
Public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and project-based rental assistance.
Learn more →Lifeline income limits by household size
Maximum yearly household income (135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, 48 states + DC). Bars show household size.
Source: 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines × 135%. Alaska and Hawaii limits are higher. Limits update yearly — confirm on USAC's Lifeline site.
Qualifying by income
If no one in your household participates in a qualifying program, you can still qualify if your household's total income before taxes is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
You'll need proof, such as a prior year's tax return, three consecutive months of pay stubs, or a Social Security benefits statement. Read the income guide →
Check my eligibilityCommon questions about other programs
Some programs are often mistaken for Lifeline qualifiers. Here's the truth about each.
EBT
EBT is the card used for SNAP. If you get SNAP on an EBT card, you qualify through SNAP.
Learn more →Ready to get your Free Government Phone?
Check eligibility in about two minutes, then apply online. No contracts, no credit checks.