5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is the latest wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE networks. 5G offers the highest data speeds, ultra-low latency, increased availability, and more. However, to enjoy all of these perks, you will need a 5G-supported device. Now, is it possible to get a 5G phone for free if you can’t afford one (after all, we are talking about the latest and most expensive phone models)? Well, from the government, of course!
In addition to free 5G phones, the government also offers free phone, wireless, and internet services. Find out how to get all of these benefits below.
The Government’s Role in Providing Free 5G Phones and Free Internet
Receiving a free 5G phone along with free internet services from the government may sound a bit unrealistic. I mean, why on Earth would the government provide people with free phones (and no less than expensive 5G phones) along with free internet services?
Well, the answer is quite simple. The government wishes to provide individuals and households a chance at a better life. Therefore, it offers all sorts of government assistance programs, including Medicaid which covers medical expenses, and SNAP which covers food expenses.
Phones and internet services may not sound as important as food and medications, however, due to the severe digitalization of society, they have become indispensable.
The government provides free phones and services through the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Lifeline is a federal aid program launched in the 1980s and designed to help make communications services more affordable. Wireless companies that participate in Lifeline offer discounts on monthly phone, wireless, and internet services, as well as free entry-level to mid-range phones.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), on the other hand, is a new benefits program that was launched during the pandemic, when the need for a solid internet connection and a connected device became even more apparent. Former Lifeline participants that have joined the ACP now have more funds, which enable them to offer better internet services and better devices. ACP funds are sometimes used to provide customers with discounted tablets, laptops, or desktops, and sometimes, they are used to provide customers with more advanced cellular phones – phones that are better than the devices traditionally offered by Lifeline companies, including 5G phones.
How to Apply for a Free 5G Government Phone With Free Internet?
So, we have established that you can, in fact, get a free 5G government phone with free internet. Now, let’s move on to the most important question – how do we get these benefits?
The good news is that applying for a free government device and service is relatively simple. However, there is one major hurdle along the way – you must qualify for the Lifeline and ACP assistance programs. If you do, the rest is simple. If you don’t, it’s better to try and find a free 5G phone somewhere else as trying to become Lifeline and ACP-eligible would mean that you have to lower your annual income, which no one is willing to do intentionally.
Let’s review the process of applying for Lifeline and ACP and receiving a free 5G government phone with free internet in detail.
Check Whether or Not You Qualify for Lifeline and ACP
To participate in these assistance programs, you must be a resident of one of the states where your selected provider operates, at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor, and the only applicant in your household. Moreover, you must meet the pre-determined Lifeline and ACP eligibility criteria:
Lifeline Eligibility
A household is Lifeline-eligible if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Its annual income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines (which depend on the household size and the state).
- It participates in one of the following assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Or certain Tribal Assistance programs
ACP Eligibility
A household is ACP-eligible if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Its annual income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (which depend on the household size and the state).
- It participates in one of the following assistance programs:
- Lifeline or any of its qualifying programs
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
- Or if the household received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
Collect the Documents That Prove Your Eligibility
After reading the list of eligibility requirements, you may have realized that you qualify for the assistance. If so, congratulations – the hard part is over and you can proceed with the next step, which is to convince the authorities that you qualify. This shouldn’t be a problem.
All you need to do is to gather valid official documents that prove your eligibility and verify your personal information and make clear physical or digital copies (depending on how you wish to apply).
- Prove your income-based Lifeline and ACP eligibility by submitting a copy of a valid official document that includes your full legal name and income, such as a retirement/pension statement of benefits, a Social Security statement of benefits, your current income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub, divorce decree, child support award, or a similar official document showing your income, prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return, Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits, or Veterans Administration statement of benefits.
- Prove your program participation-based eligibility by submitting a copy of a valid official document that includes your full legal name, the name of the program, the name of the institution that issued the document, and an issue date within the last year, such as an approval letter, benefit award letter, benefit verification letter, school documentation, or statement of benefits.
- Depending on the provider’s requirements, you may also be asked to verify your identity, date of birth, address, emancipation status, etc.
Apply for Lifeline and ACP
You can apply for Lifeline and ACP through the National Verifier. To do so online, visit nv.fcc.gov/lifeline/?amp;amp;ebbp=true&awsl=link-from-how-to-apply&id=nv_flow&ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D&ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D and follow the instructions to fill out the application form.
If you prefer to apply via mail, you can print out an application form at affordableconnectivity.gov/wp-content/uploads/ACP-Application-Form-English.pdf and when applying to ACP, also print out a Household Worksheet at affordableconnectivity.gov/wp-content/uploads/lifeline/images/ACP-Household-Worksheet-English.pdf. Fill out the forms, add physical proof documents, and send the papers to Lifeline/ACP Support Center, PO Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
Alternatively, you can apply directly through a provider, before applying through the National Verifier first. See how below.
