Safe Connections Act (SCA) Emergency Communications Benefit

Survivors experiencing financial hardship will be able to apply for emergency support.

Lifeline

Making wireless service affordable for people with limited income

AT&T Lifeline

Being connected is important in today's world, and AT&T believes people should have access to wireless service. If you are in a qualifying low-income household, you may be able to reduce your bill by getting a Lifeline discount on your wireless phone or home phone service.

What is Lifeline?

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of wireless phone or home phone for qualifying customers. Eligible customers will get at least a $5.25 discount on their bill. Qualifying customers who live on federally recognized tribal lands may get up to an additional $25 discount.

You can get one Lifeline discount (wireless phone or home phone, but only one service) per household, not per person, and a household can get a Lifeline discount from only one provider.

Do I qualify?

You may qualify for a Lifeline benefit based on:

-OR-

  • Participation by you or someone else in your household in one of the following federal assistance programs:
  1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
  2. Medicaid
  3. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  4. Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  5. Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  6. Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands)

AT&T provides a Lifeline discount on wireless service in certain areas of the following states. Call for availability at your specific location. Additional information for your state is available by clicking on a link below.

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How do I apply?

  1. If you live in Oregon: Call the Oregon Telephone Assistance Program at 888.299.0835 or apply online for Lifeline.
  2. If you live in Texas: Call 877.282.5612 to start the application process, or apply online. Please mail your application and proof of eligibility to the address on the application.
  3. Outside Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas and U.S. Virgin Islands: Please apply online via the National Verifier. You can also download and print a copy of the application. Once you have applied and been approved by the National Verifier, call us at 800.377.9450 (Weekdays, 8am to 8pm, Eastern Time) to see if AT&T offers Lifeline at your location.

Additional Lifeline information

AT&T Lifeline eligible services:

These features may not be available on AT&T Lifeline eligible services:

  • Data services
  • Text messaging
  • Other enhanced services or features
  • International long distance
  • Access to 900 numbers

Other restrictions may apply. Please check your state-specific brochure for details.

No longer participating in Lifeline?

Don’t qualify for Lifeline anymore? If you no longer qualify and are removed from the Lifeline program, we’ll automatically change your plan to the most favorable one available to you. You can choose another plan at att.com/myatt.

Additional terms and conditions:

The Lifeline discount is subject to terms and conditions. You can find them in the Terms of Service, Rate Plan brochure, and Contract Rider in the application.

Safe Connections Act (SCA) Emergency Communications Benefit

AT&T is committed to helping keep domestic abuse survivors safe and connected.

The FCC implemented the Safe Connections Act (SCA) to help people who have survived domestic violence or other related crimes and abuse.

The SCA lets survivors separate their phone line(s) from their alleged abuser.

Survivors experiencing financial hardship can also qualify for an emergency communications benefit of $9.25 for six months through the Lifeline program.

Survivors of domestic violence can request line separation by calling 800.983.4428 or go to www.att.com/survivorhelp.

Do I qualify for the Emergency Communications Benefit?

You may qualify for the Lifeline Emergency Communications Benefit based on:

Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Participation in one of the following programs

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
  • Free and reduced price school lunch or breakfast program or attendance at Community Eligibility Provision school
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Women Infants and Children program assistance (WIC)
 

Those that live on Federally recognized tribal lands may also qualify based on participation in:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
  • Tribal Head Start
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Survivors will also need to provide valid documentation from their phone company proving they made a completed line separation request to receive emergency support from Lifeline.

Application Process/How do I Apply?

Apply online via the National Verifier. Once you have applied and been approved by the National Verifier, call us at 888.319.0519 (Weekdays, 8am to 8pm, Eastern Time) to see if AT&T offers the Lifeline Emergency Communications Benefit at your location.

What will happen at the end of 6 months?

USAC will attempt to verify the survivor’s eligibility for the standard Lifeline benefit through its automated database check process.