Let’s start by telling you that you have quite many options when it comes to getting a free government phone in Ohio since there is a rather great number of wireless providers offering Lifeline assistance in this state.
In case you’ve never heard of Lifeline before, it is a government-supported program offering households with low income and those who have a family member participating in a government-supported program a $9.25 monthly discount on telecommunicational services.
However, many wireless companies decided to be generous and offer not only discounted services but completely FREE monthly plans. Some even took it a step further and offer those eligible a free Ohio government phone.
Why Ohio Residents Should Get Free Cell Phone Service
Lifeline provides free devices and cell phone service throughout the United States and the state of Ohio is no exception. The program allows low-income families to stay connected to their loved ones, colleagues, medical services, and more. Free cell phone service enables Ohio residents to look for job opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or wherever they may currently be, which is especially important and convenient in times of a pandemic. It also helps ensure that the residents stay safe at all times as they may contact any emergency numbers they may need. As staying connected can sometimes mean the difference between life or death, it is of utmost importance to stay connected, even if you are from a low-income family.
How to Get Free Government Phones in Ohio
Getting a free government phone in Ohio is relatively simple. All you have to do is to follow these simple steps:
- First, you must make sure that you qualify for Lifeline assistance, which provides free government phones. You can see the Lifeline eligibility criteria in the section ‘Who Can Get a Free Government Phone in Ohio’.
- Secondly, you must choose a Lifeline provider in Ohio that offers free government phones and other Lifeline benefits to eligible customers, such as yourself.
- Next, you will have to collect certain official documents that may prove your Lifeline eligibility during the application process.
- Visit your selected provider’s official website and find its Lifeline online application form. Fill it out by providing all the required information and documentation. Submit your application.
- If your application gets approved, you will be notified (probably via email) shortly. You will also receive your free government phone and other benefits within a few days, depending on availability. Once you collect your phone, you can also activate your plan.
Which Programs in Ohio Offer Free Phones?
Generally, free government phones are provided through the Lifeline assistance program. However, certain wireless providers offer a combined Lifeline and ACP program.
ACP or the Affordable Connectivity Program is a new assistance program designed to help low-income households pay for internet services and connected devices. The program provides a discount of up to $30 (or $75 for eligible households on Tribal lands) on monthly broadband services. Some ACP providers also offer a one-time discount of up to $100 on internet-connected devices (tablets, laptops, or desktop computers) if the customer contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
While ACP providers usually offer tablets, laptops, or desktops, certain Lifeline and ACP providers use the additional ACP funds to provide customers with more advanced government smartphones (Android or iPhones).
Who Can Get a Free Government Phone in Ohio?
There are two ways for a household to qualify for Lifeline assistance:
- Household’s income is 135% or lower than the federal poverty guidelines (https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/federal-poverty-guidelines/).
- A household member participates in one of the following government support programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs
- Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Head Start
NOTE: In addition to apply, which can always be done online after a wireless providers has been chosen, you will need to provide proof of identity and proof of low income OR proof of participation in one of the above programs.
Meeting the above qualification conditions gives your household the right to get Lifeline assistance, which can be used only for one service (landline or wireless) per household. However, getting a free government phone in Ohio is something that certain wireless companies offer.
To see which providers will give you a free government phone in Ohio and what sort of deals they offer, we gathered all the useful information for many reputable wireless companies to make your choice as easy and simple as possible.
What Basic Documents are Required to Get a Free Phone in Ohio?
Regardless of whether you apply for a free government phone in Ohio through a Lifeline or a Lifeline and ACP provider, you will be required to prove your eligibility by providing certain unexpired, official documents that prove that you qualify.
Depending on your eligibility criteria, you may be asked to provide:
- An official document that proves that your household income is 135% or lower than the federal poverty guidelines and includes your full legal name and annual income, such as a current income statement from your employer, a paycheck stub, a prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return, Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits, divorce decree, child support award, etc.
- An official document that proves your participation in a qualifying program and includes your full name, the program name, the name of the establishment that issued the document, and an issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date.
Additionally, you may also be asked to verify your identity, age, or address. To do so, you must provide an official document that includes your full name, date of birth, physical address, and perhaps some other personal information, such as a valid government, military, state, or Tribal ID, passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, utility bill, most recent W-2 or tax return, etc.
Also, as only people who are at least 18 years old and emancipated minors can apply, emancipated minors must show proof of emancipation, such as a court document or a certificate of emancipation.
How to Apply for Free Government Cell Phone Service in Ohio
Before you can apply for free cell phone service in the state of Ohio, you have to choose a Lifeline provider. As there are many providers available in Ohio, it’s best to do your research before committing to one. Take your time to review the different plans they offer and to select the right provider that will best fit your and your family’s needs. In the next chapter, you can see a list of free government phone Lifeline providers in Ohio.
Free Government Phone Lifeline Providers in Ohio
Below is a list of wireless providers in Ohio. Some of them offer discounted plans, some FREE ones, and with some, you can even get your hands on a free government phone. Below, there is more than enough information for you to choose the one that best fits your household.
