Lifeline Income Limits Explained

5. How To Prove Your Income

When you apply, you will be asked for a document that shows your income. The most common choices are your prior year's federal or state tax return, three consecutive months of current pay stubs, a Social Security or retirement benefit statement, or an unemployment benefits statement.

Whatever you send must show your name and the income amount, and it should be recent. If your income has dropped since your last tax return, recent pay stubs give a more accurate picture.

Ready to see whether you qualify? Our eligibility check compares your household size and income with your state's limit in about a minute.