What Is Considered a Household for Lifeline Discounts?

While it’s important to know what is considered a household, it’s also important to know who in your household is eligible. Use the Lifeline household worksheet to determine whether you qualify as a separate household.

Do roommates count as household members? It depends. Roommates may be considered part of your household if you and your roommate support one another financially. But does a household include roommates who don’t share expenses? No, you would be regarded as separate households.

Household shared expenses include costs jointly managed by individuals living together, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, internet and cable services, household maintenance, property taxes, and more. These expenses are typically divided or managed through joint financial arrangements, such as shared bank accounts, to ensure equitable distribution among household members, fostering financial stability and collaborative budgeting within the household.

To prove household eligibility for Lifeline, you can expect to show documents that include:

• Your household income
• Participation in another qualifying program, such as SNAP
• Documents showing date of birth (e.g., birth certificate, driver’s license, tribal ID)
• Social Security/tribal identification number
• Mailing address (e.g., utility bills, driver’s license, mortgage/lease statements, W-2 forms)
• Court documents/certificates (for emancipated minors only)

If you currently live with a Lifeline subscriber, you’ll also need to provide a completed copy of the Lifeline Program Household Worksheet to demonstrate that you are separate households

Lifeline discounts are limited to one household — not one per person. If you are in the same household as a current subscriber, you are not eligible for additional Lifeline benefits. However, if your roommate is a Lifeline subscriber and you do not share expenses, you are considered separate households. That means each member can apply for Lifeline benefits.

You can apply for Lifeline benefits directly through the Lifeline website. You must log in or create an account to start or complete the application. You can also apply online using your phone or internet company.

Assist Wireless makes it easy to apply for Lifeline. Simply use Assist’s website to determine your eligibility and gain insight on qualifying documents.

You can also submit a completed Lifeline application (either in English or in Spanish) by mail. You’ll need to print the application and send copies of all required documentation to:

Lifeline Support Center

P.O. Box 9100

Wilkes-Barre, PA 1877

If you have any questions, you can contact the Lifeline Support Center at (800)-234-9473.

You can apply for Lifeline benefits directly through the Lifeline website. You must log in or create an account to start or complete the application. You can also apply online using your phone or internet company.

Assist Wireless makes it easy to apply for Lifeline. Simply use Assist’s website to determine your eligibility and gain insight on qualifying documents.

You can also submit a completed Lifeline application (either in English or in Spanish) by mail. You’ll need to print the application and send copies of all required documentation to:

Lifeline Support Center

P.O. Box 9100

Wilkes-Barre, PA 1877

If you have any questions, you can contact the Lifeline Support Center at (800)-234-9473.