Free Government Cell Phones: How To Apply For The Lifeline Assistance Program In Houston
In this resource guide, I will show you how to get a free government phone in Houston.
Maybe you heard of free government phones but never knew how to get one. Well, this article will provide you with 8 companies that provide these phones to individuals that qualify.
If you receive government assistance like Medicaid or food stamps, then you may qualify for this free phone program in Houston.
Times are tough, so if you could stand to save a little money by not paying a phone bill, continue reading and Ill tell you how to get a free Obama phone in Houston.
What Do I Need To Know About Lifeline Cell Phone Minutes And Texting
Most Lifeline wireless plans give you a maximum number of minutes per month. Check how many minutes you get, to see if a plan will work for you.
You use minutes when you:
- make any phone call – including toll-free numbers,
- get calls, and
- listen to voicemail.
If you use more than your free minutes, you have to buy extra minutes. Extra minutes are expensive. You may also have to buy minutes just to get your voicemail.
Many people who have Lifeline run out of minutes quickly, and then nobody can reach them. Be sure to give people who need to get in touch with you a back up phone number. Ask a friend or family member if you can use their number as a back up. Be careful about giving your Lifeline number to your social worker, probation officer or other people who need to reach you. If you use your Lifeline phone to call a court or an agency for a hearing, tell them you have limited minutes so they do not put you on hold or delay the matter.
How To Get Standup Wireless Free Tablet
The EBB program qualifying participants are allowed to get a one-time discount of up to $100 on connected devices like tablets. Once youre approved for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, StandUp Wireless will send you a separate email to order your discounted tablet. After you claim your free tablet, youll be charged $10.01.
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Apply For A Free Government Phone In Wisconsin Today
If your family has been struggling without phone service, wed love to help you. Nobody should go without necessary services simply because they are unable to afford them. Imagine how free smartphone service could change your life for the better. Theres no need to hesitate. All you have to do is click below to fill out the application!
What Is The Lifeline Assistance Program
Lifeline Assistance is the Federal Communication Commission’s long running program designed to provide equal access to phone service for all Americans. It specifically caters to low-income residents who may not otherwise be able to afford a cell phone device or plan. The program entitles those who are eligible to wireless service for $9.25/month. It also applies to internet service, also priced at $9.25/month.
You can read more about the Lifeline program here.
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Contracts On Free Phones
You dont require paying anything to have this phone but the catch is here, the price is inflated for the customers who buy smartphones for the two-year plan. You may not be paying anything for your phone but you are paying for it through the cell plan price.
In the two years period, you will pay the same amount you would be paying for the same phone in 24 months instalment. In summary:
- Most carriers no longer provide contracts.
- The phones on contract are actually not free. Theres a cost you pay for it in the monthly charges you pay though you will not see it in your bills.
- Your line and the phone will be wrapped in one into a 24 months commitment with the carrier.
How Can I Apply
To get a free phone, you can apply directly with a specific service provider.
There are a number service providers for Louisiana you can apply with. You will need to provide:
- Your Name
- A Working Email Address
- A Mailing Address
- Income or Benefits documentation as listed above. If you are not receiving a government assistance listed above, you should send a copy if your tax return from last year or or proof of three months in a row of your income other proofs may be accepted if you do not have year-long income documents.
Each program has different features, such as the amount of minutes youll receive for phone calls and texts, the amount of data youll get , and whether the program will provide you with a free phone. There are also some differences in the coverage areas . You can check what the exact benefits for your area are by providing your zip code on the providers website.
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How To Access The Best Free Government Phones In Texas
Texas is among the wealthiest states in the USA. It perceived to be the home for many millionaires and billionaires of the world.
Like it is common to many other parts of the globe, Texas is still home to many poor people. Therere so many cases of unemployment in Texas and many low-income earners living in this magnificent state.
Thus, the government has partnered with the Lifeline Assistance program to raise hopes of the poor people living in Texas. The best free government cell phones are given to the low-income earners. Other than the free government phones there are also the discounted phones to people with narrow pockets. These measures have been taken as a way of government in partnership with lifeline assistance companies to help realize an increase in telecommunication services as desired.
