What is Lifeline Recertification?

Lifeline program annual recertification is required for all Lifeline subscribers every year. The process is designed to check your benefit eligibility status to ensure you still qualify for free monthly talk, text, and data.

Regardless of which phone company you have or how you enrolled in Lifeline, you will receive a physical letter 90 days before your anniversary, reminding you that you must recertify. Your letter will also include your application ID for Lifeline renewal online or over the phone.

The fastest option is Lifeline renewal by phone, but you can also complete your renewal online or by mail. The Lifeline recertification online or by mail option is required if you need to supply any additional documentation proving your continued eligibility.

Have ACP benefits? Make sure to also complete the ACP renewal process! You may be disconnected if you don’t recertify for the ACP program and supply additional documentation when requested.

Lifeline Recertification with Assist Wireless
Lifeline subscribers

Annual Recertification is now easier than ever!

Recertify by Phone!

If you’re enrolled in Lifeline, recertify quickly and easily by phone, online, or mail. The Lifeline Administrator requires all Lifeline and/or ACP subscribers to recertify their program benefit eligibility annually. The easiest way to recertify (if additional documentation is not required) is by phone!

  • Get immediate confirmation!
  • Takes less than 10 minutes!
  • All you need is your Application ID!*

*If your application ID begins with the letter “D,” your renewal must be completed online or by mail.

What You Will Need to Renew

To renew/recertify your Lifeline/ACP service, you will need your application ID. The Lifeline Administrator, USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company), will text your application ID to your device, and it is located on the renewal form sent to you.

Once you have your ID, you can call to renew your Lifeline/ACP service.

If you are required to provide additional proof of eligibility, you will not be able to use the phone renewal method, but you can still renew online or by mail.

Assist Wireless Lifeline Recertification Checklist

Recertify by Phone

Recertifying by phone is the fastest option.

  • Get immediate confirmation!
  • Takes less than 10 minutes!
  • All you need is your Application ID!

If you are required to provide additional documentation, renewal must be completed online or by mail.

Recertify Online

Follow the link below to log in or create an account on the National Verifier web portal and begin recertification.

  • Results are immediate!
  • Provide additional documents if necessary!

Recertify by Mail

Recertifying by mail is the slowest option.

  • You may continue to receive recertification reminders.
  • You can submit additional required documents.

Please send your completed Recertification Form to:

Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742

Why Assist Wireless?

Are you trying to figure out “How to recertify my Lifeline service?”

Assist Wireless is an authorized provider of free mobile services and free phones. We care about our customers and will walk you through each step to take advantage of this government benefit.

To ensure you stay connected, Assist Wireless makes the renewal process easy. We supply the Lifeline recertification form and guide you through all the steps to renew Lifeline service from the comfort of your home.

Stay connected for work, school, and healthcare purposes with the nation’s number one Lifeline provider.

Satisfied Assist Wireless Customers

What Happens If You Don’t Recertify for Lifeline/ACP?

If you do not recertify your Lifeline/ACP eligibility, your Lifeline/ACP benefit will be discontinued.

If you are on a Lifeline-only plan, you can no longer access your free talk, text, and data. Customers who are on Lifeline+ACP plans and do not renew their Lifeline benefits will be transferred to the ACP-only plan for their state.


Recertify your Lifeline/ACP eligibility to continue to receive your Lifeline discount on your monthly talk, text, and data! If you do not recertify, Assist Wireless will allow you to use your device as a pay-as-you-go option.

Having trouble recertifying? Contact the USAC support line.

Lifeline Recertification FAQS

We’re here to answer frequently asked questions about recertification and to help you keep your Lifeline benefits!

 

General Recertification Questions

How To Recertify

My Recertification Status

General Recertification Questions

Why should I recertify my Lifeline?

FCC rules state that all participating mobile carriers must check the eligibility of their Lifeline subscribers annually. Failure to do so means we must discontinue your Lifeline cell service. If you are de-enrolled from the process, you may be unable to keep your existing number if you attempt to enroll in the Lifeline program later. That’s why it’s essential to prepare proof documentation and sign up for the phone or internet service with your provider before the de-enrollment deadline.

Are there any exceptions to Lifeline recertification?

No. The FCC offers no exceptions to the Lifeline recertification rule. To keep receiving benefits from the Lifeline program, annual recertification is required. All subscribers will receive a letter to recertify annually. Some states have state-wide databases of Lifeline subscribers accessible to Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs). A consumer may not be required to recertify manually if he or she resides in one of these states. Lifeline administrators can recertify you via one of these universal databases.

How often do I need to recertify my Lifeline eligibility?

Every Lifeline beneficiary must recertify their benefit within a 60-day window before their anniversary date every year. This window is from 80-88 days before the anniversary date until 20-28 days before the anniversary date. This will ensure you successfully recertify and can avoid being automatically de-enrolled, allowing you to keep your internet company or phone service provider the same and not lose or transfer your number.

How do I recertify my Lifeline eligibility with Assist Wireless?

