How to Get a Free Government Phone? [July-August Updated]

How to Get a Free Government Phone

The Lifeline Assistance program from the government offers free government phones and affordable plans for those who can't afford their cell phone bills.

This service is mostly available to people already receiving government aid and those who meet the federal poverty guidelines.

In this post, we'll explain the steps to qualify for the Lifeline program so that you get free government phones, a list of carriers providing free government phones, and suggest some budget-friendly cell phone plans for those who don't qualify.

Am I Eligible for a Free Government Phone?

If you are enrolled in a government aid program, you might be eligible for a free government phone. Programs that qualify include:

  • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

  • Medicaid

  • Federal Public Housing Assistance

  • Specific tribal programs like the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, TTANF (Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), and Head Start.

If you’re not in any of these programs, you must prove your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

For a single-person household, this means earning less than $12,760 annually. 

Each additional household member raises the limit by $4,480. Having more people in your household makes it easier to qualify for a free government phone and an affordable plan.

How To Apply For A Free Government Phone?

The application process for a free government phone is pretty straightforward.Just visit the website of a participating cell phone company.

For example,If you go to Assurance Wireless, there's an easy-to-find “Apply Now” button. Follow the steps listed there, and you'll quickly learn if you qualify for a free cell phone and service plan.

To verify your household income, you need to provide pay stubs, a W-2 form, or a letter from the government agency you're associated with. 

What Happened To ACP Free Government Phones?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offered discounts on internet and wireless services to eligible households.

This program was different from the Lifeline Assistance program. If you were eligible for Lifeline, you automatically qualified for ACP.

As of February 8, 2024, the ACP stopped accepting applications due to a lack of funding from Congress.

It's unclear if the funding will be restored. The program is expected to end by April 2024. 

Once the ACP concludes, the Lifeline Assistance program will be the only option for free or discounted government phone plans.

Previously, the ACP provided a $30 monthly discount on phone and internet plans. Unlike Lifeline, it did not assist with purchasing phones.

The discount applied to one service per household, so you couldn't use it for both phone and internet plans.

Lifeline Assistance Program Providers

Here are the available free government phone providers through the Lifeline Assistance program. 

Each carrier serves certain states. To see which ones operate in your state, check their coverage details.

Effortless WirelessSimple WirelessTrueConnectEndless Mobile
Support WirelessLiving WirelessRise WirelessGear Wireless
SecureLink WirelessFreshPhone WirelessGlobal CommunicationsLabel Mobile
Bronze Valley WirelessSecure WirelessSafeNetwork WirelessTrust Wireless
Genuine WirelessConnect WirelessSure WirelessSpeed Communications

Affordable Phone Plans From Gen Mobile & Twigby

Despite the end of ACP sign-ups, you can still find affordable phone plans from carriers like Boost Mobile, Gen Mobile, Twigby, and Red Pocket.

Gen Mobile

Gen Mobile, a mobile virtual network operator on T-Mobile's network, offers an Unlimited Talk, Text & 7GB Data plan for $30/month (formerly free via the ACP). This plan provides 7GB of high-speed data and allows mobile hotspot use. 

It also includes unlimited calls to over 100 international locations. Once the 7GB data limit is reached, additional data must be purchased, or usage must wait until the next month.

FeatureDetails
Monthly Cost$26 per month + $40 upfront
Total for 3 Months$78 for 3 months (normally $90)
Data7GB at 4G LTE/5G speeds
CallsUnlimited national minutes
International CallsUnlimited calls to over 100 countries, including Mexico, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Israel, and Laos
TextsUnlimited nationwide and international texts
ContractNo contract

Twigby

Twigby leverages Verizon's reliable network. Their best plan is the Unlimited Talk, Text & 10GB Data plan. It begins at $15/month, increasing to $25/month after three months. 

How to Get a Free Government Phone (2)

This plan provides 8GB of high-speed data, and if you surpass this limit, you'll still have unlimited data at 2G speeds. Like the Gen Mobile plan, you can allocate part of your data for a mobile hotspot.

DetailsDescription
Price$15 per month for the first 3 months, then $25 per month
Data10GB at 4G LTE/5G speeds, then unlimited at 2G speeds
CallsUnlimited national calls, including to Canada, Mexico, and over 80 other countries
TextsUnlimited international text messages
Contract TypeNo contract

Conclusion

The Lifeline Assistance program offers great options for cheap or free phones. These phones are usually older models that are still very good but not as popular as newer ones.

Manufacturers are more willing to discount these phones, making them free for customers.Some free phone carriers don't show their phone options until you qualify.

However, completing the process will help you understand the stipend you have for your free or cheap government phone.

Moreover, free government iPhones are hard to find. Most carriers offer discounted Android phones. If you see a free government iPhone, grab it quickly.