Yes — Verizon does offer the federal Lifeline discount, but only in certain states, and it works in two different ways. If you have Verizon home phone or Fios home internet in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic, you can get a reduced monthly rate. If you live in Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, or parts of New York, Verizon Wireless offers a discounted Lifeline mobile plan. Either way, the discount is at least $9.25 a month – the standard federal Lifeline benefit.
Verizon is not a “free phone” Lifeline carrier. It won’t mail you a free smartphone the way Assurance Wireless or SafeLink do. Verizon’s Lifeline is mainly a bill discount for people who already use; or want to sign up for Verizon service. This guide shows you exactly which states qualify, how much you save, who’s eligible, and how to apply.
Does Verizon offer the Lifeline discount?
Yes. Verizon is an approved Lifeline provider, but in a limited set of states — and it actually runs two separate Lifeline programs:
- Home phone & Fios internet Lifeline — a discount on your Verizon landline or Fios home internet bill. This covers much of Verizon’s traditional East Coast footprint.
- Verizon Wireless Lifeline — a discounted mobile plan, offered only in Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and parts of New York.
You can only get one Lifeline benefit per household, not per person – so you’d choose either the home discount or the wireless plan, not both. That one-per-household rule applies no matter which provider you use.
Lifeline itself is a government program run by USAC and overseen by the FCC. If you’re new to it, our guide to what the Lifeline program is explains the basics in plain language.
Which states have the Verizon Lifeline discount?
Because Verizon’s two programs cover different areas, the states you qualify in depend on which one you want.
| Verizon Lifeline program | Where it’s available |
|---|---|
| Home phone & Fios internet | Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington D.C. |
| Verizon Wireless (mobile) | Iowa, New York, North Dakota, Wisconsin — select areas only |
A few things to know:
- New York is on both lists. New Yorkers can get either the home discount or the wireless plan (but still only one per household). See our full New York Lifeline guide for state-specific details.
- Coverage isn’t everywhere in these states. Verizon has to be approved to offer Lifeline at your specific address, so availability can vary block by block. It’s worth confirming your address qualifies before you get your hopes up.
- Not in one of these states? You can’t get Verizon’s Lifeline discount, but you can still get Lifeline through another carrier. Skip to what to do if Verizon isn’t in your state.
How much is the Verizon Lifeline discount?
The core benefit is the standard $9.25 per month. How that shows up on your bill depends on the service.
Home phone & Fios internet. You get a reduced monthly rate on your Verizon home phone or Fios internet bill. The exact dollar amount can vary by state and plan, but the federal discount is at least $9.25 a month.
Verizon Wireless. Verizon offers two Lifeline mobile plans. Here’s what they cost before and after the discount:
| Verizon Wireless Lifeline plan | Regular price | After $9.25 Lifeline discount | On Tribal lands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeline Plan (1,000 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited nights/weekends) | $25.00/mo | $15.75/mo | $0/mo |
| Home Phone Connect Plan (unlimited minutes; needs a Home Phone Connect device) | $19.99/mo | $10.74/mo | $0/mo |
A couple of notes on the wireless plans:
- They’re built around calls and texts, not smartphone data. Data service, phone insurance, and roadside assistance aren’t part of these plans. If you want lots of mobile data, a dedicated Lifeline carrier is usually a better fit.
- There’s a $35 one-time activation fee, and you’ll need a compatible phone (or a Home Phone Connect device for the second plan). Verizon doesn’t include a free phone.
Living on Tribal lands? The enhanced Tribal benefit — worth up to $34.25 a month — can bring either wireless plan down to $0 per month, and Tribal Link Up can cover your one-time activation fee. Our Tribal Lifeline guide explains who qualifies and how it works.
Lower your internet bill even more with Verizon Forward
If you want Verizon home internet, there’s a second discount worth knowing about; and it stacks with Lifeline.
Verizon Forward is Verizon’s own low-income internet program. It’s not the ACP. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024 and is gone for good, so there’s no point looking for it — but Verizon Forward is a current, active program you can still apply for.
Here’s the short version:
- Verizon Forward gives eligible households up to $30 a month off Fios or 5G Home internet (up to $40 a month in California).
- Its eligibility is a little broader than Lifeline’s — households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or on SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Veterans Pension, WIC, or federal housing assistance, can qualify.
- Verizon says that if you’re approved for Lifeline and apply it to a qualifying Fios plan, you automatically get the Verizon Forward discount too. Stacked together, eligible Fios internet can run as low as about $20 a month.
