Lifeline eligibility

Free Government Phone with Veterans Pension

The Veterans Pension and the Survivors Pension both qualify. This is the needs-based VA pension, not VA disability compensation and not the GI Bill — a distinction that trips up a lot of applicants.

Check if you qualify

How Veterans Pension gets you a free phone

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

Also searched as: “VA pension” ,“survivors benefit” .

What counts as proof

Your VA benefit summary letter, downloadable from VA.gov, showing you receive Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension.

How to apply

  1. Check your household qualifies. Anyone in the household on Veterans Pension is enough.
  2. Gather your documents. Your VA benefit summary letter, downloadable from VA.gov, showing you receive Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension.
  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 Veterans Pension 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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