Lifeline Assistance is an FCC-mandated, government-sponsored program that provides help to financially disadvantaged households in America. Besides, the eligible household can get a free cell phone and as low as 250 to an unlimited number of minutes and texts monthly at no charge. Interestingly, other service providers offer government phones with unlimited data, which is the best deal in the country.
Most importantly, more than 15 million other Americans already benefit from free government phones, and tens of millions more are eligible to enroll today. You can receive your free cell phone and unlimited data service from dozens of Lifeline providers in 49 states, DC and Puerto Rico. However, big companies such as Assurance Wireless, Qlink Wireless, and enTouch Wireless are among the free government phones with unlimited data providers.
Notably, eligibility for free wireless services from the government is nearly similar from one state to another. The standard qualification criteria include participation in federal-sponsored programs like Medicaid, Food Stamps, and SSI. Again, each state may have to provide its own additional ways to qualify. On the other hand, if you participate in any of the listed programs, you can qualify based on your income level according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The Best Ways To Get A Free Government Cell Phone With Unlimited Data
Generally, if you attain the general eligibility criteria of the program, you can qualify to apply for a free government phone with unlimited data. First, identify who offers free cell phones in your state and the state’s specific eligibility requirements. You can qualify based on the following programs:
1) Through Lifeline Program
Lifeline is a government-supported program that provides qualified customers FREE cell phone service every month. To qualify for this FREE benefit on cell phones and plans, you must participate in a federal program, including Medicaid and SNAP, or by income level. You must submit proof of program participation or proof of income to qualify.
Lifeline is a government-supported program that offers free cell phone service for qualified customers. While ACP and Lifeline are different government benefits, subscribing to a service with the same provider enables you to have your application for both Lifeline and ACP benefits. Notably, most individuals who are eligible for Lifeline also qualify for ACP.
Additionally, the Lifeline Assistance program gives free phones to seniors on social security and applies for only one wireless account per household. But, separate households living at the same address are eligible, including residents of homeless shelters and nursing homes. Residents with temporary addresses are also eligible.
Eligibility For Lifeline Program
The US government provides a program known as Lifeline Assistance that can offer you a free cell phone and access to an unlimited cell phone plan if you qualify. To be eligible for Lifeline Assistance, you need to have an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty provision or be currently participating in any of the following government assistive programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Head Start, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Tribal-specific programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
If you meet the above provisions, you can get a free cell phone from the government and senior cell phone plans for older adults qualifying for the program.
2) Through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the recent government benefit program that replaced the expired Emergency Broadband Benefit. However, it’s operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with a mandate to grant low-income Americans discounts on monthly broadband services and connected internet devices. In short, the Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that ensures that households can afford the broadband they require for work, healthcare, school, and more.
Moreover, the benefit offers a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for qualified households. Plus, up to $75 per month for households residing on qualifying Tribal lands. If you are from an eligible household, you can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a desktop computer, laptop, or Tablet from participating providers. You need to contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the buying price to get this deal.
Eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program
A household member is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the income level equals or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Standards or if a member of the household attains at least one of the criteria below:
- Recipient of a Federal Pell Grant during the recent award year;
- Attains the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
- Participates in one of the below assistance programs:
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- WIC
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- or Lifeline;
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Participates in any of the below assistance programs and resides on qualifying Tribal lands:
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (income-based)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Documents That Required to Enroll Free Government Cell Phone with Unlimited Data
During the free government phone application process, you will have to provide:
1) Eligibility Proof is based on participation in other government assistance programs or Proof Of Income, such as:
- Provide a recent or previous year’s benefits statement from an eligible federal state or Tribal Program.
- Notice letter of membership in a qualifying federal, state, or Tribal Program.
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of previous year’s State or Federal income tax return.
- Provide three consecutive months’ worth of your most current pay stubs.
- Retirement/Pension benefits statement.
- Provide unemployment/Workers’ Compensation benefits statement.
- Social Security benefits statement. Veterans Administration benefits statement.
2) Proof of identification documentation such as:
- US Passport
- Tribal ID (Name, DOB)
- Military ID (Name, DOB)
- Permanent Resident Card
- Permanent Resident Alien Card
- Certificate of US Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Driver’s License
- State ID (DOB)
- United States Government ID
Best Providers Of Free Government Phones With Unlimited Data
1) Qlink Wireless
QLink Wireless provides eligible customers with FREE monthly Unlimited data, talk, and text through the Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program. Lifeline is a federally sponsored government program that offers millions of Americans FREE wireless service every month. QLink Wireless offers FREE talk and text plus data to eligible Americans through this program, keeping them connected to the modern world.
Besides the unlimited data, talk, and text, this carrier also provides a new tablet which is a limited-time offer, thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). ACP subscribers under the Qlink Wireless network get a new Tablet to enjoy along with Free and Unlimited Cell Phone Service.
Most importantly, the Tablet features the latest Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. And ACP subscribers must pay a one-time $10.01 co-payment to get the device. Notably, the tablet offer depends on product availability, and shipping days may vary, plus the offer varies by state.
2) enTouch Wireless
enTouch offers Free cellular service through Lifeline to eligible customers. However, enTouch Wireless uses the same technology and connections as non-Lifeline cell phone providers. Qualifying customers can get a Free cell phone service with unlimited data, text, and talk.
Additionally, enTouch Wireless is a national wireless phone service provider that offers free service through the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The benefits offered through these programs include free phones and free talk, text, and data. Furthermore, if you qualify for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, Medicaid, or meet California Lifeline Guidelines for the low income, you may qualify for free phones for seniors in California.
However, most qualifying customers who enroll in the Lifeline plus Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will get a Free Phone with unlimited free monthly talk, text, and data. Interestingly, there is no fee for qualifying individuals. Through the current Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) government guidelines, you will have no charges, and there is no contract to continue staying with enTouch Wireless.
3) Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a participant of the federal Lifeline Assistance program. However, the Lifeline is a government assistance program, and the application is available to subscribers who qualify following the federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. Assurance Wireless offers eligible low-income households the most generous cell phone plan. The plan features free monthly data, unlimited texting, and free monthly minutes.
On the other hand, Assurance Wireless combines the Lifeline service with the Affordable Connectivity Program to grant eligible customers a free phone, Unlimited data, texts, and minutes, plus 10 GB of mobile hotspot data.
You may qualify for Assurance Wireless if you or a member of your household participate in any of these federal assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)/CalFresh
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
Final Thought
You can enroll for a free government phone with unlimited data through the listed wireless providers. However, the enrollment applies to individuals who qualify following the federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. You may qualify if you participate in specific public assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Again, you can also qualify following your gross household income following the Federal poverty guidelines.