Lifeline

Lifeline is a government assistance program that offers discounts to qualified low-income customers.

Verizon offers Lifeline plans for home phone service and Fios Home Internet service. 

Wireless customers in Iowa, New York, North Dakota, and Wisconsin learn about discounted wireless lifeline program phone service. 

Three Steps to Qualify for the Lifeline discount:

  1. Check to see if you or someone in your household qualifies for the Lifeline discount.
  2. Apply – Receive the fastest eligibility decision by applying online with the Lifeline National Verifier or you can also download the paper application and return it by mail, along with proof of eligibility (note: the paper application typically takes 1-2 weeks for eligibility decision).  Customers in Connecticut must use a paper application.
  3. Contact Us - Once your Lifeline eligibility has been approved by the Lifeline National Verifier, contact us at 1-800-Verizon to select your service and begin receiving your Lifeline discount. Learn more about reduced rates for Fios Home Internet service.

If you qualify for the Lifeline discount service, you are eligible to receive a reduced rate on your Verizon monthly bill. Qualifications for the Lifeline discount program vary by state. Only eligible customers may enroll.

Toll blocking is available at no charge to Lifeline customers. Some states also provide a discount on the cost of installing new home phone service to customers living on Tribal lands.

Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household, not per person, and a household is not permitted to receive multiple Lifeline benefits from multiple providers.

Lifeline service is a non-transferable benefit.

Other providers may use terms other than “Lifeline” to describe the Lifeline assistance program. If you are receiving a discount from another provider, you are not eligible for the Lifeline discount with Verizon unless you transfer your Lifeline benefit to Verizon.

Customers qualifying for a Lifeline discount will be required to provide proof of participation in an eligible program, or proof that your income is at or below the established guidelines. See below for a full list of programs and accepted documents. You may also qualify with verification of eligibility in a state government database.

Customers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit may be punished by de-enrollment, fine or imprisonment, or may be barred from the program.

To see if you qualify for the Lifeline program or to obtain an application, please see the list below. The “ Lifeline Service Details ” will give you additional information and the application will enable you to apply for the discount on your home phone or internet service.

The Lifeline application is reviewed and approved by the Lifeline National Verifier.

After you’ve been approved for the Lifeline program, Verizon is required to verify 1) that you are not already receiving the Lifeline benefit from another wireline, wireless or broadband service provider and 2) your identity, based on your full name, date of birth and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.

Here Are The Ways You Can Qualify For Lifeline:

Lifeline Applications

To expedite the approval process, customers may apply online at: https://getinternet.gov/apply?id=nv_home

Or select your state and click to download and print a paper application:

DC, DE, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA

 

CT

 

Instructions for completing the Lifeline application

 

  • Regardless of the state in which you reside, if you qualify through your income, include a photocopy of an official document or documents. See below for the full list of accepted income documents. Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned.
  • If you qualify through a government program, include a photocopy of an official document from the program you are qualifying through that includes the following:
    • Your name or the name of the qualifying person
    • The name of the qualifying program, such as SNAP
    • An issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date that aligns with the benefit period
    • The government or Tribal program administrator or the managed care organization (MCO) that issued the document
    • See below for the full list of accepted documents. Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned.
  • If you reside in New York and are receiving benefits from:
    • Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension, Veterans Survivors Benefit or one of the 4 tribal programs, you need to return the Lifeline application and official documents as proof. 
    • The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or National School Lunch Program’s free school lunch, you need to call 1 800 VERIZON 1.800.837.4966 and request a New York State Program Lifeline application. After you complete the application, you’ll need to return it with official documentation to the Verizon address on the application.  See below for the full list of accepted documents. Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned.
  • If you reside in Connecticut, return the Lifeline application with the official documents to:

    Verizon Lifeline Services
    P.O. Box 16805
    Newark, NJ 07101-6805
    CT customers only - If you prefer to fax your information, please fax your Lifeline application with the required official documents to Verizon at 1.877.306.2190.

  • If you reside in Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Delaware, Washington D.C., Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia return the Lifeline application with official documents to:

    USAC
    Lifeline Support Center
    P.O. Box 1000
    Horseheads, NY 14845

Proof documents (if required)

 

  • SNAP – award letter, pay or benefit statement
  • Medicaid – award letter
  • SSI – federal Social Security Administration SSI award letter, pay or benefit statement
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) – award letter, lease agreement or benefit statement
  • Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
    • pension grant letter listing the name, address and monthly payment
    • Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) letter
    • survivors benefit summary letter listing the beneficiary name, address and monthly payment
  • Tribal Land (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York)
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance award letter
    • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families award letter
    • Tribal Head Start letter listing the name of the child who participates
    • Food Distribution Program award letter from an Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) or another state agency
  • Income
    • prior year’s state, federal or Tribal tax return
    • current income statement from an employer
    • paycheck stub (see note below for requirement)
    • Social Security statement of benefits
    • Veterans Administration statement of benefits
    • retirement or pension statement of benefits
    • unemployment statement of benefits
    • workers’ compensation statement of benefits
    • federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
    • divorce decree, child support award
    • other official document containing income information
      Note: If providing a paycheck stub as proof and it does not cover a full year, you must show documentation for three consecutive months within the previous 12 months
  • New York State Lifeline Program
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (New York only) – benefit statement
    • National School Lunch Program’s free school lunch (New York only) - benefit statement
    • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (New York only) – benefit statement
What is the Lifeline Discount program?

Lifeline is a government assistance program that offers discounts to qualified low-income customers.

Need more support?