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.

StandUp Wireless

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Qualify through the National Verifier

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1-800-544-4441 or 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.

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:
  • 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.
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:
  • 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.
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:
  • 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.
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:
  • 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.
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:
  • 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.
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:
  • 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.
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.