Are you a resident of South Carolina without cellphone service because you can’t afford it? Suppose this is the current situation, and your family struggles to afford an expensive prepaid service. In that case, you don’t have to worry anymore as you might qualify for free government phones in South Carolina. Through the Lifeline Program, the government tries to support these low-income Americans by subsidizing the quality and variety of cellular services to eligible people.
South Carolina came out of the poorest states but had its income level below the poverty threshold last year. For this reason, a free cell phone plan or free government phones is vital to many South Carolinians. Luckily, the free device and the cost-free minutes enable people to improve their status quo in various ways, including job search and access to critical medical care.
Most importantly, the Lifeline Program is a government program designed to diversify the availability of telephone services to low-income families, especially those residing in poor states like South Carolina. The program offers credit toward the monthly telephone service to qualified consumers. Generally, the participating mobile providers in this state offer a Free Smartphone, free Monthly Minutes, and Unlimited free Texts with no contracts or bills each month!
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
Affordable Connectivity Program is a long-term, $14 billion programs created by FCC to replace the expired Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The government investment in broadband affordability ensures eligible customers can afford the internet connections they require for school, work, health care, etc.
Generally, the benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service for qualified households. Plus, up to $75 per month for households residing on qualifying Tribal lands. The ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Do To Qualify For ACP in South Carolina?
Eligibility for ACP in South Carolina is a straightforward process. Ensure you attain the following eligibility requirements as explained below:
i) ACP benefits apply to consumers who participate in any of the following government assistance programs or have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG):
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Benefit
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps)
- Supplemental Security Income
- WIC
ii) Tribal Programs (on Federally-Recognized Tribal Lands)
- Tribal Head Start (Only Households that attain its income qualifying standard)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- TANF
- Food Distribution on Indian Reservations
iii) At least a household member qualifies to receive benefits through the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including under the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year;
iv) Recipient of a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
v) Attains the eligibility requirements for a participating provider’s existing low-income program.
Notably, the ACP Benefit is non-transferable. And you may acquire the benefits from any participating provider of your choice. However, your monthly service benefit may get transferred to another provider.
How Do You Qualify For Free Smartphone From South Carolina?
You may qualify for free phones for seniors on social security and the South Carolina Lifeline Free Government Phone, depending on your household’s income or if you already participate in specific government assistance programs.
i) Income-Based Eligibility
If your household’s income level is at or below 135% of the federal poverty threshold, you may qualify for a Lifeline Program benefit.
ii) Program-Based Eligibility
If you or a household member enrolls in one of the following programs, you may qualify.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly (Food Stamps)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Section 8
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Tribal Programs (on federally-recognized Tribal lands)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Notably, there can only be one Lifeline Program benefit in every household. In other words, a “household” represents a group living together at an address (including relatives, children, non-relatives, etc.) who share income(s) and household expenses.
Who Offers Lifeline Free Government Cell Phones Program in South Carolina?
Interestingly, after getting your free government device from a qualifying wireless provider, you can combine it with senior cell phone plans if you qualify for the senior discounts. Below is the list of the Lifeline program providers in South Carolina that provides a free device plus discounted cell phone plans:
i) Life Wireless
Life Wireless provides government-assisted wireless services to low-income families and individuals in South Carolina. Besides, the qualified customers get free cell phone service. The Company offers Lifeline discounts to eligible South Carolina subscribers who attain specific eligibility requirements. Including government subsidies or a household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Your FREE Lifeline benefit restricts to one account per household and can’t get combined with any other Lifeline offer.
Life Wireless also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new federal free 5G government phone program. ACP brings affordable connectivity to low-income Americans, and qualifying households can get connected by applying and submitting their eligibility documents.
Get a free smartphone and a free monthly phone service. If you or anyone in your household, a child or dependent, get included, you must attain the income-based or program-based eligibility guidelines. The program restricts to one ACP benefit per household.
Documentation To Qualify For Life Wireless Free Government Phone?
If you are qualifying through program participation, to prove your eligibility, submit proof of participation, including a Medicaid card, SNAP card, or your public housing lease agreement.
Moreover, if you are applying following your household’s income (at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines) to show your eligibility, submit proof of income like:
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- A Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Recent income statement from an employer
- Previous year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
- A retirement or pension statement of benefits
- An Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation certificate of benefits
- A divorce decree
- A Tribal or federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- A child support award
- Other official certificates containing income information
ii) Infiniti Mobile
Infiniti Mobile participates in the South Carolina Lifeline Program in availing phone access to all deserving low-income families. However, the federal government created the Lifeline Program in South Carolina to offer cell phones and services to eligible families who may not otherwise afford access to them. Low-income families with poverty-level income or participating in a government assistive program qualify to participate and receive a free smartphone and service.
In South Carolina, you can choose Infiniti Mobile to be your Lifeline Program service provider: Follow the steps below:
- Apply online at the portal Infiniti Mobile
- Contact Customer Care at 1-214-323-8000 and speak to a representative in your state.
The representative will assist you in applying. Besides, avail along with the proof of eligibility, as you will have to submit proof of address and identity to be eligible for a free Infiniti Mobile phone in South Carolina. After the customer service gets confirmation that you get approved for Lifeline service, you will get offered a free phone. The representative will assist you in activating it, plus you can even port in your current phone number during the activation process.
Additionally, to qualify for government cell phones in South Carolina through Infiniti, you must determine eligibility. If you participate in any of the below programs, you should try applying for a free government cell phone in South Carolina:
- SSI
- SNAP (food stamps)
- FDPIR
- BIA
- Medicaid
- Federal Housing Assistance
- Survivor’s Pension
- TANF
- Veteran’s Pension
On the other hand, you also qualify if your income is at or below the federal poverty guideline threshold. If you come from a low-income family, you can fill out an application at Infiniti.
iii) FeelSafe Wireless
Feelsafe Wireless provides government discounted wireless phone services to low-income families and individuals in South Carolina. The eligible customers may get a free cell phone in addition to 500 Text Messages, 1000 Voice, and 4.5GB of Data for the Internet per month.
Feelsafe Wireless provides Lifeline discounts to qualified South Carolina customers who match specific eligibility requirements, including government assistance program participation. Or a household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Notably, your Free Lifeline benefit gets limited to one member per household and cant be combined with any other Lifeline offer.
FeelSafe Customers that enroll in the ACP Program and enjoy the following benefits at no cost:
- Free Unlimited Talk, Text, and MMs.
- $30.00 Plan with free 6 GB Data (ACP – only subscribers)
- $50.00 Plan with free 15 GB Data (Lifeline/ACP Combo subscribers)
- $70.00 Plan with free Unlimited Data (California LifeLine/ACP Combo customers, or Tribal subscribers)
Bottom Line
The South California State residents who require a free phone from the government can apply for one with several companies that offer the South Carolina Lifeline services to their customers. Besides, the providers vary based on the customer base, the free phones issued in South Carolina, the number of free texts, minutes, data, etc. You can enroll for your benefits through any of the provided Lifeline wireless participants, provided they offer service in your state.
