How to get Government toll-free phones for low-income families – Our daily lives would be impossible without mobile phones today. Touching a finger allows us to communicate with family, friends, and coworkers. However, cell phones and their monthly fees are generally beyond the reach of some people due to their high cost. There is very valuable information in this article regarding free government cell phones for low-income families. However, not every citizen can benefit from this help from the government. To qualify for other assistance programs, such as food stamps and WIC supplemental assistance, an applicant must meet a number of requirements. Here are some of the government’s assistance programs and how to receive them.
Highlights of this Post
Government toll-free phone program for low-income families
Several of the major mobile phone companies have partnered with the government to offer families free mobile phones and services through a program called Lifeline Assistance. As of now, 49 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands can obtain a free cell phone with government assistance. Free landlines from government may be available to you even if you cannot get free cell phones at home. Lifeline Assistance doesn’t work with the large cell phone companies, so you can’t get an iPhone or any other high-end phone, but there are some things you can do:
Government Toll Free Mobile Phones Companies |
|---|
| Cintex Wireless |
| Copper Valley Wireless |
| Easy Wireless |
| enTouch Wireless |
| FeelSafe Wireless |
| GCI |
| Infiniti Mobile |
| Life Wireless |
| NewPhone Wireless |
| Q Link |
| Safelink Wireless |
| SafetyNet Wireless |
| StandUp Wireless |
| Tag Mobile |
| Tempo Communications |
| Terracom Wireless |
| TruConnect |
| True Wireless |
To find out which company provides coverage in your area, enter your zip code in this link .
Also Read : Government Free Laptop Grants For Low Income Individual & Families
Who can apply for Lifeline Assistance?
Eligibility requirements for Lifeline Assistance
To provide smart phones at no cost, the federal government has launched an initiative primarily for families living near the poverty line. Leaving us with a question: how does the government determine whether a family is wealthy, middle class, or poor? What does it mean to be in need of government assistance if you cannot afford the latest iPhone?
Federal Poverty Guidelines
This allows you to know a person or family’s financial situation easily and without complications, and with a relatively small margin of error. There is no specific definition of an income, a family, or a household in the Federal Poverty Guidelines, because the authorities believe that these terms could be understood in different ways. By doing so, the administrators of the assistance programs – in this case, Lifeline – are able to select who receives assistance.
Calculate my median household income
Therefore, calculating your household income is the first step to finding out if you are eligible for a free mobile phone with Lifeline. Families are considered to be households when they live together in a private residence. Family members or individuals who are not related are included in this definition as long as they share the same space, along with housing, food, and other expenses.
On the other hand, family income includes things such as wages, dividends, child support, spousal support amounts, rental fees, stipends, Social Security income, pensions, earnings from gambling or prizes from the lottery, for example.
Also Read : Government Free Computers Low Income Families Students
The next step is to do the math to find a household’s income and its size. A household’s total annual income must be less than or equal to 135% of the federal poverty level to qualify for Lifeline. Except for those states where the limit is calculated at 150% (such as California), this rule applies to all states.
| Home
(membership) |
All the states
(except AK, CA, HI) |
Alaska | California | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | $59,562 | $74,453 | $66,400 | $68,486 |
| 7 | $53,514 | $66,893 | $59,500 | $61,533 |
| 6 | $47,466 | $59,333 | $52,600 | $54,581 |
| 5 | $41,418 | $51,773 | $45,700 | $ 47,628 |
| 4 | $35,370 | $44,213 | $38,800 | $ 40,676 |
| 3 | $29,322 | $36,653 | $31,900 | $33,723 |
| 2 | $23,274 | $29,093 | $27,500 | $26,771 |
| 1 | $17,226 | $21,533 | $27,500 | $19,818 |
| For each additional person | +$6,048 | +$7,560 | +$6,900 | +$6,953 |
Please keep in mind that the total household income per year must be equal to or less than the amounts described in the above table. The next time you review the table, please wait patiently if your family exceeds the limit. The Federal Poverty Guidelines are updated every January, so you may experience some changes in order to qualify for the plan. Conclusion? The Lifeline program may not be able to assist your family today, but in a few months it will. Make sure you check the amount based on the size of your home and your state. There are generally the same Restrictions between states, except for three: Hawaii, California, and Alaska. You are not required to pay connection fees, but you will have to enter into an annual contract, deposit, or pay monthly service fees if you qualify for one of the government’s toll-free telephones. However, you must meet the certification requirements annually to remain in service.
Also Read : Get free government tablet for low-income families
Are there more eligibility requirements to access free government cell phones?
Yes. The Lifeline program does not just depend on calculating one’s income, because there are other ways to access it as well. What are they? If you or a member of your family is receiving benefits from any other government assistance program. If you meet this condition, you could get a free phone without having to calculate your annual income. You may qualify for Lifeline through the following federal and state assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Veterans pension or survivor benefits
- Tribal TANF (Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP or Food Stamp
- FPHA, better known as Section 8 (Federal Public Housing Assistance)
- Head Start (only those households that meet the income qualification standard)
In addition, your child or dependent may qualify if he or she participates in any of the assistance programs listed above. Lifeline discounts can only be applied per household, not per individual, if you qualify as a beneficiary. Do you meet both of the Lifeline requirements? If your annual income falls within these limits and, additionally, you also participate in one of the assistance programs we have mentioned, you are only eligible to apply for one of them.
How to apply for a free government cell phone through Lifeline Assistance?
Once you have calculated your household income, you will be able to request the benefit if you are a beneficiary of one of the government plans mentioned above. Finding a mobile service provider that offers services in your area and meets your needs should be your first step.
