The US Federal government considers the disabled citizens with limited income and the neglected seniors above 65 years eligible for free phones for seniors on social security. However, to obtain a free cell phone service through Social Security, you must meet the eligibility criteria and provide the required documentation during the application process. If you get SSI benefits, then you are eligible for a free government phone and cell phone service.
Again, you are eligible for the free phones on social security if you are a recipient of Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. Besides, you can also get a free cell phone program if you participate in one of the other government-supported programs. Or if your income level is below the Federal poverty guideline. Notably, many service providers participate in this program; hence find one that serves your area of residence.
On the other hand, other government programs might make you eligible for this free phone program. The programs include Veteran’s pension, Medicaid, Federal public housing assistance, school lunch programs, head start, some Tribal programs, and a few others. You don’t only need Social Security benefits; provided you attain the income eligibility requirements, then you qualify for a free government cell phone.
How Does Social Security Work?
Social Security refers to a US federal government program that offers social insurance and benefits to households with inadequate or no income or retirees from the workforce. However, the original Social Security Act was passed into law in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The law has undergone many reforms over the years, including several social welfares and social insurance programs.
Moreover, Social Security gets funds from payroll taxes known as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act Tax or the Self-Employed Contributions Act Tax. Most importantly, Social Security provides you with a source of income after you retire or if you have a disability. The program can also support your immediate dependents, including children, spouse, or parents, with benefits in case of death.
If you are an older adult with a disability, the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income may help you get a free government phone and services. However, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for individuals who have become disabled after securing enough Social Security work credits within a given time.
What Programs Support Free Cell phone For Seniors on Social Security?
There are two categories of social security programs. One is the social security disability insurance program, and the second is the supplementary security income program.
i) The Supplementary Security Income (SSI) Program
The SSI is a federally supported program that helps the disabled and the elderly. However, the program offers assistance to the disabled who have never worked due to their disability state. It also provides free cellphones to low-income disabled children, low-income disabled adults, and seniors above 65 years of age.
Additionally, members of these programs also qualify for programs such as Medicaid, and the SNAP/food stamps program, among others.
ii) The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Program
Unlike the supplementary security income program, the above program benefits only the disabled. However, it gives housing, food, clothing, and free cellphones benefits to the disabled who were employed before but stopped working due to their condition. To qualify, an applicant must complete an application form with all the personal legal details and relevant documentation about previous employment.
How to Qualify for Free Phones for Seniors on Social Security?
Elderly citizens can get a free phone for seniors on Social Security. However, to be eligible for a free government smartphone, every senior must attain one or more of the following Lifeline eligibility criteria.
A person or household qualifies for the Lifeline program that offers a free phone for seniors on Social Security by the following qualifications:
a) Based on income:
Your gross household’s annual income is 135% or below the Federal Poverty Threshold, depending on the household size and state.
b) Based on program participation:
If an individual or any household member participates in any of the below federal assistance programs that include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), initially known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Again, you can qualify based if a household member participates in any of the following Tribal assistance programs (for Tribal lands residents):
- Head Start (only households attaining the income qualifying standard)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Who Provides Free Phones for Seniors on Social Security?
Various Lifeline participants provide free phones for seniors on Social Security across the United States. However, their benefits vary by state and provider. When identifying which Lifeline providers offer free phones for seniors on social security, ensure the provider offers services and coverage in your state of residence.
The following are some of the best free phones service providers for seniors who provide free phones and plans for senior citizens:
1) Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a provider of the federal Lifeline Assistance program. However, Assurance Wireless provides eligible low-income households with free monthly unlimited texting, data, and free monthly minutes. Besides, you can get a free cellphone from this carrier.
Assurance Wireless allows you to combine your Lifeline service with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Through this combination, eligible customers can get unlimited data, texts, and minutes, in addition to 10GB of Mobile Hotspot Data.
Assurance Wireless offers free phones for seniors on Social Security in many states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, and West Virginia.
At Assurance Wireless, eligible seniors can get:
- Free monthly data
- Free unlimited texts
- Free unlimited minutes
- Free 10 GB of mobile hotspot data up to 4G LTE speed
- A free phone for seniors on Social Security and other eligible customers (Android smartphone) depending on availability.
2) QLink Wireless
Q Link Wireless is a renowned wireless carrier and Lifeline provider that gives free phones to seniors on Social Security. Besides, Lifeline is a federally funded government program offering millions of Americans FREE wireless service each month. Through the Lifeline program, Qlink Wireless offers FREE talk and text data plus a free smartphone to eligible Americans.
The company serves the states of Colorado, Georgia, Arkansas, Arizona, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wisconsin
At Q Link Wireless, seniors and other Lifeline-eligible members receive:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free unlimited data
- Free phone plus a new tablet for just $10.01 (through ACP)
Notably, the Lifeline plan seniors get and the amount of data and minutes depends on the state. The Qlink free phone and tablet discount eligible customers receive depends on availability.
3) SafeLink Wireless
SafeLink Wireless is a Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program service provider owned by Tracfone. However, it provides services and free cell phones for seniors on Social Security and other qualifying households in Arkansas, Alabama, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Arizona, California, Iowa, Kansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Utah, Wisconsin and Washington, West Virginia.
Through Safelink Wireless, seniors and other eligible people can receive:
- Free unlimited data
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free 10 GB hotspot
- A free smartphone
The free government smartphone you will receive from Safelink depends on availability.
4) Easy Wireless
Easy Wireless is a Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Provider that helps eligible households stay connected in today’s world. At Easy Wireless, you will obtain FREE text, talk, and data through the Federal Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program. Easy Wireless’ Lifeline service offers free smartphones to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements, including free cell phones for seniors on social security.
However, the EASY Wireless cell phone plan includes a FREE Smartphone, Unlimited Talk and Text, Data, access to Millions of Wi-fi Hotpots, Emergency Services Calls, Voicemail, plus an 8″ Tablet for only $10.99 through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
5) Life Wireless
Life Wireless offers free phone service plus free government phones by state, with qualifying enrollment via the Lifeline phone program. However, eligible users can apply for free cell phones and receive additional free data from the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Life Wireless offers access to reliable 5G (where available) and 4G LTE coverage nationwide.
Under the Lifeline program, eligible customers can get a discount on their monthly wireless service plus a free smartphone. Besides, only the eligible consumers may enroll for free phones for seniors on social security based on income or participation in special government benefit programs. For Lifeline eligibility and applicable terms and conditions, you can proceed to life wireless website or contact 1-888-543-3620.
Bottom Line
SSI and SSDI benefits recipients qualify for free phones for seniors on social security. However, you can also get free government phones and services if you participate in any other government assistance programs or if your income is below the Federal poverty threshold. When applying for free government phones, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and gather the relevant documentation to prove eligibility.
