Does The Government Still Give Out Free Cell Phones?
Is the US government giving out free cell phones? Yes The US government has a Lifeline phone service that helps people with financial difficulties to get a quality phone. The program is not for everyone, as only people with financial problems are eligible to apply. However, those who qualify for the program get a free mobile phone and 250 to 1000 calling minutes per month. You can even find lifeline providers offering free smartphones with unlimited voice minutes and unlimited texts every month.
Cell phone companies administer the program on behalf of the government, and thus, you will need to find a local provider to apply for a free phone. The lifeline providers verify your eligibility, send out the phone, and manage your account.In this series you will get the best free government cell phones.
Although different companies offer unique phones and packages, the eligibility requirements for a free government phone are very similar, irrespective of your location, and the preferred provider with a few minor differences in individual states.
You need to qualify for a US government free phone?
Participation in a federal or state assistance program is one of the ways you can qualify to get a phone and a service at no cost. If you are already enrolled in one of the assistance programs, it will not be difficult to get a free phone as you have already proven that you are in a financial need. The phone providers will not require you to prove yourself all over again. You are already eligible to get a free phone if you are a participant in any of these federal aid programs:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program)
- Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Tribal TANF (Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance)
You may also be able to qualify for a government free phone if you are in a state assistance program. Most states have programs that qualify you as a person in a financial need. In California, you can qualify for a government Lifeline program if you participate in the Women, Infants, and Children Program. In Massachusetts, you can be eligible if you are participating in the MassHealth program. You will need to check with your state for local programs that qualify you for a government phone.
Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Virgin Mobile. Lifeline is a government benefit program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. Enrollment is available to individuals who qualify based on federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. The Lifeline Assistance program is available for only one wireless or wireline account per household.
New customers who qualify for Lifeline Assistance will receive a FREE phone, 500 FREE minutes for the first 4 months and Unlimited FREE text messages each month. After 4 months, you get 250 FREE Voice Minutes each month. You will continue to receive UNLIMITED FREE texts each month for as long as you are eligible.