Let’s start by telling you that Food Stamps is now called SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) so that you know that the two are essentially one and the same, only different naming. However, since food stamps are what people got used to, most organizations will surely know what are you referring to if you use the old naming.
That said, we decided to devote today’s article to telling you all about the free home phone service for people on food stamps. Herein, you will learn if such benefits are actually available and if so, how to benefit from them.
However, before we dig into that, it seems only right to have a closer look at SNAP, what it is, and who is it for.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
From Food Stamps to SNAP
As mentioned above, Food Stamps don’t exist anymore as the program is now known as SNAP. However, the name stuck, thus the majority of people still refer to this form of support as Food Stamps.
What is SNAP?
SNAP is a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance for low- and no-income households and individuals. It is a federal aid program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), though benefits are distributed by specific departments of U.S. states (e.g. Division of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services, etc.).
SNAP Eligibility
In general, there are two paths for SNAP eligibility – either based on other programs or low income. Many participants are eligible for SNAP benefits because they receive assistance from other federal programs, such as Supplemental Security Income or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
However, even households that do not receive assistance from those programs may still qualify for SNAP. Of course, they must meet certain income and asset requirements. Aside from income eligibility standards, those aged 16–59 generally must also register to work and accept suitable job offers to receive SNAP benefits. Out of those people, able-bodied adults age 18–49 without dependents are limited to three months of benefits out of every three years unless they meet additional work requirements or are exempted by their state.
SNAP Benefits
SNAP benefit amounts are calculated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) based on its Thrifty Food Plan, a set of dietary guidelines designed to meet nutritional needs at a low cost. As such, the USDA sets maximum benefits based on the size of a household. Keep in mind that aside from the SNAP benefits received, families, are expected to spend 30 percent of their net income on food.
As such, when determining benefits for individual households, USDA calculates 30 percent of a household’s net income and subtracts that amount from the maximum benefit amount to which that household is entitled.
The main benefit of the SNAP is obvious and it comes in a form of financial support intended for food. This includes foods (fruits and vegetables; bread and cereals; dairy products; meats, fish and; poultry) and plants and seeds, which are fit for household consumption.
However, there are other benefits of being eligible for the SNAP. There are many other government-supported programs that an individual can benefit from based on their participation in SNAP. One of those benefits is the Lifeline Assistance.
Does Food Stamps Provide Free Home Phone Service for Low-income People?
So, is it possible to get a free phone under the Food Stamps Program? Yes, it is possible, however, the answer is not that simple as there are several conditions that must be met in order for this to become a reality.

Above we have mentioned Lifeline Assistance, which is another government-supported program that enables low-income households to get more affordable telecommunication services (including wireless services, home phone service, and internet services (only towards one of these)). In general, the Lifeline support comes in a form of a $9.25 monthly discount toward a monthly bill on one of the above-listed telecommunication services.
As a SNAP participant, you are eligible for the Lifeline assistance, however, this does not come automatically. You must apply either via a telecommunication company or via the National Verifier, where you need to submit proper documentation, including your dated SNAP letter.
So, to get a free food stamp phone you need to find a home phone service provider that offers services that cost no more than $9.25 or find a provider that offers free home phone services to Lifeline program eligible customers.
Since wireless packages are currently way more popular than home phone services, there are countless providers that offer free monthly deals and free smartphones to Lifeline eligible households, however, there are no companies that offer free home (landline) phone service.
This fact alone makes sense for those eligible for SNAP to consider using wireless service as their home phone services. There are some benefits to using a landline phone, however, if you can get wireless phone services for free, it absolutely shifts the scale.
Recommendation: Use Free Wireless as Free Home Phones Service
As explained above, there are countless wireless providers devoted to providing free wireless services to those eligible for the Lifeline assistance, which includes SNAP (Food Stamps) participants. Since on the other hand, there are no providers offering completely free home phone service, it makes a lot of sense to replace your landline phone with a wireless device.
That said, we decided to share with you a list of most popular wireless providers that not only offer free monthly plans but also provide you with a free mobile phone.
