Free Government Phones
While the Lifeline program begin in 1996 it started to deliver the free government cell phone service in 2008 through Safelink, which works under Tracfone umbrella. Years later many companies approved to provide the free wireless service for eligible households and most of the states are covered.The free government phone is available through the Lifeline benefit providers and recently almost all of them became approved Emergency Broadband benefit Providers. The combination of the Lifeline and the EBB Programs allows the free government cell phone providers to offer better free service plans and more free government phones.
Lifeline Assistance program
The Lifeline Assistance program is one of the known ways to get free government phones and free cell phone service. To be an accepted Lifeline customer, you need to meet some conditions and restrictions like receiving assistance from a government program like Medicaid or have a proof your total household income is equal to or less than 135% of federal poverty guidelines.
How can I get a free Lifeline phone?
The Lifeline eligibility requirements vary from one state to another as the government assistance programs may vary by state and also if you apply based on your household income, the low-income level vary by state. But there are common federal assistance programs that are qualifying in all states:
- Medicaid.
- Supplemental Security Income(SSI).
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP or Food Stamps).
- Federal Public Housing Assistance(Section 8).
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance(BIA).
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations(FDPIR).
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
- Tribal Head Start.
In Florida, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas the low income level is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
In Nevada the low income level is at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
In California the low income level is at or below 218% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To know more about the Lifeline program and how to apply, you may need to visit the Lifeline Assistance programLifeline Assistance program.
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB)
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program offers aims to help households in need to pay for the internet service to stay connected. The program temporarily offers one discount per household; the discount is up to $50 monthly discount off the Mobile or home internet. Tribal lands residents can get discount up to $75 per month. Also the program offers up to $100 connected devices discount that allows some approved service providers to offer smartphones, tablet, laptop, or even desktop computers for free or for a low price. To know more about the EBB program and how to apply, you may need to visit the EBB Program benefits.
Free Government Phones By State
Some states like California have a dozen free phone companies including all the leading Lifeline government service providers. Other states have a few Lifeline companies.States Providing Free Government Cell Phones
Alabama – AL, Alaska, Arkansas – AR, Arizona – AZ, California – CA, Colorado – CO, Connecticut – CT, District of Columbia, Delaware – DE, Florida - FL, Georgia – GA, Hawaii - HI, Idaho - ID, Illinois - IL, Indiana - IN, Iowa – IA, Kansas – KS, Kentucky – KY, Louisiana – LA, Maine - ME, Maryland – MD, Massachusetts – MA, Michigan – MI, Missouri – MO, Minnesota – MN, Mississippi – MS, Nebraska, Nevada – NV, New Hampshire – NH, New Jersey – NJ, New Mexico – NM, New York – NY, North Carolina – NC, North Dakota – ND, Ohio – OH, Oklahoma – OK, Oregon – OR, Pennsylvania – PA, Puerto Rico – PR, Rhode Island – RI, South Carolina – SC, South Dakota – SD, Tennessee – TN, Texas – TX, Utah – UT, Vermont - VT, Virginia – VA, Washington – WA, Wisconsin – WI, West Virginia – WV, and Wyoming.
How to get the best while free government phone offers varies by state
The free government cell phone service that is provided by the same service provider may vary from one state to another. Also, the free government cell phones or smartphones may be available for some states and not available for others. That means the best free government cell phone provider for you may be not the best for other customers in other states. To get the best free government phone, you need to know which providers available in your area and then compare what they offer.
We’ve reviewed some of the leading free government phone providers, you can check them
- Assurance Wireless government phone.
- QLink government phone.
- Safelink government phone.
- T-Mobile government phone.
- TruConnect government phone.
- Access government phone.
- Life Wireless government phone.
- Tag Mobile government phone.
- Cintex Wireless government phone.
- AT&T free government phone.
- Verizon Wireless free government phone.
Who has the best free government phones?
Best Free Government Cell Phone 2021
- Assurance Wireless.
- Q Link Wireless.
- SafeLink Wireless.
- Life Wireless.
- Standup Wireless.
- TruConnect.
Free Government Smartphones- Free Touch Screen Government Phones
Some Lifeline companies like Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless, American Assistance, Tag Mobile, Safelink Wireless, and several others offer free government smartphones (free touchscreen government phones). The free government smartphone is usually an Android phone, very few Lifeline providers offers free government iPhone like Cintex Wireless.If you don’t like the offered touchscreen government phone or have your favorite phone, some Lifeline companies like Q Link Wireless, Safelink Wireless, and TruConnect allow you to bring your own device while others don’t offer the BYOD option.
How can I get a free government Smartphone? Or How can I get a free government touch screen phones?
If you are qualified for the Lifeline Assistance Program, you can get a free government smartphone with free minutes, texts, and data when you accepted at a Lifeline cell phone providers like QLink Wireless and SafeLink Wireless.
List of the Lifeline Companies
What companies offer free government cell phones?
- Assist Wireless.
- Assurance Wireless.
- Access Wireless.
- American Assistance.
- Cintex Wireless.
- Copper Valley Wireless.
- Easy Wireless.
- enTouch Wireless.
- FeelSafe Wireless. .
- GCI (General Communications Inc.; Formerly Alaska DigiTel).
- 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.