Despite being an economic powerhouse, on the contrary, Illinois suffers from a dire financial condition resulting in chronic conditions for people below the poverty line. However, the government of the land of Lincoln comes to their aid in various fields, one of them vastly comprising the free cell phone service they provide.
So, how do you get yourself that free cell phone you desperately need?
The poor in Illinois are striking, as bitter as it sounds. Annual incomes of these people is meagre to the need resulted by unemployment, minimum income etc. Besides there are disabled people, elders aged over 55 who, even if they want to, cannot earn as good as the others. To help make communications services more affordable for eligible consumers, Lifeline is the Federal Communications Commission’s program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet.
You can use Lifeline easily to apply for any eligible assistance programs such as American assistance. These programs allow you to prove your eligibility and receive the phone you need.
Now that that’s clear, shouldn’t we be wondering about this eligibility that’s glaring out of the text? That’s right. The American government is considerate towards its people but that consideration is rather sharp and strict. The free cell phone service provider is not for everyone, but closely for people that count on the income-based eligibility. A chart of which is given below for your convenience. Find out if this service is just what you’ve been needing for all this time!
Income-based Eligibility |
|
Household members | Annual income |
1 member | $ 17,226 |
2 members | $23, 274 |
3 members | $29, 322 |
4 members | $35, 370 |
5 members | $41, 418 |
6 members | $47,466 |
7 members | $53,514 |
8 members | $59,562 |
For each additional person, add $6,o48 |
Furthermore, you’re also eligible for free government phone Illinois, if you are a participant for any of the following government-paid programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
Taking you are eligible for this free service program, now you only need to contact Lifeline assistance programs and receive your phone. Easy, right? Yes, but how do you prove your eligibility?
Whether you are applying for a cell phone or a landline (and yes, you can also get landlines) from Assurance Wireless or Safelink or any other Lifeline free government phone providers in Illinois , you will be needing to submit proof on your qualification. So how do we do that? Check out more for Government free phone Complete Guideline
If you are claiming income-based eligibility you must self-certify your total household income and household members, under penalty of perjury. Customers are required to present valid documentation of income, which can be either of these listed below:
- an Unemployment/Workmen’s Compensation statement of benefits
- a paycheck stub or your current income statement from an employer
- last year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return
- a Social Security statement of benefits
- federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- a divorce decree, child support, or other official documents
- retirement/pension statement of benefits
If you are claiming state or federal program based eligibility or housing assistance (as listed before), in this case too, you will need to self-certify, under penalty of perjury, your participation in one of the programs listed for your specific state (Illinois in this case). You might also need to submit documentation of your participation in the program. This depends on your state and the phone company you are applying for.
Now that that’s clear too, let’s go through the application procedure, shall we?
If you want to pick up a free government phone illinois (if you are eligible), the first step is to find companies in your state that provide free cell phone service. There are numerous companies out there that issue this service and each of them offer distinct proposals as per their rules and regulations. Of course, you want to find a company that matches your demands and fits perfectly with your needs. For this, you must check the various offers each company provides, collect some ideas of the customer service and be sure to survey the reviews on that company. This only makes life easier with your free cell phone because who would want to regret receiving what they’ve been waiting for?
Moving on, as you find the company of your choice, you’ll come across this: are you eligible according to the company’s rules? Check the specific eligibility requirements for your state and that company to make sure you obtain what you are asking for.
Next step will be visiting the company’s website and following accordingly after you click on the ‘Apply’ button that will take you to the application form.
Normally this procedure will cost no more than about 2-3 or 5 minutes at best. This application will require personal information such as your name, your address, your date of birth, why you qualify and the last number of your social security number.
Next, submit your application and wait for the company to verify documentation and notify you when it’s done. When approved, you should receive your phone in about ten business days.
In respect to all of this, however, is one vital rule: only one Lifeline phone is allowed for each household. If they find out that you’re breaking the rules, you will be removed from the program and will not be allowed for further applications. Keep that in mind, peeps!
So ready to ask for your desired free phone? free government phone Illinois Let’s choose a company.
