Missouri is a state in the Midwestern part of the US. It is bordered by eight states: Iowa to the north, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas to the south, and Oklahoma, Kansas & Nebraska to the West. If you live in the state and want to know if you can get a free phone, then feel at ease as we have ways you can get a free phone in the region. You will learn how to get free government phones Missouri shortly.
The federal government offers free phones across the United States to low-income households. These people cannot comfortably afford basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. And by the way, a household means people living together at the same address. They may be related or not. Students living together in one house form a household. Again, you can have one or two households living under one household.
The government offers free phones to the less fortunate to enable them to communicate with the world. Every person has a right to get information. A phone is a reliable tool to access information by calling, texting, or using online services. By giving people from low-income households free phones, we are helping them to feel important, just like the endowed families.
The Authentic Ways to get free government phones in Missouri
There are two main ways to get a free phone in Missouri. We have a Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Even though most service providers do not offer a free phone via ACP, a few do.
To get a free phone with Lifeline, you must qualify in various ways. After that, you can apply for the device and receive it at your address. The same applies to ACP.
Qualifications for gaining a free phones from Missouri
As mentioned, you must qualify for Lifeline or ACP to apply for a free phone. There are various ways you can qualify for Lifeline. First, you can qualify through income, whereby your household should have an income of 135% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can also qualify through various assistance programs. These include;
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid.
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Additionally, you can qualify through Tribal Assistance Programs, which include the following.
- Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
- Head Start
- Tribal TANF
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
You may qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program if your household income is 200% or below, per the Federal Poverty Guideline. ACP also allows you to qualify through various benefit programs, which include;
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- SNAP
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- School Breakfast Program
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811
- Public Housing
- WIC
- Lifeline
Additionally, you can qualify for ACP through tribal programs. That is possible if you live in tribal lands. The tribal programs include the following.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians
- Tribal TANF
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
Documentations for getting free smartphones from Missouri
You require various documents to prove your eligibility for Lifeline or ACP. For income verification, you can bring any of the following documents.
- Previous year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
- income statement from your current employer or a paycheck stub
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Workers’ Compensation or Unemployment statement of benefits
- Federal/Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Child support award, divorce decree, or other official document having income information
For program participation, there are various documents you can bring. You can carry any of the following.
- Approval letter
- Benefit award letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit verification letter
Applications for free government phones Missouri
Applying for any of the programs is easy. However, before applying, you should verify if you qualify for any benefit program at the National Verifier portal. There are three main ways you can apply for ACP or Lifeline. They include the following.
- Apply online at lifelinesupport.org. You will then choose your service provider once you are approved.
- Send a mail application and attach all the necessary documents to the following address;
- Lifeline Support Center,
- PO Box 7081,
- London, KY 40742.
Once approved, you will then choose your preferred service provider.
3. Apply directly through your service provider. You can apply for Lifeline or ACP via your service provider, then choose a free phone and a plan to enjoy with your free smartphone. You should upload the necessary documents to your service provider’s systems for approval.
Best free government cell phone providers in Missouri
We have various free phone providers in the state of Missouri. They include the following.
1. EASY Wireless
EASY Wireless allows you to apply for both ACP and Lifeline. You can apply for benefits online at the provider’s website by providing the necessary information. You will not need to sign a contract or have a monthly bill. Once you apply, you can get your free device at the company’s stores or your physical address. The company can deliver your phone through courier services. Above all, the company has a fantastic customer service crew, and you can get assistance anytime you need it.
2. Assurance Wireless
The company has been offering Lifeline for a long time and now also offering ACP. You can apply for a free phone on the company’s website and provide the necessary details for approval. You will then receive your free device plus SIM kit at your address. You can benefit from ACP and Lifeline and get a comprehensive data bundle for your online activities.
3. TrueConnect
When you apply for Lifeline service through TrueConnect, you get a free android smartphone, minutes, texts, and data. You can apply by visiting the carrier’s website, then navigating to the Apply Now section and providing your details. There is nothing new to do since the company requires similar details to other service providers. You only need to upload the documents, and you are good to go.
4. Assist Wireless
You may also opt for Assist Wireless for your free phone application. The company offers a free phone through Lifeline service if you qualify for SNAP/Food Stamps, Medicaid, SSI, or other government programs. One can apply online at the service provider’s website to get their device. You can expect high-quality network connectivity since the carrier uses T-Mobile’s network.
5. Life Wireless
Another reliable service provider you can opt for when applying for a free phone in Missouri is Life Wireless. The carrier allows you to apply for a free phone online. You can get started by filling in your email address and zip code on the fields provided on the right top of the company’s website home page. Applying for Lifeline gives you a free phone, 500 minutes of talk time, unlimited text, and 4.5 GB of data. You can also combine Lifeline with ACP to get a free smartphone, unlimited minutes, texts, and data.
Best non-profit organizations that provide free government phones Missouri
Apart from the government, you can get a free phone from non-governmental organizations. These also rely on the government benefits program participation to establish the needy persons. There are various NGOs you can opt for. They include the following.
1. The Salvation Army
One of the best NGOs you can opt for is the Salvation Army. The organization operates in 132 countries. Many people donate smartphones to the organization’s management, and you can quickly get a device from them. The organization also operates charity shops and homeless shelters and offers humanitarian aid and disaster relief when needed.
2. GreenDrop
Another significant, although not famous NGO you can opt for for your free device is GreenDrop. It accepts donations of phones from well-wishers and gives them to the needy in association with the American Red Cross and the National Federation of the Blind. You can get other items, such as clothes and shoes, from the organization.
3. Secure the Call
The organization usually helps properly dispose of electronics by collecting and disposing them appropriately. Additionally, it helps to solve vulnerable people’s lack of electronic access to emergency services. Once they collect phones from well-wishers, they distribute them to vulnerable people such as the aged and those prone to domestic violence. If you fall into those groups, you can get a free phone from the company.
4. 911 Cell Phone Bank
Since 2004, the organization has given out more than 150,000 emergency phones to vulnerable citizens. The organization also receives other electronics like digital media players, tablets, and laptops that they give to those in need. You may consider the organization for a free device too.
5. Call to Safety
Call to Safety is another organization that offers free phones to those eligible. It distributes phones to survivors of domestic/sexual violence to allow them to dial 911 for help. Also, the organization recycles damaged phones.
Bottom line
You may get a free phone from the government through Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program in Missouri. You only need the proper documents, such as program participation or income proof. Various service providers offer free phones to eligible persons in Missouri. They include Assist Wireless, Life Wireless, TrueConnect Wireless, etc. Also, you can get a free phone from NGOs such as Salvation Army, GreenDrop, and Secure the Call.