If you live in Pennsylvania and get SNAP, Medical Assistance (Medicaid), SSI, federal housing help, or a Veterans Pension, you can likely get Lifeline. You may also qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. In 2026, that’s $44,550 a year for a family of four.
Lifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off a phone or internet plan, and many companies in Pennsylvania use it to offer cell service at no monthly cost. Below, you’ll find the 2026 income limits, the companies that serve Pennsylvania, and how to apply step by step.
| Topic | Pennsylvania Lifeline at a glance |
|---|---|
| Monthly discount | Up to $9.25 for internet or talk-and-data plans; $5.25 for voice-only plans |
| Who qualifies | People on SNAP, Medical Assistance, SSI, federal public housing aid, or Veterans Pension — or with income at or below 135% of poverty guidelines |
| Limit | One Lifeline benefit per household |
| How to apply | Online, by mail, or through a Lifeline phone company |
| Cost to apply | Free |
What Is the Lifeline Program in Pennsylvania?
Lifeline is a federal benefit that lowers the monthly cost of phone service, internet service, or a bundle of both. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees it, and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) runs it day to day. If you’re new to the program, start with our guide to what the Lifeline program is.
The Pennsylvania PUC doesn’t approve applications. It does publish lists of Lifeline companies, answer questions, and take informal complaints.
How much the discount is worth
- $9.25 a month for internet service or a plan with both talk and data. Most cell phone plans fall into this group.
- $5.25 a month for a voice-only plan (calls, but no data). The PUC notes that support for voice-only service may end as of December 1, 2027.
- Tribal benefit: Lifeline pays up to $34.25 a month on qualifying Tribal lands. Pennsylvania has no federally recognized tribes or reservations, so this higher amount generally doesn’t apply here. See our Tribal Lifeline guide.
Who Qualifies for Lifeline in Pennsylvania?
There are two ways to qualify: through a benefit program or through your income. You only need to meet one.
Qualify through a benefit program
You qualify if you, your child, or your dependent gets one of these benefits:
- SNAP (food stamps). If you use an EBT card, see our guide to getting a government phone with EBT.
- Medicaid, which Pennsylvania calls Medical Assistance (MA). Learn more about a free government phone with Medicaid.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Read our SSI free phone guide.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance, such as public housing or Section 8. See our Section 8 guide.
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension. Our guide for veterans covers this path.
Good to know: SSDI, WIC, LIHEAP, TANF, and free school lunch don’t qualify you on their own. If you get one of these, check the income limits below. Your income may still qualify you. Our SSDI guide explains why SSDI and SSI are treated differently.
Qualify through income: 2026 Pennsylvania income limits
Your household qualifies if its total income before taxes is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Here are the 2026 limits:
| Household size | Yearly income limit (2026) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $21,546 |
| 2 | $29,214 |
| 3 | $36,882 |
| 4 | $44,550 |
| 5 | $52,218 |
| 6 | $59,886 |
| 7 | $67,554 |
| 8 | $75,222 |
| Each additional person | Add $7,668 |
You’ll usually need proof of income when you apply (see Step 3 below). For the full rules, see our Lifeline eligibility guide.
The one-per-household rule
Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. A household is a group of people who live together and share income and bills. If another adult at your address already has Lifeline but you keep your money separate, you may still qualify by filling out a short Household Worksheet. Our one-per-household rule guide walks you through it.
Survivors of domestic violence may be able to get emergency Lifeline support for up to six months, with a higher income limit of 200% of the poverty guidelines. Learn more in our Safe Connections Act guide.
Lifeline Providers in Pennsylvania (2026 List)
The PUC’s Lifeline booklet, updated in September 2026, lists 15 wireless companies that offer Lifeline in Pennsylvania. Not every company serves every ZIP code, so enter yours in USAC’s Companies Near Me tool before you apply.
Official lists sometimes show a company’s legal name instead of its brand name, so we’ve included both.
| Company | Also listed as | Our review |
|---|---|---|
| Access Wireless | iWireless, LLC | Access Wireless Review |
| AirTalk Wireless | Airvoice Wireless | AirTalk Wireless Review |
| American Assistance | American Broadband | — |
| Assurance Wireless | — | Assurance Wireless Review |
| enTouch Wireless | Boomerang Wireless | enTouch Wireless Review |
| Gen Mobile | — | Gen Mobile Review |
| Infiniti Mobile | IM Technologies | — |
| Life Wireless | Telrite Corporation | Life Wireless Review |
| Limitless Mobile (based in Pennsylvania) | — | — |
| SafeLink Wireless | TracFone | SafeLink Wireless Review |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Amerimex | SafetyNet Wireless Review |
| StandUp Wireless | Global Connections | StandUp Wireless Review |
| TAG Mobile | — | TAG Mobile Review |
| TerraCom Wireless | YourTel America | TerraCom Wireless Review |
| TruConnect* | Sage Telecom | TruConnect Review |
*TruConnect is not the same company as True Wireless. Double-check the name before you apply.
Looking for Q Link Wireless? Q Link has shut down, and its Lifeline business was merged into StandUp Wireless. It no longer appears on the PUC’s list. Read what happened to Q Link Wireless or compare StandUp Wireless vs AirTalk.
What free Lifeline plans usually include
Plans change often, but here’s what to expect:
- Data: Lifeline mobile internet plans must include at least 4.5 GB a month. Some companies offer more, and a few voice-focused plans include little or no data.
- Talk and text: Some plans come with a set number of minutes; others are unlimited. Voice-only plans must include at least 1,000 minutes a month.
- Phones: Some companies include a free phone. Others send a SIM card for a phone you already own or sell a low-cost one. See our best Lifeline phones and bring-your-own-phone guide.
