Home/Help Center/Lifeline Benefit FAQ
The Lifeline program is a government benefit that provides free or discounted monthly wireless service to qualifying households — and it's yours to keep as long as you remain eligible. Find answers here about who qualifies, how to apply, what documentation you need, and how to maintain and renew your benefit each year.
Lifeline is a government benefit program that provides free or discounted monthly wireless service to qualifying low-income households. StandUp Wireless is a Lifeline provider, offering eligible customers free monthly talk, text, and data.
You may qualify if you participate in a qualifying government program, including Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivor Benefit Programs. You may also qualify based on your household income. Special exceptions exist for survivors of domestic abuse.
In most states, your eligibility can be verified electronically through the National Verifier database — no printed documentation is required. However, if you are not found in the database, or of if you live in Texas, you will need printed proof that you participate in a qualifying program. That documentation must have an issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date that aligns with your benefit period. You may also need an unexpired, government-issued ID.
The National Verifier is a database managed by USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) that determines whether applicants are eligible to receive Lifeline service. In most states, you must have an account with the National Verifier before you can receive service. To create an account in the National Verifier, visit checklifeline.org/lifeline.
Yes. Only one Lifeline account is allowed per household. If you or a member of your household currently receives Lifeline service from another wireless or wireline carrier, you will not qualify for an additional benefit. However, you may transfer your Lifeline benefit from another carrier to StandUp Wireless.Keep in mind that if you currently have a Lifeline discount on a landline and switch to wireless service, you may see an increase in your bill. If your household needs more than one wireless phone, visit prepaid.standupwireless.com to view available prepaid plan options.
Yes. StandUp Wireless offers affordable prepaid wireless plans for customers who do not qualify for Lifeline.
Your initial enrollment eligibility lasts for one year, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Each year after that, you will need to recertify your eligibility to keep your benefit.
If you are no longer eligible to participate in the Lifeline program, you must contact StandUp Wireless immediately. After de-enrollment, your phone will remain active, and you may purchase a top up to keep your service active, but you will no longer receive free airtime as part of the program.
Yes. To keep your account active, you must use your service at least once during any 30-day period. Using your service means making or answering a voice call, sending a text message, using your mobile data, or purchasing additional service. If your account goes unused for 30 days, StandUp Wireless will send you a notice of inactivity. After receiving that notice, you must make or answer a voice call, send a text, or use data within 15 days to avoid losing your free service and be de-enrolled from Lifeline.
Federal and/or state regulatory authorities require active Lifeline customers to recertify their eligibility once a year. If you do not recertify by your anniversary date, StandUp Wireless is required to turn off your service. USAC will send you your application ID number when it is time to recertify. Once you have your application ID, you can recertify by calling the Lifeline Recertify hotline at 1-855-359-4299 and following the prompts — have your application ID number ready.You may also recertify online by visiting lifelinesupport.org and click on "Recertify" USAC will also mail a letter to your address on file 60 days before your recertification deadline.Texas customers should visit texaslifeline.org/annual-recertification or call 1-866-454-8387 for recertification questions.There are two lifeline programs in California:
If you have Lifeline-related questions, please contact the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473 (available in English and Spanish) or by email at LifelineSupport@usac.org.
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This is a Lifeline supported service. Lifeline is a government assistance program. Only eligible consumers may enroll in Lifeline. Eligibility is based on income or participation in certain government benefit programs and is determined by the National Verifier (documentation may be required). Lifeline benefits are non-transferable and limited to one per household (wireless or wireline). Customers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain a Lifeline benefit can be punished by fine, imprisonment, or being barred from the program. Plans include a minimum of 1,000 Minutes, Unlimited Text, and 4.5 GB of Data. Offers vary by state and service may not be available in all states or areas. Service provided by Global Connection Inc. of America d/b/a StandUp Wireless. Visit www.standupwireless.com for Lifeline eligibility criteria and applicable terms & conditions.
