Phone discounts for active military, veterans, and their families
Every major wireless carrier in the United States offers standing discounts for active duty military members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve personnel, and their immediate families. These are not seasonal promotions — they are permanent programs available year-round to anyone who qualifies and completes verification. For a household managing on military pay or a veteran's fixed income, these discounts can reduce a monthly wireless bill by a meaningful amount, and the savings extend to family members on the same account.
Below you will find details on the three major national carriers that offer verified, currently active military discount programs: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. It also covers what documentation you'll need, how verification works across all three carriers, and where to find additional options if your income is low enough to qualify for free government phone service through Lifeline.
Who qualifies across all three carriers
The eligibility criteria are consistent across AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. All three extend their military discounts to active duty service members from every branch — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force — as well as National Guard and Reserve personnel, military retirees, honorably discharged veterans, and Gold Star family members. Immediate family members of a qualifying service member can also receive the discount when the military member is the primary account holder.
All three carriers use https://id.me/, a digital identity verification service, to confirm military status. You'll create a free ID.me account and upload one of the following documents: a valid military ID, a DD Form 214 for veterans, a current pay stub for active duty members, or a retiree ID card. The process takes a few minutes online. You can also verify in person at any carrier retail store with the same documentation. Do not send photocopies of military ID cards by email or text to verify status — the verification happens through ID.me's secure system or directly in a store.
AT&T
AT&T offers up to 25 percent off eligible unlimited wireless plans for qualifying military members and their families. The discount applies to the monthly plan cost and covers multiple lines on the same account, meaning a veteran's spouse and dependents on the same plan also receive the reduced rate. AT&T also offers reduced per-line pricing when multiple lines are added under the military discount.
To apply, visit https://www.att.com/offers/discount-program/military-discount/ or go to any AT&T retail store with proof of service. Existing AT&T customers can add the military discount to their current account without switching plans, as long as they're on an eligible unlimited plan. The discount appears on the bill within one to two billing cycles after verification.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers dedicated military-specific plans rather than a percentage discount applied to standard plans. The Essentials Military plan brings four lines to $25 per line per month with unlimited talk, text, and data — one of the lowest per-line rates available from a major carrier for a military household. Higher-tier military plans with additional features — including premium data, streaming subscriptions, and international options — are available at stepped-up pricing. All T-Mobile military plans include the carrier's 5G network access.
Eligibility covers active duty, veterans, National Guard, Reserve, retirees, Gold Star families, and their immediate family members. The military member must be the primary account holder. Verify http://mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/military-discount-plans or at any T-Mobile retail store.T-Mobile also offers a short-term service suspension option for deployed members. If you're deployed and need to pause service temporarily, contact T-Mobile directly to discuss suspension options that can reduce or eliminate the monthly charge during the deployment period.
Verizon
Verizon's military discount applies as a monthly dollar amount off the account rather than a flat percentage, and the savings scale with the number of lines. On eligible 5G unlimited plans, the discount is $10 off per month for one phone line, $25 off per month for two to three lines, and $20 off per month for four or more lines. For most other Verizon standard plans, the discount is 15 percent off the monthly access fee. Verizon also offers 25 percent off accessories purchased online and 10 percent off accessories purchased in store.
Eligibility is the same as the other carriers — active duty, veterans, Guard and Reserve, retirees, and Gold Star families. Verify at https://www.verizon.com/military/ using ID.me or visit a Verizon store. The discount takes one to two billing cycles to appear on your bill after verification.
Verizon also has a short-term suspension option for deployments under 90 days, allowing you to pause a line and pay no more than $10 per month or your regular monthly service charge, whichever is less. For longer deployments, long-term suspension options are also available.
How to get the most out of these discounts
Calling your current carrier's retention department directly — rather than going through standard customer service — often surfaces additional discounts or plan adjustments that aren't listed on the website. If you're already a customer and haven't claimed your military discount, you can typically add it retroactively to your current plan by completing the verification process.
Device upgrade promotions — trade-in credits, buy-one-get-one offers, and switcher bonuses — are frequently stackable with military discounts during promotional periods. If you're considering a new phone or switching carriers, checking for active device promotions at the time you sign up can add significant value on top of the recurring plan discount.
Comparing coverage in the areas where you actually use your phone matters as much as comparing discount percentages. All three carriers have strong nationwide coverage, but rural and base-adjacent areas can vary. Most carriers allow you to check coverage maps online by address before committing.
If you shop for a phone or accessories through ShopMyExchange, the military online exchange operated by the Department of Defense, active duty members, veterans, and their families can purchase devices and accessories without paying state sales tax in most states, and the exchange offers competitive pricing. Details are at the needhelppayingbills ShopMyExchange page.
Low-income veterans and service members — Lifeline and free phones
The carrier discount programs above are for veterans and service members who can afford a monthly phone plan and are looking to reduce its cost. For those with very low incomes, the federal Lifeline program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone service, and many Lifeline carriers provide a free device as part of enrollment. Veterans receiving Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or a Veterans Pension automatically qualify for Lifeline. See Lifeline eligibility and enrollment information.
The Basic Needs Allowance, a federal program for lower-income active duty military families, may also help cover phone and other household costs — see our dedicated page about Basic Needs Allowance.
Internet discounts for veterans and military members are a separate topic. Several carriers offer military pricing on home internet in addition to wireless, and some federal programs assist with broadband costs. A brief search for "[carrier name] military internet discount" along with your state is the most direct starting point, as internet discount programs vary significantly by location and carrier availability.
Carrier discount programs for veterans, eligibility criteria, and pricing change over time. Verify current offers directly with each carrier before enrolling or switching plans.
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