Every year Lifeline customers must go through the Lifeline recertification process. This page helps GCI Lifeline Unlimited subscribers understand what is involved and how to renew their free home and wireless service.
How to Recertify
When it is time for you to recertify, the phone company will notify you via telephone, text message, email, or letter. The notification will include a date you must submit your Annual Recertification to avoid losing your free Lifeline cellphone service. You can also continue to qualify for the program if you participate in certain government assistance programs or if your household income is below the poverty guidelines based on family size.
The easiest way to recertify is online or by phone, depending on whether you need additional documentation. To renew by phone, you need your Application ID in the notification letter or text message from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) or the recertification Subscriber Status Report. Note that if your Application ID begins with the letter “D,” you must submit documentation and cannot use the recertify by phone option.
It is important to remember that Lifeline is a federal benefit, and willfully providing false information can result in fines, imprisonment, or de-enrollment.
What Documents to Bring
During the Lifeline recertification process, you must submit documentation that proves your income is low enough to qualify for the program. You can do this online or over the phone. If you also have the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), recertify. You can find more information on how to do this here. All subscribers must recertify yearly to keep their Lifeline and ACP benefits. If you do, your service will be connected. Usually, the provider will send you a letter 90 days before your anniversary reminding you to renew. This will include your Application ID and renewal instructions. It is easiest and fastest to renew over the phone (if no additional documentation is needed), but you can do it online or by mail. During Lifeline recertification, you must prove that your household income is below the government-set poverty guidelines for your state. You must show your total annual household income documentation, including any non-cash or cash equivalent amounts such as dividends, spousal support and child support, stipends, grants, gifts, allowances, rental income, social security payments, and pensions.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Documents
You can recertify your lifeline benefits by phone even if you don’t have the required documents. The process is quick and easy, but you must have the necessary information. You will also want to know when your Lifeline is due to be renewed. You can find out when it’s time to recertify by looking at your last statement from the company. The Lifeline program is available to low-income households and individuals in all states, commonwealths, territories, and Tribal lands. You must recertify your eligibility each year by providing proof of participation in a qualifying government assistance program or your income level.
During the annual recertification process, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will check the national database to see if you are still eligible for Lifeline. They will send you a letter in the mail or a notification text message that tells you how to recertify. The easiest way to recertify is by telephone, but you can also renew online or by mail. It’s important to remember that you are only allowed to receive one lifeline discount for phone or internet service per household. If you’re found to be receiving more than one, you’ll be de-enrolled from the program. The only exception is if you have completed verification or the one-time National Verifier verification process.
Getting Started
The annual Lifeline recertification process is a requirement for all Lifeline Unlimited subscribers. The process is designed to verify that all subscribers meet the national verifier’s eligibility standards to continue to receive the program benefits. Customers eligible to recertify can do so by taking documentation to our retail locations. The documentation can include pay stubs, utility bills, state assistance documents, or any other official document showing the previous year’s income. You can also complete your annual Lifeline recertification by phone or online.
You will receive a letter or text message from USAC (or your state’s lifeline administrator for California, Oregon, or Texas) 90 days before your anniversary date, letting you know it is time to recertify. The letter or text message will provide your application ID, indicating if you need to submit additional documentation and whether you can use the online, phone, or mail options. You must pass the eligibility check to receive a notice in the mail within 2-3 business days after your 60-day window closes. You will be automatically de-enrolled from NLAD five (5) days after that. In addition, if you have multiple lifeline lines, it is important to remember that each household is only allowed one benefit per “household.” If you are found to have violated this policy, you can be fined or barred from the Lifeline program altogether.
