How do I qualify for the Lifeline Program?
According to the Lifeline program, a household is defined as "any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses." You may be eligible if you live at an address that consists of multiple households, such as a nursing home or homeless shelter.
Eligibility for Lifeline varies by State, however, eligibility can be easily determined if you meet ONE of the two qualification criteria below.
You participate in a government assistance program
(Select your State below to see programs.)
Your total household income meets your State's Federal Poverty Guidelines
Select your State below to see income chart.)
Select your State to determine your eligibility for Lifeline:
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MARYLAND
1. MARYLAND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
You may qualify for Lifeline if you participate in one of the following government programs:
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
2. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
You may also be eligible for Lifeline if your total household income is at or below your states Federal Poverty Guidelines. Federal guidelines may vary by state. Refer to the chart below to see your states income guidelines and see if you qualify.
The amounts listed in the chart below shows the maximum total household income you can earn in order to be eligible for Lifeline. Your income must be at or below the guidelines to qualify.
Household Size 48 Contiguous States, DC, & Territories Alaska Hawaii 1 person $17,388 $21,722 $20,007 2 people $23,517 $29,390 $27,054 3 people $29,646 $37,058 $34,101 4 people $35,775 $44,726 $41,148 5 people $41,904 $52,394 $48,195 6 people $48,033 $60,062 $55,242 7 people $54,162 $67,730 $62,289 8 people $60,291 $75,398 $69,336 For each additional person, add $6,129 $7,668 $7,047 Note: The Federal Poverty Guidelines are adjusted annually, and the above chart reflects guidelines for 2021.
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ARKANSAS
1. ARKANSAS GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
You may qualify for Lifeline if you participate in one of the following government programs:
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
2. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
You may also be eligible for Lifeline if your total household income is at or below your states Federal Poverty Guidelines. Federal guidelines may vary by state. Refer to the chart below to see your states income guidelines and see if you qualify.
The amounts listed in the chart below shows the maximum total household income you can earn in order to be eligible for Lifeline. Your income must be at or below the guidelines to qualify.
Household Size 48 Contiguous States, DC, & Territories Alaska Hawaii 1 person $17,388 $21,722 $20,007 2 people $23,517 $29,390 $27,054 3 people $29,646 $37,058 $34,101 4 people $35,775 $44,726 $41,148 5 people $41,904 $52,394 $48,195 6 people $48,033 $60,062 $55,242 7 people $54,162 $67,730 $62,289 8 people $60,291 $75,398 $69,336 For each additional person, add $6,129 $7,668 $7,047 Note: The Federal Poverty Guidelines are adjusted annually, and the above chart reflects guidelines for 2021.
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RHODE ISLAND
1. RHODE ISLAND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
You may qualify for Lifeline if you participate in one of the following government programs:
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
2. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
You may also be eligible for Lifeline if your total household income is at or below your states Federal Poverty Guidelines. Federal guidelines may vary by state. Refer to the chart below to see your states income guidelines and see if you qualify.
The amounts listed in the chart below shows the maximum total household income you can earn in order to be eligible for Lifeline. Your income must be at or below the guidelines to qualify.
Household Size 48 Contiguous States, DC, & Territories Alaska Hawaii 1 person $17,388 $21,722 $20,007 2 people $23,517 $29,390 $27,054 3 people $29,646 $37,058 $34,101 4 people $35,775 $44,726 $41,148 5 people $41,904 $52,394 $48,195 6 people $48,033 $60,062 $55,242 7 people $54,162 $67,730 $62,289 8 people $60,291 $75,398 $69,336 For each additional person, add $6,129 $7,668 $7,047 Note: The Federal Poverty Guidelines are adjusted annually, and the above chart reflects guidelines for 2021.
-
MAINE
1. MAINE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
You may qualify for Lifeline if you participate in one of the following government programs:
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid (including expanded Maine Medicaid)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
2. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
You may also be eligible for Lifeline if your total household income is at or below your states Federal Poverty Guidelines. Federal guidelines may vary by state. Refer to the chart below to see your states income guidelines and see if you qualify.
The amounts listed in the chart below shows the maximum total household income you can earn in order to be eligible for Lifeline. Your income must be at or below the guidelines to qualify.
Household Size 48 Contiguous States, DC, & Territories Alaska Hawaii 1 person $17,388 $21,722 $20,007 2 people $23,517 $29,390 $27,054 3 people $29,646 $37,058 $34,101 4 people $35,775 $44,726 $41,148 5 people $41,904 $52,394 $48,195 6 people $48,033 $60,062 $55,242 7 people $54,162 $67,730 $62,289 8 people $60,291 $75,398 $69,336 For each additional person, add $6,129 $7,668 $7,047 Note: The Federal Poverty Guidelines are adjusted annually, and the above chart reflects guidelines for 2021.
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WEST VIRGINIA
1. WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
You may qualify for Lifeline if you participate in one of the following government programs:
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
2. TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME
You may also be eligible for Lifeline if your total household income is at or below your states Federal Poverty Guidelines. Federal guidelines may vary by state. Refer to the chart below to see your states income guidelines and see if you qualify.
The amounts listed in the chart below shows the maximum total household income you can earn in order to be eligible for Lifeline. Your income must be at or below the guidelines to qualify.
Household Size 48 Contiguous States, DC, & Territories Alaska Hawaii 1 person $17,388 $21,722 $20,007 2 people $23,517 $29,390 $27,054 3 people $29,646 $37,058 $34,101 4 people $35,775 $44,726 $41,148 5 people $41,904 $52,394 $48,195 6 people $48,033 $60,062 $55,242 7 people $54,162 $67,730 $62,289 8 people $60,291 $75,398 $69,336 For each additional person, add $6,129 $7,668 $7,047 Note: The Federal Poverty Guidelines are adjusted annually, and the above chart reflects guidelines for 2021.