NOTE: Not all below-listed providers operate in all areas. This means you need to visit their website and find out if their services are available in your region. To make things even more helpful for you, we have written that down below as well. Though, keep in mind that they tend to expand and cover additional areas, thus makes sense to visit their website for the latest data.
Access Wireless
About:
Access Wireless is a very popular provider and well spread. They offer Lifeline support in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
Free Plan:
Access Wireless provides customers with a free monthly allotment of 250 minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB free data each month.
- California Lifeline: UNLIMITED minutes, UNLIMITED text messages, and 3GB free data each month.
The free package includes Free voicemail, Caller ID & Call Waiting, Free domestic long distance, Nationwide coverage, and Exclusive Wireless Rewards program.
You MAY also receive a mobile phone free of charge one accepted into the Access Wireless’s Lifeline plan.
American Assistance
About:
American Assistance is a Lifeline program provided by American Broadband and Telecommunications. It operates in Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
American Assistance Lifeline plan includes a free smartphone (with a $25 activation fee), 500 free monthly minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB free data.
With the American Wireless’s Lifeline plan you get a FREE government phone.
Assist Wireless
About:
Assist Wireless focuses on supporting low-income families, seniors, and veterans. They operate in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, and Oklahoma. They aim to provide free phones and subsidized services that offer those who may not otherwise be able to afford phone access to emergency services, health care, childcare, education, and employment opportunities.
Free Plan:
- Tribal Lifeline: unlimited talks, unlimited texts, 4GB of data (Oklahoma only)
- Non-Tribal Lifeline:
- Talk-based plan: 1000 minutes talk, 500 texts, 50MB of data
- Data-based plan: 400 minutes talk, 500 texts, 3GB of data (Oklahoma only)
You can get a free government phone as well with Assist Wireless.
Assurance wireless
About:
Assurance Wireless is a worry-free way to stay connected with family, school services, doctors, and employers. Assurance Wireless provides a free smartphone, along with free phone service each month to low-income residents in over 40 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
If you or your household qualifies (only one free deal per household is available) 3GB FREE Data Each Month, Unlimited FREE Texts Each Month, and 350 FREE Voice Minutes Each Month.
California Lifeline now offers 5GB of data, unlimited texts, and unlimited minutes.
Additional benefits:
- No Annual Contract
- Nationwide Sprint® Network Coverage
- Voicemail Account, Call Waiting, and Caller ID
- 911 Access
- FREE Unlimited Calling to 211
- Calls to Customer Care are FREE
- Low International Rates to over 200 Countries
With the Assurance Wireless’s Lifeline plan you get a FREE AndroidTM Smartphone.
EnTouch Wireless
About:
EnTouch Wireless is powered by Boomerang Wireless. They help empower people to lead better lives through digital citizenship in 33 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Free Plan:
In general, they offer a $10 discount to all their plans for Lifeline qualified users. However, if you can’t pay, eligible customers can receive free service. For more details call 1-866-488-8719.
However, if you qualify:
- Non-Tribal: 1000 free minutes, unlimited texts, and 100MB of data
- Tribal Residents Plan: unlimited texts, unlimited minutes, and 1.5GB of data.
California Lifeline – There are two California Lifeline Plans available:
- Non-Tribal Plan: Unlimited minutes and texts, 0.5GB of data
- Tribal Plan: Unlimited minutes and texts, 2.5GB of data
According to the latest available information, if the EnTouch accepts your application, you get a basic government free phone with all standard smartphone features.
Life Wireless
About:
Life Wireless is government free phone provider and offers their Lifeline support in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
Life Wireless Lifeline free plan includes 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited MMS, and 3GB of data.
The free plan also includes:
- Nationwide Calling
- Unlimited Text Messaging
- Call Waiting
- Three-way calling
- Voicemail
- Caller ID service
- No roaming charges
- No charge for domestic long-distance calls
- Free 911 Service
- Affordable Recharge Plans
As part of the Life Wireless Lifeline program, you can expect to receive a free phone. They offer a variety of Alcatel, Blu, LG, Pantech, Samsung, ZTE, and other entry-level smartphones.
