Lifeline eligibility

Free Government Phone with Medicaid

Medicaid enrollment qualifies the whole household. This includes state-branded Medicaid programs such as Medi-Cal, MassHealth, TennCare and Husky Health.

Check if you qualify

How Medicaid gets you a free phone

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

Also searched as: “medical assistance” .

What counts as proof

Your Medicaid card is usually not enough on its own. Use an eligibility or approval letter dated within the last 12 months showing your name and the coverage dates.

How to apply

  1. Check your household qualifies. Anyone in the household on Medicaid is enough.
  2. Gather your documents. Your Medicaid card is usually not enough on its own. Use an eligibility or approval letter dated within the last 12 months showing your name and the coverage dates.
  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 Medicaid 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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