The fastest and easiest way to recertify for Lifeline is by phone. Simply call 855-359-4299 and follow the prompts. This takes about 10 minutes, and you will immediately be notified of your success/denial. You may also mail your paper recertification form to the Lifeline Support Center: PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742, or use the online web process at checklifeline.org. Please note that individuals who complete a paper application do not receive a confirmation of recertification status.

When will I receive notice that I need to recertify Lifeline?

You will receive multiple notifications about your recertification, including: (1) a mailed letter from USAC, the Lifeline administrator, with your application ID and a Lifeline certification form. This letter will include ways to complete your recertification. (2) Text & Phone reminders. Assist Wireless will text you 7-10 days before your recertification period begins, with periodic reminders throughout your 60-day recertification window. These messages will include variations of the following information: (1) your unique application ID needed for recertification, (2) the recertification phone number, (3) a link to the Assist Wireless Recertification web page (this is also where you can find a copy of the Recertification Form), (4) the mailing address for paper recertification forms, (5) Exclusive recertification promotional offerings such as a free account credit or free talk + text, and (6) a Lifeline support line phone number to use in the event you have any issues completing your recertification.

What if I’m getting text messages about recertification, but I’ve already recertified?

If you completed your Lifeline program recertification by phone or online, it may take 5-7 business days for Assist Wireless to get confirmation from the Lifeline Administrator about a completed recertification status. Mailed recertification submissions will take much longer to confirm. Still, you can call the Lifeline Support line at (800) 234-9473 if you have inquiries about your recertification application status, and you should disregard further text reminders unless you are notified that your application was denied or not received. If you recertified by phone or online and are still receiving text reminders about recertification, your recertification may not have been successful.

What do I need to recertify my Lifeline eligibility?

To recertify your Lifeline eligibility, you will only need your unique application ID (mailed to you by USAC, and communicated through texts from Assist Wireless) and to confirm personal information such as the last four numbers of your social security number, your name, address, etc.

Who can I contact about recertification issues?

Call the Lifeline Support Center at (800) 234-9473 Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

How much time will I be given to complete the recertification process?

Each subscriber will have 60 days to complete the recertification of their Lifeline eligibility.

How long will it take to complete the recertification process?

The quickest way to recertify is by phone, which takes less than 10 minutes. Simply call 855-359-4299 and follow the prompts.

What happens if I don’t recertify?

If you do not complete recertification by the deadline, your Lifeline service will be transferred to prepaid, and you will no longer receive free talk, text, and/or data each month. If you are still eligible to apply for Lifeline service, you can re-enroll with Assist Wireless.

I recently signed up with Assist. Why am I being asked to recertify?

The Lifeline Administrator requires recertification annually, based on the anniversary of your initial Lifeline application. Unfortunately, they do not allow us to count your activation with a Lifeline provider as a renewal with Lifeline.

Don’t worry, though. Resolving the issue only takes about 10 minutes by phone, and all you need is your Application ID and the last four digits of your social security number.

Don’t have your application ID? A customer service representative would be happy to help you! Give us a call at (800) 234-9473.

How To Recertify

Where should I mail my completed Lifeline Recertification Form?

Please return completed Recertification Forms to:
Lifeline Support Center
PO Box 7081
London, KY 40742

Where can I get a copy of the form to recertify my eligibility?

Need another copy of the form? Download the Lifeline Recertification Form Here.

What if I don’t have internet access to recertify online?

We recommend recertifying by phone. It is the easiest and quickest and will provide you with immediate confirmation of successful/unsuccessful recertification.

My Recertification Status

How do I know if my recertification was successful?

Customers who recertify using the automated phone option will receive immediate confirmation of recertification status. You may continue to receive reminder texts from Assist Wireless for 3-5 business days following this confirmation until your recertification status is up-to-date in our system. We also send a confirmation text message when your recertification credit is applied to your account. For mailed/paper Lifeline certification form submissions, you will only receive notifications from the Lifeline Administrator if you are NOT successfully recertified. This will happen at the end of your recertification window. Contact the Lifeline Support line at (800) 234-9473 to see if your application was accepted/denied. It may take 2-3 weeks to receive an updated response when you mailed your form. Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Lifeline Program

Due to sharing many of the same eligibility requirements those currently enrolled in the lifeline program may qualify for The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) also.

Medicaid / Medi-Cal

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Address of the beneficiary, and
  • Date of the award

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Medical Identification number, OR
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans & Survivors Pension Benefit

Pension Grant Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Participant’s name
  • Address
  • A decision about the participant’s monthly entitlement amount
  • Payment start date

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

FPHA award letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Date of the award,
  • Name of the beneficiary, and
  • Award amount.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Approval Letter or Benefit Statement issued by the SSA, or on SSA letterhead.

  • Consumer’s name
  • Date
  • Eligibility Date
  • Claim number OR Other consumer identification number
  • Payment amount

SNAP / Food Stamps / CalFresh

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status