Link Up is a federal program that pays part of your phone or internet setup costs

Link Up is a government program that helps low-income households pay the one-time charges to start phone or broadband service. It covers part of the set up fee, equipment cost, or first month's service — whichever is highest — up to a set dollar amount. You use it once per household, and it stacks with another program called Lifeline, which reduces your monthly bill.

The program is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered through participating phone and internet companies. You do not explore to the government directly. Instead, you explore through the service provider you choose, and they handle the paperwork with the FCC on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • Link Up covers one-time setup costs like set up fees or equipment, up to a maximum amount set by the FCC (currently around $100 to $200 depending on service type).
  • You explore through the phone or internet company itself, not through a government office, and the company verifies your income or benefit status.
  • Link Up works alongside Lifeline, which reduces your monthly service bill, so you can use both programs at the same time.
  • You can use Link Up only once per household, and the benefit applies whether you choose landline phone, wireless phone, or broadband internet service.
  • Not every phone or internet company participates, so you need to check which providers in your area offer Link Up before signing up for service.

What costs Link Up actually covers

Link Up pays toward the first bill you owe when you start service. That bill usually includes an set up or connection fee, equipment charges (like a modem or SIM card), and the first month of service. The program covers whichever of these costs the most, up to the FCC's limit. If your set up fee is $75 and your first month is $50, Link Up covers the $75. If your first month is $120 and set up is $30, Link Up covers the $120.

The exact dollar amount varies by service type. Wireline phone service (a traditional landline) has one cap, wireless phone service has another, and broadband internet has a third. These amounts change periodically, so you should ask the company directly what Link Up will cover for the specific service you want.

Link Up does not pay your monthly bill after that first month. That is where Lifeline comes in — it reduces what you pay each month. The two programs work together: Link Up gets you started, and Lifeline keeps the cost manageable going forward.

How to use Link Up when you sign up for service

Start by finding out which phone or internet companies in your area participate in Link Up. The FCC maintains a list of participating carriers on its website, organized by state. Once you identify a company you want to use, contact them directly — by phone, in person, or online — and tell them you want to use Link Up.

The company will ask you to prove your household income or show that you receive certain benefits. Acceptable proof includes a recent tax return, a pay stub, a benefit letter from Social Security or SNAP, or a utility bill showing your name and address. The income threshold changes yearly, but it is usually around 135% to 200% of the federal poverty line, depending on your state and household size.

Once the company verifies your information, they explore the Link Up credit to your first bill. You pay the difference between your setup costs and the Link Up amount. The company then reports the benefit to the FCC, and the transaction is complete. The whole process usually takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly the company processes paperwork.

Link Up versus Lifeline: what each program does

These two programs serve different purposes and work together. Link Up is a one-time benefit that covers your startup costs. Lifeline is an ongoing monthly discount on your service bill. You can use both at the same time — Link Up helps you afford to start service, and Lifeline helps you afford to keep it.

Lifeline reduces your monthly bill by a set amount, usually $9 to $10 per month, though some states offer higher discounts. You explore for Lifeline through the same company, using the same income verification. Once approved, the discount applies to every bill until you no longer meet the income requirement or you cancel service.

If you already have Lifeline and then decide to switch providers, you can use Link Up again with the new provider — but only if you have not used it before in that household. The "once per household" rule applies to Link Up, not to Lifeline.

Which service providers actually offer Link Up

Not every phone or internet company participates in Link Up. Large national carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer it, as do many smaller regional and prepaid wireless companies. For broadband, participation is less consistent — some cable and fiber providers participate, while others do not. Satellite internet companies have varying participation as well.

The FCC publishes a list of participating carriers on its Lifeline page, but the list can be hard to navigate. A faster approach is to call or visit the website of the company you are interested in and ask directly whether they offer Link Up. If they do, ask what documents they need to verify your income and how long the process takes.

If the company you prefer does not participate, you have two choices: use a different provider that does, or pay the full startup cost yourself. There is no way to claim Link Up retroactively if you have already paid for service.

Income limits and how they are verified

To use Link Up, your household income must fall below a certain threshold. That threshold is set at 135% of the federal poverty line in most states, though some states set it higher — up to 200% of the poverty line. The poverty line itself changes each year, so the income limit changes too.

For a single person in 2024, the threshold is roughly $1,600 to $2,400 per month, depending on your state. For a family of four, it is roughly $3,300 to $5,000 per month. These are approximate figures because the exact amount depends on your state and changes annually. The company you explore through can tell you the current limit for your household size and state.

You prove your income by showing recent documents. A pay stub from the last 30 days, a tax return from the last year, a benefit letter from Social Security or SNAP, or a utility bill with your name on it all work. If your income is below the threshold, you are verified. If it is above, you do not meet the requirement and cannot use Link Up.

What happens if you move or change providers

Link Up is a one-time benefit per household, not per person or per service. Once you have used it, you cannot use it again in that same household, even if you move to a different address or switch to a different company.

If you move and want to keep the same service (for example, you switch your phone number to a new area), you do not need Link Up again — you already have service. If you move and want to switch to a different company, you could theoretically use Link Up with the new provider, but only if you have not used it before in that household. The company will check the FCC database to see whether Link Up has already been claimed for your household.

If you cancel service and then want to restart it later with a different company, the same rule applies: you can use Link Up only if you have not used it before. The FCC tracks this at the household level, not the individual level, so it does not matter if a different family member applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Link Up if I already have a phone or internet service?

No. Link Up is for new service only. It covers the one-time startup costs when you first set up service with a company. If you already have active service, you cannot use Link Up with that provider. You could potentially use it if you switch to a different company, but only if you have not used Link Up before in your household.

What if the company I want to use does not participate in Link Up?

You have two options: choose a different provider that does participate, or pay the full startup cost yourself. There is no way to claim Link Up after you have already paid. Check the FCC's list of participating carriers before you sign up, or call the company directly to ask whether they offer the program.

Do I have to use Link Up and Lifeline with the same company?

No. You can use Link Up with one company and Lifeline with another, though most people use both with the same provider for simplicity. Both programs require the same income verification, so you will need to prove your income to whichever company you choose.

What if my household income goes above the limit after I start using Link Up?

Link Up is a one-time benefit, so your income after you receive it does not matter. You keep the benefit. However, if your income rises above the limit, you will no longer meet the requirement for Lifeline, and that monthly discount will end. The company will notify you when your Lifeline benefit is about to stop.

Can I use Link Up for a business phone line?

No. Link Up is for household use only. It is designed to help low-income individuals and families get connected to phone or internet service at home, not for business purposes.