No Phone, Lost Phone, or No Internet

Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. It is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission. Eligibility runs through income or participation in an assistance program — SNAP and Medicaid are named among the qualifying programs. A person applies through the national online application and then contacts a participating service provider to activate the benefit. Which providers participate, what plan a benefit applies to, and whether a specific household qualifies are not established here.

Last checked 2026-08-05 · Jurisdiction-neutral · official source: Lifeline Support (USAC / FCC) — Lifeline program

Lifeline is a federal benefit with published rules for keeping it, and they are the part people are not told. The Universal Service Administrative Company states: "Qualifying consumers can get a monthly discount of up to $9.25 off the cost of their phone, internet, or bundled services. Consumers living on qualifying Tribal lands can get up to $34.25 per month." It states "Only one discount is allowed per household. A 'household' is a group of people who live together and share income and expenses." It publishes an annual check: "Each year, USAC or your state...will check if you still qualify for the benefit. If you are asked to recertify, you must recertify within 60 days or you will lose your Lifeline benefit." And it publishes a usage rule: "If you don't pay out-of-pocket for your Lifeline service every month, you must use it at least once every 30 days to keep your service." On qualifying, it names Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, and the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, and states a household also qualifies if its "income is at 135% or less than the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines." It publishes that program participation is proved with a "benefit letter or official document" and income with a "tax return or three months of consecutive pay stubs." Whether a specific household qualifies, which companies participate locally, and what any plan includes are not established here. Recertification notices go to the address on the account — an address that has changed is a common way the benefit ends.

Last checked 2026-08-06 · Jurisdiction-neutral · official source: Lifeline Support (USAC / FCC) — How to Qualify and About Lifeline

Louisville Free Public Library publishes a card intended for people who only need to get online: "The Library offers Internet Access Cards for any individual, 18 or older, who only needs to use the library's desktop computers to access the internet." No proof of address is attached to that sentence, which matters because the ordinary free card has one — LFPL states a free card requires that "you must live, work, attend school, or own property in Jefferson County," and that collecting it means presenting a photo ID, plus "a piece of mail, tax return, property deed, lease agreement, or other proof of address" if the ID is from outside Jefferson County. It publishes a two-step route for a full card: complete the online application form, then visit a branch to collect the card. It states you "may also visit any location to register for a new card in person." For residents of listed nearby Kentucky and Indiana counties who do not qualify for a free card, it publishes a paid card at $35 per year. Questions go to (502) 574-1611. The published age floor for the Internet Access Card is 18 — NOLO has not verified what is available to someone younger. What each branch requires in practice, its opening hours, session limits, and printing are not established here.

Last checked 2026-08-06 · Kentucky · official source: Louisville Free Public Library — How do I

The Postal Service publishes General Delivery as a way to receive mail without a permanent address. Its FAQ states: "General Delivery is a mail service for those without a permanent address, often used as a temporary mailing address." The Domestic Mail Manual sets the rules. Section 508.6.1 states general delivery "is intended primarily as a temporary means of delivery: For transients and customers not permanently located" and for customers wanting Post Office box service when boxes are unavailable. Section 508.6.3 states a "general delivery customer can be required to present suitable identification before mail is given to the customer," and that "Prior to mailing, customers should contact the destination Post Office to determine the authorized facility or facilities and their applicable ZIP Code(s)." Section 508.6.2 states general delivery is normally available at only one facility per Post Office, that "A customer may use only one such location," and that a postmaster may refuse or restrict it "To a customer who is unable to present suitable identification" or where mail volume or accumulation cannot reasonably be accommodated. Section 508.6.4 states "Each general delivery mailpiece is held for no more than 30 days, although a shorter time period may be requested by the sender." Two consequences worth planning around: identification can be required, so this may not solve an address problem for someone who is also missing ID; and a notice with a deadline further out than 30 days can be returned to the sender before it is collected. Call the specific Post Office first — which facility offers it, and what identification that postmaster accepts, are decided locally.

Last checked 2026-08-06 · Jurisdiction-neutral · official source: United States Postal Service — Domestic Mail Manual 508.6, General Delivery