Lifeline Income Limits (2026)

How income-based eligibility works

Lifeline uses the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as its income yardstick. A household qualifies for Lifeline if its total gross income is at or below 135% of the FPG for its household size. You don't need to qualify through income if you already participate in a qualifying program like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI — see our who qualifies guide for the full list.

2026 income limits by household size

The table below shows the 2026 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., effective January 13, 2026. Figures are annual gross income unless noted.

For each additional person beyond 8, add approximately $5,680/year at 100% FPG, or about $7,668/year at the 135% Lifeline threshold.

Alaska & Hawaii guidelines

Alaska and Hawaii use separate, higher poverty guidelines to reflect their higher cost of living. For a single-person household, Alaska's 2026 guideline is $19,950 (135% ≈ $26,933/year), and Hawaii's is $18,360 (135% ≈ $24,786/year). For a household of four, Alaska's guideline is $41,250 (135% ≈ $55,688/year), and Hawaii's is $37,950 (135% ≈ $51,233/year). If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, use our eligibility checker or contact us for figures at your specific household size.

What counts as income

Most federal benefit programs count gross income — income before taxes and other deductions — from every household member. This generally includes:

• Wages, salaries, tips, and self-employment income
• Social Security benefits (retirement, disability, and survivor benefits)
• Unemployment compensation
• Pension and retirement income
• Alimony and regular support payments

Certain benefits, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in some contexts, may be treated differently depending on the program. If you're unsure how a specific source of income counts, our application specialists can walk through it with you.

How to verify your income

When you apply, the National Verifier may ask for documentation showing your household income, such as:

• Prior year's state, federal, or Tribal tax return
• Three consecutive current pay stubs
• A current Social Security or Veterans Administration statement of benefits
• A current unemployment or workers' compensation statement

See our full required documents guide for the complete list, and our National Verifier guide for what happens after you submit.

Frequently asked questions