Lifeline Telephone Service

Lifeline offers a monthly discount of $9.25 on landline or wireless phone services for qualifying low-income individuals. Only one Lifeline service is allowed per household, which is defined as any individual or group living together at the same address as a single economic unit. Applications can be submitted through the current or preferred telephone provider. To find a list of participating phone companies, click on NYS Phone Companies. Eligibility is determined by income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level or participation in assistance programs such as Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), Veteran's Disability or Surviving Spouse Pension, Section 8, etc. The Link-Up America program, which assisted eligible consumers with telephone installation or wireless activation fees, has been discontinued except in specific tribal regions. Intake Procedure: Reach out to your current or preferred phone company.