Gen Mobile is an American telecommunication company and a subsidiary of Dish Wireless. The company offers wireless services using the T-Mobile network. Before the merger between T-Mobile US and Sprint, it delivered service using the Sprint network. Since T-Mobile and Sprint are now one thing, the company now relies on T-Mobile towers to offer communication services. You will learn how you can get a Gen mobile free phone.
We all know that phones, and especially smartphones, are costly devices. Low-income households may need more money to afford the devices. Getting a free phone can be a relief as it allows one to communicate with friends and relatives. Some service providers offer free plans, usually through the Lifeline assistance program. The free plans include free voice call minutes, texts, and data.
Now the question is whether Gen Mobile participates in Lifeline because that is the only sure way of getting a free phone from the government. Usually, the government collaborates with various cell phone service providers to offer eligible households free phones and plans. Beneficiaries must show proof of qualification by submitting certain documents when applying. Lifeline only allows one person per household to benefit from the program.
Ways to get Gen Mobile free phone
Suppose you are considering switching to Gen Mobile and looking for a way to get a free phone from the company. In that case, you can get one through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). According to various sources, Gen Mobile does not support the Lifeline assistance program. The ACP program also gives you a communication plan that consists of the following.
- Unlimited USA Talk & Text
- 7GB Data per month
- Unlimited Global Text
Gen Mobile Free Phone Under Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a government benefit program that helps low-income households with the broadband they require for school, work, healthcare, and more. The benefit offers a discount of at most $30 monthly toward internet service for qualifying households and at most $75 per month for households on eligible Tribal lands. Eligible families can get a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet from participating service providers if they contribute at least $10 and not more than $50 toward the buying price.
Gen Mobile offers a smartphone other than tablets and laptops discounts. That is how you can get a free smartphone from the company, plus the free plan I mentioned earlier. The ACP program is limited to a single device and a monthly service discount per household. You cannot transfer the service to someone else even if they qualify.
Who qualifies for the ACP Program
For you to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you must qualify. There are various ways you can qualify. A household qualifies for the ACP Program if it has a gross income of 200% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Additionally, you can qualify for the program if you or a household member participates in one or more of the programs below.
- School Breakfast Program
- SNAP
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- Medicaid
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811
- Public Housing
- Federal Housing Assistance
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians
- WIC
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Lifeline
You can also qualify if you participate in one of the following Tribal assistance programs and live in eligible Tribal lands.
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal TANF
- Tribal Head Start
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
You can also qualify for the ACP program if you got a Federal Pell Grant within the current award year or meets the qualification criteria for a participating service provider’s existing low-income internet program.
Documents required for Lifeline
Various documents are necessary for ACP application. Documents needed to qualify by income include the following.
- Divorce decree, child support award, or another document with income information
- Prior year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
- Income statement from your present-day employer or a paycheck stub
- Federal/Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Unemployment/Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
You should also present any of the following documents showing your date of birth.
- Government, state, military, or Tribal ID
- Certificate of US Citizenship or Naturalization
- Driver’s license
- Government assistance program document
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Birth Certificate
You should also prove that you are alive by producing any of the documents below.
- Government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Prior year’s tax return or W-2
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- Government assistance program document
By showing your Social Security Number or Tribal ID Number, you can bring any of the following documents.
- Social Security Card
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
- Unemployment/Workers’ compensation benefits
- Government assistance program document
- Military discharge documentation
- Government, state, military, or Tribal ID
To qualify through program participation, you need documents such as;
- Benefit award letter
- Benefit verification letter
- Statement of benefits
- Approval letter
To prove your address, you should produce any of the following documents.
- Driver’s license or other valid government, state, or Tribal ID
- Mortgage or lease statement
- Utility bill
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
How to enroll for ACP and get a Gen Mobile free phone
New and current Gen Mobile customers can enroll in the ACP program if a household member qualifies. You can check if you qualify by applying online at acp.genmobile.com. You may also apply online by visiting affordableConnectivity.gov and submitting the necessary documents. Once you qualify, you can choose Gen Mobile as your preferred service provider. You will then receive your free phone at your physical address.
Besides, you may also send your application via mail by downloading the application form, filling it and attaching all the required documents. You then send it to the relevant recipient and wait for a reply. Once your application goes through, you can choose Gen Mobile as your service provider and receive your free phone and plan.
Bottom line
Gen Mobile is an American telecommunication company and a subsidiary of Dish Wireless. The company offers wireless services using the T-Mobile network. Before the merger between T-Mobile US and Sprint, it delivered service using the Sprint network. The company offers free smartphones and communication plans through the Affordable Connectivity Program. You must be eligible for the program to get the benefit.