The Lifeline Program

What Is the Lifeline Support Program?

The New York State Lifeline Discounted Telephone Service is an assistance program offered by many telephone providers, including some wireless and cable companies, to help income eligible consumers save money on their phone bills.

Lifeline helps you stay connected and save money on your monthly telephone bill. The Lifeline discount can be applied to either home telephone service (landline or cable) or wireless service. The discount is available for only one line per household.

It is only available for NY ILEC [Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers] customers.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Households with an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible to receive assistance.  – OR –
Households with a family member who participates in at least one of these federal assistance programs:

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension Benefit
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance

Qualifying consumers can apply for Lifeline to receive a monthly discount on either their landline telephone service or their wireless service. Lifeline benefits include a bill credit and a waiver of the federal subscriber line charge for landline customers.

FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE

Click here to download the application, and eligibility guidelines.

 

Apply for Lifeline through the Lifeline program’s National Verifier online portal or by mailing a paper application form (available at the National Verifier online portal after entering your state) with your proof of eligibility document(s) to:

Lifeline Support Center
P.O. Box 1000
Horseheads, NY 14845

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM

STEP 1

Apply for the program and claim your benefit.

STEP 2

Once approved, call us at 800-338-3300 to have your Lifeline benefit applied. Please provide your confirmation number to ensure your discount is applied to your qualifying service.

STEP 3

Receive the discount automatically on your bill each month.

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Redemption Process: After maintaining 60 days of active service following installation, and so long as the account remains in good standing, customers will receive an email from MyBundle with instructions on how to redeem their one-time $200 Streaming TV Bonus Card. Customers must complete the redemption within 90 days of receiving the email, or the offer will expire. 

Streaming TV Bonus Card Issuance: The Streaming TV Bonus Card will be provided as a one-time $200 virtual card that can be used toward streaming services, including new or existing subscriptions. 

Usage Guidelines: The $200 Streaming TV Bonus Card must be used within 12 months of issuance, or any remaining balance will be forfeited.

Service Changes: If a customer cancels Empire Access service or their account is not in good standing before the bonus card is issued, they will forfeit eligibility for the offer. 

Additional Terms: This offer is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other promotions unless explicitly stated. Empire Access and MyBundle reserve the right to modify or terminate this promotion at any time. Misuse or abuse of the offer may result in immediate termination and forfeiture of any remaining value.

By participating in this promotion, customers agree to these terms and conditions.

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*Gift cards will be processed via email and distributed to eligible Empire Access customers who are active and in good standing after 3 months of service. Must be placing a new serviceable order to receive the promotion- pending installations are not eligible. The Amazon Gift Card can not be transferred as cash value. Order must be placed between 6/6/25 – 6/15/25 11:59 PM EST.