Lifeline & the "free government phone" question

You've probably seen ads for a "free government phone" or a "$30 internet discount." Some of that is real, some of it ended, and some of it is a scam. Here's the honest version.

Two programs. One is over.

Active

Lifeline

A federal program that gives $9.25/month off your phone or internet bill — $34.25/month if you live on qualifying Tribal lands.

• Run by the FCC and USAC
• You apply through a participating carrier
• You can check eligibility at lifelinesupport.org
• It is free to apply. Always.

Ended June 1, 2024

ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program)

This was a $30/month internet discount plus a one-time device credit. It ran out of funding and ended on June 1, 2024. 23 million households lost the benefit.

• The FCC has warned about sites still advertising it
• If a site says you can "sign up for ACP," it is outdated or misleading
• There is no current replacement program

⚠️ How to spot a scam

There are many websites that look official but exist to collect your information or charge you for something that should be free. The FCC has issued a consumer advisory about this.

🚩 Red flags

• Asks you to pay a fee to apply — Lifeline is free
• Asks for your full Social Security number on a website
• Promises a "free phone" with no eligibility check
• Uses a URL that looks government-ish but isn't .gov
• Pressures you to "act now" or "claim your benefit"
• Advertises the ACP as if it's still available

✅ What's legitimate

• lifelinesupport.org — the official USAC site
• A known carrier's own Lifeline page (Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.)
• A local nonprofit that helps you apply for free
• 211 — they can connect you to a local enrollment helper
• Any service that never asks for money or your SSN

How to apply for Lifeline

1

Check if you qualify

You qualify if your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if you participate in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
2

Choose a carrier

Lifeline is offered by many phone and internet companies. You can find participating carriers in your area at lifelinesupport.org.
3

Apply through the carrier

The carrier will verify your eligibility and enroll you. You'll need to provide proof of eligibility (like a benefits letter) and a form of ID. This is free.
4

Use it every month

To keep your Lifeline benefit, you must use your service at least once every 30 days.

Need help applying?

Call the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473 (press 1 for English). You can also dial 211 and ask for a local organization that helps with Lifeline enrollment.

What we do — and don't do

✅ We do

• Tell you the truth about what programs exist
• Link you to the official, legitimate resources
• Help you understand the eligibility rules
• Connect you with local organizations that can help

❌ We don't

• Enroll you in Lifeline or any program
• Charge you any fee for anything
• Take your Social Security number or documents
• Accept money from carriers or providers
• Recommend one company over another

If someone asks you to pay for help applying for Lifeline, that's a scam. Walk away.

Other ways to get help with phone & internet

211 — dial 211 for local help with phone, internet, and other needs
Your local library — many libraries help people apply for Lifeline and other benefits
Community action agencies — they often have staff who help with benefit enrollment
Your carrier's own website — search for "[carrier name] Lifeline" to find their official page

Sources

Base Impact, Inc. is a Florida non-profit corporation in formation. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status application pending.