Verizon Forward and Lifeline are two different programs with different rules. For example, WIC counts toward Verizon Forward — but WIC by itself does not qualify you for federal Lifeline. Don’t assume one approval means the other.
Who qualifies for the Verizon Lifeline discount?
Verizon uses the same federal Lifeline rules as everyone else. You qualify one of two ways.
1. You’re in a qualifying assistance program. Any one of these counts:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA / Section 8)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
- Certain federal Tribal programs (if you live on federally recognized Tribal lands)
2. Your income is low enough. You can qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The exact dollar cutoff depends on your household size and state — check the official income table at LifelineSupport.org for your number.
New York has extra paths. New Yorkers who don’t get a federal program may still qualify through state programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the National School Lunch Program’s free lunch benefit.
Not sure if you’re eligible? Our full Lifeline eligibility guide walks through every qualifying program and the income limits.
How to apply for the Verizon Lifeline discount
Applying takes three main steps. You get approved by the government first, then add the discount to your Verizon service.
- Check that Verizon serves your address. Confirm your state is on the list above and that Lifeline is available where you live. Have proof of eligibility ready — either a program document (like a SNAP or Medicaid letter) or income proof.
- Apply through the National Verifier. The fastest way is online at GetInternet.gov, the FCC’s official Lifeline application site. You can also mail a paper application, which usually takes one to two weeks. Connecticut residents must use a paper application — you can’t apply online there.
- Contact Verizon to turn on your discount. Once the National Verifier approves you, call Verizon to add Lifeline to your service and pick your plan. For home phone or Fios internet, call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966). For wireless, call Verizon’s Lifeline line at 800-417-3849.
After you’re enrolled, remember to recertify every year to keep your benefit. And if you already get Lifeline from another carrier, you don’t have to reapply from scratch — you can transfer your Lifeline benefit to Verizon, and in many cases keep your existing phone number.
Quick safety reminder: Lifeline is free to apply for. No provider; Verizon included – will ever charge you an application fee, and you should only apply through the National Verifier or a verified provider. If someone asks for payment to “sign you up,” it’s a red flag. See our Lifeline scam alert for more.
Verizon Lifeline: the pros and cons
Pros
- Real savings for people who already have — or want — Verizon home phone, Fios internet, or Verizon Wireless service.
- On Fios internet, Lifeline stacks with Verizon Forward, which can bring your bill to around $20 a month.
- Tribal lands residents can get a wireless plan for $0 a month.
- It’s the same trusted Verizon network, billing, and support you’d get without the discount.
Cons
- Available in only a handful of states — most of the country can’t get it.
- No free phone. Unlike dedicated Lifeline carriers, Verizon doesn’t send you a device; you bring your own or buy one, plus a $35 activation fee on wireless.
- The wireless plans are light on data — they’re really voice-and-text plans.
- If you cancel wireless Lifeline service early, you may face an early termination fee.
Verizon Lifeline is a solid choice if you’re already a Verizon home or Fios customer in an eligible state and want to trim your bill — especially for internet, where Verizon Forward adds more savings. But if your main goal is a free phone with data, a carrier built around Lifeline will usually serve you better.
What if Verizon Lifeline isn’t available where you live?
Most states aren’t on Verizon’s Lifeline map — but almost everyone can still get Lifeline somewhere. Dedicated Lifeline carriers like Assurance Wireless, SafeLink, and AirTalk Wireless serve most or all states and actually include a free phone. Compare your options in our best Lifeline providers guide.
If it’s home internet you’re after, there are several low-income internet programs beyond Verizon, laid out in our ACP alternatives guide.
Frequently asked questions
No. Verizon’s Lifeline is a discount on your bill or plan, not a free-phone offer. You’ll bring your own compatible phone or buy one. If you want a free device, look at dedicated Lifeline carriers like Assurance Wireless or SafeLink.
No. Verizon only offers Lifeline in the states listed above. But you’re not out of luck — you can get Lifeline through another provider almost anywhere in the U.S. Start with our best Lifeline providers guide.
The standard federal discount is $9.25 a month. On Verizon Wireless, that brings the Lifeline Plan to $15.75/mo and the Home Phone Connect Plan to $10.74/mo. Residents of Tribal lands can get either plan for $0/mo thanks to the enhanced Tribal benefit of up to $34.25 a month.
No. Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household, not per person. If someone in your home already has a Lifeline discount, your household can’t get a second one from Verizon or anyone else.
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in 2024 and is no longer available. Verizon Forward is Verizon’s own low-income internet discount, and it’s still active. Approved Lifeline customers on a qualifying Fios plan get Verizon Forward automatically.