For those struggling to make cell phone payment each month, are you one of them! Then lifeline program is made specifically for you. This program is a life saver for those in dire need of phone for communication. But not all people are eligible for these free government phone by state. So, who is eligible for free government phones by state? This guide will enlighten you on the eligibility of qualified individuals based on their state.
The federal government sponsors the lifeline program to assist low-income individuals get free government phones. Though the terms and regulations of receiving the aid are similar, there is another state-specific requirement that you have to qualify to apply and get the phone for free.
Since there are different connectivity services from the various carriers, you should be keen on which carries you will use to get the best services. Note that the government or the carrier companies will not approach you to help you apply for the phone.
Therefore, it is upon you to know what is available and the requirement needed in your state. In that case, you should do extensive research on the companies providing the services in your state and know the one you will go for.
What is Lifeline State Program
Lifeline by the state is the program that qualified customers can enroll in based on their state and enjoy the services provided by this program. This program is available in 49 states and Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. however, the eligibility to this program vary from state to state.
There are assistance groups which you must be a member. Though the programs may also vary based on the state, they at least offer the services you may wish to have.
Here are some of the programs;
- Supplemental nutrition program
- Medicaid
- Supplemental security income
- Public housing
- Veteran’s Pension
- Survivor’s Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Tribally Administered
- Tribal Head Start
- Food Distribution Programs and many others base on the state you are coming from.
States Providing Free Government Phones
Now let’s look at different states and those eligible for free government cell phone.
#Alabama
The service provider you can choose in this state is assurance wireless, access wireless, safe link wireless, and North American local. The lifeline companies to offer you the discount services include T-Mobile, Southern Linc Wireless, and AT&T. To be eligible, you have to choose the programs from the providers above. Your total house household should be 135% or below the poverty guidelines provided.
#Alaska
For Alaska, free government phone providers include Arctic Scope, Copper valley wireless, and Alaska DigiTel. With the lifeline discount companies, you will have to choose from Cordova wireless communications and AT&T. Therefore, to benefit from the program, you will have to select the service from the above providers. The total house household should be 135% or below the poverty guidelines provided.
#Arizona
There are several companies that you can choose from like Life Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Access Wireless, Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless, Terracom, Tag Mobile, Stand-up Wireless, and Total Call Mobile. For you to qualify, you must be a beneficiary of the programs above with a 135% total household.
#Arkansas and Nebraska
The providers you can work with include Us connect, Absolute Mobile, Access wireless, safelink wireless, access wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Cintex wireless, Assist Wireless, Conecion wireless, Tag mobile, Tru Connect, Terracom wireless, Stand up Wireless and Q-link wireless. You can also choose the lifeline discount from Viaero wireless, AT&T mobility, and U.S connect. To qualify, you must be a beneficiary of any assistant programs, and your total house household should be 135% or below the poverty guidelines provided.
#California
It is among the state that receives more benefits in terms of free government phones by state. California providers include Access Wireless, Assurance Wireless, American Assistance, Feel Safe Wireless, Life Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Safelink Wireless, StandUP Wireless, Safety Net Wireless, TruConnect Wireless, and Tag Mobile. Also, one of your households must be in at least one of the benefits programs in California, and your total housel annual income should be less or at the same income rate for household size.
#Colorado
Here you will get the service to providers like American Assistance, Access Wireless, Assurance Wireless, Life Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Q Link Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, StandUP Wireless, Tag Mobile, TruConnect, Terracom Wireless, and Tempo Communications. To qualify, you must be a beneficiary of any assistant programs, and your total house household should be 135% or below the poverty guidelines provided.
Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Wisconsin, New York, North Carolina, and Columbia.
Here, you will get service providers like Access Wireless, Safelink Wireless, Life Wireless, and Assurance Wireless. T-Mobile is there specifically for the lifeline discount. Your household must be in at least one of the benefits programs in Connecticut, and the total house annual income should be less or at the same income rate for household size.
#Florida, New Jersey, and Texas
You will be served by Access Wireless, T-Mobile, Safelink Wireless Assurance Wireless, and others. For your eligibility, one of your household members must benefit from the assistance program in Florida and meet the poverty guidelines where others are 150% while others are 130%.
#Georgia
The providers in this state are Access Wireless, Assurance Wireless, Amerimex Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Life Wireless, SafetyNet Wireless, Safelink Wireless, Tempo Communication StandUP Wireless, and TruConnect. T-Mobile and SouthernLINC Wireless are there specifically to offer you the lifeline discount. Your household must be a beneficiary of any assistant programs, and your total household should be 135% or below the poverty guidelines provided.
#Hawaii
The state providers for free government phones include American Assistance, Tempo Communications, EnTouch Wireless, Safelink Wireless, and Q Link Wireless. And you must be a beneficiary of any assistant group in Hawaii and meet the 135% poverty guidelines.
#Idaho
The providers are Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless, and EnTouch Wireless, while AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile are used as lifeline discount providers. You must also meet the federal poverty guidelines and be in at least one assistant program.
#Illinois
The state has free government phones through Access Wireless, Terracom Wireless, American Assistance, Safelink Wireless, Life Wireless, and discount lifeline services through U.S. cellular. Also, you have to meet the federal guidelines.
#Indiana
Several providers are providing free government phones and smartphones in Indiana. They include both the local and national provides. The enrollment requirements are similar to others; however, the way the application is made and submitted in this state is very different.
#Iowa
It is among the states with more wireless carriers that offer free government smartphones. You need to check what the provider offers to get the best free and discount packages. Also, the enrolment rules are similar to like the other states.
#Kansas
Suppose your income falls in the range described by the federal government, and you are in at least one assistance program. In that case, you qualify for free government smartphones from the Kansas providers who have partnered with the government.
#Kentucky
Here you can only qualify if you meet the household and federal poverty rules. If granted the program, you can access the services from Kentucky providers who are authorized to provide the services.
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, South Dakota, Wyoming, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Missouri.
These states also have lifeline programs with similar requirements. Both states are served by almost similar national companies like Access Wireless, Terracom, NewPhone Wireless, Assurance Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Conexion Wireless, Life Wireless, StandUP Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Tag Mobile, TruConnect, Safelink Wireless, and many others. Despite having almost similar national providers, they also have different local provide which they offer the services.
#Montana
This state does not have lifeline services. It has Nevada, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Utah. These states have many providers for free government phones by state; however, they do not have the lifeline discount for the services. Some national providers include; Absolute Mobile, American Assistance, Access Wireless, Assurance Wireless, Life Wireless, EnTouch Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Tag Mobile, Safelink Wireless, Tempo Communications, TruConnect, Terracom Wireless, and many others. For eligibility in both, you have to meet the federal poverty rule and household income.
Conclusion
The government sponsors the lifeline program, and try to cover all the states. With the lifeline programs, you will not incur monthly bills unless you subscribe for other extra services. The government ensures the program runs smoothly throughout all the states. Now since you know who can be eligible for the free government phones by the state, you can check if you qualify and apply for the freephone in your state.
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