Lifeline Rate Program

The Lifeline Program, a government assistance program subsidized through the Universal Service Fund, provides discounted telephone or internet service for income-eligible consumers.

Additionally, the Michigan Public Service Commission has created a website collecting all information about home energy, phone, and internet bill assistance: https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/get-help

To be eligible for Lifeline, you must meet income-based requirements (< 135% of the federal poverty level) or participate in one of the following programs:

  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Tribal Eligibility Programs (and living on federally-recognized Tribal lands), or
  • Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

Your eligibility to participate in these programs will be verified by MEC or an authorized state agency. Lifeline is non-transferable and is limited to one discount per household (i.e. phone OR internet). Only eligible consumers may enroll and a household cannot receive Lifeline benefits from multiple providers.

Enrollees will receive a monthly credit on their MEC bill. Residents of federally recognized tribal lands may receive an additional reduction. Additional state support may be available.

Residential Discount for Internet or Phone

  • Lifeline Discount: $9.25 internet, $9.25 phone, $9.25 bundled
  • Lifeline Senior: $12.35 internet, $12.35 phone, $12.35 bundled
  • Lifeline Tribal: $34.25

Get Started

For more information about this program, please visit lifelinesupport.org.