- Price: When the PUC last compared plans in November 2025, most were free. A few companies applied the discount to a paid plan instead.
Before you sign up, ask how much data you’ll get, whether a phone is included, and what extra data costs. To compare companies side by side, see our list of the best Lifeline providers.
Home phone and internet companies with Lifeline
Lifeline isn’t only for cell phones. The PUC also lists landline and home internet companies, including Verizon, Frontier, Windstream, Brightspeed, Consolidated Communications, Astound Broadband, and Viasat, plus many small local phone companies.
If you already have home service, ask your company whether it offers Lifeline and whether the discount can go toward internet or a phone-and-internet bundle. Our guides to Verizon Lifeline and Frontier Lifeline explain how those two companies handle it.
Extra Help for Verizon Home Phone Customers
According to the PUC, Pennsylvania has two extra programs for Verizon landline customers:
- Lifeline 100: For Verizon PA and Verizon North customers with income at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, or who receive SSI.
- Universal Telephone Assistance Program (UTAP): Helps Verizon PA Lifeline customers pay their bills, avoid shutoffs, and get service turned back on.
To learn what these programs include today, call Verizon’s Pennsylvania Lifeline service number, 1-800-837-4966 (the number the PUC lists).
How to Apply for Lifeline in Pennsylvania (Step by Step)
Pennsylvania uses the National Verifier, the federal system that checks whether you qualify. Follow these steps:
- Make sure you qualify. Check the program list and income table above.
- Get your details ready. You’ll need your full legal name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your home address. A P.O. box won’t work. No permanent address? Read about getting Lifeline without a fixed address.
- Have proof ready if you qualify through SSI or income. In Pennsylvania, the National Verifier can often confirm SNAP, Medical Assistance, federal public housing aid, and Veterans Pension on its own. SSI and income usually need documents, such as an SSI benefit letter, last year’s tax return, or pay stubs covering three months in a row. Documents should be dated within the last 12 months. Need a copy of a SNAP or Medical Assistance notice? Look in your COMPASS account or the myCOMPASS PA app.
- Apply in one of three ways:
- Online: Go to LifelineSupport.org and choose the option to apply. If you upload documents between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET, USAC says they’re usually reviewed within minutes.
- Through a Lifeline company: Many companies let you apply on their website or in person. They send your information to the National Verifier for you.
- By mail: Print the Lifeline application form, plus the Household Worksheet if you need it. Mail it with copies of your documents to the address on the form (currently Lifeline Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742). This is the slowest option, and USAC mails its decision back to you.
- Enroll with a Lifeline company. Being approved doesn’t turn on your service. After you qualify, pick a company that serves your ZIP code and sign up.
- Activate your phone or SIM card. Our phone activation guide walks you through it.
If your application is denied or stuck, see what to do if your Lifeline application is denied.
How to Keep Your Lifeline Benefit
A few simple habits help you keep your service:
- Use your service at least once every 30 days if your plan is free. Make a call, send a text, or use data. If you go 30 days without using it, your company can remove you after a 15-day grace period.
- Recertify every year. USAC checks once a year that you still qualify. If it can’t confirm this on its own, you’ll get a letter or email. You’ll then have 60 days to respond. See our Lifeline recertification guide.
- Speak up if you stop qualifying. If your income rises or you leave your benefit program, tell your Lifeline company. Keeping a benefit you no longer qualify for can lead to penalties.
- Remember that you can switch. Not happy with your company? USAC says you can move your benefit to a different Lifeline company once a month. Learn how to switch Lifeline providers.
Where to Get Lifeline Help in Pennsylvania
| Where to go | Best for | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Your Lifeline company | Service problems, phones, and SIM cards | Customer service number on the company’s website |
| Lifeline Support Center (USAC) | Application status, documents, and recertification | 1-800-234-9473 (9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, 7 days a week) or LifelineSupport@usac.org |
| Pennsylvania PUC | Lifeline questions, or a problem your company didn’t fix | 1-800-692-7380 |
| PA 211 | Finding local help and other assistance programs | Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 |
| COMPASS or your County Assistance Office | SNAP and Medical Assistance paperwork | COMPASS website or the myCOMPASS PA app |
The PUC also posts its Lifeline booklet and provider lists on its utility assistance programs page.
Sign up safely
You may see Lifeline sign-up tables outside stores or at community events. Some are legitimate, but be careful. Our tips on finding free government phone stands near you can help. Keep these rules in mind:
- Applying for Lifeline is always free. Never pay an application fee.
- The application asks for only the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Make sure the company appears in Companies Near Me or on the PUC’s list. Our guides on how to verify a Lifeline provider and Lifeline scams show you what to look for.
- If you think someone used your information to sign up, call the Lifeline Support Center or the FCC’s Lifeline Fraud Tip Line at 1-855-455-8477.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lifeline in Pennsylvania
Lifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off an internet plan or a plan with talk and data. Voice-only plans get $5.25 a month. Because Pennsylvania has no federally recognized Tribal lands, the higher Tribal benefit generally doesn’t apply.
Often, yes, but it depends on the company. Some include a free phone, some send a SIM card for your own phone, and some sell low-cost phones. Ask the company before you enroll.
Yes. Medical Assistance (MA) is the name of Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program. Being enrolled meets Lifeline’s program rules, and the National Verifier can often confirm your enrollment automatically.
Not by itself. SSI counts, but SSDI doesn’t. You may still qualify if your household’s income is at or below the 2026 limit for your household size.
If the National Verifier finds you in a program database, you may learn right away that you qualify. Documents uploaded online between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET are usually reviewed within minutes. Mailed applications take longer.