What Exactly is the EBT Program?
EBT is an acronym that stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. The Electronic Benefits Transfer (or EBT) is an electronic system, which enables all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – a federal nutrition program for low-income families) participants to pay for their food using their SNAP benefits. Whenever a SNAP participant shops at a SNAP authorized retail store, their SNAP EBT account gets debited to reimburse the store for the purchased food. The EBT system is in use in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. Ever since 2004, EBT has been the sole method of SNAP issuance in all U.S. states.
Only SNAP members use the EBT electronic system and as SNAP members are eligible for the Lifeline program (a federal program designed to help make communications services more affordable for low-income customers), we can correctly conclude that EBT users can receive a free Lifeline phone.
In this article, you will find out all there is to know about free EBT phones, which are in fact free Lifeline phones for SNAP members who use the EBT electronic system.
Is It Possible to Get a Free Phone With the EBT Program?
People who search for the term “Free EBT Phone” are actually talking about “Free Lifeline Phones”, as only SNAP members use the EBT system and SNAP members are also Lifeline-eligible and can therefore receive a free Lifeline mobile device.
If you use the EBT electronic system, it means that you participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps). And as participating in the SNAP program should be enough to qualify for Lifeline assistance, it is possible to receive both a monthly discount on wireless services as well as a free government phone with EBT.
Whether or not you can get a free EBT phone or just a monthly discount on wireless services, of course, depends on the Lifeline provider. Some Lifeline providers only offer free or discounted monthly service, while others also offer free or discounted phones.
What Are the Steps to Apply for a EBT Free Phone?
If you are an EBT system user and thus a SNAP or Food Stamp program participant, you can apply for a free EBT phone (or a free Lifeline phone) by following the three simple steps below.
Step 1: Determine your Lifeline eligibility
As mentioned before, participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should be enough to make you Lifeline-eligible. As such, if you are already enrolled in the SNAP program, you should be able to enroll in any Lifeline program from any provider in your state of residence.
In addition to participating in SNAP, there are also some other criteria that may make you Lifeline-eligible. To be Lifeline-eligible, you must meet the FCC’s criteria, which is universal for all Lifeline providers. A household is Lifeline-eligible if they meet one (or more) of the following criteria:
- The household has an income below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- The household participates in certain federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
If you or any of your household members meet one of the criteria above, your household can get one Lifeline benefit from one Lifeline provider. Note: Only one Lifeline benefit is available per household.
Step 2: Find a Lifeline service provider
There are countless Lifeline service providers available throughout the country. However, not all Lifeline providers offer their services in all U.S. states. In addition, not all Lifeline providers offer equally good services.
As such, to find a Lifeline service provider that offers great services in your state of residence, you will be required to browse the internet. Visit Lifeline providers’ websites, make sure they offer services in your area, read about their plans, and make sure they not only offer discounted monthly wireless service but also discounted or free government phones.
It’s vital to choose the Lifeline service provider that will best fit your needs.
Step 3: Apply for Lifeline free service and phone
Once you have selected a Lifeline provider, you can apply for their free service and phone. You can usually do so online, by phone, or by mail. The fastest and simplest way is to fill out an online application on the Lifeline provider’s website. You will be required to provide certain information and documentation that verifies your identity and proves your eligibility. Once you fill out the form and provide all the necessary info, the provider will review your application and notify you if you qualify.
What Are the EBT Program Eligibility Criteria?
How Do I Qualify for the EBT Program?
As you have seen in the previous section, the first step toward getting a free EBT phone or a free Lifeline phone is to determine whether or not you are Lifeline-eligible. If you are an EBT user and thus a SNAP participant, you should already qualify.
In case you are not yet a SNAP participant, you can enroll in the SNAP program. However, to do so, you must qualify for the SNAP (EBT) program.
Under federal rules, to be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), your household’s income and resources must meet three tests:
- 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. The poverty line is higher for bigger families and lower for smaller families.
- 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 (an elderly person is considered one that is 60 or more years old) 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.
Nevertheless, some people cannot be SNAP-eligible, regardless of whether or not they meet the income and assets requirements. People who are not SNAP-eligible by default include:
- People who are on strike
- Unauthorized immigrants
- Certain students attending college more than half the time
- Certain lawfully present immigrants
In addition, unemployed adults without children in the home who do not have disabilities are limited to three months of SNAP benefits every three years in many areas of the country.
How to Apply
Applying for SNAP benefits is simple.
- Step 1: Go to fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.
- Step 2: Press your state of residence and find your state and local offices and phone numbers. There, you will also be able to find a link to an online application.
- Step 3: Apply in person at your state or local office, by phone, or online by pressing the link to your state’s online application and filling out the form. You will be required to provide your personal information as well as some information and documentation that may prove your SNAP eligibility.
Best Providers Who Provide EBT Free Phone
There are numerous reliable Lifeline providers throughout the country that offer excellent wireless services. However, not all of them offer free smartphones to eligible customers. Below, you can find the best Lifeline providers that offer free EBT phones to qualifying clients.
Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a telephone service subsidized by the federal Lifeline assistance program. The provider offers Lifeline-eligible customers the following free services:
- Free monthly data
- Free unlimited texts
- Free unlimited minutes
- Free 10 GB of mobile hotspot data up to 4G LTE speed
- A free Android smartphone
The Android phone you will receive depends on phone availability. Note: Shipping charges may apply.
To qualify for the free EBT phone, you must be a SNAP member or be otherwise Lifeline-eligible.
