In this article, you will find out all there is to know about Assurance Wireless EBT phone. However, before we dive into the topic, let’s first figure out what an EBT phone actually refers to. Is it a phone brand, a phone model, or something entirely different?
When people talk about EBT phones they refer to the mobile devices that EBT users (SNAP subscribers) can receive. EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer, which is an electronic system that allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to pay for food (and food only) with their government assistance benefits. SNAP participants receive an EBT account and payment card and use it to pay for food at SNAP-authorized stores. When doing so, their account gets debited to reimburse the shop for the purchased items.
Is it Possible to Get a Assurance Wireless Free Phone Through the EBT Program?
Now, if EBT is the method of SNAP issuance, which only covers food, what do phones have to do with it? Well, here it gets a bit more complicated. See, you can only purchase food using the EBT system, however, being an EBT user (and therefore SNAP subscriber) automatically qualifies you for the two government assistance programs that offer discounted or free phones – Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
As all EBT users (SNAP subscribers) qualify for Assurance Wireless Lifeline and ACP and as Lifeline and ACP providers often offer free or discounted phones, it is safe to say to talk about EBT phones – phones that are provided to the EBT users through another government assistance program. In short, you can get a Assurance Wireless free phone through EBT, but indirectly.
Eligibility Requirement for Assurance Wireless EBT Phones
In addition to participating in the SNAP program, there are also other Lifeline and ACP eligibility criteria. If you meet any of them (just one is enough), you can receive an Assurance Wireless free phone.
Lifeline Eligibility Criteria
- Your household’s annual income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- You or any other member of your household participate in a government assistance program, such as:
- SNAP
- SSIF
- FPHA
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- A Tribal Assistance Program
ACP Eligibility Criteria
- Your household’s annual income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- You or any other member of your household participate in a government assistance program, such as:
- Lifeline
- Any of the Lifeline-qualifying programs listed above (including SNAP)
- WIC
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
- Your household received the Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
Complete Process For Receiving an Assurance Wireless EBT Phone
One of the many Lifeline and ACP providers that offer free phones is Assurance Wireless. All Lifeline and ACP providers (including Assurance Wireless) have the same FCC-determined eligibility criteria, as such, all of them offer free phones to SNAP participants (EBT users). After all, participating in SNAP is one of the universally-acknowledged Lifeline and ACP eligibility criteria.
Receiving an Assurance Wireless EBT phone is relatively easy for those who are eligible. However, customers must follow a very strict process to receive such a device.
- Qualify for the EBT/SNAP program. According to federal rules, to be eligible for SNAP, your household’s income and resources must meet three tests:
- Your gross monthly income (a household’s income before any of the program’s deductions are applied) must be at or below 130% of the poverty line.
- Net income (or a household’s income after the program deductions are applied) must be at or below the poverty line.
- Assets must fall below some limits. The limits are: households without a member who is elderly or who has a disability must have assets of $2,500 or less, and households with such a member must have assets of $3,750 or less. However, people on strike, unauthorized immigrants, certain lawfully present immigrants, and some students attending college more than half the time cannot be SNAP-eligible, even if they meet the criteria above. Moreover, unemployed adults without disabilities or children are limited to three months of SNAP benefits every three years.
- Then apply for the EBT/SNAP program. To do so, visit “fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory”. Choose your state and find your local officer’s contact information and link to the online application. Apply online, by phone, or in person. You will be required to provide certain personal information and documentation that proves your SNAP eligibility.
- Prepare documents that prove your EBT/SNAP participation, as these documents make you eligible to apply for Assurance’s Lifeline and ACP program. Once your SNAP application has been approved, you will receive an approval letter, benefit award letter, benefit verification letter, and/or statement of benefits. Make sure to make a clear copy of one of those documents using a camera, smartphone, scanner, or copy machine. The document must be valid and official. You will have to provide this copy during the Lifeline/ACP application process. It will prove your SNAP participation. Without this proof, you won’t be able to apply and receive an Assurance Wireless EBT phone.
- You must make sure to meet the other Assurance Lifeline/ACP requirements. In addition to being Lifeline/ACP-eligible due to your participation in SNAP/EBT, you must also meet some other requirements. To apply for Assurance’s government assistance benefits, you must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor, the only applicant in your household (only one benefit is available per eligible household), and a resident of one of the states where Assurance offers its services – Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, or Wisconsin.
- Finally apply for the Assurance Wireless Lifeline and ACP program and if approved, receive a free phone. You can first apply through the National Verifier. To do so, visit “nv.fcc.gov/lifeline”. Choose your state or territory, press ‘Get Started’, and complete the Lifeline/ACP application form. You can also use a paper form, which is available at “usac.org/wp-content/uploads/lifeline/documents/forms/LI_Application_NVstates.pdf”. If approved, you can proceed to apply directly through Assurance Wireless. Do so by visiting “assurancewireless.com”, entering your ZIP code in the provided search box, pressing enter, reviewing the assistance offered in your area, pressing ‘Apply Now’, and following the on-screen prompts to fill out the application form. If approved, you will receive an Assurance Wireless free phone and other benefits.
List of Available Assurance Wireless EBT Phone Models
The phones offered through the Assurance Wireless EBT program are basic models, but they have all the essential features you need for making calls, sending texts, and accessing the internet. Currently, the following Assurance Wireless EBT phones are available to qualifying customers (see the eligibility criteria above):
- Alcatel OneTouch Cinch
- ANS Artia
- ANS Rapidz
- Alcatel Dawn
- ANS UL40
- ANS Wiko Life
- ANS Wiko Life 2
- ANS Wiko Life 3
- Coolpad Avail
- Coolpad Belleza
- Coolpad Haylo
- Coolpad Illumina
- Coolpad Legacy Go
- Coolpad Legacy SR
- Kyocera JAX S1360
- Kyocera Hydro Reach
- L51
- Motorola Moto G Pure
- Moxee m2160
- REVVL 4
- REVVL 4 Plus
- Schok Volt SV55
- Unimax U673c
- Unimax U683CL
- Unimax693
- Unimax696CL
- ZTE Prestige 2
- ZTE Quest
- ZTE Quest Plus
- ZTE Tempo X
Note: The device you can expect to receive depend on the location, availability, and other factors.
Setting up And Activating Your New Assurance Wireless EBT Phone
To use and activate your Assurance Wireless EBT phone, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.
- First, charge the phone fully before attempting to power it on.
- Then, turn on the phone and follow the prompts to complete the setup process.
- You’ll need to activate the phone using the Assurance Wireless activation code, which will be provided to you when you receive your phone.
- Once the phone is activated, you’ll be able to start using your free minutes and data.
If you have any questions or issues with your Assurance Wireless EBT phone, customer service and support is available to assist you. You can reach out to Assurance Wireless through their website or by phone for help with any issues you may be experiencing.
Other EBT Benefits For Assurance Wireless Subscribers
In terms of the free monthly minutes and data allowance, this will vary based on your state of residence. Assurance Wireless offers different plans in each state, so be sure to check the specifics of the plan you’re eligible for. In general, however, you can expect to receive a certain number of free monthly minutes for calling and a certain amount of free monthly data for internet usage. Any minutes or data that you use beyond the free allowance will be subject to pay-per-use charges. So the Assurance Wireless eligible Lifeline and ACP subscribers can also receive many other amazing government benefits, including:
- Free unlimited monthly talk minutes
- Free unlimited monthly text messages
- Free unlimited monthly data
- Up to 10 GB of free monthly hotspot data
- Other perks, such as caller ID, voicemail, emergency calls, etc.
Note : The exact list of Assurance Wireless benefits that are available to all EBT users through the Lifeline and ACP program depends on the state and availability.