Phone and Internet Discounts When You Receive Disability Benefits

What phone and internet discounts are actually available

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you may be able to get a discount on phone or internet service through programs run by the phone and internet companies themselves, not by Social Security. The most common is the Lifeline program, which is a federal program that reduces your monthly bill for either phone or internet service — not both at the same time. Lifeline is run by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and administered by individual phone and internet providers in your state.

Beyond Lifeline, some individual companies offer their own discounts for people on disability benefits. These vary widely: one provider might discount internet, another might discount phone service, and a third might offer neither. There is no single list of all company discounts, which means you have to check with the providers that actually serve your area.

A third option is Link Up, a program that helps pay the one-time connection fee when you set up new phone service. Link Up is also federal and runs through participating phone companies. You can use both Lifeline and Link Up at the same time, but only with the same provider.

Key Takeaways

• Lifeline reduces your monthly phone or internet bill if you receive SSI or SSDI, and you can get it through most major providers in your state.
• You must contact your phone or internet provider directly to enroll in Lifeline — Social Security does not handle this.
• Individual companies sometimes offer additional discounts beyond Lifeline, so it is worth asking your provider what they have available.
• Link Up covers the one-time setup fee for new phone service and can be used alongside Lifeline with the same provider.
• Your state's Public Utilities Commission or a 211 referral can tell you which providers in your area offer these programs.

How to enroll in Lifeline through your provider

Contact the phone or internet company you currently use, or the one you want to use. Tell them you want to enroll in Lifeline. They will ask you to prove that you receive SSI or SSDI. Acceptable proof usually includes a Social Security award letter, a benefits statement from your online Social Security account, or a recent benefits check stub. Some providers also accept a letter from Social Security or documentation from your state benefits office.

The provider will walk you through their enrollment process, which is different for each company. Some let you enroll over the phone, some require you to visit a store, and some allow online enrollment. Once you are enrolled, the discount appears on your next bill. The amount varies by provider and by state, but Lifeline typically reduces your bill by $9.25 to $34.25 per month, depending on what service you choose.

If you do not currently have phone or internet service and want to set up new service with Lifeline, you can ask the provider whether they offer Link Up at the same time. Not all providers participate in Link Up, so confirm before you sign up.

What to do if your provider does not offer Lifeline

Not every phone or internet company participates in Lifeline. If yours does not, you have two options: switch to a provider that does, or look into whether your company offers its own discount program outside of Lifeline.

To find out which providers in your area participate in Lifeline, contact your state's Public Utilities Commission or call 211 and ask for Lifeline providers near you. The FCC also maintains a list of participating providers on its website, organized by state. When you call or visit a provider's website, ask specifically whether they offer Lifeline in your area — availability can vary even within a state.

Some companies that do not participate in Lifeline offer their own discounts for people on disability benefits or low income. These discounts are not standardized, so you will need to ask each provider directly what they offer. A few large providers have published discount programs, but many smaller or regional companies handle this on a case-by-case basis.

Understanding the difference between Lifeline and company discounts

Lifeline is a federal program with the same rules everywhere, but the discount amount and the services it covers vary by state. In some states, Lifeline covers phone service only. In others, it covers internet only. In a few states, you can choose between phone and internet. Your provider will tell you what Lifeline covers in your state when you enroll.

Company discounts are separate from Lifeline and are set by each individual provider. Some companies offer a discount on top of Lifeline, meaning you could get both at the same time. Others offer their discount as an alternative if you do not may have access to for Lifeline or if Lifeline is not available in your area. Always ask your provider whether you can stack discounts or whether you have to choose one.

The key difference: Lifeline is something you enroll in once and keep as long as you remain on SSI or SSDI. Company discounts may change if the company changes its policies, so it is worth checking in once a year to see if your provider has added or removed discounts.

What happens if you move or change providers

If you move to a new state or city, your Lifeline enrollment does not automatically transfer. You will need to enroll again with your new provider in your new location. The discount amount and what service it covers may be different in your new state, so ask your new provider what Lifeline includes there.

If you switch to a different phone or internet company in the same area, you will need to enroll in Lifeline with the new provider. Your old provider will stop the discount on your final bill. The new provider will start the discount on your first bill with them, though there may be a delay of one or two billing cycles while the enrollment processes.

If you are switching providers because your current one does not offer a discount you want, ask the new provider about all their discount programs before you sign up — both Lifeline and any company-specific discounts they offer. This way you can compare what you will actually pay with each company.

Verifying your benefits status and keeping your enrollment active

When you enroll in Lifeline, your provider will verify that you receive SSI or SSDI by checking your information against Social Security's records. This verification happens automatically in most cases, but some providers do it manually. Either way, you should not have to do anything beyond providing your initial proof document.

Your Lifeline enrollment stays active as long as you remain on SSI or SSDI. However, some providers ask you to recertify your benefits status every year or every two years. If your provider requires recertification, they will send you a notice in the mail or include it on your bill. You will need to respond with updated proof of your benefits status — the same documents that worked for your initial enrollment.

If you stop receiving SSI or SSDI, you must tell your provider so they can remove the Lifeline discount. If you do not, the provider may eventually discover the change and remove it themselves, which could result in unexpected charges on your bill.

Other resources for phone and internet costs

Beyond Lifeline and company discounts, a few other programs may help with phone or internet costs. Some nonprofits and community organizations offer refurbished phones or internet equipment at low cost. Your local library may offer free internet access and sometimes free phone calls. Some states have additional assistance programs for people on disability benefits, though these are less common than Lifeline.

If you are struggling with phone or internet costs even with Lifeline, ask your provider whether they have a hardship program or payment plan. Many large providers have programs for customers who cannot pay their full bill. These are not automatic — you have to ask — but they can help you avoid service disconnection.

A 211 referral can connect you to local nonprofits and community programs in your area that help with phone or internet costs. Call 211 or visit 211.org and enter your zip code to see what is available near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Lifeline if I receive SSI but not SSDI?

Yes. Lifeline is available to people who receive either SSI or SSDI. You will need to provide proof of whichever benefit you receive. If you receive both, you only need to prove one of them.

What if I share a phone line or internet connection with someone else?

Lifeline is tied to the account holder's name, not to the phone number or internet address. If the account is in your name and you receive SSI or SSDI, you can enroll. If the account is in someone else's name, you cannot enroll in Lifeline for that account, even if you live there and use the service.

Can I use Lifeline for both phone and internet at the same time?

No. Lifeline covers either phone service or internet service, but not both simultaneously. You can choose which one you want the discount on, and you can switch your choice once per year in most states. Check with your provider about their specific rules.

What if I cannot find my Social Security award letter?

You can create an account on ssa.gov and print a benefits statement, which most providers accept as proof. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you a letter confirming your benefits status. Either document should work for Lifeline enrollment.

Do I have to use the same provider for Lifeline and Link Up?

Yes. If you want to use both programs, they must be with the same phone company. Link Up covers the setup fee, and Lifeline covers the monthly discount. Not all providers offer both, so confirm before you enroll.