Lifeline internet service: check eligibility and provider terms

Lifeline can lower the cost of eligible internet service. A household can use one Lifeline benefit for an eligible service; a phone and internet search does not create two separate household benefits.

Start with eligibility

Use the federal checker to review a qualifying program or income basis, then follow the official application instructions. A possible basis is an estimate, not an approval or a service offer.

Then check the actual plan

Ask a participating company whether it offers Lifeline-supported internet at your address. Confirm the monthly price after the discount, equipment charges, installation terms, speed, data allowance, and any service conditions. The checker does not verify an address or a company’s network.

Wi-Fi is not an eligibility category

Wi-Fi describes a way devices connect to a local network. A Lifeline eligibility match does not promise free home Wi-Fi, a router, unlimited data, or a particular broadband plan.

Use the official provider directory

USAC’s Companies Near Me page explains how to search by ZIP code or city and state. Its results may not include every company, so confirm participation and current availability directly.