Spectrum Mobile By The Gig Plan
Another way to downsize your phone bill is to pay for data as you go. Spectrum Mobile’s By the Gig plan is great for those who need less than 3 GB of data a month. Spectrum Mobile is only available to current Spectrum Internet users, but it’s worth considering the switch. A Spectrum Internet and Mobile bundle could save you even more on your internet and phone bill. Take a peek at our Spectrum Mobile review to learn more.
Check out our cell phone deals page that is updated weekly.
How To Get A Cheap Phone From Government Free Phone Assistance
There are some ways by which you can get an affordable phone. These ways are helpful in the various situations for the people so that they will continue with the one that is good for them and those ways are:
- You can buy the phone at special deals. The deals are available around the holidays and also on Black Fridays.
- For getting a cell phone which will run for a long time then you can think about buying an unlocked device.
- You can also think about buying refurbished devices. Because these devices are too much affordable than new ones and also good to use.
- You can think about trading in your old device. In this way, you can save lots of money.
- You can do shopping online for getting the best deals and affordable prices for buying a new cell phone.
- However, you can buy a device in easy monthly installments. This option is provided by many retailers and financial companies even you have a bad credit score. Still, you can buy a cell phone for yourself.
- You can look for special deals and promotions to get an affordable and new cell phone online and offline. Even many minor carrier companies and MVNOs offer the phones at discounted prices, so you can look for them as well.
These ways are also helpful for you to buy an affordable cell phone or a phone. You can look for a way that is easy for you and buy a new/ refurbished/ discounted price cell phone with ease.
How Is My Landline Bill Paid By Lifeline
The Lifeline program partners with various internet and phone providers to handle the bill for you, so you have one less thing to worry about every month. Once approved through Lifeline and your phone carrier you wont get a monthly bill.
Instead, Lifeline will pay the phone carrier directly. You may still receive a bill or statement for your records.
The exception to this rule is if you contract a package that is more expensive than your benefits. Lets say you have a $9.25 Lifeline credit monthly, but your bundle costs $14.25. In this case, Lifeline would cover part of it, but youre still responsible for the $5.25 difference every month.
Recommended Reading: Federal Government Employee Personal Loans
How To Apply For Lifeline
To apply for either the Michigan or Federal Lifeline program consumers should contact their service provider. Please be aware that companies may require annual re-enrollment and verification of income eligibility.
You may also contact the MPSC, at 800-292-9555, for a list of wireline and wireless participating companies.
#: Qualify For The Free Cell Phone Assistance
In the first step of the application process for free government cell phones for low income, you have to qualify for it. As you see that for qualifying Lifeline supported program, you can use your households low-income and also the document of participating in any government assistance program. And you have needed to provide the different documents to prove your eligibility for qualifying for the program.
You May Like: How To Add Minutes To Safelink Government Phone
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
- 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.
How To Apply For Telephone Service
You can enroll by applying with a Lifeline Phone provider in your state. Find out what providers are in your state here. You must prove eligibility by producing documentation such as tax returns from the previous year, current payroll stubs from your employer, a letter proving social security benefits, retirement, Unemployment benefits, child support, etc.
For more information about eligibility and how to apply for Lifeline benefits, visit:
www.lifelinesupport.org
Read Also: Big Data Simplifies Data Governance Issues Especially For Global Firms
How The Lifeline Program Works
The Lifeline program provides a discount on phone or Internet service based on household income and size. It is available to eligible low-income subscribers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and tribal land in the U.S., as long as they meet certain income requirements. To qualify, household income must be less than 135% of the federal poverty level, and only one phone or Internet service is allowed per household. The discount on phone service is generally $9.25 a month.
Consumers must apply to the program and, when approved, can choose a phone or Internet company that offers the benefit and enroll. Companies are required to meet certain standards on Lifeline-supported devices, which include the number of usage minutes allowed, specified mobile and home Internet speeds, and the option of a hot-spot-enabled device.
At an administrative level, the Lifeline program is overseen by the Universal Service Administrative Company , an organization that also manages several other federal programs, including maintenance, data collection, and disbursements for lower-income programs.
