Lifeline phone service is a government-funded program that gives people access to the internet and telephone services. The phone can be in the form of a cellular device or landline. It is available to qualified families and individuals across the United States.
Location
States have different qualifying factors, and each household is limited to one account. When two or more households reside at the same address, all parties can get lifeline phone service if they meet the government standards. Some examples of individuals that share addresses but might be considered separate households are people that live in nursing facilities or homeless shelters.
Eligibility
Various regions have different qualifying standards. In most cases, a household must either meet the income level or be enrolled in certain assistance programs, such as Medicaid. Some families with children enrolled in Head Start can get access to the phones if they meet the income requirements. Native Americans in food assistance programs can apply too.
Income
The government sets the income levels. A person or household must fall into a low-income bracket, but it also depends on how many people are in a household. The government defines a household as a group of people that live at the same residence and access shared money and debt.
Services
Lifeline cellular plans include voicemail and text messaging. These services help people stay in touch with friends, school, and work. Through the internet connection, families can share socially without having to travel or meet face to face.
