Oct 12, 2023

Navigating the Lifeline Application Process

A Guide to Getting Started with Life Wireless
Navigating the Lifeline Application Process

Reading time: 8 minutes

Life Wireless offers government subsidized free cellular service through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Lifeline Program to qualifying individuals and families. Only one member of a household can participate in the program and the service cannot be transferred to another family member or individual.

To obtain Life Wireless cell phone service, potential subscribers must meet certain eligibility requirements such as receiving governmental assistance or having a household income that is 135% or below Federal Poverty guidelines.

Examples of one household:

  • A married couple that lives together at the same address

  • A parent/guardian and child who live together

  • An adult who lives with friends or family who financially support him/her

Each of these are one household and must share one benefit.

Examples of more than one household:

  • Four roommates who live together but do not share money are four households. They can have one benefit each, for a total of four benefits.

  • 30 seniors who live in an assisted-living home are 30 households. They can have one benefit each, for a total of 30 total benefits.

Elderly woman talking on a smartphone.

In General

If you participate in any of the following programs, you are qualified for Life Wireless cell phone service:

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

  • Medicaid (not Medicare)

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

  • Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

  • The Veteran’s Pension or Survivors Pension benefit

And...

Additionally, if you are a resident of a Federally recognized Tribal land, you may qualify under the following programs:

  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

  • Tribally Administered TANF

  • Head Start (if you meet the income-qualifying standards)

Happy young couple sitting on the sofa and laughing.

Completing the Life Wireless Application

When completing the Life Wireless application, be certain to have the items from this list that pertain to you on hand:

  • the prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return,

  • a Social Security statement of benefits,

  • a Veterans Administration statement of benefits,

  • a retirement/pension statement of benefits,

  • an Unemployment/Workmen's Compensation statement of benefits,

  • Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance, or

  • a divorce decree, child support award, or other official document containing income information for at least three months’ time

PLUS: Photo ID

You will also need a photo ID that is issued by a United States federal, state, or local government or Tribal entity. (Work, college, union, bank account and student ID’s are not acceptable, nor are passports and ID’s issued by a consulate of a foreign country, i.e. Mexico “Matricula Consular”, Canada, etc.).

Adult daughter and elderly dad having coffee together.

Before You Submit Your Completed Application

Before you submit your completed application form, you will be required to attest that each of the following items are true by initialing each statement:

  • I meet the income-based or program-based eligibility criteria for receiving Lifeline service and have provided documentation of eligibility if required.

  • I will notify the Company within 30 days if for any reason I no longer satisfy the criteria for receiving Lifeline including, as relevant, if I no longer meet the income-based or program-based eligibility criteria, I begin receiving more than one Lifeline benefit, or another member of my household is receiving a Lifeline benefit. I understand that I may be subject to penalties if I fail to follow this requirement.

  • I am not listed as a dependent on another person’s tax return (unless over the age of 60).

  • The address I have provided is my primary residence, not a second home or business.

  • If I move to a new address, I will provide that new address to the Company; I will verify my temporary residential address every 90 days.

  • I acknowledge that providing false or fraudulent information to receive Lifeline benefits is punishable by law.

  • I acknowledge that I may be required to re-certify my continued eligibility for Life Wireless at any time, and my failure to re-certify as to my continued eligibility within 30 days will result in de- enrollment and the termination of my Life Wireless service.

Activating Your Life Wireless Service

Once your Life Wireless application is approved, and you must complete your activation by placing a call to the Activation Line (770-200-1000). This call is free and does not reduce your minute balance. Plus, it takes less than one minute to complete!

Additional, important, details

To keep your account active, you need to use the service at least once during any 30-day period by:

  • calling someone,

  • answering a call from someone other than Life Wireless,

  • sending a text message,

  • using cellular data (again, by going on Facebook or Amazon, for example),

  • purchasing additional service from Life Wireless,

  • or by responding to a direct contact from Life Wireless confirming that you want to continue receiving service from Life Wireless.

Final note:

Should your service go unused for 30 days, you will no longer be eligible for Lifeline benefits and your phone service may be suspended (allowing only 911 calls and calls to the Life Wireless's customer care center), and subject to a 15-day cure period during which you must use the service (as described above) in order to fully re-activate your lifeline service and keep your telephone number.

Questions?

For questions about lifeline provider Life Wireless, eligible consumers are encouraged to visit our Contact Us page here. To enroll now, use the Life Wireless Online Enrollment form.

 

Posted 6 months ago