Lifeline

Lifeline is a government assistance program that offers discounts to qualified low-income customers for their phone or internet services.

Lifeline is available for qualifying residents who have Verizon home phone or Fios internet service  in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington, DC. Lifeline is also available to qualifying mobile customers in Iowa, New York, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Visit the mobile Lifeline/Link Up Program Availability & Application page for more information.

Lifeline is available to qualifying customers with the following Verizon services:

• Verizon home phone and Fios internet service*.
• Verizon customers who are approved for Lifeline and apply it to a qualifying  Fios Home Internet plan, will also automatically qualify for the Verizon Forward discount program.

*Learn more about Verizon Forward for Fios Home Internet service.

Here are the ways you can qualify for Lifeline:

• Income-based
  • See the USAC Lifeline support page for information about income and household size.
• Participation in a Federal assistance program.
  • See the USAC Lifeline support page about which Federal programs qualify.
• New York residents who don’t participate in an eligible Federal program may qualify if they participate in certain New York state programs, including:
  • The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • National School Lunch Program’s free school lunch
• Apply as a survivor.
  • Learn more on the dedicated FCC website.

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.

Only 1 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.

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.

Other providers may use terms other than “Lifeline” to describe the Lifeline assistance program. If you are receiving the Lifeline benefit from another provider, you must consent to 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. Review the information in the Connecticut, New York or “other states” sections for a full list of programs and accepted documents. You may also qualify with verification of eligibility in a state government database.

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.

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.

Connecticut residents must apply using the CT paper form and send it via US mail.

Apply through the US mail:

1. Download and print the CT Lifeline application you need.
   1. Application for Residential Lifeline Service (CT) - English PDF.
   2. Application for Residential Lifeline Service (CT) - Spanish (PDF).
2. Review the program service detail information:
   1. Service Detail Information - English (PDF)
   2. Service Detail Information - Spanish (PDF)
3. Complete the application form(s), print and return by mail.
   1. Include the documentation required on the form.
   2. Don't send original documents, as they won’t be returned.

Good to know: If you are approved for the Lifeline Discount, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If your application isn’t approved, you will receive an email or a paper letter by mail.

Connecticut residents, mail your application to:

Verizon Lifeline Services
P.O. Box 16805
Newark, NJ 07101-6805

Good to know: Connecticut customers only - If you prefer to fax your information, fax your Lifeline application with the required official documents to Verizon at 877-306-2190.

If you’re approved for Lifeline and apply it to a qualifying Home phone or Home Internet plan, you’ll automatically receive the Verizon Forward discount. Learn more about Verizon Forward for Fios Home Internet service.

If you reside in New York and are receiving Federal benefits from:

Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension, Veterans Survivors Benefit or 1 of the 4 tribal programs, you can apply online or through the mail.

Apply online:

1. Visit the Lifeline website.
2. Select Get Started
3. Fill out the online application.
4. Follow the steps, including creating an online National Verifier Consumer account.
5. Once the Lifeline National Verifier has approved your Lifeline eligibility, contact us at 1-800-Verizon (800-837-4966) to begin receiving your Lifeline discount.

Apply through the US mail:

1. Download and print the Lifeline application
   1. Lifeline Application - English (PDF)
   2. Lifeline Application - Spanish (PDF)
2. Review the program service detail information:
   1. Service Detail Information for NY- English (PDF)
   2. Service Detail Information NY - Spanish (PDF)
3. Complete the form, print and return it by mail.
   1. Include the documentation required on the form.
   2. Don"t send original documents, as they won’t be returned.

Mail completed application to:

USAC

Lifeline Support Center

P.O. Box 1000

Horseheads, NY 14845

If you reside in New York and are receiving NY state benefits from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the National School Lunch Program’s free school lunch, you may qualify for Lifeline.

Apply through the US mail:

1. Call Verizon at 800-837-4966 and request a New York State Program Lifeline application.
2. Complete your New York State Program Lifeline application.
3. Include the documentation required on the form.
   1. Don't send original documents, as they won’t be returned.
4. Mail to the return address listed on the completed form.

Good to know: If you are approved for the Lifeline Discount, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If your application isn’t approved, you will receive an email or a paper letter by mail.

If you’re approved for Lifeline and apply it to a qualifying Fios Home Internet plan, you’ll automatically receive the Verizon Forward discount. Learn more about Verizon Forward for Fios Home Internet service.

Lifeline is also available for qualifying residents in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, NewJersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington, DC.

Apply online:

1. Visit the Lifeline website. 
2. Select Get Started
3. Fill out the online application.
4. Follow the steps, including the creation of an online National Verifier Consumer account.
5. Once the Lifeline National Verifier has approved your Lifeline eligibility, contact us at 1-800-Verizon and begin receiving your Lifeline discount.

Apply through the US mail:

1. Download and print the Lifeline application for your state (see table below).
2. Use the instructions for your state to guide you through filling out your application.
3. Complete the form, print and return it by mail.
4. Include the documentation required on the form.
   1. Don"t send original documents, as they won’t be returned.

Application forms and instructions: