For all of you who struggle with monthly expenses, there is a special government program set in place that provides low-income households or those having a member participating in a specific government-supported program with discounted or even free landline phone services.
Herein, we will cover as many details as possible, which should help you get your hands on a free or discounted government landline phone services.
Does The Government Provide Free Landline Phone Service?
People ask us often if the government provides free landline phone services or just discounts. The answer lies in the Lifeline Assistance program, which we will cover in more detail below.
In summary, the government offers a DISCOUNT of $7.25 – 9.25 per month to those eligible toward their telecommunication services (either landline phones, wireless phones, or internet services; ONLY ONE PER HOUSEHOLD).
NOTE: A household is defined as a group of people living in one dwelling.
Looking at the landline services, there are currently no landline/home phone service providers that offer more than a simple $7.25 or 9.25 monthly discount, aside from the so-called Tribal Lifeline, which does offer a deeper discount and can lead to FREE of charge services in very specific areas and with certain landline providers.
In case you also need information Government Free Phone, Free Touch Screen Government Phones
How To Get Free Government Landline Phone Service
As mentioned above, there is at least one landline phone provider that takes part in the Lifeline Assistance program. Certain states offer some other programs (such as Link Up) that can get you discounted landline services, however, Lifeline offers the most noticeable discounts, thus, we will focus on the later herein.
Getting a free landline phone service is currently not possible based on what we’ve been able to learn from our research.
Lifeline Program Eligibility
There are two ways for a household to be qualified as eligible for the Lifeline assistance – LOW INCOME or PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.
LOW INCOME BASED ELIGIBILITY:
You can get Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. The guideline is based on your household size and state. In this case, you must show proof of income, like three consecutive pay stubs or a tax return, when you apply for Lifeline. Read one of our past articles Free Government Cell Phones For Low Income
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GOVERNMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION BASED ELIGIBILITY:
You can get Lifeline if you (or someone in your household) participates in one of these federal assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands) à TRIBAL LIFELINE:
- Any of the federal assistance programs listed above
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Show a card, letter, or official document, as proof that you participate in one of these programs when you apply for Lifeline.
Free Government Landline Phone Application Process
The application process is very simple. First, you must choose a landline provider that offers Lifeline assistance (refer to the section below). Ask your company for a Lifeline application. Your company will process your application and may ask you to fill out additional forms.
Normally you will need the following information/documentation:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security number (or Tribal identification number)
- Address
- You should also show at least one of these items: Unexpired ID, such as a Driver’s License, Social security card, Medicaid card, Prior year’s tax return, or a copy of any other document that proves your identity.
5 Best Discounted Landline Phone Service Providers
These days wireless providers are more popular than landline providers, however, there are still well over 20 different home phone service providers throughout the USA that take part in the Lifeline program. They vary from state to state, but there are some that cover a greater number of states. These are the ones, we decided to look into details.
NOTE: By far the easiest way to find a landline provider that offers Lifeline discount in your ZIP code area is to visit https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report, enter your zip code or your city and click the “Search” button. After doing so, you will be able to see a list of home phone and wireless phone providers in your area.
AT&T
AT&T is a leading telecommunication company, as such, it is not a surprise that it covers the greatest area of the USA when it comes to landline phones. AT&T offers a $7.25 discount to those who qualify for Lifeline Assistance and $25 for those eligible for Tribal Lifeline. For all the details visit https://www.att.com/home-phone/lifeline/.
AT&T Home Phone Plans:
Nationwide plans (stand-alone):
- $3.99/month: AT&T ONE RATE® NATIONWIDE DIRECT 10¢: Get one simple rate. Just 10¢ per minute—all day, every day.
- $16.99/month: AT&T NATIONWIDE CALLING 150℠ DIRECT: 150 minutes of nationwide calling per month. Plus, only 10¢ per additional minute.
- $33.99/month: AT&T UNLIMITED PLUS: unlimited nationwide calling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Worldwide plans (additional):
- $1.99/month: Low international per-minute rates to over 220 countries and same flat per-minute rates anytime, any day.
- $6.99/month: Unlimited calling to Canada anytime, any day. Low international per-minute rates to other countries.
If you need information Best AT&T Deals for Existing Customers
Detail regarding AT&T plans: https://www.att.com/home-phone/landline.html.
Verizon
When it comes to coverage area, Verizon comes right after the AT&T. For all who qualify for Lifeline Assistance, Verizon offers a $19.99 Home Phone Connect plan, which is discounted to $10.74.
Verizon Home Phone Plans:
- $10.74: include unlimited monthly anytime minutes, including domestic long distance calls. It comes with a one-time activation fee of $35.
You can read one of our past articles Verizon Wireless Free Government Phone, What Phones are Compatible With Verizon
Note: The activation fee of $35 doesn’t apply for the Tribal Lifeline plan. All details regarding the Verizon Lifeline offer can be found at https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/lifeline/.
CenturyLink
CenturyLink is another reputable and widely spread home phone service provider. According to their policy, they work to constantly improve their technology and their clients’ lives.
CenturyLink Plans:
CenturyLink’s plans are location-dependent; to see plans available in your area, visit https://www.centurylinkquote.com/home-phone and enter your zip code.
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Standard Lifeline – they provide federal monthly support of $9.25
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Tribal Lifeline – offers a deeper monthly discount as well as installation assistance through the Link-Up program to qualifying customers who live on federally-recognized Tribal lands.
Their unlimited nationwide plan is available at $60/month.
To apply for CenturyLink home phone services, visit https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/community-development/lifeline.html.
Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications is a much less spread telecommunication company than the previous three providers. However, it is a very reputable company in operation since 1935 and thus deserves a spot on our list.
They too offer a standard Lifeline Assistance discount. More about the Frontier Communications Lifeline program can be explored here: https://frontier.com/resources/discountprograms/lifeline-program.
Frontier Communications Plans:
Looking at the current offer at Frontier Communications website, they currently offer home phone plans only in combination with internet service and not as standalone service (this might be different for your zip code).
All three plans below include unlimited calling within the US, Canada, and Mexico:
- $37.99/month: max speed as fast as 6 Mbps
- $44.99/month: max speed as fast as 25 Mbps
- $54.99/month: max speed as fast as 45 Mbps
NOTE: To view details regarding plans available in your area, visit https://frontier.com/shop and enter your zip code. If you need more details, call their customer support at 1-800-921-8101.
Aside from the Lifeline program, Frontier Communications offers some other discount programs. More can be read at https://frontier.com/resources/discount-programs.
TDS
TDS Telecom (TDS®) provides innovative voice, internet, entertainment services, and leading-edge business technology for customers in hundreds of rural and suburban communities nationwide. TDS has been operational for more than 50 years.
TDS also offers a standard Lifeline Assistance discount. More about TDS’s Communications Lifeline program can be explored at https://tdstelecom.com/lifeline.html.
TDS Plans:
For information related to TDS deals and offers visit their site (https://tdstelecom.com/shop/home-phone-services.html; click on the type of services of your interest and enter your zip code to view current offers) or call 1-855-696-8368 (M-F, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST; and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. MST).
4 Best Cheap Landline Phones
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find any operator offering free home phones, thus we have selected 4 affordable options for you – two highly cord phones and two cordless ones.
Trimline Corded Phone – 210M
Reliable, corded operation eliminates the search for a misplaced cordless handset, while sturdy construction ensures long-lasting performance. The clean design makes it an easy fit on any counter or wall. It is available in black or white color.
