Lifeline and ACP in Texas

Your household might qualify for Lifeline and/or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which will reduce the cost of your monthly phone or broadband services if you live in Texas. 

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What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?

The ACP is run by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). The ACP offers a monthly discount of up to $30 (up to $75 if you’re living on qualified Tribal land) on your monthly broadband services if your household is eligible. Part of the ACP benefits includes a one-time discount of up to $100 toward internet-capable devices like a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. You may need to pay $10-$50 towards your phone or computer, depending on your service provider.

What is the Lifeline phone program?

The FCC program, Lifeline, is designed to lower the cost of a monthly phone, internet, or bundled service. If your household is eligible for Lifeline, you’ll receive a $9.25 discount on your monthly phone, internet, or bundled services. If you live on qualifying Tribal lands, you’ll receive a discount of up to $34.25.

How To Get Free Phone Service in Texas

If you qualify for Lifeline or the ACP, and you live in Texas, you are eligible for a free Android smartphone from TruConnect as part of their ACP plan. This plan includes free monthly phone service too!

How does the ACP phone program work in Texas?

You’ll receive a discount of up to $30 on your monthly phone or internet services, and a one-time discount on an internet-capable device if your household is eligible for the ACP.

Part of this process includes selecting a participating service provider. 

How does the Lifeline phone program work in Texas?

If your household qualifies for Lifeline, you have 90 days to choose a phone or internet company that accepts Lifeline and sign up for service with them. Or you can ask your current service provider to use your Lifeline benefit. 

ACP Qualifications in Texas

Qualifying for the ACP is based on income or program participation.

If your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you are eligible for the ACP. The income eligibility chart for ACP qualifications can be found below. 

Household Size

48 States, D.C., and Territories

Alaska

Hawaii

1

$27,180

$33,980

$31,260

2

$36,620

$45,780

$42,120

3

$46,060

$57,580

$52,980

4

$55,500

$69,380

$63,840

5

$64,940

$81,180

$74,700

6

$74,380

$92,980

$85,560

7

$83,820

$104,780

$96,420

8

$93,260

$116,580

$107,280

For each additional person, add: 

$9,440

$11,800

$10,860

 

If a member of your household participates in one of the following government assistance programs, that qualifies your household for the ACP.

  1. Lifeline

  2. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which used to be called Food Stamps

  3. Medicaid

  4. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

  5. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  6. Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

  7. Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

  8. School Lunch or Breakfast program, which includes USDA Community Eligibility Provision schools

  9. Federal Pell Grant program recipient in the current year

 

Lifeline Qualifications in Texas 

You or your household can qualify for Lifeline in Texas based on either income or if a member of your household participates in a government assistance program. The income eligibility chart for Lifeline qualifications can be found below.  

Household Size

48 States, D.C., and Territories

Alaska

Hawaii

1

$18,347

$22,937

$21,101

2

$24,719

$30,902

$28,431

3

$31,091

$38,867

$35,762

4

$37,463

$46,832

$43,092

5

$43,835

$54,797

$50,423

6

$50,207

$62,762

$57,753

7

$56,579

$70,727

$65,084

8

$62,951

$78,692

$72,414

Add for each additional person: 

$6,372

$7,965

$7,331

 

Anyone in your household participating in one of the following programs qualifies your household for Lifeline.

  1. SNAP

  2. Medicaid

  3. SSI

  4. FPHA

  5. Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

  6. Tribal assistance programs like the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (if you qualify by income), Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

 

Lifeline Phone Program Application in Texas 

Apply for Lifeline online now!

Affordable Connectivity Program Application in Texas

Apply to the ACP benefit online now!

How to Connect with TruConnect in Texas

If you qualify for Lifeline or the ACP in Texas, you’re eligible for TruConnect’s FREE plans which include at least 12.5 GB of 4G/LTE data WITH Wi-Fi hotspot capacity, and a free Android smartphone (subject to availability)! Their Lifeline plans include unlimited talk and text, and free international calling!

TruConnect is also proud to offer you their app, MyTruConnect, which will allow you to:

  1. Manage your account easily.

  2. Top Up your international minutes or data if you run out.

  3. Upgrade your device.

  4. Earn rewards that turn into free minutes and data.

  5. Find hotspot locations.

Download the MyTruConnect app now!

 

Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program FAQs in Texas 

Are the Affordable Connectivity Program and the Lifeline phone programs legitimate?

Yes. Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are both Federally funded programs, administered through the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC). Lifeline and the ACP are both Federal Communication Commission (FCC) programs. The FCC is an independent U.S. Government Agency that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in the U.S. 

Is the ACP program permanent?

The ACP is part of a new, long-term 14 billion dollar program designed to help low-income households gain access to phone and internet services. 

How do I get a free US government phone?

The free phone doesn’t come from the government. Some service providers may charge you $10-$50, but TruConnect offers a free android smartphone with their free ACP monthly phone service plan. 

Can you have ACP and Lifeline at the same time?

Yes, if you qualify for both programs. However, the income requirements are different for each program. You qualify for Lifeline if your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. However, for the ACP, the income requirement is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, so you may qualify for the ACP without qualifying for Lifeline. 

Is EBB and Lifeline the same program?

No, they are different programs. Lifeline is a monthly discount on phone or broadband, or bundled voice/broadband services. The EBB was a separate benefit program that has been replaced with the ACP. The ACP offers a similar monthly discount on monthly broadband services, along with a one-time discount on an internet-capable device. If you qualify for Lifeline, you also qualify for the ACP, though you will still need to enroll.