Cricket Wireless is a US-based prepaid wireless company. It was founded in 1999 and it is owned by AT&T. It provides prepaid wireless services to more than 10 million satisfied customers in the US. The company’s plans are flexible and affordable and the mobile devices that the company offers are of high quality and from the top brands. Low-income households that qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will also be happy to know that Cricket participates in ACP and offers monthly benefits. In this article, we’ll dive into the possibility of receiving a Cricket Wireless ACP free phone, list of models, and how to get the ACP benefits and free phones.
About Cricket Wireless’s ACP Program
Cricket has recently introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative designed to reduce service expenses for eligible households. Cricket’s ACP program offers a discount of up to $30 per month, or up to $75 per month if you reside in eligible Tribal areas, on your Cricket service. The discount can be applied to all Cricket plans that include data.
However, the ACP is a government-funded program managed by the FCC. It is distributed to low-income people through numerous wireless companies throughout the country and each of these providers may offer a slightly different set of benefits. Most ACP providers offer a discount on monthly services (as does Cricket). However, the ACP also offers a discount of up to $100 for customers to purchase a mobile device. Tablets, laptops, and desktops offered with the ACP device discount require the customer to pay a mandatory one-time co-pay of $10 to $50, while smartphones often come completely free of charge with the ACP device discount. Nonetheless, not all ACP providers offer the device discount, even if the FCC offers this option. Well, what about Cricket? Does the company offer a device discount and is it possible to receive a Cricket Wireless ACP free phone or other smart device through it?
See additional Cricket Wireless ACP information at cricketwireless.com/support/discounts-and-savings/affordable-connectivity-program.html.
Is It Possible to Get a Cricket Wireless ACP Free Phone?
Cricket Wireless only officially states that it offers an ACP monthly plan discount of up to $30 per month, or up to $75 per month if you reside in eligible Tribal areas. The company does not state to offer eligible customers ACP discounts on mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, or other internet-connected devices). As such, the safest assumption would be that it is currently not possible to get a Cricket Wireless ACP free phone.
However, as Cricket operates in so many states and evolves so quickly, it would be a smart idea to contact Cricket’s customer support service and ask a representative about your chances of receiving an ACP device discount and thus a free phone. The company may be offering Cricket Wireless ACP free phones in certain states, for certain customers, and on certain occasions.
Still, at this time, the official answer is no – you cannot receive a Cricket Wireless ACP free phone. But that’s not bad news at all! In fact, it’s barely even news because if eligible, you can still receive both ACP benefits and a free phone from Cricket. How? Let’s find out!
If I Cannot Get a Cricket Wireless ACP Free Phone, How Can I Get a Free Phone From Cricket?
Not only does Cricket Wireless participate in ACP and offer discounts on monthly service plans, but the company offers lots of other benefits as well. For instance, Cricket Wireless is known for offering frequent deals on mobile devices. In fact, at any given moment, customers can receive a smartphone completely free of charge through a promotional deal. Moreover, you don’t even have to participate in ACP to receive this amazing benefit.
However, you must know that every promotional deal comes with certain conditions and you will only be able to get the deal if you can meet these requirements. For instance, most Cricket Wireless deals require customers to:
- Activate a new line
- Bring their own number
- Activate a monthly voice plan of a certain value
While Cricket always offers numerous Android, iPhone, and 5G deals on discounted or free devices, the offers continuously change. Exactly which phone model will be discounted at any given time depends on availability and other factors.
So, which phone models are currently available through a Cricket promo deal? Let’s find out!
Cricket Wireless ACP Free Phone – List of Models
As we have mentioned before, Cricket Wireless ACP free phones are currently not available. However, you can get a Cricket free phone through a promotional deal.
At the moment, this is the list of models available for free (or with a discount) through a Cricket promo deal:
- Motorola moto g stylus (2023): This deal is available for both new and existing customers, regardless of whether they bring their own number or need a new one. Either way, the customer must activate a new line on a minimum $60 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- TCL 30 Z: This deal is available for both new and existing customers, but only if they bring their own number. The customer must activate a new line on a minimum $40 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Samsung Galaxy A03s: This deal is available for both new and existing customers, regardless of whether they bring their own number or need a new one. Either way, the customer must activate a new line on a minimum $60 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Motorola moto g play (2023): This deal is available for both new and existing customers, but only if they bring their own number. The customer must activate a new line on a minimum $55 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Cricket Icon 4: This deal is available for both new and existing customers, but only if they bring their own number. The customer must activate a new line on a minimum $60 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: This deal is available for both new and existing customers, but only if they bring their own number. The customer must activate a new line on a minimum $60 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Motorola moto g 5G (2023): This deal is available for both new and existing customers, regardless of whether they bring their own number or need a new one. Either way, the customer must activate a new line on a minimum $60 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Cricket Innovate E 5G: This deal is available for both new and existing customers, but only if they bring their own number. The customer must activate a new line on a minimum $55 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available completely free of charge.
- Apple iPhone 11 64GB: This deal is only available for new customers who bring their own number. The customer must activate a new line on a minimum $60 a month voice plan. This phone is currently available for $199.99 (the original price is $499.99).
Cricket Wireless ACP Benefits – What Are They?
While you may not be able to get a Cricket Wireless ACP free phone (you can get a free phone through a promo deal instead), it is possible to receive other ACP benefits through Cricket – discounts on a monthly service plan.
If eligible, you may be able to receive a discount of up to $30 or $75 if you live on federally recognized Tribal Lands on a wireless plan. This discount can be applied to any Cricket plan, as long as it includes data. As the ACP discount is only available for one person per eligible household, you can choose between the following one-line plan options:
- Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan. This plan includes unlimited high-speed data, nationwide 5G network, unlimited talk, text, and picture messages, HD Voice and Wi-Fi Calling, Cricket Call Defense, and many extras, including Cloud Storage and Max with ads. The regular price is $60 but with the $30 ACP discount, you can get it for only $30 a month.
- Unlimited Plan. This plan includes unlimited data, nationwide 5G network, unlimited talk, text, and picture messages, HD Voice and Wi-Fi Calling, and Cricket Call Defense. The regular price is $55 but with the $30 ACP discount, you can get it for only $25 a month.
- 10GB Plan. This plan includes 10GB of high-speed data, nationwide 5G network, unlimited talk, text, and picture messages, HD Voice and Wi-Fi Calling, and Cricket Call Defense. The regular price is $40 but with the $30 ACP discount, you can get it for only $10 a month.
- 5GB Plan. This plan comes with 5GB of high-speed data, nationwide 5G network, unlimited talk, text, and picture messages, HD Voice and Wi-Fi Calling, and Cricket Call Defense. The regular price is $30 but with the $30 ACP discount, you can get it completely free of charge.
See the plans at cricketwireless.com/cell-phone-plans.
Cricket Wireless ACP Benefits – How to Get?
To receive Cricket Wireless ACP benefits, you must follow these simple steps:
- Check if you qualify for Cricket’s ACP program. You can be eligible for the program if you meet one of these three criteria:
- Someone in your household is enrolled in a federal assistance program like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, National School Lunch Program, Federal Pell Grant, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, or WIC.
- A household member lives on federally recognized Tribal Lands and receives assistance from programs like Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- If your household income is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you are eligible for the Lifeline program.
- You must also be at least 18 years old or emancipated and a resident of one of the states where Cricket operates.
- You must gather the information/documentation needed during the application process. While applying, you will be asked to provide certain information and documentation copies to prove your eligibility. You may be required to provide:
- Information like your full legal name, contact information, address, date of birth, last 4 SSN digits, etc.
- Copies of official documents that verify the provided information, such as ID, passport, utility bill, birth certificate, income statement, paycheck stubs, or approval/benefit letter that verifies your participation in a qualifying assistance program.
- You must apply for Cricket’s ACP program. The application process depends on whether you are an existing Cricket customer or if you’re new to the company.
- If you are an existing Cricket customer, you can complete the Cricket ACP application form at cricketwireless.com/affordable-connectivity-program/formv2.html. After your enrollment is processed, you’ll start receiving your monthly benefit, beginning with your next month’s service. If you’ve already applied through Cricket and want to check your application status, you can do so at cricketwireless.com/affordable-connectivity-program/formv2.html. If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to Cricket Customer Support at (844) 246-8364 or refer to the company’s Frequently Asked Questions for help at cricketwireless.com/support/discounts-and-savings/affordable-connectivity-benefit.html.
- If you’re new to Cricket and want to check if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit the National Verifier at getinternet.gov. After confirming your eligibility, return to Cricket to enroll. If you already receive benefits from another provider and want to transfer them to your Cricket service, complete the ACP Cricket enrollment form. Keep in mind, that you can only transfer benefits once per service month. Once you’re approved by the National Verifier and have filled out the ACP Cricket enrollment form, visit your nearest Cricket store for assistance with program enrollment. If you need assistance or have questions, contact Cricket Customer Support at (844) 246-8364 or visit cricketwireless.com/support/discounts-and-savings/affordable-connectivity-benefit.html.