Best Free Government Cell Phone Companies
There are dozens of new cell phone providers throughout the U.S. Puerto Rico and Territories. The plans vary slightly from company to company, and some charge a very small fee for phones and services.
All provide phones, text messaging, 3-way calling, caller ID, Voice Mail, and a phone charger. You are only allowed one phone per family unit. A family is considered anyone who lives together in one location.
How Do I Get Free Cell Phones For Seniors On Medicare
In this section, we will provide you with all the information you need in order to get a free cell phone for seniors on Medicare. However, before we go into details about the qualification and application process, we need to cover the basics and clear a common confusion.
There Are No General Programs That Offer Seniors Free Phones
We are not sure where, when, and how exactly the free government cell phones for seniors search term started and got so popular. Perhaps certain local programs in the past contributed to that.
First, you must ask yourself why a government would give someone a FREE phone. Well, the most logical reason for someone to get a free phone is if they cannot easily afford it. Makes sense, right? Why would a senior or any other person financially more than capable of purchasing their own phone be eligible for a free government phone, right?
That said, we can all probably agree that income is the only aspect that should contribute to whether someone is or is not entitled to a free phone. As such, seniors are not entitled to attaining free government phones unless they meet the same requirements as people of all other ages.
And since Medicare is based solely on age . It doesnt qualify seniors for free phones.
In order for seniors on Medicare to obtain a free government phone, they must also have a low income or participate in certain federal assistance programs .
Free 10gb Monthly Mobile Hotspot Data
10GB Hotspot Data up to 4G LTE speed.During congestion, heavy data users and customers choosing Assurance or similarly prioritized plans may notice lower speeds than other customers due to data prioritization.*Based on phone availability shipping charges may apply. Customers who have been reinstated within 60 days of their service end date will keep their original phone and phone number. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
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Does At& T Offer Free Government Phones
AT& T Mobility is the name of the wireless service provided by phone company giant AT& T . The company has been around for more than 100 years and while it doesnt offer a free government cell phone program, it does offer a Discount Lifeline program for needy Americans who can prove that they are eligible.
What If I Dont Qualify For An Obamaphone
Fortunately, there are other providers that offer cheap cell phones and services for all customers .
Mint Mobile offers wireless service starting at just $15/month! Mint has been highly recommended by many of my readers. Learn more about Mint here!
Do you know of another provider we havent written about yet? Let us know in the comments and well check it out!
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Free Cell Phone Providers In Your State
The free cell phone program provides phones from providers like Safelink Wireless, Qlink Wireless, and Assurance Wireless. The governments Lifeline Assistance Program gives free cell phones and monthly service to those living in the U.S. and needs for financial help.
The Lifeline is a federal government-mandated program that helps low-income consumers with free phone service. Free government cell phone companies in the U.S. help low-income families stay connected.
What Kind Of Phones Can I Get
You usually won’t know what kind of phone you can get until you go through the approval process, though most of the Lifeline Assistance-eligible carriers do a decent job offering a variety of phones. Sadly, you likely won’t find the iPhone 11, iPhone SE, or a new Android phone with these carriers, but there are still plenty of smartphones out there that you can get for super cheap or even free. Yup, thats right: a potential free smartphone.
To give you an idea of what to expect, Assurance Wireless has its cell phone lineup public. You can find phones like Coolpad Illumina and Coolpad Legacy.
You can also find other smartphones like the Alcatel Dawn, Kyocera Hydro Reach, and ZTE Prestige 2.
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Do I Qualify For A Free Government Phone With The Lifeline Program
For starters, if youre already enrolled in a government aid program, you could automatically qualify for a free government phone. Those already enrolled in any of the following programs are eligible:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations , Head Start
If youre not enrolled in any of those government programs, youll need to prove your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, if youre the only person in your household and want to get a free government phone, youll need to prove you make less than $12,760 per year. Every extra person in your household pushes your limit up another $4,480so, essentially, the more folks you have in your household, the easier it is to qualify for a free government cell phone and inexpensive cell phone plan.
Lifeline Free Government Cell Phones Program In Illinois
Ordinarily, we always try to pick something of greater value to us or with better options when given a choice. The good news is that there is more than one Lifeline company giving free government cell phones and free government smartphones to its subscribers in Illinois. Given this point, it makes sense to learn about all of them before enrollment.
