Lifeline Assistance Program

Lifeline is a federally funded program that provides a monthly discount on phone, internet or bundled services for qualifying low-income consumers.

The Lifeline benefit provides up to $9.25 per month off their bill for qualifying internet or phone services.

You may qualify if your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, are a survivor under the Safe Connections Act (SCA) and experience financial hardship, or if you participate in certain government assistance programs, such as:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

Visit Lifeline for more information. Additionally, you may call or visit DOCOMO PACIFIC for assistance.

You can apply for Lifeline in three (3) ways:

1. Online through the National Verifier
2. Visiting a DOCOMO PACIFIC Retail store for assistance

3. By Mail

   Print a Lifeline application in English or Spanish. Complete a Lifeline application and send copies of your proof documentation to this address.
   

   Lifeline Support Center
   PO Box 1000
   Horseheads, NY 14845

To prove your household income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines, you must submit one or more of the following documents:

• Prior year's state, federal or Tribal tax return.
• Current income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub
• Veterans Administration statement of benefits
• Unemployment or Workers' Compensation statement of benefits
• Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
• Divorce decree, child support award, or other official document containing income information

The document must include:

• Your first and last name or dependent's name
• Your annual income
• To show documentation of income that does not cover a full year, such as current pay stubs, the documentation must cover three months in a row within the past twelve months

To prove participation in a Lifeline qualifying program, you must submit one or more of the following documents:

• Benefit award letter
• Approval letter
• Statement of benefits
• Benefit verification letter

The document must include:

• Your name or dependent's name
• The program name, such as SNAP
• The name of the government or Tribal agency that issued the document
• An issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date

For other documents that may be required or if you have questions on documentation, you may visit this page for more information.

No. Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household, whether it's for phone or internet service.

Yes. Every year, you must recertify that you still qualify for Lifeline. USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) and DOCOMO PACIFIC will notify you when it's time to do so. You will need to recertify to continue to receive the discounted Lifeline rate.

If you do not recertify on time, then you will no longer receive the discounted Lifeline rate. Standard rates will apply thereafter. If you believe you still qualify for Lifeline, you will need to re-apply for the program.

If approved, please visit any DOCOMO PACIFIC retail store to process your discounted Lifeline rates.

No. Lifeline provides a partial discount. You will still be responsible for any amount over the discount.

You must notify the Lifeline program and DOCOMO PACIFIC within 30 days if you no longer qualify. Standard rates will apply thereafter.

No. Lifeline can only be applied to the monthly rate of your chosen eligible service.