Lifeline Income Limits Explained

You do not need to receive government benefits to get a Lifeline phone. Many working families, retirees and students qualify on income alone. The challenge is that the rules use specific terms, like household and gross income, that can be confusing the first time you read them.

This guide explains what the income limits are, how to work out which number applies to you, and which documents you can use to prove it. If you already know your numbers, you can skip ahead and check the exact limit for your state.