Lifeline Subscribers Rely on Benefit for Healthcare, Employment
A new survey finds great majority of Lifeline subscribers ration data and would lose service entirely without the program
WASHINGTON, August 27, 2026 – More than four in five Lifeline subscribers say they would lose service entirely without the federal benefit, according to a new survey from the National Lifeline Association, highlighting the role the program plays in helping low-income households stay connected.
NaLA's 2026 annual subscriber survey collected more than 83,000 responses across 20 questions. The association released the findings as policymakers continue to consider the future of the Universal Service Fund, which supports the Lifeline program.
The survey found that subscribers use their Lifeline service for a range of essential activities. Sixty-six percent said they use their service for telehealth appointments or to order medication, while 81 percent use it to stay connected with family and friends.
Lifeline also plays a role in employment and education. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they use their service for work-related activities, including applying for jobs, working from home and managing shifts. Another 30 percent said they use the connection for online classes, training or schoolwork for children.
Affordability remains a significant challenge for subscribers. Ninety-six percent said they cannot afford any monthly service fee, while 85% said they would lose service entirely if they had to pay the full, undiscounted price.
Among respondents without home internet, NaLA said the monthly cost of service was the most frequently cited barrier, ranking ahead of availability and awareness.
The survey also points to a preference for mobile connectivity among Lifeline users. Ninety-one percent of respondents said they prefer mobile wireless service with hotspot capability over fixed broadband.
NaLA said the finding indicates that mobility is a functional requirement for many subscribers rather than simply a matter of preference.
At the same time, subscribers reported limitations in how much they can use their service. Sixty-nine percent said they limit their data use each month to avoid exhausting their allotment.
The FCC has kept Lifeline’s minimum mobile broadband allowance at 4.5 gigabytes per month since 2020, despite an original formula that would have raised the requirement substantially over time.
NaLA said the findings show that the current Lifeline benefit supports basic connectivity but does not always provide enough capacity for sustained use of services such as telehealth, remote work and online coursework.
The findings offer a look at how one group of USF beneficiaries says it uses connectivity in its daily life, as the Federal Communications Commission and lawmakers weigh broader questions about the structure and effectiveness of the Universal Service Fund.
NaLA is an industry trade group representing companies and other stakeholders involved in the Lifeline program, including service providers, distributors, vendors and enrollment representatives.
The findings build on the association’s 2025 annual survey, which drew 68,000 responses and documented financial strains among low-income households following the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program.
That survey found that respondents were making difficult budget choices to remain connected, including weighing internet costs against other household expenses.
Lifeline subscribers receive $9.25 in monthly support for services that include broadband and $5.25 in monthly support for voice-only service. An additional $25 monthly benefit is available for Tribal lands subscribers. The Lifeline program spent $923 million in 2025.
