Lifeline: phone and internet discount — NC Guide for Peer Support Specialists

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for people with low income.

County next steps

Orange · Durham · Wake · North Carolina · Adults 18+

Orange County

113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough; or 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Durham County

414 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Wake County

220 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27610

Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.

Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.

Only one Lifeline benefit per household, not per adult. A household consists of people sharing income and expenses; people at one address may be separate households and may need the Household Worksheet.
Lifeline discounts phone or internet service. A free phone, device, or zero-cost plan is not guaranteed.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended June 1, 2024. Do not rely on old ACP enrollment or device offers; Lifeline is a separate program.

Income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines, or
Getting Medicaid, SNAP/FNS, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans and Survivors Pension benefits

Check eligibility and apply through the National Verifier; an in-county library computer can help with online access.
Choose a participating company and confirm plan charges, device costs, coverage, and enrollment requirements before signing up.
Keep contact information current and respond to any annual recertification request; automatic eligibility checks may complete recertification.

Last checked November 5, 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.

Orange · Durham · Wake, NC · Adults 18+ · Crisis: 988 · Immediate danger: 911