Kansas is a city within Wyandotte County, Kansas. This region has an average household income of $57,202 with a poverty rate of 24.84%. Some residents experience a high poverty rate due to poor economic conditions. For this reason, the Federal Government identified the gap in providing free cell phone services to eligible low-income households. If you reside in Kansas, your household might be eligible for Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which reduces the monthly cost of phone or broadband services.
However, to get a free government smartphone Kansas and monthly phone service, you or any household member, a child or dependent included, must attain the income-based or program-based eligibility guidelines. However, the income requirements vary for each program. Lifeline qualification entails an income of 135% or below the Federal Poverty Line. On the other hand, the ACP income requirement falls at or under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
For 2023, the poverty guideline in Kansas statistics for an individual per household stands at $14,580 and $19,720 for a two-persons per household. Thus, Kansas residents may be required to prove their income if they qualify for a free government phone through this criteria. Although program-based eligibility differs by state, you may get Lifeline or ACP government phone if you participate in Social Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, or other qualifying government programs. In this case, you must attach proof of eligibility, like a Benefit Award Letter.
How Do I Obtain A Free Government Phone Kansas
1. Eligibility Through ACP
Your household can qualify for a free government phone through the ACP following income or program participation. First, your household income must fall at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Alternatively, a member of your household needs to participate in below government assistance programs, qualifying your household for the ACP:
- Lifeline
- SNAP, previously called Food Stamps.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Medicaid
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- School Lunch or Breakfast programs, primarily through USDA Community Eligibility Provision schools
- Federal Pell Grant program recipient in the ongoing year
2. Eligibility through Lifeline
Kansas residents can also get a free government phone through eligibility for Lifeline government subsidy. The program entails eligibility based on your income at or under 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. However, you can qualify based on state, federal or tribal programs such as:
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Medicaid
- The Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (Tribal only, for qualifying income standards
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
3. Eligibility Through KanCare
Kancare is a program focusing on lowering your cell phone bill for Kansas residents. Through KanCare, Kansas’s Medicaid program offers an easy way to be eligible for Lifeline and the ACP benefit. You can qualify if anyone in your household, including a child, benefits from KanCare. You can use your Lifeline and ACP benefits to get a discounted smartphone and free monthly phone service from providers such as TruConnect.
Eligibility for a free government phone through Kancare includes the following:
- Income-based requirements
- Individuals abled differently
- Blind persons
- Pregnant mothers
- Seniors over 65 years
- A caretaker to a child or a person living with a disability
How to Apply For Free Government Phone Kansas
For easy navigation on the process of free government phone application in Kansas, you can follow the below steps:
Step 1-On your preferred participation Lifeline or ACP provider website, submit your zip code and valid email address.
Step 2-Verify your eligibility by submitting the required documentation with the National Verifier to get an ACP or Lifeline Approval.
Step 3- Choose your device and checkout.
Step 4- Receive your free government phone in Kansas within 5-7 business days
4 Best Free Government Phone Kansas Providers
An eligible applicant in Lifeline or ACP can obtain a free government phone through service providers, such as TruConnect, who participate in these programs. Today’s free government phone in Kansas providers include:
1. TruConnect
If you live in Kansas and meet the qualification requirements for Lifeline or the ACP, you are eligible for a free smartphone from TruConnect as part of their ACP plan. This plan also features free monthly phone service. Eligible customers in Lifeline or the ACP in Kansas qualify for TruConnect’s free plans featuring at least 12.5 GB of 4G/LTE data with a Wi-Fi hotspot. These plans comprise a free smartphone from the government (subject to availability), unlimited text and talk, and free international calling.
2. Life Wireless
Life Wireless provides government-supported wireless services for Lifeline and ACP to low-income families and individuals in Kansas. Eligible customers in Kansas get a free government cell phone and monthly service. Life Wireless offers these services to qualified Kansas residents who attain some eligibility requirements. It includes getting government subsidies or a household income of 135% for Lifeline or 200% for ACP or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines.Â
3. Tag Mobile
Tag Mobile offers Kansas Lifeline services, a government-assisted wireless service offering free government mobile devices to eligible low-income families and individuals. Kansas free government phones get offered to eligible Kansas customers who attain specific eligibility requirements. The qualification includes participating in government assistance programs or a household income of 150% or below the federal poverty level. Eligible customers get a free cell phone, minutes, and texts monthly.
4. Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a leading MVNO under T-Mobile that offer ACP and Lifeline benefits to eligible subscribers in Kansas. You may qualify for a free government mobile phone and cell phone service if participate in the Lifeline program or ACP. Kansas Lifeline’s free government phone benefit features free 4.5GB of data, free unlimited texts, and 1000Â voice minutes monthly. On the other hand, the ACP benefit includes free unlimited texts and minutes monthly, unlimited data including 25GB High-Speed data, plus a free Android smartphone.
Bottom Line
The easiest way to get a free government phone in Kansas is to enroll through a service provider that offers ACP or Lifeline benefits. These government benefit programs provide free cell phones to millions of eligible low-income customers in Kansas. You may qualify for Lifeline and ACP by participating in government-supported programs or meeting income guidelines. Eligible Kansas customers can get a free phone from the government plus unlimited text, talk, and an allotment of data every month.