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Other Sources Of Information
The Universal Telephone Assistance Corporation also provides information about financial assistance at LinkUpIllinois.org. UTAC is a not-for-profit corporation of which all Illinois local telephone companies are members. The principal purpose of UTAC is to oversee the Universal Telephone Service Assistance Program in Illinois, which provides the Link-Up and Lifeline programs.
The Universal Service Administrative Company also provides information about Lifeline and Link-Up at LifelineSupport.org. USAC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation designated as the administrator of the federal Universal Service Fund by the Federal Communications Commission . USAC administers USF programs for high cost companies serving rural areas, low-income consumers, rural health care providers, and schools and libraries. The Universal Service Fund helps provide communities across the country with affordable telecommunications services.
Selecting The Best Offer
When you determine which companies offer phones in your area, you must next visit the websites of the companies that distribute these phones. Many of the providers that offer phones in different states vary what their programs offer each individual consumer, so you may need to shop around at each of their websites in order to determine which has the best deal.
Some providers give you the 250 minutes as part of the government program, but also offer additional minutes at a reduced rate. In addition, some of the providers may also offer texting at reduced rates.
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How You Can Qualify For The Lifeline Assistance Program
You can qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program if you meet one or both of the following criteria. To qualify, you must either:
While Lifeline Assistance is available for one member per household, you may also be eligible if you live in a nursing home or homeless shelter, despite the fact that these facilities qualify as multiple households.
If you have a temporary address, you may also be eligible. If youre curious about your eligibility, consider using this pre-screening tool to determine if you qualify.
Best Smartphones For Seniors
1. iPhone 7
iPhone 7 user-friendly interface and its easily accessible operating system feature make the best and ideal Smartphone for seniors. I call it unbeatable.
Features integrated are as below
- It has a bright and colorful 4.7-inch LCD screen
- It has dual speakers,
- Available in either 32 GB or 128 GB of storage, depending on the specific model you get. Even in low light, both front and rear cameras tend to take high-quality pictures
2. Samsung Galaxy J3
It is a low-cost Smartphone among all Samsung series, which is compatible with the 4g network. Isnt it like cherry on the top? Features integrated into this phone are as follows
- Long-lasting battery
- 16 GB of internal storage
- MicroSD card slot
- The front and rear cameras are capable of taking clear and decent pictures even in low lighting.
- High Definition quality. It can film full in HD.
3. Motorola Moto E4
It offers valuable and outstanding quality to seniors within their budget. Its light in weight having water repellent coating on its screen.
Integrated Features:
- It has a five-inch HD display
- It has reasonable call quality,
- Have both front and rear-facing cameras.
- It has an exceptionally long-lasting battery that can be removed, if necessary it can replaced whenever required.
- It comes with a fingerprint sensor that allows you to unlock the phone with a simple touch.
4. Jitterbug Smartphone
Jitterbug is the best any senior can have. This Android Smartphone Jitterbug phone has very simplified features i.e.
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How To Qualify For A Free Government Cell Phone
You must first determine if you are eligible for a free government cell phone through the United States Poverty Guidelines before signing up. You are probably asking, What is the poverty guideline and where does it feature in receiving a free cell phone? Well, Lifeline Assistance is a government initiative that establishes one of the eligibility criteria via a households gross family income.
The program considers persons living in the same dwelling to be a household. It means you do not have to be family members to qualify as a household. The total household income should not exceed the federal financial requirements by 135% to be eligible for the plan. Note that your state and household size may also determine your eligibility. If you plan to qualify for this scheme financially, you must provide income evidence.
Heres a breakdown of FCC income guidelines:
- $14,702 per year per individual
- $19,859 per year for a two-member household
- $25,016 per year for a three-member household
- $30,173 per year for a four-member household
Note that the gross family income increases by $5,157 for each additional household member. For example, a five member household should not have an annual income of more than $35,330 to qualify for this program. Furthermore, you will need to show proof of residence in the United States before getting Lifeline approval for a free government cell phone with free monthly service.
S To Getting A Free Government Phone
In order to get a free cell phone through the government program, you must first check to see if you qualify based on your income. Eligibility rules differ by state, but are similar. A good rule of thumb is that if you qualify for a state assistance program like SNAP, Supplemental Security Income , Free School Lunch program, Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program , Tribal programs, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families , then you may already qualify to receive telephone assistance. In addition to those state-funded programs, you can qualify for the free phone program if your income is below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This percentage is as high as 150 percent of the poverty level in some states.