To apply, visit assurancewireless.com. Read more about their Lifeline services and scroll down. Press ‘Apply now’ and you will be redirected to the provider’s application form. Fill it out by entering the required information and providing the necessary documentation. Once you submit the form, you will soon be notified if you qualify.
SafeLink Wireless
SafeLink Wireless is a Lifeline supported service that offers eligible customers the following:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free unlimited data
- Free 10 GB hotspot
- A free smartphone
The smartphone you will receive depends on phone availability.
To qualify for the free EBT phone, you must be a SNAP member or be otherwise Lifeline-eligible.
To apply, visit safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome and enter your ZIP code in the search box above. Then, press ‘Start’. You will be required to provide certain information and perhaps documentation that may prove your eligibility. Once you submit the form, the provider will notify you about your next steps.
Cintex Wireless
Cintex Wireless is a proud Lifeline and EBB provider that offers high-quality monthly services and devices for eligible customers. Qualifying clients can expect to receive:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free unlimited data
- A free 4G/5G smartphone
In addition to Android smartphones, Cintex Wireless also offers iPhones. The smartphone you will receive depends on phone availability.
To qualify for the free EBT phone, you must be a SNAP member or be otherwise Lifeline-eligible.
To apply for the Cintex Wireless services and free phone, visit cintexwireless.com and enter your ZIP code and email address in the boxes provided above. Then, press ‘Apply Now’ and you will be redirected to their online application form, which you must fill out by providing the required information and documentation. Allow a few days for the provider to process your application.
TruConnect
TruConnect is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and a Lifeline and EBB provider that offers prepaid wireless services. Lifeline-eligible customers may receive the following:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free international calling to select countries
- 14 GB of monthly data
- A free Android phone or Wi-Fi hotspot.
The smartphone you will receive depends on phone availability.
To qualify for the free EBT phone, you must be a SNAP member or be otherwise Lifeline-eligible.
To enroll, go to truconnect.com, enter your ZIP code and email address, and press ‘Enroll Now’. You will be asked to fill out their online application form. Once you provide all the necessary information and documents and submit the application, you will be notified whether or not you qualify.
enTouch Wireless
enTouch Wireless is yet another nationwide Lifeline provider. It offers qualifying customers the following benefits:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free unlimited data (through EBB)
- A free 4G/5G smartphone
The smartphone you will receive depends on phone availability.
To qualify for the free EBT phone, you must be a SNAP member or be otherwise Lifeline-eligible.
To apply, visit entouchwireless.com and press ‘Enroll Today’ or visit apply4lifeline.entouchwireless.com directly. There, you will be required to enter your email address and ZIP code and press ‘Check availability’. Then, follow the on-screen instructions, provide the information, and submit the application. You will soon find out if you qualify or not.
Can I Get a Free Phone Another Way – Other Than Through the EBT Program?
In addition to getting a free phone through the EBT/SNAP program, there are also some other ways to receive a free phone from the government:
- If your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- If your household participates in certain federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
Not only are there other ways to get a free phone from the government, but there are also some other ways to get a free Android or Apple smartphone – ways that are not only available for low-income people and have nothing to do with government assistance. These other ways include:
- Getting a free phone from a carrier when you switch to their services
- Getting a free phone from a carrier by trading in your old one
- Getting another carrier deal for a free phone
- Checking on Craigslist, Freecycle, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace
- Looking out for giveaways (make sure the giveaway is not a scam)
- Getting a free phone from your employer
- Becoming a free marketing agent, a reviewer, or participating in Amazon Vine
Are There Any Restrictions With EBT or Lifeline Program?
Both the SNAP program, which uses the EBT electronic system and the Lifeline assistance program come with certain restrictions.
SNAP/EBT restrictions include:
- Only SNAP-eligible people can receive an EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card that is loaded with benefits once a month.
- SNAP participants can use the EBT card to purchase food at one of the 263,000 retailers authorized to participate in the program.
- In case your household’s income dramatically increases, you are required to report it to the local SNAP office.
- SNAP participants must reapply for SNAP periodically (generally every six to 12 months for most families and every 12 to 24 months for seniors and people with disabilities).
- SNAP cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, supplements, hot foods, and non-grocery items, such as household supplies.
Lifeline restrictions include:
- Only Lifeline-eligible people can participate and enjoy the benefits.
- Only one Lifeline benefit is available per eligible household.
- The benefit is non-transferable.
- If your Lifeline service is free, you must use it at least once every 30 days to maintain your service. If you don’t, you will get a 15-day notice to use it or it will get turned off.
- In case you are no longer Lifeline-eligible, you are required to report it within 30 days.
- Lifeline participants must reapply for Lifeline periodically (every year).
EBT Free Phones Others Thing You Should Know
What Is Lifeline Program?
Lifeline is a government assistance program by the FCC to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline providers offer discounted or free monthly service and some even offer a free smartphone per eligible household.
Why Is Free Phone Important for Low-Income People?
Many low-income people are unable to afford a phone. Receiving one for free will enable them to stay in touch with loved ones, jobs, education, health and emergency services, etc.
Why Does the Government Offer Free Cell Phone Service?
Because certain low-income families are unable to afford cell phone service and are thus unable to stay in touch with their jobs, schools, family members, friends, health and emergency services, etc.
What Kinds of File Formats Are Allowed for Uploading My Proof Documents Online?
You can make physical copies of your proof documents and submit them by mail or make digital copies (scans, photos) and submit them online. File formats such as PDF and JPEG should all work fine.
How Do I Know That They Received My Proof Documents?
As soon as your Lifeline provider receives your proof documents they will let you know (typically by email).