Get Personalized Help With Your Search
Find a HUD-approved housing counselor in your area online or call to find a local housing counseling agency Housing Counseling Agency: an organization with experts who provide advice on buying a home, renting, avoiding mortgage default and foreclosure, and credit issues.. The counselor may be from a non-profit organization approved to offer advice on housing assistance.
Don’t Miss: Federal Government Department Of Compensation Financial Aid Program
Landline Or Fixed Phone Service
- Fios Internet service with a $20 monthly discount for Lifeline customers.
Important
These companies may change. See Lifelines Companies Near Me Tool for the most up to date list of companies where you live.
How To Get A Free Phone From The Us Government
We are committed to sharing unbiased reviews. Some of the links on our site are from our partners who compensate us. Read our disclosure policies to learn more.
The US government offers a program called Lifeline Assistance that can reduce the cost of phone and internet services, if you qualify.
Sadly, Lifeline Assistance no longer provides free cell phones alongside their discounted services. But you may find that some of the wireless providers offering free plans through the Lifeline program still offer a free cell phone or free SIM kit. Scroll down to see a list of those providers below.
Most cell phone providers participating in the Lifeline program also participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program, which can get you a cell phone or tablet at a discounted price of about $10.
To qualify for Lifeline Assistance, you either have to have an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or be currently enrolled in any of the following government programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary
- Assistance for Needy Families , Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations , Head Start
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
If any of the above relates to you, then you deserve a free cell phone and a cheap cell phone plan to go with it.
You May Like: Working For Us Government Overseas
How Do I Qualify For Lifeline
There are three ways to qualify for Lifeline. You can either qualify based on your household income, if someone in your household already participates in specific government assistance programs, or if you live on Tribal lands and meet the income requirements or participate in specific federal programs.
Save Even More With Recommended Resources And Amazon Deals
Looking to save on additional items? You may want to check out our Recommended Resources page. For example, you can learn how to and use your EBT card.
Ally is responsible for researching, copywriting, and editing content at StandUp Wireless. She has extensive experience contributing to advertising and marketing campaigns for Tech Data, Bright House Networks, TV, telecom, internet, home security, cybersecurity, and retail. As a freelance author, Ally has penned six celebrity biographies for young readers.
Did you know?
Don’t Miss: Government Employees Health Insurance Company
What Are Its Requirements
In order to get a free iPhone from the government, youll need to meet certain requirements.
- First, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Second, you must be 18 years old.
- Third, you must have an active and current email address.
- Fourth, you must have a working phone number.
- Fifth, you must have a valid shipping address.
- Sixth, you must be able to pass a background check.
- Finally, you must be willing to participate in a short survey about your experience with the government phone program.
Housing Choice Voucher Eligibility
Your local public housing agency decides if you are eligible for a Housing Choice voucher based on:
- Your annual gross income
- Whether you qualify as a family, a senior, or a person with a disability
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
- Your family’s size
- Other local factors
In general, your family’s income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area.
Each state or city may have different eligibility rules for housing programs. Contact your local PHA to learn about your eligibility for Housing Choice vouchers.
Don’t Miss: Government Grants For Education Programs
Qualify On Tribal Lands
If you currently live on Tribal lands, you can qualify for Lifeline if your annual household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty standards.
Alternatively, you qualify if someone in your household participates in any of the federal programs listed above or in:
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
If your child or dependent is part of one of these programs but you are not, you may still qualify.
What Is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Free Government Cell Phones for Low Income How to get free cell phones from government assistance programs for low income families. Government organizes different programs to help low-income people and families. With their program, they want to help them to live a better life and get the opportunities in their life to step out from their bad circumstances and make new opportunities for themselves. Thats why government comes with new assistance programs and offers for the low income. Even one can see that government has different assistance programs and offers for low-income families such as food assistance, cloth assistance, laptop assistance, Free computer assistance, free tablet assistance, free internet assistance, electronic items assistance, window replacement assistance, provides different loans at low rates of interest, and lots of other assistance programs by which low-income people will get help and make a better future.
Same as there is Lifeline program by the government to help people by providing free cell phones. This is the program that is started in 1985 and is still active to help the people. With the Lifeline program, numerous low-income people get help with the different households and also with the discounted landline and also get wireless services. Not only this, but low-income people will get free cell phones from the government as well.