Find a Provider That Offers Free 5G Government Phones With Free Internet
Next, you must find a provider that offers free 5G government phones with free internet. Even though providing free 5G phones has become possible in recent years due to the introduction of the new ACP program, not many Lifeline and ACP providers are generous enough to offer such advanced devices. The few big-hearted companies that do provide 5G phones with free internet include:
- AirTalk Wireless (the company offers a free monthly plan with free data and a free Android smartphone or iPhone of your own choice – many of the devices are 5G; learn more and enroll at airtalkwireless.com)
- Access Wireless (you can get a free plan with unlimited data, as well as a free 4G/5G smartphone; find out more and apply at accesswireless.com)
- Assurance Wireless (it offers a free plan with free monthly data and a free Android 4G or 5G phone; see more and apply at assurancewireless.com)
- Cintex Wireless (it provides free monthly plans with free data and a free 4G or 5G smartphone of your own choosing, Android or iPhone; sign up at cintexwireless.com)
- Easy Wireless (qualifying customers can receive a free plan with unlimited data and a free 4G or 5G smartphone; get the benefits at myeasywireless.com)
- enTouch Wireless (offers free unlimited data and a free 4G or 5G smartphone; begin your application process at entouchwireless.com)
- NewPhone Wireless (this generous company also enables customers to choose the device themselves and they can choose among many 4G and 5G devices; apply now at newphone.com)
- SafeLink Wireless (it provides eligible customers with free plans with unlimited data and a free 4G or 5G phone; apply for SafeLink’s services at safelinkwireless.com)
AirTalk, Cintex, and NewPhone Wireless are the only Lifeline/ACP companies that surely offer free 5G government phones with free internet. We can be sure because they not only reveal their selection of phones in advance but also allow customers to choose the device themselves. All other listed companies are a lot more mysterious about their phone selections, as such, we can only hope and guess based on the phones’ descriptions that eligible customers might receive a 4G or a 5G device.
Finally, once you have found the provider that best fits your needs, you must apply through them. To do so, visit the provider’s website, find its online application form, fill it out by providing all the information and documentation, and submit the form.
Benefits of Free 5G Government Phones
5G phones come with certain major perks, including:
- Highest internet speeds
- Improved connectivity
- Ultra-low latency
- Increased availability and bandwidth
- More reliability
- A huge network capacity
- High performance
- Improved efficiency
- Potential for new technology
- Lower costs for phone and internet service
- Enhanced ability to communicate and access information
- A more unified system
- Plus, obviously, if provided by the government, the devices are free of charge
No wonder 5G phones are the newest hit and everyone wants one!
Challenges and Limitations of Free 5G Government Phones
No matter how great 5G phones are, they also come with certain downsides, which must be taken into consideration before applying, including:
- Limited availability of 5G coverage in certain areas (5G networks are growing fast, but there are far from being available everywhere)
- Limited range of connectivity
- Cybersecurity risks
- Potential restrictions on phone or data usage
- Less battery life (because 5G speeds drain the battery)
- Broadcast limitation
- Lower upload speeds
- Possibility of long waiting times for such a phone to become available
- As you have seen before, not many Lifeline and ACP providers offer free 5G government phones with free internet, and the ones that do, don’t operate in all U.S. states
In case you are unable to get a free 5G government phone and you decide to purchase one, there is obviously another disadvantage – these phones are quite expensive.
Tips for Making the Most of a Free 5G Government Phone
As getting a free 5G phone comes with both pros and cons, it’s important to make the most of the device if you do manage to get it. Here are some tips that may help you do so:
- Check if your provider’s 5G network is even available in your area
- Take additional cybersecurity measures
- Use data sparingly to stretch its value
- Manage 5G data speeds to prolong your phone’s battery life
- Take advantage of free or low-cost apps and resources
- Look for a Wi-Fi connection whenever possible
- Keep the phone in good condition to extend its lifespan
- Enjoy the practical benefits of having a 5G phone, such as fast music and video streaming, amazing data and hotspot speeds, fast online gaming, high-quality video calls, fast cloud storage syncing, etc.
Alternative Options for Affordable Phone and Internet Access
If you don’t qualify for Lifeline and ACP or none of the companies that offer free 5G government phones with free internet operates in your state of residence, you will be forced to find an alternative. Luckily, there are some other ways to get an affordable phone and internet service, including:
- Discounted phone and internet plans from private companies. Nowadays, many carriers offer frequent deals and discounts on mobile devices and service plans. However, you must keep in mind that these deals are only temporary and that they tend to come with certain conditions. For instance, you may be asked to switch to the carrier’s services, add a new line, sign a lengthy contract, purchase a select plan, trade in an old device, etc.
- Government-funded programs for reduced-cost phone and internet services and non-profit organizations. These may offer free mobile devices and/or free internet services. Try your luck with Human-I-T, PCs for People, Adaptive.org, Causes, Everyone On, Smartriverside, etc.
- Community resources and initiatives for low-income individuals. You can check with your local charities, libraries, schools, or churches and ask for help.
- Affordable phones can also be found online. You can get a discounted or even free 5G phone by entering an online giveaway contest, by becoming a marketing agent or reviewer, through Amazon Vine, etc.
- Moreover, low-cost phones can be found if you opt for used or refurbished devices. Search in online marketplaces, such as Craigslist, Facebook Market, Amazon, and eBay.