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Disaster Assistance

Disaster Assistance

Lifeline is a federal program that helps lower the monthly cost of your phone or internet service.

Lifeline is here for consumers impacted by recent disasters. If you receive FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) support because of Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Helene, Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene, and Hurricane Milton you may qualify for Lifeline.

What are the program benefits?

If you qualify you can receive:

  • Up to a $9.25 per month discount for phone, internet, or bundled services.
  • Up to a $34.25 per month discount for phone, internet, or bundled services for households on eligible Tribal Lands.

How can I qualify?

There are several ways you can qualify for the Lifeline benefit:

1. If you, your child or dependent are enrolled in FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP).

Applications for Lifeline using IHP for disaster assistance will be accepted through:

  • April 2, 2025, for affected Helene Weather Events consumers
  • April 10, 2025, for affected Hurricane Milton consumers

2. If you, your child or dependent are enrolled in certain government assistance programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps or Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Veterans and Survivors Benefit

If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you (or someone in your household) can also qualify if you participate in one of these programs:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

3. Based on household income

How do I apply?

You have two options to apply:

1. Online

Visit the homepage of LifelineSupport.org to complete the online application and upload any required documentation. (Online Application Instructions are available in 10 languages)

2. Mail

Complete a paper application (English and Spanish) and mail the application and supporting documentation to the below address. (Paper Application Instructions are available in 10 languages)

Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 1000
Horseheads, NY 14845

3. Apply with a Service Provider

Apply for the benefit by contacting a participating Lifeline provider. Find phone and internet companies serving your affected area.

Once your application is approved, you can sign up with a participating Lifeline phone or internet company to receive your benefit.

What documents do I need?

You may need to provide documentation to confirm your eligibility, identity, or address. We will let you know what to submit if we need more information to process your application.

To show you participate in FEMA’s IHP, you will need to give us your approval letter and include the below information:

  • Your first and last name
  • Enrollment date
  • The name of the program
  • Approval that you are receiving disaster assistance

Documents in email format, or a screenshot from DisasterAssistance.gov are acceptable.

For more information on acceptable documents visit our Documents Needed page.

Where can I get help with my application?

We are here to help. Call the Lifeline Support Center at (800) 234-9473, 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or email us at LifelineSupport@usac.org.