Q-Link Wireless
About:
Q Link Wireless is a leading provider of Lifeline, a free government benefit program that offers FREE cell phone service to eligible Americans and is available in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
Q-Link Wireless Lifeline FREE plan includes 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data.
Free plan also includes:
- Nationwide Calling
- Voicemail
- Ability to Connect to Wi-Fi
- Caller ID
- 3 Way Calling
- Call Waiting
- Free Domestic Roaming
- Free 911
- 411 Directory Assistance
- Text & Picture Messaging
As part of the Q-Link Wireless Lifeline program, you can expect to receive a free phone. They offer a variety of entry-level smartphones.
Safelink Wireless
About:
Safelink Wireless is a Lifeline-devoted program provided by TracFone Wireless, Inc. Since it is fully committed to the Lifeline program, they only offer free plans. Their services are available for residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
SafeLink Wireless Lifeline FREE plan includes 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data within Use your Own Phone program.
The free plan also includes:
- Nationwide Calling
- Voicemail
- Ability to Connect to Wi-Fi
- Caller ID
- 3 Way Calling
- Free Domestic Roaming
- Free 911
- 411 Directory Assistance
In some states you can expect to receive a FREE smartphone as part of Safelink’s Lifeline program, however, there are many states where they only offer BYOP option to their Lifeline plan users.
Tag Mobile
About:
Tag Mobile offers great deals in states it operates. Their goal is to offer competitively priced service plans and extend the Lifeline credit to qualified participants, which they provided with a free plan as per below. Available in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
Free Lifeline plan includes 3GB LTE Data every month, 1000 FREE Voice minutes every month, and unlimited FREE Global texts every month.
- California Lifeline:
- Free Lifeline ‘SIM ONLY’ plan: 3GB LTE Data every month, unlimited FREE Voice minutes every month, and unlimited FREE Global texts every month. As the name suggests, this plan requires you to bring your own phone.
- Free Lifeline ‘Smartphone Data’ plan: 1GB LTE Data every month, unlimited FREE Voice minutes every month, and unlimited FREE Global texts every month. With this plan, you get a FREE smartphone.
Currently, Tag Mobile doesn’t offer free government phones. They only offer a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Lifeline option.
TerraCom Wireless
About:
TerraCom was founded to help low-income consumers get the communications services they deserve. It operates in Wireless Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma (non-tribal), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington (not-tribal), West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
Terracom Wireless offers various Lifeline plans, depending on the state. Below is the most common one.
- Voice Base Plan 1000 MOU: This plan includes 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data.
As part of the Terracom Wireless Lifeline program, you can expect to receive a free phone. They offer a variety of entry-level smartphones.
TruConnect
About:
TruConnect is a mobile broadband company and a cheap wireless internet provider focused on providing Lifeline support to people living in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Free Plan:
TruConnect offers a FREE Lifeline bundle that includes 1000 monthly minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB of data monthly. It also includes unlimited calls to select countries.
As part of the TruConnect Lifeline program, you will receive a free phone. They provide no specific information, thus you should call their support or a local dealer in you need more details.
- California Lifeline: unlimited monthly minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB of data monthly. It also includes unlimited calls to selected countries.
True Wireless
About:
Team TRUE is a leading provider of unlimited wireless service for those qualifying for Lifeline. True Wireless is available in Arkansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Texas
Free Plan:
True Wireless’s Lifeline FREE plan includes 1000 minutes talks, 1000 texts, and 2GB of data.
You also get a free phone at True Wireless.
If you want to know about cheap home phone service visit Cheap Phone Services for Home
Other Noteworthy Lifeline Wireless Providers
- Total Call Mobile
- Tempo Communications
- StandUp Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
- NewPhone Wireless
- MobileNation (ClearAssist)
- Infiniti Mobile
- FeelSafe Wireless
- Easy Wireless
- Cintex Wireless
- Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative