How To Get A Free Phone From The Us Government
The US government offers a program called Lifeline Assistance that can give you a free cell phone and access to an inexpensive cell phone plan if you qualify. 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 Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs
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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Obama Phone Eligibility And Benefits
If you qualify for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, you may also be eligible for an Obama Phone. Lets briefly review how much assistance the program provides, how the program works, who qualifies for it, and how to enroll.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , previously called food stamps, provides financial assistance to low-income families and individuals to help with the high cost of groceries. It allows them to buy food at grocery stores, convenience stores, some farmers markets and some co-op food programs.
SNAP is run and regulated by the Federal Department of Agriculture. However, most SNAP benefits are physically administered at the state or local level. Eligibility for the program is based on the number of people living in the household and the monthly income and expenses. Benefits are provided on a monthly basis via an electronic card. SNAP serves a wide range of individuals including young, elderly, disabled and those who are employed.
Find A Free Government Phone Provider
To get a free phone, you must check with one of the companies that offer phones through the Lifeline Assistance program. There are many providers out there, but the most popular ones are Safelink Wireless and Assurance Wireless.
Many programs exist all over the country that provide cell phones to needy people in most states. Providers include Budget Mobile, Life Wireless, Assist Wireless, I-Wireless, Terracom Wireless, YourTel Wireless, Tag Mobile, Cintex Wireless, Care Wireless, Alaska Communications, and Wireless for Hope. Because of the expansion of these programs nationwide, this list is subject to change.
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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.
| Program |
|---|
Immigrants Are Also Eligible
Immigrants are eligible to receive SNAP benefits if they are legal residents and have lived in the U.S. for at least five years. Those who are on disability or are under the age of 18 do not have to meet the 5-year residency requirement.
In addition, some illegal immigrants who are permanently granted residency in the U.S. or who are admitted for humanitarian reasons can also obtain SNAP.
Important Pages
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Are You Eligible For The Snap
Not everyone is eligible to receive SNAP assistance. The federal government has created certain criteria that must be met in order for an individual or family to qualify for the SNAP program.
Financial Resources A household cannot have more than $2,250 in countable resources, such as a bank account. If at least one person is 60 or older, or disabled, the household is allowed to have $3,250 in countable resources. The value of homes and property is not counted as a resource. Most states do not count the value of vehicles as a resource, but some do. Those on Supplemental Security Income , Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and most retirement pension plans do not have to meet the resource requirement.
Employment In most cases, individuals receiving SNAP benefits are required to be employed. Those without dependents who are between 18 and 50 can receive SNAP assistance for only three months in a 36-month period if they are not employed. Exceptions are made for disabled individuals and those over the age of 60.
Income Households are only eligible for SNAP if their income falls below a certain amount. The only exception is a household where all members are receiving TANF or SSI. Household income must fall below both the net and gross limits listed below.
| Household Size |
|---|
| $3,341 |
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:
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What Are Proof Of Participation Documents
Proof of Eligibility documents are copies of your cards or letters that show you are currently participating in a Government program. Receiving your Proof of Eligibility documents is necessary for American Assistance to approve your application and ship out your smartphone. By sending your Proof of Eligibility documents, we are able to verify your eligibility and your identity.
Free Government Cell Phones: Which Phones You Can Get
The various carriers that participate in the Lifeline Assistance program do a pretty good job of giving their customers some great options in terms of cheap or free phones.
Take Assurance: the carrier offers a host of smartphones like the Alcatel Dawn, Kyocrea Hydro Reach and ZTE Prestige 2. Or Truconnect: they sell the NUU A3 and ZTE Warp Elite N9518.
Alcatel
Unfortunately some of these carriers aren’t very forthcoming with their phone lineups until after you go through the qualification process. However, doing so will help you determine what kind of stipend you’re working with for your free or cheap government phone.
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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.
Eligibility For Lifeline Varies By State
However, eligibility can be easily determined if you meet ONE of the two qualification criteria below:
You participate in a government assistance program
Select your state below to see programs
Your total household income meets your states Federal Poverty Guidelines
Select your state below to see income chart
Select your state to determine your eligibility for our Lifeline Program:
Recommended Reading: Www.ebt.acs-inc.com Alabama
Applying For A Free Government Phone
Once you have located a company that offers a program that is to your liking, applying for a free cell phone is simple. Using the providers website, you can fill out an online application to get a free phone.
While many choose to apply online for a free phone, the option exists to sign up in stores where applications are taken. In addition, some government assistance offices may also offer the option to sign up for the Lifeline Assistance program. For those of you who are not internet savvy, this is a great option to apply for the program.
Why Is The Government Doing This
Lifeline is provided by the US government to help ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st-century broadband and the access it provides to jobs, education, and opportunities.
How Does the Program Work?
Lifeline is available to eligible low-income subscribers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands.
To participate in the program, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in the assistance programs listed below.
The following is a list of assistance programs that qualify a participant for Lifeline:
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
Apply for Georgia Lifeline Cell Phone, Home Phone or Internet
If you live in the state of Georgia and are on Food Stamps, you can apply for a Lifeline Cell Phone Service, Home Phone, or Home Internet Broadband Service. Note that you can only select one of the programs so you can either use your lifeline credit towards a cell phone plan, or home phone plan or broadband internet plan.
How to Apply
Step 1
To apply, you have to contact the provider for the service you are interested in below. Scroll down to see our list of lifeline program providers for cell phone, home phone or internet broadband service in Georgia.
Step 2
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Us Mobile Unlimited Talk And Text Plan
The only way to bring your bill lower than $10 a month is to throw out your data plan altogether. If you know you dont want to pay for any wireless data, the US Mobile Unlimited Talk and Text plan at $7 a month is your best bet. Bonus, US Mobile operates on both T-Mobile and Verizon networks, which offer excellent coverage.
Now that you know about free government cell phones and how to apply, here’s your next steps:
Check out our cell phone deals page that is updated weekly.
Step Three: Apply For Your Free Government Cell Phone Service With Free Monthly Talk Text & Data
Once you have decided who your Lifeline provider will be, apply as soon as possible. You may enroll by filling out an application either online, mailing in a paper application or by calling them. Enrollment is fast and easy.
Something you should know: Enrolling online is most likely going to be your fastest and easiest option. If you enroll online, you will get your phone service as soon as possible.
The Lifeline application is pretty simple. You will provide your name, address, date of birth, and last four digits of your social. You will then select the method for which you are trying to qualify for .
Once you have submitted your application, the Lifeline service provider will require you to provide proof documentation that shows you qualify for Lifeline. The required documentation depends on how you qualify for Lifeline. If you qualify by participating in a government assistance program like Food Stamps , then you just submit a copy of a proof document . If you qualify by having low income, you will send in documentation that proves your low income eligibility.
Tip: If you are enrolled in Food Stamps or any other government assistance program, make sure you select that you want to qualify by participating in a government assistance program. If you do not, then you will have to qualify by low income instead.
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Lifeline Cell Phone Providers In California
Scroll down below to see the Lifeline program providers in California.
The list for each state is divided into Cell Phone Providers and Home Phone Providers.
You can choose which program to take advantage of, based on your home situation.
However, you can only participate in one program per household.
This means that your lifeline benefits can be used to either get a cell phone service or a home phone.
Getting A Free Phone Through Your Employer
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Why Do These Providers Offer Free Phones And Free Cell Phone Service
The government has created a subsidy program to help low income customers get free phones and free cell phone service. After all, having a reliable phone and service is essential in todays fast-paced world.
After all, phones are usually required to get jobs contact emergency services pay bills arrange child care contact doctors and other medical professionals and so much more. Without a reliable phone, ordinary life gets very difficult very quickly.
