Link Up is a federal program that helps low-income households pay the startup costs of phone service

Link Up covers the first month of service and equipment fees when you sign up for a phone plan through a participating provider. The program pays the provider directly, not you — so you do not handle the money. You pay your normal monthly bill after that first month ends.

Link Up is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and works alongside another program called Lifeline, which reduces your monthly phone bill. You can use both at the same time if you meet the income requirements for each.

The program exists because phone service has upfront costs — activation fees, SIM cards, sometimes a deposit — that can be a barrier for people on a tight budget. Link Up removes that barrier by having the government cover those costs instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Link Up pays your first month of service and equipment fees directly to the phone provider when you sign up.
  • You must meet federal income limits, which vary by household size and state, and you cannot already be receiving Link Up benefits.
  • Not all phone companies participate in Link Up, so you need to check which providers in your area offer it.
  • You can combine Link Up with Lifeline, a separate program that discounts your monthly bill after the first month ends.

Who can use Link Up

You must have a household income at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty line. The poverty line changes each year and varies by how many people live in your household. For example, in 2024 the federal poverty line for a single person is around $14,600 per year, so 135 percent would be roughly $19,700. A family of four has a higher threshold.

You can also may have access to if you receive certain benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or Federal Public Housing Assistance. If you receive any of these, you meet the income requirement automatically.

You can only receive Link Up once per household. If someone in your household has already used the program, you cannot use it again, even if you move or change providers.

How to find a participating provider

Not every phone company participates in Link Up. The FCC maintains a list of carriers that offer the program, but the easiest way to check is to call or visit the websites of providers in your area and ask directly whether they support Link Up.

Major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile do participate, but so do many smaller regional and prepaid carriers. When you contact a provider, tell them you want to use Link Up and ask what documents you need to bring or send to prove your income.

Different providers may have different requirements for proof — some accept tax returns, some accept benefit letters from SNAP or SSI, some accept recent pay stubs. Asking upfront saves you a trip or a wasted application.

What Link Up actually covers

Link Up pays the first month of service charges and equipment fees. "Equipment fees" typically means the cost of a SIM card, a phone if the provider is selling you one, or activation charges. It does not cover the phone itself if you are buying it separately at full price — only the service-related setup costs.

After the first month, you pay your regular monthly bill like any other customer. Link Up does not reduce your monthly rate. If you want a discount on your monthly bill, you would need to also may have access to for Lifeline, which is a separate program.

The program covers one phone line per household. You cannot use Link Up to set up multiple lines.

The difference between Link Up and Lifeline

Lifeline is a different FCC program that discounts your monthly phone bill, usually by $9.25 to $34.25 per month depending on your state and provider. Lifeline is ongoing — it continues month after month as long as you stay may have access to.

Link Up is a one-time benefit that covers only the startup costs. The two programs work together: Link Up gets you connected, and Lifeline keeps your bill affordable after that. You can use both if you meet the income requirements for each, but you do not have to use Lifeline to use Link Up.

Some people use Link Up to start service, then later add Lifeline to reduce their monthly bill. Others use only Link Up. The choice is yours.

What happens after you sign up

Once you choose a provider and confirm they participate in Link Up, you will need to provide proof of income. This might be a recent tax return, a benefit letter from SSI or SNAP, recent pay stubs, or a utility bill showing your name and address — it depends on what the provider accepts.

The provider sends your information to the FCC to verify you meet the income requirement. This verification usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks. Once you are approved, the provider activates your service and the Link Up benefit covers the startup costs.

You then pay your regular monthly bill starting the second month. If your income changes or you move, you do not need to reapply to Link Up — it is a one-time benefit. But if you later want to use Lifeline for a monthly discount, you would need to apply for that separately.

Common reasons people do not get Link Up

The most common reason is that someone in the household has already used Link Up. The program allows only one benefit per household, ever. If a family member used it years ago, you still cannot use it.

Another reason is income. If your household income is above 135 percent of the poverty line and you do not receive SSI, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or Federal Public Housing Assistance, you do not meet the requirement. There is no exception for people just slightly over the limit.

A third reason is that the provider you want to use does not participate in Link Up. Not all phone companies offer it, so your options may be limited depending on where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Link Up if I already have a phone plan?

No. Link Up is for starting new service. If you already have an active phone line, you cannot use Link Up on that line or switch to a new provider using Link Up. The program is designed for people who do not currently have phone service.

What if my provider says they participate in Link Up but then tells me I do not may have access to?

The provider verifies your income against FCC requirements. If they say you do not may have access to, it usually means your income is above the limit or someone in your household has already received Link Up. You can ask the provider to explain which requirement you did not meet, but the FCC rules are firm on both points.

Do I have to use Lifeline if I use Link Up?

No. Link Up and Lifeline are separate programs. You can use Link Up alone to cover startup costs, or you can use both if you want a discount on your monthly bill. The choice is yours, and neither program requires you to use the other.

Can I transfer Link Up to a different phone company later?

No. Link Up is a one-time benefit that covers startup costs with one provider. If you later switch to a different phone company, you pay the startup costs yourself. You cannot use Link Up again, even with a different provider.

How do I know if my state's poverty line is different?

The federal poverty line is the same across all states, but the threshold for Link Up (135 percent of the poverty line) is calculated the same way everywhere. Your state does not have a separate poverty line for this program. The FCC website and your provider can tell you the current year's income limits for your household size.