If Texas is your home state here are the lifeline companies that offer free government phones with internet. Confirm your legitimacy to be enrolled under the Lifeline program and go for the best free government cell phones from these companies.
How Do I Qualify
Qualifications for the Lifeline discount program are provided on the Lifeline application. Verizon Wireless offers Lifeline service in parts of Iowa, North Dakota, New York and Wisconsin. Lifeline service is not available in all areas in these states.
You must provide documentation to demonstrate that you are eligible for the Lifeline benefit.
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I Participation In A Federal Government Assistance Program
This is the major qualification avenue that allows most people, especially senior citizens, to receive free phones from the government. Its argued that if you are already in a government assistance program, you dont need any other prove to show that youre in need of financial help. This is the easiest way to qualify for a free government phone because there isnt a lot of verification to prove whether youre eligible or not. Regardless of the state where you live in, you automatically qualify for the free phone program if youre a beneficiary of federal government assistance. Here are the assistance programs that exist in every state:
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Supplemental Security Income
In the same vein, its of great interest to assert that a state can allow free government phone qualifications based on the state assistance programs that exist there. For instance, if you live in California, you can qualify for a phone if you participate in the Women, Infants, and Children Program. Also, if you live in Massachusetts, the MassHealth Program qualifies you to get a free government phone. This implies that you can still check whether your state has assistance programs that make you eligible for the Lifeline Assistance Program. And there are more opportunities that will come in order to benefit Americans.
Find Out If You Qualify
The first step in getting a free phone is to learn whether or not you qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program. Participation in this program is offered to you if you earn below 135 percent of the poverty level or take part in one of the listed government assistance programs. If your income meets the guidelines, then all you need to do is find a provider and fill out an application.
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How Do I Get A Free Phone
To find out if you qualify for a free government phone, youll need to make sure that your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Youll need to prove your household income with pay stubs, a W-2 form, or a letter from the government agency that you’re enrolled in.
You can start by entering your ZIP code here to see what free government service options are available in your area.
How Do Get Free Tablets For Low
The volunteers who work with the organizations and many charitable trusts, there are chances that they will get pc, laptop, or tablet. Even the thrift stores also give the donates the used laptops and tablets among the staff members, so that they can use them or their children can use them. Not only this, but sometimes they give a big discount on the purchase of any item like a laptop, tablet or any other gadget. Also, some of the employers provide a laptop or a pc to take at the home, so that the employees can do the work from home. With these two benefits are happen, first, the employee does not need to buy any other system for doing their work and another is that the children of the employee can also use those gadgets for their work and education.
There are several charities also present that help the low-income and individuals with the free tablet. Even these charities are working on a different level and these levels can be federal and state level. Even it can be local and international level as well, such as the Salvation Army center.
Not only charities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies help the needy people for getting the free tablet, even there are churches and some religious-based groups that are also present that help the needy people with their assistance programs. They offer free tablets to low-income families and students. Some of them raise the funds with the collaboration of some big businesses like Amazon and Microsoft.
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How Many Minutes Do You Get With Standup Wireless
Most Lifeline subscribers can get a monthly 1000 minutes, unlimited text, plus 4.5GB of data. To know more about the Lifeline assistance program, you can visit the Lifeline government Program.
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Now StandUp Wireless offers a better plan for Lifeline and EBB customers. To know more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, you can visit the EBB Program Benefits.Note: All Lifeline customers are qualified for the EBB Program.
First Choose Your Phone Company
First, find out how to apply for free phone assistancein your state. Each state has several free government phone providers. You may also want to do a little research to find out what others have to say about the company you choose. Google the phone company you choose and look for a review. All free phone providers are not the same. You want to choose someone who has excellent customer service and gives you the ability to upgrade your phone or service plan.
Once you pick your phone provider, go to their website to apply. If you are eligible, you will receive an automated telephone call, email, or letter. If you receive aid from a government program, you must provide proof of participation. Proof of eligibility is necessary to prevent fraud and waste. Fraud on the side of the provider and consumer puts the program in danger.
