Survivor Benefit

About the Safe Connections Act

The Safe Connections Act (SCA) of 2022 helps survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes get discounted phone, internet, or bundled services through the Lifeline program. Under the SCA, at the request of a survivor, phone companies must separate phone lines linked to family plans where the abuser is on the account.

What are the program benefits?

Survivors who qualify for the survivor benefit can receive:

• Emergency Lifeline support for up to 6 months
• Up to a $9.25 per month discount for phone, internet, or bundled services

How can I qualify?

To get the survivor benefit, you must provide documentation of your line separation request, and qualify through one of the methods below. You may also qualify through the existing Lifeline program requirements.

1. Based on enrollment in certain government assistance programs

You can get the survivor benefit if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans and Survivors Benefit
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast program, including enrollment at a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school or school district
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year

If you live on 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

OR

2. Based on household income

You can get the survivor benefit if your income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

How do I apply?

You have two options to apply for the survivor benefit.

	1. Online Visit the homepage of LifelineSupport.org to complete the electronic 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 this address. (Paper Application Instructions are available in 10 languages) Lifeline Support Center PO Box 1000 Horseheads, NY 14845

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

What documents do I need?

You will need to provide documentation verifying your line separation request to qualify for the survivor benefit. Once you ask your phone company to separate a line, they have 2 business days to respond. The email, text message, or letter they send you will be your proof that you requested a line separation. This document must include the below information:

• Your name
• A date within the last 12 months
• The name of your phone company

If you don’t have proof of your line separation request, you can continue to apply for Lifeline and re-apply as a survivor once you receive the email, text message, or letter from your phone company.

To complete your application, you may have to provide documentation that proves you participate in a qualifying program, or to verify your income. For more information on acceptable documents visit our Documents Needed page.

FAQs

Resources

The FCC and USAC have developed resources to help you learn about how you can receive emergency Lifeline support for up to 6 months through the Safe Connections Act.