Federal Lifeline benefit
USAC currently lists support of $5.25 for qualifying voice-only service and up to $9.25 for qualifying broadband or bundled service. Enhanced support can reach $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands.
plans
Lifeline Wireless Plans and Free Phone Service Options
Compare Lifeline-supported wireless service, current talk, text, data and hotspot terms, and how a separate Gov iPhone device promotion may apply.
Gov iPhone Lifeline Wireless
One service family with terms confirmed before enrollment
Gov iPhone separates the federal Lifeline benefit, the wireless service and any promotional device. Customers review one underlying Lifeline-supported wireless service framework, while the exact charge, allowances and features are confirmed for the current provider offer.
Primary service family
Gov iPhone Lifeline Wireless
The final enrollment summary is the source of truth for the customer charge and included service features.
Monthly customer chargeConfirmed during enrollment
Voice, text and mobile dataCurrent allowances confirmed before enrollment
HotspotDepends on the current provider plan
5G serviceRequires a compatible device, supported plan and coverage
ActivationCurrent provider terms confirmed before acceptance
ShippingCurrent terms confirmed before fulfillment
Gov iPhone provider offer
Gov iPhone confirms the service charge, allowances, hotspot, coverage, device promotion, activation and shipping terms for the actual enrollment.
Federal minimums for applicable supported services
USAC currently lists the standards below for provider reimbursement. They are program minimums, not a promise that every Gov iPhone customer receives only or exactly these allowances.
| Supported service | Current minimum | What it means here |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile voice | 1,000 minutes | Federal minimum for applicable mobile voice service |
| Mobile broadband speed | 3G or better | Does not guarantee 5G coverage or a specific network experience |
| Mobile broadband usage | 4.5 GB monthly | Actual Gov iPhone data allowance is confirmed before enrollment |
Review the terms that affect the account
Customer charge and allowances
Review the recurring charge plus the voice, text and data included in the actual plan.
Learn more →Coverage and 5G
A 5G-capable phone still needs a supported plan and real network coverage at the service location.
Learn more →Device promotion
A $0 iPhone may apply only when the current provider promotion includes the model.
Learn more →Activation and shipping
Confirm current charges and instructions before activation or fulfillment begins.
Learn more →Lifeline plan questions
Is Lifeline wireless service always $0 per month?+
Not automatically. Lifeline provides a federal monthly benefit toward qualifying service. The final customer charge depends on the service type and the current provider plan offered for the customer location.
Does the Lifeline benefit pay for an iPhone?+
The federal Lifeline benefit supports qualifying communications service. A $0 iPhone or other promotional device is a separate Gov iPhone provider offer and depends on the current device promotion.
Are talk, text, data and hotspot allowances the same everywhere?+
No. Allowances and plan features can vary by provider offer and service area. Gov iPhone should confirm the actual plan before enrollment is completed.
Does Gov iPhone charge an activation fee?+
The current activation terms and any customer charge are confirmed during enrollment before the customer accepts the provider offer.
Can I use my own iPhone with Lifeline service?+
A compatible unlocked iPhone may work through the BYOD path after model, IMEI, network and SIM or eSIM compatibility are checked.
Gov iPhone next step
Review eligibility before choosing the final service offer
Use the Gov iPhone pre-screen, then continue to the provider application where current service and device terms are confirmed.