UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND - LIFELINE
Federal Communications Commission
Universal service has been defined by Congress as “an evolving level of telecommunications services . . . taking into account advances in telecommunications and information technologies and services.” 47 U.S.C. 254(c). Universal service support generally is distributed only to eligible telecommunications carriers and must be used “only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended.” 47 U.S.C. 254(e). In addition, policies for the ad
Jargon-free version
Helps low-income Americans get affordable internet and phone services. It ensures they have access to quality communication options.
Quick Facts
Preview our US grants database — free Excel sample
Real Excel sample. Just your email.
You'll also get our weekly grants digest. Unsubscribe anytime.
Free Excel sample of the US Grants Database, contextually offered on the UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND - LIFELINE program page.
What Is This Program?
What Benefits Are Offered?
Monthly discount on phone service (mobile voice, mobile broadband, fixed broadband) for eligible low-income consumers to ensure access to essential communication services like connecting to jobs, family, and emergency services. As of December 1, 2023, the voice support amount is $5.25/month and broadband support amount is $9.25/month.
Who Is Eligible?
Demographics: low-income individuals, households on Tribal lands
Revenue Range: 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Other Criteria: qualifying low-income consumers, enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), enrolled in Supplemental Security Income (SSI), enrolled in Medicaid, enrolled in Federal Public Housing Assistance, enrolled in Tribal-specific programs (Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Head Start), enrolled in Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs, available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands
Chat with Grant experts
Browse our directory of vetted grant professionals who can help with your application.
Browse Partner Directory🏆 Detailed Application Guide
📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?
📄What Documents Are Required?
Still searching one grant at a time?
See this grant and hundreds more like this in the database instantly.
💰What Expenses Are Eligible?
🤝Is Matching Funding Required?
📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?
How Do I Apply?
Know a grant consultant who should be listed here? Refer them.
More Programs Like This
Tanker Security Program
Department Of Transportation, Maritime Administration
The Tanker Security Program (TSP) will ensure that a core fleet of U.S.-based product tankers can operate competitively ...
National Railroad Passenger Corporation Grants
Department Of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration
To provide financial assistance to support the operation of and capital investment in intercity passenger rail service i...
Payments for Essential Air Services
Department Of Transportation, Office Of The Secretary
The program provides subsidies to air carriers to serve eligible communities as designated by Congress .
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Visit the program page for detailed eligibility requirements.
This program offers funding up to $9.25 (minimum $5.25).
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis.
Choose your tier
One-time purchase, instant .xlsx download. USD.
Promo codes can be entered at checkout.
Basic
5 columns per program
Quick reference, simple lookups, sales prospecting
- Program title and CFDA number
- Issuing organization + URL
- Short program description
- 2,812 active US federal assistance listings
- .xlsx workbook (README + All Grants tabs)
Pro
24 columns per program
Grant consultants, nonprofit grant writers, proposal teams
- Everything in Basic, plus 23 more columns
- Funding range (min / max) and application deadline
- Eligibility: business sizes, industries, geographic restrictions
- Primary program contact (email, phone)
- Audience + activity tags for filtering (Nonprofits, Universities, etc.)
- Application intake type, submission method, matching required
- "For Nonprofits" tab — 1,500+ programs in one curated view
- Aggregation tabs: By Organization, By Theme, By Audience, Deadlines
Intelligence
49 columns per program
Data teams, AI builders, large grant operations, due-diligence research
- Everything in Pro, plus 25 more deep-extracted columns
- Long-form description + ideal-applicant summary + success tips
- Application steps, required documents, NOFO URLs, key dates
- Eligible / ineligible expenses, expense caps, payment model
- Matching ratios, eligible sources, stacking rules
- Reporting frequency, requirements, single-audit thresholds
- Plain-English 1-2 sentence rewrite of every program
- Contact Directory tab — outreach-ready contact list
A detailed invoice will be emailed to you after purchase. Use it for company reimbursement.