Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making communication services more accessible for low-income individuals. It’s a vital resource that helps millions of people stay connected to job opportunities, emergency services, and family support.
To keep your benefits, you must complete the Lifeline recertify process each year to confirm your eligibility. If you skip this step, your service will be automatically disconnected.
1. What is Lifeline Recertification?
If paying for phone or internet service feels like a monthly struggle, the Lifeline program might be what you need.
1.1. Lifeline Benefits
Lifeline is a federally funded program to help low-income individuals afford essential phone and internet services. The program provides a monthly discount – up to $9.25 off your phone or internet bill and $34.25 per month off if you live on Tribal lands. Besides, you can get a free government phone if you apply for Lifeline through one of the participating providers.
Who Qualifies for Lifeline?
There are two main ways to be eligible for the program:
Income-based eligibility: Your gross household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Program-based eligibility: You or someone in your household participates in at least one of certain federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI.
What You CAN’T Do with Lifeline
- Each household gets only one Lifeline benefit. If multiple people in your household try to get Lifeline separately, that’s against FCC rules, and you could lose the benefit entirely.
- You can’t transfer your Lifeline discount to another person, even if they qualify.
- No using different companies for the same benefit. You can’t get a phone discount from one provider and an internet discount from another. Pick one provider and stick with it.
1.2. What is Lifeline Recertification?
If you’re receiving a Lifeline benefit, you must recertify annually to prove you’re still eligible. It’s how the system ensures that only eligible households continue receiving the discount.
Not everyone needs to recertify right away. You’ll only go through recertification if:
- You’ve completed re-verification, OR
- You originally enrolled through the National Verifier.
Lifeline Recertification Process:
Before USAC asks you to do anything, they’ll try to confirm your eligibility automatically. This is called the initial data source check, where USAC looks for records showing that you still meet the program’s requirements.
If you pass the check, no action is needed.
If not, you’ll get a notice, either by mail or email, asking you to recertify manually. Your 60-day recertification window begins. If you get a letter from USAC, you must submit the required form (and possibly proof of eligibility) within this timeframe.
You must recertify to keep the Lifeline benefit.
Each year, USAC or your state (California, Oregon, and Texas) will verify your eligibility for the benefit.
2. How to Recertify for Lifeline
You have three ways to complete your Lifeline recertification: online, by mail, or by phone.
If you only need to complete the Recertification Form, you can recertify using any of the three options above. However, if proof documentation is required, recertify online or by mail.
Choose the option that works best for you.
2.1. Online Recertification
You can complete the Lifeline recertification process through the National Verifier web portal, and everything you need to know is in the letter USAC sends you.
You will get an instant response once you’ve filled out the form. If your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll continue receiving benefits for another year.
2.2. Recertification by Mail
You’ll receive Form 5630 from USAC if the initial automated check doesn’t verify your eligibility. Complete the recertification form and send it with copies of your proof documentation (if required) to:
USAC
Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 1000
Horseheads, NY 14845
USAC doesn’t send one confirmation letter after receiving your form. You can call the Lifeline Support Center for your status or check with your service provider, who can access this information through the Recertification Subscriber Status Report in NLAD.
If your recertification is successful, USAC will mail you a confirmation that you’re still eligible for the Lifeline benefit.
2.3. Recertification by Phone
If you don’t need to submit proof documents, recertifying by phone is good to go.
- Call (855) 359-4299. Enter your application ID number (found in your recertification letter) and follow the prompts to complete the process.
- To Lifeline recertify using your Tribal ID number, call (800) 234-9437 and press 1 to speak with a live agent.
You’ll find out immediately whether you pass or fail. If approved, you’re all set for another year of Lifeline benefits.
If your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll continue receiving Lifeline benefits for another year.
3. What Happens If You Don’t Recertify for Lifeline?
The one thing you don’t want to happen—getting kicked out of the Lifeline program.
If you’re receiving Lifeline benefits, you must complete the Lifeline recertify process annually to prove you’re still eligible. When USAC asks you to recertify, you have 60 days to complete the process. That’s your window to confirm you’re still eligible for the Lifeline benefit.
But if you ignore that notice or miss the deadline, here’s what happens:
- USAC will send you multiple reminders during your recertification window. You might receive up to three pre-recorded messages and a reminder postcard. These messages will tell you: That it’s time to recertify/Your deadline to complete the process/How you can recertify—online, by mail, or through an automated phone system (if eligible).
- If you still don’t recertify, USAC will send you a final notice—either by mail or email—letting you know you didn’t complete your recertification in time. This is your last warning.
- Five business days later, you’re automatically de-enrolled from the Lifeline program. No exceptions, no extensions. That means your discounted phone or internet service will be discontinued.
- Your service provider will also get notified through an automated update in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD). They’ll know you’ve lost your benefit, but they can’t reverse it. At that point, you’ll have to go through the entire Lifeline application process again to re-enroll.
If you get a recertification notice, take action fast. It’s a quick process and it ensures you stay connected.
4. Lifeline Recertify: Common Issues & How to Solve
Here’s how to tackle the most common issues:
Didn’t receive a recertification notice:
- Double-check your mail and email carefully. It might be sitting in your inbox or tucked between other letters.
- Call the Lifeline Support Center at (800) 234-9473 or check with your service provider.
Lost your application ID:
- Check your email or letter, it’s in your original recertification notice.
- Call the Lifeline Support Center and verify your identity to retrieve it.
- Log in to the National Verifier portal. If you recertified online before, you might be able to locate it there.
Missed the recertification deadline:
- Check your recertification window. The Lifeline program gives you 60 days to recertify. If you’re still within that period, recertify fast.
- Contact your service provider immediately to see what can be done.
- If your service has already been disconnected, submit a new Lifeline application.
Recertification denied:
- Find out why you were denied. If the issue was a documentation error, submit corrected proof ASAP.
- If your service has already been disconnected, but you believe you still qualify for Lifeline, you can reapply with your current provider or switch to a new one—your choice.
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Conclusion
Set a recertification reminder on your phone. That way, you’ll never miss another deadline. Take charge and complete your Lifeline recertify process to enjoy free phone service without interruption.
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