The Lifeline program provides low-income Wisconsin residents affordable access to essential telecommunications services by discounting the cost of phone, cell, and internet services.
How To Get Lifeline
You need to talk to a Lifeline provider. Many, but not all, cellular and traditional telecommunications providers offer Lifeline. Many internet service providers (ISPs) may offer Lifeline, or discounted service like Lifeline.
You must contact a provider that is participating in the Lifeline program.
How much money can I save with Lifeline?
This depends on which type of service(s) you have, but your discount could be up to $18.50 per month. Alternatively, your provider may give you some number of free calls, texts, and broadband per month.
Your service provider can tell you what forms of Lifeline it offers.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible if you participate in one of the following qualifying programs:
- Medicaid
- FoodShare
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal public housing assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
Or, if your income is at or below 135% of the
federal poverty guidelines.
Only one person per household may receive a Lifeline discount, and that person may only receive one discount.
How can I find out if I am eligible?
You can check your eligibility online using on the
FCC Lifeline National Verifier website.
The National Verifier is connected to federal databases and can determine if you are enrolled in a qualifying program listed above. If you do not participate in a qualifying program, you must provide proof that you meet the federal income guidelines. Contact your provider or one of the numbers listed further down the page for assistance.
You may also apply for Lifeline using a paper form which can be downloaded and mailed in.
The Federal Communications Commission recently announced new rules for people who are income-eligible because of recent unemployment due to the pandemic. You may submit:
- A notice of unemployment benefits payment.
-
A notice of a successfully submitted application for unemployment benefits.
All documents submitted must be dated within the last three months.
How to enroll
You must contact a provider that is participating in the Lifeline program.
You can determine your eligibility before you contact the provider, or you can ask them to help you find out if you are eligible.
To
order a hard copy of the Lifeline Brochure, please send an email to
PSCUniversalServiceFund@wisconsin.gov and request the quantity you would like to order.
For additional assistance
Wisconsin Internet & Phone Helpline
(608) 267-3595
Open Monday through Friday, from 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Request an interpreter if you need assistance in a different language.
Federal (USAC) Lifeline Support
(800) 234-9473
Open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
lifelinesupport@usac.org