What is Lifeline?

Lifeline is a non-transferable, federal benefit that makes monthly voice or broadband service more affordable for eligible subscribers. The program is limited to one discount per household which may be applied to either broadband service (home or wireless) or voice service (home or wireless).

Lifeline is available to residential customers who have an annual household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see below) for a household of its size or who participate in one of the qualifying programs which include Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Section 8, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or the Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit. Lifeline benefits include the following:

• Federal Lifeline credit per month ($5.25 for voice or $9.25 for qualifying broadband)

• Waiver of deposit for local service*

• Optional toll restriction at no charge*

• Optional blocking of 900/976 numbers

• Additional lines allowed**

• Optional services available (e.g., Caller ID, Call Waiting, etc.)

• Optional blocking of pay-per-use features

Customers who do not subscribe to Toll Limitation Service when signing up for Lifeline may be required to provide a service deposit, consistent with the terms of WOW!’s General Subscriber Services Tariff.

How Do I Apply for Lifeline?

Visit the National Verifier at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/ to check your eligibility for this federal program. If you need help, call the Lifeline Support Center at 1.877.524.1325.

You may also download and print the application and mail it with your proof of eligibility document to USAC, Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845 or contact WOW! at 1.877.871.3411 and we will mail you a form to fill out and send to USAC with your proof of eligibility document(s).

To Enroll in the Lifeline Program

If you apply online and qualify for Lifeline you will receive a one-page proof of eligibility document. When applying by mail, you will receive the proof of eligibility through the mail.

You will be required to provide WOW! with the one-page proof of eligibility document that you received from USAC when initiating service or to add the discount to your current account. You will need to email the one-page proof of eligibility (shows application number, full name, address, city, state, zip) to [email protected] along with the last 4 numbers of the social security number and DOB of the applicant.

If you applied using a benefit qualifying person (BQP – someone else in the household that qualifies for Lifeline (child/dependent) you will be required to provide the full name, last 4 numbers of the social security number and DOB in addition to the applicants’ full name, address, DOB and last 4 numbers of their SSN.

When qualifying for Lifeline Assistance based on participation in one of the low-income assistance programs, you may be required to provide proof of participation upon request.

Lifeline FAQs

Lifeline Application

Lifeline Application - Spanish

Lifeline Household Worksheet

Lifeline Household Worksheet - Spanish