The Lifeline assistance program began its life back in 1985 as a way to bring affordable phone service into more American homes. Today the program still can be applied to home phones but the birth of the internet and the rise of smartphones has extended the program’s scope a bit. These days Lifeline’s main focus is on providing internet access to Americans who would struggle to afford it otherwise.
The program provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy for broadband support, which can be applied to either a mobile phone plan or a traditional ISP plan. To qualify for Lifeline your household income must be at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. You can also qualify with even less fuss if at least one person in your household participates in one of the following programs: Snap, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. To apply for the program you’ll want to check out Lifeline’s official website.