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Some Providers Load Their Free Phones With Malware
In early 2020, it was revealed that many free phones that are provided from these government programs come preloaded with malware. The affected phones discussed in this article were provided by Assurance Wireless. The preinstalled malware aggressively displays ads and cant be removed without uninstalling the Settings app which can basically destroy the phone.
Thus, it is very important to carefully evaluate which plan and phone you will use. If you arent careful, you could end up with a nearly unusable device.
Here Are Some Fast Facts Regarding Senior Citizens:
- 50% of senior citizens in the US are already dealing with at least two serious illnesses
- More than 40% of senior citizens over the age of 65 are part of minority groups
- 33% live in federal housing
- Less than 4% have access to a nursing home
- The senior citizen population is rapidly growing
These facts show that our beloved senior citizens need more federal assistance to give them a pleasant daily experience. One of the services they could use for that purpose is a means to communicate, brought about by the Lifeline Service. Free government cell phones become available after a few easy steps, and its without marketing gimmicks or tricks.
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Best Free Government Cell Phone Provider
Access Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
American Assistance Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
Assist Serves residents of, Arkansas, Maryland, and Oklahoma.
Assurance -31 states, Washington, DC, andPuerto Rico.
Blue Jay Wireless Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, and Utah.
Budget Mobile Serves residents of, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.
Care -Serves residents of, Illinois.
Cintex Serves residents of, Arkansas Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Easy Wireless If you live in Oklahoma, Kentucky, or Missouri, you can contact Easy Wireless for your Lifeline cell phone.
enTouch Wireless Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
QLink Texas, Michigan, Maryland, West Virginia, and Nevada, and plans to offer services in 47 states in the coming months.
SafetyNet Wireless
StandUp
Free Phones For Seniors
Are you eligible to get free cell phones for seniors?Below are some of the qualified government assistance programs
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families .
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program .
- Supplementary Security Income .
- Medicaid.
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Free Government Cell Phone: Everything You Need To Know
The Federal Communications Commission has been running the Lifeline Assistance program since 1985. The initiative design aims at ensuring equal access to phone services for all citizens. It explicitly caters to the needs of disadvantaged persons and households who are unable to afford a cell phone or mobile plan.
The project provides up to $9.25 every month to each qualifying candidate for wireless services. Lifeline also offers internet service to eligible Americans at the same monthly rates. You can qualify for the free government phone financially, or be a beneficiary to other government-led initiatives like Medicaid or SNAP.
Only a select group of wireless carriers, such as Safelink and Q-link Wireless provide low-cost service and free phones via Lifeline, hence the name Link-Up companies. Besides, most Lifelines are regional wireless providers, save for the major mobile Telcoms that are available in almost thirty-six states.
Before you apply for a free government phone, its advisable to know which participating Lifeline company offers services in your state. Should you qualify for a free phone from the government, the company will not ask you to pay monthly service charges, connection fees, down payment, or sign an annual agreement. However, you must observe the programs yearly certification arrangement to maintain your service. Furthermore, some Lifeline Link-Up operators offer free smartphones.
Assurance Wireless Lifeline Only
FreeFreeFreeAssurance Wireless Unlimited will be available to eligible households until the federal EBB program ends. If you continue your service with us after the EBB program runs out, you will be moved to the free Assurance Wireless Lifeline-only plan, if eligible, or offered other options. These options may include undiscounted rate plans and may be subject to the companys general terms and conditions. During congestion, heavy data users and customers choosing this plan may notice lower speeds and Assurance Wireless customers may notice lower speeds vs. T-Mobile, due to data prioritization.Assurance Wireless UnlimitedEmergency Broadband Benefit and, as of 12/31/21, its successor, the Affordable Connectivity Program benefit,FREE
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How The Lifeline Assistance Program Works
Every qualifying person will get a free government cell phone or smartphone with free talk-time, data, text messages, and hot spot data. Nevertheless, the offer varies depending on the company and your state. Therefore, youll want to find a phone provider with the best benefits. It is also advisable to look for a Link-Up operator with an excellent customer service record. Like regular cell phone companies, Lifeline wireless services have varying levels of customer support, playing a significant role in a customers overall experience.
The Universal Service Fund finances the program so that you dont have to worry about making payments once you qualify. You are likely to be eligible if you receive government help or participate in one of the government poverty initiatives. Interested citizens can receive a free government cell phone through the following steps:
