Lifeline Application Checklist

Before you apply

• Confirm your household hasn't already used its one Lifeline benefit with another provider
• Know which way you'll qualify: income-based, or through a program like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI
• Have your full legal name, date of birth, and current address ready
• Have the last four digits of your Social Security number or Tribal ID number ready
• Have a phone number and email address where we can reach you
• If you plan to keep your current number, have a recent bill from your current carrier handy for porting

Step-by-step checklist

After you apply

You can check where things stand anytime on our application status page. If your device hasn't arrived within the expected window, or if you haven't heard back in over a week, contact support — we're happy to check on it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a nickname instead of your legal name — this can cause a mismatch during verification
• Applying twice with different providers — this can flag your household as a duplicate and slow things down
• Using an outdated benefit letter — most programs want documentation dated within the last 12 months
• Forgetting to check for an existing household benefit — only one Lifeline line is allowed per household

Frequently asked questions