Recertification: Lifeline and ACP

If you participate in the Lifeline and/or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you will be required to recertify annually. Through the recertification process, the United Services Administrative Company (USAC) or your phone or Internet company documents that you’re still eligible to continue receiving the benefits afforded by the programs.

It is important that you respond promptly when asked to recertify. The recertification request may come in the form of a letter or pre-recorded phone message If you are contacted via mail or phone, it is important that you respond in a timely manner.

Lifeline Recertification Process

Each year, either the USAC or your state (if you live in a state not participating in the National Verifier Program - CA, OR, and TX) will require you to confirm that you still qualify for the Lifeline benefit. In some instances, the USAC can confirm your eligibility by checking the information in the database. If they can confirm eligibility, you won’t be requested to do anything.

However, if they’re unable to confirm your eligibility from the information in their database, they will contact you and ask you to recertify. They will contact you by mail and/or via pre-recorded messages on your phone. When they reach out to you for recertification confirmation you have 60 days in which to respond.

Lifeline Recertification Methods

You may recertify in one of three ways:

1. You can recertify your Lifeline benefits online through the National Verifier portal.


2. Recertify via mail. Download and complete the Recertification Form 5630 English or Spanish and mail it to
   
   Lifeline Support Center
   P.O. Box 7081
   London, KY 40742
   
   You may be required to send copies of documented proof of your eligibility. Remember always send copies, never send original documents.


3. Recertify via phone. Call them at 855-359-4299. You may use this option if you do not have to provide documentation. You will need your application ID number included in the letter sent to you. Recertifying is as simple as following the phone prompts. If, however, you’re recertifying with a Tribal ID number, you must call 800-234-9437 and speak to a live agent. After calling the number press "1" to speak to a live agent.

You must respond within 60 days or you will lose your Lifeline benefits. You may no longer receive free minutes, your monthly bill may increase or your service may be turned off. Therefore, please respond within the 60 time period.

If you lose your Lifeline service but still meet the Lifeline criteria, you can reapply for benefits.

Affordable Connectivity Recertification Process

Similar to the Lifeline recertification process, you will be required annually to confirm your ACP eligibility. If, however, the USAC is able to confirm your eligibility by the information contained in their database, there’s nothing for you to do. However, if they cannot confirm eligibility from the information they have on file, they will send a letter or contact you via a pre-recorded message on your phone requesting you to recertify.

Sometimes, the service provider is responsible for ensuring you are still eligible to continue receiving ACP benefits. In that case, you’ll be contacted by your service provider instead of the USAC. It is important you respond in a timely manner as you have 60 days to respond.

Affordable Connectivity Program Recertification Methods

You are given three methods to recertify:

1. Online: Go to the Affordable Connectivity National Verifier site and recertify online.


2. By Mail: Download and complete the Recertification form 5648 English or Spanish. Make sure to send copies of the necessary documents (never send original documents) and mail it to
   
   ACP Support Center
   P.O. Box 7081
   London, KY 40742-8302


3. By Phone: Only use this method if you do not have to provide documented proof. 877-384-2470. Enter your application ID (as found on the recertification letter) and follow the prompts.

As with Lifeline, if you don’t respond within 60 days you may lose your benefits. If, however, you lose your benefits and still feel you qualify for the services, you may reapply at the ACP portal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. The ower of this site does not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor provide phone service. If you have questions about phone service it is suggested that you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 10 January 2023