How many Lifeline phones can one household get?

The basic rule

Your household can have only one Lifeline discount phone service. This applies whether you get a phone plan, internet service, or both through the program.

Lifeline (also called the Lifeline Program) is a federal program that helps eligible low-income people afford phone and internet service.

When you might qualify for more than one

A few situations may allow more than one Lifeline service per household:

• If someone in your household uses a different phone carrier than another household member, you may each get one Lifeline discount
• If you switch phone companies, you may temporarily have two active services while one is being shut down
• Some states or carriers may have different rules, so check with your local program

How it's enforced

Lifeline carriers check to make sure you don't get duplicates. They verify your information and look for multiple services in the same household. If you're found to have two Lifeline services, one or both will be canceled.

What to do next

Apply for Lifeline by contacting participating phone companies or internet providers. You can find providers and apply at lifelinesupport.org. Applying is free.

You'll need to prove you qualify based on income or receiving certain government benefits. Only the Lifeline program decides if you're eligible.

If you already have Lifeline service and want to switch to a different carrier, contact your current provider to cancel before applying with a new one.