Features:
- Simple, corded operation
- No ac power required
- Lighted keypad
- Line power mode
- One-touch memory buttons
- 10-number speed dial
- Mute
- Last number redial
- Flash
- Receiver volume control
- Ringer volume control
- Table- and wall-mountable
- Hearing aid compatible
CL4940 – Corded Speakerphone with Answering System and Caller ID
This affordable corded home phone is equipped with all the features that satisfy most users’ needs. It comes with a simple, corded operation, digital answering system, caller ID, call waiting, and more. To meet the needs of the elderly, it also packs enlarged font and extra-large keys.
General features:
- Simple, corded operation
- Line power mode
- Display dial
- Mute
- Last number redial
- Flash
- Receiver volume control
- Ringer volume control
- Table- and wall-mountable
- Hearing aid compatible
- English/Spanish/French setup menu
- Big button big display
- Backlit display
- Extra-large tilt display for easy viewing
- Extra-large buttons
- Visual ringing indicator
- Extra loud ringer
- Audio assist®
- Equalizer for customized audio
Speakerphone features:
- Clearspeak® dial-in-base speakerphone
- Speakerphone volume control
Caller id features:
- Caller ID/call waiting
- 50 name and number caller ID history
Digital answering system features:
- Digital answering system
- Message guardR memory for power failure
- Call screen/intercept
- Time and date stamp
- Remote access with toll saver
- Voice prompts
- Memo recording
- Audible message alert
- Auto reset of answering system clock
- Message counter
EL52100 – Cordless phone system with caller ID/call waiting
It a highly affordable cordless phone with caller ID and call waiting features. At AT&T it can be yours for $34.95 dollars. It comes with a digital record of up to 14 minutes of incoming messages. It is also equipped with digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) 6.0, which is a new frequency band that transmits your voice across multiple channels.
General features:
- 100 name and number phonebook directory
- 10 number speed dial
- Voicemail waiting indicator2
- Last 20 number redial
- English/Spanish/French setup menu
- Table- and wall-mountable
- Mute
- Any key answer
Digital answering system features:
- 14 minutes of digital recording2
- Call screening
- Call intercept
- Remote access
- Message retrieval from handset
- Message time stamp
EL52113 – Cordless phone system with caller ID/call waiting
EL52113 is another highly affordable cordless landline phone with multiple advanced features to cover the full aspect of your needs. Simulated full-duplex handset speakerphone, extra-large display for easy viewing, and big buttons are just some of the top cons.
General features:
- Expandable up to 5 handsets (uses 50003 accessory handset)
- Quiet mode
- DECT 6.0 digital technology
- 50 name and number phonebook directory
- 9 number speed dial
- Voicemail waiting indicator2
- Quick access key for voicemail box
- Last 10 number redial
- English/Spanish/French setup menu
- Wall-mount bracket included
- Mute
- Any key answer
Digital answering system features:
- 14 minutes of digital recording2
- Call screening
- Call intercept
- Remote access
- Message retrieval from handset
- Message time stamp
Why Do I really Need A Landline Phone?
Many younger generations have decided to skip their landline phones and use only cell phones. So, it is definitely possible to get by without a landline phone, however, there are a few benefits of having a home phone. We will cover those in this section.
RELIABILITY:
Unlike with cell phones, you can’t get a poor reception on your home phone. So, if you live in an area with poor wireless network coverage, having a home phone will give you a higher level of reliability.
BETTER SOUND:
According to the testing performed, on average, landline phones provide better voice quality for listening and talking compared to cell phones.
ENHANCED SECURITY:
All modern cell phones can be tracked via GPS signal, however, oftentimes the exact location can be hard to determine. But with the use of a home phone for 911 emergencies, they will know exactly from which address the call is coming from, which can be a life-changing benefit in case of a life-threatening situation.
SIMPLICITY:
If you prefer simplicity and don’t want to be connected all the time, a landline alone can provide you the connectivity you want. However, this may be suitable for those who spend most of their time at home.
COST:
In general, landline services aren’t as pricey as wireless services, meaning there are plans that can be fully covered with the Lifeline discount.