Government Free Cell Phones Companies in Illinois
In Illinois, several free phone service providers are available. All of them have their own rules and different offers that makes them each distinctly convenient just for you. These companies are listed below:
Access Wireless -Free Government Phone Company illinois
This company working for Lifeline assistance gives you a free government cell phone if you are a qualified low-income consumer. It’s one of the top free phone providers in Illinois and many other states and is perfect for you if you receive Medicaid, SNAP, TANF or SSI, or if your income is at or below the poverty line (follow the table above). Access Wireless has no contracts, or hidden fees, plans begin at $20 a month, you can choose from a range of smartphones or bring your own phone (BYOP) for buying airtime and a whole lot of other benefits. You will receive your free phone if you apply for it, and in free service, there are free monthly minutes, text messaging, caller IDs etc. summing up with those advantages written above.
Some of the phones that Access Wireless provides are:
- ZTE Flash
- ZTE Force
- Samsung Transform (Ultra)
- Coolpad Quatro II
- Alcatel Revolve
American Assistance – Free Government Phone Company illinois
This too, is one of the top Lifeline assistance program companies that has satisfied its consumers for years on end, and plus point? It’s also available in Illinois! If you qualify then you can get a free cell phone, unlimited calling, 4GB data per month and unlimited text messages. Along with these, there are benefits such as free caller ID, free call waiting, free three-way calling etc. with no contracts, no monthly bills or hidden fees. Too good to be true, right? But it’s completely authentic and doubtlessly tempting if you are eligible. Some of the phones provided by this ridiculously supporting company are listed below:
- Samsung Galaxy J3
- Apple devices
- Motorola phones
- LG phones
- Nokia phones
Safelink Wireless – Free Government Phone Company illinois
If you are a low-income resident, you can also receive a free phone service from this company with ease. With 250-1000 minutes a month and unlimited texting, a reasonable amount of data (according to your state), Safelink is one of the best Lifeline program free phone providers in Illinois. Some of the phones they provide are:
- LG221c
- Samsung S425G
- Samsung S390G
- LG840G
- Samsung T330G
Terracom Wireless – Free Government Phone Company illinois
Terracom Wireless is a nine-state Lifeline assistance program that also provides service in Illinois. Plans and offers depend on your state, including reasonable free monthly minutes, not to mention the free phone, text messages, data plans etc. They prefer you to have an online chat and talk about your state offers and what you need to receive full amenities. Some of their provided phones are:
- Kyocera
- Nokia
- Audiovox
- Samsung
- Motorola
Life Wireless – Free Government Phone Company illinois
Another one of the Lifeline assistance program phone providers is Life Wireless (state service included in Illinois too). Although the plans depend on each state, you get to enjoy at least 500 voice minutes, unlimited texting, unlimited premium WiFi powered by iPass etc. There are no roaming charges or hidden charges and you also get to go a bundle on 3-way free calling, call forwarding and what not!
Phones they provide include:
- Alcatel
- Blu advance
- LG
- Logic
- Nokia
U.S. Cellular – in illinois
U.S. Cellular is known for its reliable network and pay-back for data that you don’t use. It’s the only wireless carrier that offers Unlimited with payback, and for this service, it has won the hearts of consumers for some time now. The discounts vary widely, including a $9.35 monthly discount in various states counting Illinois too. However, U.S. Cellular isn’t all that sincere about its Lifeline assistance program. The prices are high, and services limited. Free features are call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, and incoming text messages. The reviews about U.S. Cellular are quite negative because of its high prices and extra charges for the plans, but if you are looking for a reliable network, this is it.
Moving on, if you want to apply for a phone (keeping in mind your eligibility), you can visit the website of your chosen company and fill up a form to receive your free phone, as mentioned before. Customer care numbers are given in the websites so are the emails and phone details if you want to know. Contacting them online is the most efficient and less time-consuming way, but if you want to physically be there, you probably need to find the office of your chosen company and ask for instructions.
Overall, the Lifeline assistance program is a fantastic movie and a very kind service from the American government. Needy ones are hugely benefited from the different offers provided by the different phone provider companies, and the plans are designed solely for the consumers’ convenience. Are you in need of a free phone(free government phone Illinois ) and you’ve already discovered your eligibility? Then this program is just for you.