About Thrive Mobile

Thrive Mobile is a wireless service made for people who get their health coverage through Medicaid and Medicare health plans. We give you a phone plan with talk, text, and data, and connect it to health benefits from your plan. Our service runs on the nationwide T-Mobile network.

What Lifeline is

Lifeline is a federal benefit program run by the FCC and USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company). It helps eligible Americans pay for phone or internet service. The benefit is worth up to $9.25 per month ($34.25 on Tribal lands).

Thrive Mobile lets you apply your Lifeline benefit to a free or low-cost wireless plan with unlimited talk, text, and data.

Who qualifies for Lifeline

You qualify if you (or someone in your household) participates in any of these programs:

  • SNAP (food stamps)
  • Medicaid
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
  • A Tribal-specific program like Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start, Tribal TANF, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

You also qualify based on income — if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Only one Lifeline benefit per household.

How Lifeline works with Thrive Mobile

  1. You apply for Lifeline through USAC (the federal program administrator).
  2. Once you're approved, you apply your benefit to Thrive Mobile during enrollment.
  3. Your Thrive Mobile Essential plan becomes free as long as you stay eligible.

If you're already enrolled in Lifeline through another carrier, you can transfer your benefit to Thrive. Your old carrier will lose the benefit — they may text or call you about the change.

How to apply

  • Online (fastest): see Apply for Lifeline through the National Verifier.
  • On paper: see Request a paper Lifeline application. Plan for about 7–10 business days for the mail-in version to arrive.

What if I'm not eligible?

You can still join Thrive Mobile on the Unlimited plan ($10/month). See Thrive Mobile plans for details. If you think you should qualify but the system says you don't, see If you're found not eligible.

How long does the Lifeline benefit last?

Lifeline is reviewed each year. USAC may ask you to recertify your eligibility — they'll send you a notice if so. As long as you stay eligible, your benefit keeps working with Thrive Mobile.

Common questions

Is Thrive Mobile actually free?

With Lifeline, the Essential plan is $0/month. The Unlimited plan is $10/month even with Lifeline.

Can I get more than one Lifeline?

No. The rule is one benefit per household.

Will Thrive Mobile or USAC sell my information?

No. See Your privacy with Thrive Mobile.

What if I lose my eligibility?

You'll move to a paid Thrive Mobile plan (Unlimited, $10/month) or you can cancel.