Illinois is among the states in the United States. It is located in the Midwestern US, with Chicago being its largest city. Even though Illinois is one of the most industrialized regions contributing greatly to the US American automotive industry and other famous brands, some people still live below the poverty line.
We have people in the state who cannot afford smartphones and other related devices. You will soon learn the most suitable ways to get free government phones Illinois. Usually, the government offers free phones to low-income families in all states of the US, ensuring that everyone can communicate with their loved ones even if they are far away.
In the modern world, it is challenging to live without a phone. You need the device to stay informed. By the way, every person has a right to receive information. Since the government is responsible for ensuring that every citizen is informed, they have introduced the free phone program.
The federal government offers free phones through the Lifeline program. Eligible persons can apply for the devices through their preferred Lifeline service providers online or by mail. One must produce the relevant documentation for their application to go through. Apart from a free phone, Lifeline gives you free minutes, texts, and data. A household is entitled to one free monthly service.
Best Ways to get free government phones in Illinois
You can get a free phone through Lifeline. Lifeline is a federal benefit program that offers free phones, minutes, texts, and data to low-income households. You must show that you qualify for the program when applying.
Qualifications For free government phones Illinois
Lifeline requires you to qualify for the benefits program before applying. There are a few ways one can qualify for Lifeline. First, you can qualify through income, where your household income should be 135% or below the Federal Poverty Guideline. A household refers to anyone living at an address and sharing income and household expenses. These include children, relatives, and people unrelated to you.
Furthermore, you can qualify through various benefits programs, which include;
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veteran’s Pension or Survivor’s Pension benefit
You can also benefit through specific Federally-Recognized/State Tribal Assistance Programs. These include;
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal TANF
- Affordable Housing Programs for Alaska Natives, American Indians, or Native Hawaiians
You can also qualify for Lifeline through a dependent. That could be your child or any other relative in your household.
Documentations to eligible for free government smartphone in illinois
For the government to prove you are eligible, you must produce the necessary documents. For program participation, you should provide documents such as;
- Benefit award letter
- Statement of benefits
- Approval letter
- Benefit verification letter
For you to prove low income, you also need to produce documents. These include;
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Prior year’s federal, state, or tribal tax return
- Income statement from your current employer or a paycheck stub
- Unemployment/Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Federal/Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Child support award, divorce decree, or other official document containing income information
To prove your date of birth, you should provide documents such as;
- Birth Certificate
- Driver’s license
- Government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Government assistance program document
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Certificate of US Citizenship or Naturalization
Additionally, you must prove your Tribal ID Number or Social Security Number using documents such as;
- Military discharge documentation
- Social Security Card
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
- Government assistance program document
- Government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Unemployment/Workers’ compensation benefits
For proof of address, documents include the following.
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
- Utility bill
- Mortgage or lease statement
- Driver’s license or other valid government, state, or Tribal ID
For identity proof, you should provide the following documents.
- Government, state, military, or Tribal ID
- Birth certificate
- Government assistance program document
- Social Security card
- Prior year’s tax return or W-2
To prove you are alive, you need to provide identity documents such as
- Government assistance program document
- Current income statement, such as a paystub
- Current utility bill
- Current mortgage or lease statement
Applications For Getting Free phones in Illinois
You can apply for Lifeline in three main ways. First, you can apply for the program online at lifelinesupport.org and upload copies of your documentation. If your application goes through, you must choose the service provider where you wish to receive your benefits.
Additionally, you can apply for the program through the mail service. You only need to complete the cover sheet and send your proof documentation copies to the following:
- Lifeline Support Center
- PO Box 7081
- London, KY 40742.
Lastly, you can apply for Lifeline through your service provider. Numerous service providers allow you to receive free service from the government. You will also need to produce various documents to accompany your application.
Best Free Government Cell Phone Provider in Illinois
Various service providers in Illinois offer Lifeline. These include the following.
1. Life Wireless
Life Wireless offers Lifeline services, whereby you get a free phone and a cellular plan. Your free monthly plan contains 500 minutes, unlimited texts, and 4.5 GB of data. Also, the company offers an Affordable Connectivity Program whereby you get unlimited minutes, texts, and 6 GB of data. Also, you can combine Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program to get unlimited everything, i.e., unlimited minutes, data, and texts.
You can apply for Life Wireless Lifeline and get your free phones by visiting the company’s website and hitting the sign-up button to get started.
2. Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is among the best companies offering Lifeline in the US. It offers a free smartphone plus a free cellular plan to use with your phone. The Assurance Wireless Lifeline plan includes free 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 4.5 GB of data. You can also get the Affordable Connectivity Program benefits through the company.
To apply for Lifeline, you should visit the company online and apply by providing the necessary documents.
3. Access Wireless
Access wireless is another service provider that offers free government phone, minutes, texts, and data. You can get the Affordable Connectivity Service as well. One can apply online to benefit from the service by visiting the Access Wireless website and clicking the Enroll button.
4. Safelink Wireless
Safelink Wireless gives you a free smartphone,350/500/750, or unlimited free monthly voice minutes, unlimited text messages, and 4.5GB of data every month. You can also apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, whereby you should get a comprehensive broadband service. Once you confirm that you are eligible for the free service, you can apply online.
5. Terracom Wireless
The company gives you a free smartphone with up to 2,000 free minutes, unlimited texts, and up to 4.5 GB of data. You can get the free service when you qualify and apply online. One only needs to visit the company’s website and navigate the “Start Application” tab. You will then enter all the necessary details to get started. You can even call customer care at 1-888-716-8880.
Best non-profit organizations that provide free government phones
Apart from the free government phones, non-governmental organizations offer free phones. They include the following.
1. Mobile Giving Foundation
The Mobile Giving Foundation brings technology and mobile phones to donors and eligible charities that offer to the less fortunate households. Therefore, donors can use the organization to donate free phones to those in need. Through the organization, you can get a free device for your activities.
2. Freecycle
Freecycle is a non-profit network of people giving and getting free things in their Towns. You can join the organization to get a free phone from people willing to offer free stuff in your town. To get a free phone, you must first register for the service and request a free device from other members. You can also donate items to others. The platform does not allow you to sell things.
3. Cell Phones For Soldiers
Cell Phones For Soldiers is a non-profit organization that provides cost-free communication services to active soldiers and veterans. You can also get a phone from the organization for free. Additionally, the organization provides emergency funding to veterans. In most cases, the organization refurbishes phones from donors and uses proceeds to help the soldiers.
4. DV Safe Phone
The organization allows people to donate old phones, after which it gives the devices to victims of domestic violence. You may get a free phone from the organization if you are among people endangered by domestic violence. Suppose you donate a phone through the organization. In that case, you will save a life from a domestic violence wrangle.
5. The On It Foundation
The On It Foundation usually offers free computers to low-income people. However, you may get a free phone from the company if they get phone donors. That way, you can remain connected to the world.
Bottom line
Like in other states, Illinois has households that find it challenging to get free phones due to financial issues. However, the government issues free phones to such people so that they can remain connected. Free government phones come with free minutes, data, and texts. You can receive Lifeline benefits through various service providers. In Illinois, you can get providers such as Assurance Wireless, Life Wireless, Terracom Wireless, etc. We also have NGOs offering free phones.