Mobile phone companies that work with the free phone program for low-income families
Here are the states where Lifeline Assistance partners with major carriers to provide free government phones, accumulate free minutes each month, and/or provide landlines at a reduced rate. While many of the companies listed below offer network coverage almost nationwide, you will only be able to purchase their services if they have business operations in your state.
When you locate the company you wish to hire, click the link that will take you to its official website so that you can review in greater detail all of the services that this company offers and at what cost.
You can begin the application process once you’ve reached the website of the company you’ve chosen. It can be done online or by telephone. This last option is recommended if it is available because you can easily and quickly submit any documentation required by the company.
| Mobile phone companies that work with the free phone program for low-income families |
Name Of State’s | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Access Wireles | Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin y West Virginia. |
| American Assistance | Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, West Virginia y Wisconsin. | |
| Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative | North coast of Alaska, down the west coast of the state as far away as Kotzebue, Noorvik, and Selawik | |
| Assist Wireless | Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri y Oklahoma. | |
| Assurance Wireless | Assurance Wireless currently operates in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota , Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin . | |
| Cintex Wireless | Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island y West Virginia. | |
| Copper Valley Wireless | Alaska. | |
| Easy Wireless | Oklahoma, Kentucky y Missouri | |
| enTouch Wireless | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin y Wyoming. | |
| FeelSafe Wireless | California, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina y Wisconsin. | |
| GCI | Alaska. | |
| Infiniti Mobile | Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont y Wisconsin. | |
| Life Wireless | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia y Wisconsin. | |
| NewPhone Wireless | Louisiana only. | |
| Q Link Wireless | Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia y Wisconsin. | |
| Safelink Wireless | SafeLink Wireless offers free phones cell in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey , New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. | |
| SafetyNet Wireless | California, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania y Wisconsin. | |
| StandUp Wireless | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia y Wisconsin. | |
| Tag Mobile | Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia y Wisconsin. | |
| Tempo Communications | Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin y Wyoming. | |
| Terracom Wireless | Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, West Virginia y Wisconsin. | |
| TruConnect | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico e Íslas Vírgenes. | |
| True Wireless | Arkansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island y Texas. |
What to do once I apply for a free government cell phone?
The only thing left is to wait for your phone to arrive in the mail. According to the company you choose, and a variety of other factors, the waiting time can range from one to several weeks. Each year, you will need to certify that you are still eligible for benefits, showing that you are meeting the qualifications. The free phone and service plan included in the program will not be available otherwise.
Frequently asked Questions
Does government gives away cell phones?
Low-income customers are eligible for a monthly discount through Lifeline. Subscribers who live in Indian territories can receive a 100% discount from the one-time activation charge when using the Tribal Link Up service, which is part of the Lifeline program. The discount will only apply once per residential address for each subscriber. The Lifeline discount on your wireless bill can save you as much as $9.25 per month if you qualify.
There is only one discount per household for the Lifeline program (see How do I qualify? above). There are certain restrictions on the Lifeline program.
Lifeline offers discounted telecommunications services to eligible Verizon Wireless, T mobile and assurance wireless clients as an Eligible Telecommunications Provider (ETC). Lifeline services are not available everywhere in the country.
How to get a free cell phone from Safelink the government Free Phone ?
People who qualify may qualify for free cell phones and minutes from the United States government and Safelink. Basically, the free cell phone comes with the Lifeline service, which was traditionally offered for landlines. As part of the Lifeline program, the government subsidizes a limited number of minutes (250). As part of the program, SafeLink provides free cell phones. You might be eligible for a cell phone if you qualify for the Lifeline program.
How to Qualify for Free Minutes and Phone Calls
1. You can get one of the social services, like Medicaid, food stamps, housing from the federal or state government, and free breakfast at school.
2. The amount of your income is below the state-set limit. Each state sets its own requirements.
3. Residents of the United States.
4. Online applications are available on the SafeLinkwireless website. https://www.safelinkwireless.com/
5. For phone applications, call 1-800 SAFELINK or 1-800-378-1684 or 1800-977-3768
Safelink is a provider of free cellular service in the states that participate in Lifeline
Safelink Wireless is currently available in the following states. The company hopes to expand into more states soon. Look at the websites of other mobile companies that offer Lifeline services, such as Assurance Wireless and ReachOut, if your state is not listed. Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, DC, Delaware. Among them are Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
I lost my Safelink phone. What should I do?
It is crucial to contact the company as soon as possible if your free cell phone is lost or broken. As a result, nobody else can use your minutes or add minutes to your mobile. In most cases, the company suspends your account when the phone goes missing. According to Safelink policy, if you lose your mobile, you will receive a free replacement (refurbished, not new). You will also lose the minutes from the lost phone. However, the replacement phone will have 10 minutes free to activate. It is NOT possible to get another cell phone from Safelink if you lose your replacement mobile phone. You will have to buy a new one.
How to Get a Free Phone From Assurance Wireless?
Low-income individuals may receive a free Assurance Wireless mobile phone through a government and company partnership. The program utilizes the Sprint phone company’s network.
Assurance Wireless provides free phones to low-income individuals, as well as 250 free minutes per month. You can purchase an additional 250 minutes per month for $ 5.00. You don’t need to sign a contract for this service.
How to Qualify for Cellular Assurance Wireless
If an individual receives food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8, LIHEAP, or participates in the national school lunch program, they qualify (only one of these is required). Depending on your annual income, you may also qualify. A single Lifeline account is allowed per household (landline or mobile). This service is part of the Lifeline program.
Apply online by visiting the Assurance Wireless website, printing the application, and sending it to the address indicated. The application can also be printed and filled out manually. Customer service can be reached at 1-888-898-4888.
Below is a list of the current states where Assurance Wireless is authorized. Assurance Wireless is expanding its coverage area, and you can check the website to see if your area has been included.
List Of States Where assurance Provide Free Phones and Minutes
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire , Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
