Lifeline eligibility

Free Government Phone with Federal Public Housing Assistance

Federal Public Housing Assistance covers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) and public housing. Only federal housing assistance counts — state or local rental assistance does not.

Check if you qualify

How Federal Public Housing Assistance gets you a free phone

Federal Public Housing Assistance is one of the qualifying programs for Lifeline, the federal benefit that discounts phone and internet service for low-income households. Enrollment in Federal Public Housing Assistance qualifies your entire household — you do not need to pass an income test as well.

Also searched as: “Section 8” ,“housing choice voucher” ,“FPHA” .

What counts as proof

Your current lease showing the housing authority, a voucher, or a statement of benefits from your housing authority.

How to apply

  1. Check your household qualifies. Anyone in the household on Federal Public Housing Assistance is enough.
  2. Gather your documents. Your current lease showing the housing authority, a voucher, or a statement of benefits from your housing authority.
  3. Apply at the National Verifier. Every Lifeline application is checked by USAC at lifelinesupport.org.
  4. Pick a provider. Approval is not service. Choose a company that covers your ZIP and enroll with them.

Which providers to apply to

Every approved Lifeline provider accepts every qualifying route, so being on Federal Public Housing Assistance does not limit your choice. What limits it is geography. Start with your state:

Find the providers that serve your ZIP code

Provider coverage is licensed ZIP by ZIP. Tell us where you live and we will show you which companies actually operate there, plus whether your household clears the income limit.

Check my eligibility

Four questions, about two minutes. Runs entirely in your browser — we do not store your answers or send them anywhere.

Lifeline by state

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