Independent Lifeline page
Lost, stolen or broken phone: compare your options
Find the right support route and ask about replacement costs, compatibility and account protection before you order another phone.
Your starting point
A device problem does not automatically mean you should start a new Lifeline application. Begin with your current company’s support process and current device terms.
No application, account change or eligibility decision takes place on this website. Official resources appear at the end of the page.
Start with your current phone company
USAC directs device, service and billing questions to the phone or internet company. This independent page cannot suspend an account, locate a handset or approve a replacement.
If a phone was lost or stolen, ask the company what immediate account-protection steps apply. For example, Assurance Wireless advises its customers to contact support about temporary suspension. That company-specific instruction should not be assumed to be every carrier’s policy.
Ask what the replacement would cost
Prepare questions about the replacement price, warranty, shipping, activation, device condition and any return requirement. Do not assume that Lifeline guarantees a free replacement or the same model.
Ask the company to explain the total amount and current terms before agreeing to an order. This page does not quote a universal replacement fee or show live stock. A low headline price alone is not a complete comparison.
Compare keeping the service with changing the device
Ask whether a compatible phone you already own could be used, and confirm the exact device with the company before spending money. A broad Android or iPhone label is not a compatibility check.
If you are considering another carrier as well, use the switching page to separate a service decision from a device decision. Keep any transfer credentials with you; this website does not need them.
Choose a focused next step
Use existing-service help for an account or plan issue, the provider comparison if you want to research alternatives, or the application steps if the company tells you that a new program application is required.
Company policies can change. The resources below are the place to verify the current instructions. This page cannot guarantee a replacement, preserve a number or promise that service will remain active.
Official resources and current provider instructions
Reviewed 26 October 2026. Read the original instructions before submitting private information or requesting an account action.