Lifeline Program Eligibility
Lifeline Qualifications
StandUp Wireless is a provider of Lifeline, a government benefit program for low-income households. When you qualify, we offer a free monthly service that includes minutes, text and data. You must qualify through programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, Federal Public Housing and Veterans Pension, or based on your household income.
It’s Easy to Apply!
Begin the online application
Qualify through the National Verifier
Get your free Sim Card in the mail
Activate service by calling 611 from your phone
You may qualify if you currently participate in one of these government benefits programs or if your total household income meets Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Special exceptions exist for survivors of domestic abuse. See https://standupwireless.com/safe-connections-act/ for details. Apply at lifelinesupport.org first, and then sign up for service at standupwireless.com.
If you are a resident of California, or Texas you will need document proof of a participating program to apply.
| Program | Qualification Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | You must have an clear and legible image of your Medicaid Award Letter, Statement of benefits, letter of participation, or Medicaid card that includes the following:
|
Medicare is NOT acceptable. Please ensure that you eligibility documentation does not indicate a “Medicare” benefit. The document should have the program name “Medicaid”. |
| Program | Qualification Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also know as "Food Stamps" | You must have an clear and legible image of your SNAP Award Letter, Statement of benefits, or letter of participation that includes the following:
|
SNAP/EBT/Food Stamp “Cards” are only acceptable if you are applying in the state of California. In all states except CA, SNAP/EBT/Food Stamp “Cards” are NOT acceptable as proof of eligibility. |
| Program | Qualification Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | You must have an clear and legible image of your SSI Award Letter, Statement of benefits, letter of participation, that includes the following:
|
Please ensure your document proves participation in SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits, not SSA (Social Security Administration) benefits if selecting SSI as your qualifying program. SSA benefits can be used to apply with “Low Income” as your qualification. If you receive SSA benefits, please refer to the “Income Level” section in the options above. |
| Program | Qualification Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Section 8 also known as Federal Public Housing Authority (FPHA) | You must have an clear and legible image of your FPHA Award Letter, Statement of benefits, letter of participation, voucher, or leasing agreement that includes the following:
|
Variations of Section 8 and FPHA documentation can come from HUD (Housing and Urban Development). |
| Program | Qualification Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Pension | You must have an clear and legible image of your Pension Grant Letter, Statement of benefits, or letter of participation that includes the following:
|
This benefit can be easily confused with Veteran Disability. Disability is not considered pension and cannot be used to qualify for the Veteran’s Pension program. A VA disability statement of benefits can be used as proof of low-income. If you are receiving VA disability, please refer to the “Income Level” section in the options above. |
| Program | Qualification Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Income-based Eligibility | You must have an clear and legible image of your prior year’s W-2, SSA-1099 Form, 1040A Tax Form, or a current Statement of benefits or award letter from Social Security or the Veteran’s Administration that include:
|
Your income level will be calculated and compared against the federal poverty guidelines. If your calculated income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines in your state based on the number of individuals in your household, then you qualify for Income-based eligibility. |
- Program
- Medicaid
- Qualification Document
- You must have an clear and legible image of your Medicaid Award Letter, Statement of benefits, letter of participation, or Medicaid card that includes the following:
- Full Name
- Program Name
- Benefit Effective/Issue date within 12 months of the time that you apply
- If you are approved for Lifeline within the National Verifier, proof documentation is NOT required during the StandUp Wireless enrollment.
- Notes
- Medicare is NOT acceptable. Please ensure that you eligibility documentation does not indicate a “Medicare” benefit. The document should have the program name “Medicaid”.
- Program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also know as "Food Stamps"
- Qualification Document
- You must have an clear and legible image of your SNAP Award Letter, Statement of benefits, or letter of participation that includes the following:
- Full Name
- Program Name
- Benefit Effective/Issue date within 12 months of the time that you apply
- If you are approved for Lifeline within the National Verifier, proof documentation is NOT required during the StandUp Wireless enrollment.
- Notes
- SNAP/EBT/Food Stamp “Cards” are only acceptable if you are applying in the state of California. In all states except CA, SNAP/EBT/Food Stamp “Cards” are NOT acceptable as proof of eligibility.
- Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Qualification Document
- You must have an clear and legible image of your SSI Award Letter, Statement of benefits, letter of participation, that includes the following:
- Full Name
- Program Name
- Benefit Effective/Issue date within 12 months of the time that you apply
- If you are approved for Lifeline within the National Verifier, proof documentation is NOT required during the StandUp Wireless enrollment.
- Notes
- Please ensure your document proves participation in SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits, not SSA (Social Security Administration) benefits if selecting SSI as your qualifying program. SSA benefits can be used to apply with “Low Income” as your qualification. If you receive SSA benefits, please refer to the “Income Level” section in the options above.
- Program
- Section 8 also known as Federal Public Housing Authority (FPHA)
- Qualification Document
- You must have an clear and legible image of your FPHA Award Letter, Statement of benefits, letter of participation, voucher, or leasing agreement that includes the following:
- Full Name
- Program Name
- Benefit Effective/Issue date within 12 months of the time that you apply
- If you are approved for Lifeline within the National Verifier, proof documentation is NOT required during the StandUp Wireless enrollment.
- Notes
- Variations of Section 8 and FPHA documentation can come from HUD (Housing and Urban Development).
- Program
- Veterans Pension
- Qualification Document
- You must have an clear and legible image of your Pension Grant Letter, Statement of benefits, or letter of participation that includes the following:
- Full Name
- Program Name
- Benefit Effective/Issue date within 12 months of the time that you apply
- If you are approved for Lifeline within the National Verifier, proof documentation is NOT required during the StandUp Wireless enrollment.
- Notes
- This benefit can be easily confused with Veteran Disability. Disability is not considered pension and cannot be used to qualify for the Veteran’s Pension program. A VA disability statement of benefits can be used as proof of low-income. If you are receiving VA disability, please refer to the “Income Level” section in the options above.
- Program
- Income-based Eligibility
- Qualification Document
- You must have an clear and legible image of your prior year’s W-2, SSA-1099 Form, 1040A Tax Form, or a current Statement of benefits or award letter from Social Security or the Veteran’s Administration that include:
- Full Name
- Name of income document type (W-2, 1099, statement of benefits, etc.)
- If annual document (W-2, 1099, 1040A), it must be from the previous year only. For instance, if applying in 2019, 2018 annual forms are acceptable. 2017 forms will not be acceptable.
- If monthly award letter or statement of benefits, benefit effective/issue date must be within 12 months of the date that you are applying.
- If you are approved for Lifeline within the National Verifier, proof documentation is NOT required during the StandUp Wireless enrollment.
- Notes
- Your income level will be calculated and compared against the federal poverty guidelines. If your calculated income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines in your state based on the number of individuals in your household, then you qualify for Income-based eligibility.