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What Types Of Proof Of Participation In Government Programs Do You Accept
To qualify for American Assistance Lifeline please submit a Proof of Eligibility document showing you participate in a qualifying program. Here are the most common types of proof documents:
Supplemental Security Income
- Copy of a Benefit Check Stub from the Social Security Administration
- Copy of your Social Security Statement of Benefits
- Copy of other official documentation from State Agency indicating current participation
Food Stamps, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Copy of your Award Letter
- Copy of your Food Stamp Benefit Card
- Copy of other official documentation from State Agency indicating current participation
Medicaid
- Copy of your Medicaid ID Card
- Copy of other official documentation from State Agency indicating current participation
Section 8, or Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Copy of your Award Letter
- Copy of your Public Housing Assistance Lease Agreement
- Copy of your Section 8 Voucher
- Copy of other official documentation from Public Housing Agency
Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Veterans Pension Grant Letter
- Veterans Pension COLA Adjustment Letter
- Survivors Pension Benefit Summary Letter
We accept several types of Proof of Income documentation. Must provide 3 consecutive months, if noted. Here are all of the types we accept:
How Do You Qualify
Qualifying for FEELSAFE WIRELESS is Easy! Just make sure you meet the following eligibility requirements and you will be able to receive your FREE FEELSAFE WIRELESS phone with 1000 Voice, 500 Text, 4.5GB FREE MONTHLY SERVICE.
- Limit one Lifeline phone per household .
- FEELSAFE Wireless Lifeline benefits are available to consumers who use any of the following government assistance programs or have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Proof of Participation or Household income is required to get service. In order to maintain your Lifeline Service, you must verify your enrollment information annually.
- Lifeline is a government benefit program, and consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment or can be barred from the Program. Lifeline Service is Non-Transferable.
In order to maintain your Lifeline Service, you must verify your enrollment information annually.
Service Availability
Use of Device
Only Certified & amps Approved Unlocked 850/1900 MHz GSM phones are compatible with Feel Safe Wireless service.
Right to Terminate Service
Release of information
PUK Codes
Phone Codes
Account Information
Ability to change services
Cancellation Policy
Porting Policy
Charges
Account Balance
Use of Service/Rates
Disputes
Multimedia Messaging
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Follow Our Three Steps: How To Get A Free Government Cell Phone Service
Step One: Determine Your Eligibility for the Program
We have an entire page dedicated to explaining the eligibility requirements for the free government cell phone program. If you havent yet visited that page, . Heres a basic rundown of how you can qualify for a free cell phone service from the government:
- Qualify by participating in a government assistance program You are automatically eligible for a free phone if you already participate or are enrolled in a government assistance program such as Medicaid or Food Stamps. Although government programs vary by state, here are the top 7 government assistance programs you can participate in that will automatically qualify you for Lifeline:
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps, or SNAP
- Supplemental Security Income
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- National School Lunch Program
- Most Other Government Assistance Programs
Step Two: Select a Reputable Approved Lifeline Service Provider
Since the Lifeline service providers vary by state, a multitude companies may offer varying plans. Take the time to look through the different providers before selecting the right one for you and your household.
Surprise Fees And Sales Tax
You will still be paying for the full tax as required by law regardless of your credit score. You may be expected to pay an upgrade fee which ranges between $35 and $40. These are costs which are meant to cover switching to a new phone line and exchanging your old phone with a new one.
Should you decide to return your new handset, you may be asked to pay a restocking fee for putting this phone back to the market. This costs $35-$40.
What this means, in short, is that:
- Early upgrades or instalments will require full tax payment of the full amount of the phone as if you are purchasing the phone and paying for it in slow instalments.
- You dont have to pay the full amount of tax since you are not owning but leasing the phone.
- Should you need to change providers, you will be expected to pay all the remaining instalments on your phone or you return it.
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Does Every Phone Or Internet Carrier Offer Lifeline
No. Only 6 companies in Massachusetts offer Lifeline. They offer cell phone, landline, Internet or a combination plan. Some wireless carriers may also offer a free or low cost device like a cell phone, computer, or tablet. The company you use depends on where you live.
If you already have a cellphone, landline, or Internet plan, ask your carrier if they offer Lifeline. Also ask them if they offer other discount programs for low-income customers. You can ask your company to apply to the state to become an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier so they can accept Lifeline.
