How to get FREE Phones from the government

Learn How to get FREE Phones from the government! 

Americans everywhere are struggling to make ends meet and provide for their families. The cost of living has been increasing at a rate faster than many people’s paychecks and most Americans find themselves working more and more hours just to keep up. The cost of food, rent, tuition, and electricity has skyrocketed over the years and most American households are struggling.

Did you know there are assistance programs available from the government that offer free cell phones and free cell service to families who could use some extra help?  

Free Lifeline Government Assistance Program

Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make phone services more affordable for low-income families. Lifeline provides a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps make sure that low-income families can afford and enjoy broadband services and the access it provides to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.

How Lifeline Works

Lifeline provides monthly discounts for eligible subscribers. Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a land line or a wireless service, but they may not receive a discount on both services at the same time. Lifeline also supports broadband Internet service and broadband-voice bundles.

Lifeline is available in every US state and it is administered by the USAC.

Do I Qualify for a Free Government Phone with the Lifeline Program?

There are 2 ways to know if you qualify for Lifeline programs:  

Based off your income or based off if you use government programs such as:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Medicaid
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary
• Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Head Start
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs

To be eligible for the Lifeline program, you must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs.  

The table below shows the 2021 income guidelines

You can fill out a questionnaire on the USAC website that will help you determine if you qualify.

Free Government Cell Phones: Which Phones You Can Get

There are several carriers that offer the Lifeline cell phone services and the phones vary by each carrier.  You usually don’t know which phone they will offer you until you go through the signup process.  Unfortunately, you won’t get the lastest and greatest like iPhone 13, but you can get an android smartphone with perks like unlimited talk and text messages. 

For example, Assurance Wireless offers phones like the ZTE Quest, Kyocera Hydro Reach, and the Alcatel Dawn.  You will absolutely get a brand name phone with some of the latest features!

How do I apply for Lifeline Assistance?

Once you have determined that your eligibility for a free cell phone plan from Lifeline, the next step is to apply for free cell phone service from a phone provider.

The USAC has a tool on their website that can help you find cell phone providers that are available in your area that offer the ebb program.  All you need to do is visit their tool and enter your city or zip code to see a list of providers.

These are some of the carriers that currently are eligible with the Lifeline Assistance program:

• Assurance Wireless
• Cintex Wireless
• Copper Valley Wireless
• Easy Wireless
• enTouch Wireless
• FeelSafe Wireless
• GCI
• Infiniti Mobile
• Life Wireless
• NewPhone Wireless
• Q Link
• Safelink Wireless
• SafetyNet Wireless
• Sprocket Wireless
• StandUp Wireless
• Tag Mobile
• Tempo Communications
• Terracom Wireless
• TruConnect
• True Wireless