You May Like: Government Programs For Solar Power
Free Cell Phone For Low Income Families Guiding Criteria
Every time the government comes up with a program that cushions low-income households or any disadvantaged groups, they have to set clear qualification criteria in place. This is to ensure that only the disadvantaged receive the help they are providing.
Without these guidelines, anyone can take advantage of these programs. Similarly, the Lifeline Assistance program follows these strict guidelines, altered yearly depending on the data collected for that year. These qualification criteria are called the poverty guidelines and are used to gauge the level of income of each family.
The poverty guidelines vary slightly for Alaska, Hawaii, and the 48 states. If you want to apply for a free cell phone for low income families, you have to meet all the criteria put in place by the FCC. You can check if you meet all the qualification criteria here: Lifeline check. Below are some of the guidelines:
Who Does Lifeline Count As Part Of My Household
Lifeline says a household is a group of people who live together and share expenses.
A household can have only one Lifeline plan – wireless phone service, landline service, or Internet service.
People who live together but do not share expenses can be different households. If you live with another person or a group of people but you do not share expenses with them, you may be able to get your own Lifeline plan. You may have to fill out a Household Worksheet to show that you are separate households.
Read Also: How To Rent Your Home To The Government
Lifeline Program And What It Entails
The Lifeline Assistance Program is a Federal Government assisted program initiated in 1985 and operates to date. It is operated by the Federal Communication Commission and funded by the Universal Service Fund.
Originally, the program ensured that all low-income families had no trouble settling their landline bills, such as the one for installation and service provision. Over time, the government engaged wireless service providers in the program to help provide a free cell phone for low income households.
Through its administrative wing, the program collects data on low-income families in each State before determining the number of funds to be disbursed to cushion them. It has ensured that thousands of Americans receive efficient phone services despite their financial background.
How To Apply For A Housing Choice Voucher
- To apply for a Housing Choice voucher, contact a public housing agency in your state. If you need more assistance, contact your local HUD office.
- You will need to fill out a written application or have a representative of your local PHA help you.
- The PHA representative will collect information on your family size, income, and assets.
- The PHA will check this information with other local agencies, your employer, and your bank. This helps them decide if you qualify and how much assistance you’ll get.
- The amount of assistance you may get is adjusted so you can afford a moderately-priced rental in your area.
- The housing you choose must meet health and safety standards before the PHA can approve the unit.
- After you’ve been approved for a voucher and found a place to rent, the PHA will inspect the rental before you sign your lease. These inspections are performed so the PHA can be sure the property is worth the rental price.
Recommended Reading: Government Grant Money For Small Business
Who Qualifies For Free Iphone From Government
Do you qualify for a free government iPhone? The answer may surprise you! If youre on certain government assistance programs, you may be eligible to receive a free government iPhone 6, free government iPhone 7, iPhone 8, or X from the government.
And it doesnt matter what your income is or what type of phone you currently have!
For example: If youre in any of these federal assistance programs: Medicaid, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program , Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , National School Lunch Program , Temporary Assistance for Needy Families formerly known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program ,
Then you might be able to get a free government iphone 5s. In addition, many other federal and state assistance programs are included in this list too.
What Are The Benefits Of A Landline
Many people these days dont have a landline and rely on a cell phone or internet-based system like a digital phone. What they dont know is that a landline may be the most reliable phone on the market.
A landline works during an electrical outage and doesnt need batteries to charge, making it the perfect security blanket in an emergency, especially if you need to call 911. Those living in areas prone to hurricanes, storms, or tornados may find it particularly life-saving.
Landlines also have excellent sound quality and clarity, never drop a call, and cant be hacked.
You can use your landline for unlimited local calling, access a directory listing, and save money if you bundle it with other services or get it free through Lifeline.
Also Check: Free Credit Report From Federal Government
Are There Limits To How Many Cell Phones People Can Request
No, there are no limits to how many cell phones people can request. The only limit is how many free government phones they can receive in a year.
There are two ways to get a free government cell phone: through the Lifeline Assistance program or through the Federal Communications Commissions Wireless Telephone Discount Program.