Access Wireless
-
Lifeline Plan:
Access Wireless provides customers with a free monthly allotment of 250 minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB of free data each month.
You may also receive a mobile phone free of charge. Once you are an approved customer, you also have an option to upgrade your phone and add it to your plan.
To apply, visit https://www.accesswireless.com/lifeline/Availability, enter your zip code, click the “Learn More” button, and on the next page click on the “ENROLL” button.
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
Through the combined Lifeline and ACP plan, you can receive free monthly service with unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data (15 GB of high-speed data), hotspot data, and more. You may also receive a free cell phone. Learn more and apply at https://www.accesswireless.com/.
Customer care:
- Online contact form: https://www.accesswireless.com/contact-us
- Phone support (available during working hours: Monday – Friday: 8 am – Midnight EST, Saturday: 9 am – Midnight EST, Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm EST):
- New Customers: 1-888-900-5899
- Existing Customers: 1-866-594-3644
- Address: Access Wireless / i-Wireless LLC, 1 Levee Way Newport, Kentucky 41071 United States
- Find a local store: https://www.accesswireless.com/buy-cards
Assurance Wireless
Lifeline Plan:
Assurance Wireless offers FREE 3GB of data, FREE UNLIMITED texts, and FREE 350 voice minutes each month.
On top of that, you will also get a free android smartphone. You cannot choose a device yourself, you get the one selected by the Assurance Wireless provider based on their policy and current availability.
To apply, visit https://www.assurancewireless.com/, enter your zip code and then click on the “APPLY NOW” button on the next page.In case you also need information visit how to get free Assurance wireless phone and plans
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
Through the company’s combined Lifeline and ACP program, you can receive a free plan with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited high-speed data, 10 GB of mobile hotspot data, and a free Android smartphone. Learn more at https://www.assurancewireless.com/Partner/bwin?utm_source=vw&utm_medium=dm&utm_campaign=tmoacp0122.
Customer care:
- Phone: 1-888-321-5880
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Assurance Wireless, P.O. Box 5040, Charleston, IL 61920-9907
American Assistance
Lifeline Plan:
American Assistance Lifeline plan includes 500 free minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB free data each month.
American Assistance also offers a free smartphone with a $25 Activation Fee.
To apply for American Assistance in Ohio, visit https://www.americanassistance.com/sign-up/ and click on the blues “APPLY ONLINE” under the section Apply online (Non-California residents).
ACP Plan:
American Assistance also offers an ACP plan, which includes free unlimited texts and talk, and 10 GB of 4G/LTE data. Read more and apply at https://www.americanassistance.com/acp-opt-in/.
Customer care:
- Phone: Call at 1-877-266-7212
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 1-877-211-3705
- Address: American Assistance, One Seagate, Suite 600, Toledo, OH 43604
enTouch Wireless
Lifeline 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.
If you qualify, you can receive:
- FREE 1000-minute plan, which includes 1000 free minutes, unlimited texts, and 100MB of data
OR
- Tribal Residents Plan, which includes unlimited texts, unlimited minutes, and 5GB of data.
To apply online visit https://www.entouchwireless.com/lifeline and click on the “APPLY NOW” button.
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
The company’s Lifeline and ACP plans depend on the state and whether you come from a Tribal or non-Tribal household. These are the provider’s Lifeline + ACP plans:
- California Tribal Lifeline + ACP plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and unlimited data
- California non-Tribal Lifeline + ACP plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and unlimited data
- Other (Non-CA) states Tribal Lifeline + ACP plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and unlimited data
- Other (Non-CA) states non-Tribal Lifeline + ACP plan offers unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 10 GB of data.
Read more and apply at https://entouchwireless.com/affordable-connectivity-program/.
ACP Plan:
The company also offers ACP Only plans:
- California Tribal ACP Only plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 14 GB of data
- California Non-Tribal ACP Only plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 8 GB of data
- Other (Non-CA) state Tribal ACP Only plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 15.5 GB of data
- Other (Non-CA) state non-Tribal ACP Only plan includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 5.5 GB of data
Customer care:
- Online contact form: https://www.entouchwireless.com/contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Customer Support Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am to 7pm CST, Saturday: 11am to 7pm CST, Sunday: Closed
- Phone support: 866-488-8719
- Address: PO BOX 37, Hiawatha, IA 52233
FeelSafe Wireless
Lifeline Plan:
FeelSafe Wireless plan includes 1000 free voice minutes, 500 texts, and 3GB of data each month.
You also get a free Ohio government phone with FeelSafe Wireless’s Lifeline plan.
To apply online, visit https://www.feelsafewireless.com/ohio-free-government-phoneand click on the “APPLY ONLINE” button.
Lifeline + ACP and ACP Only Plans:
FeelSafe also participates in the ACP program. As such, Lifeline and ACP-eligible customers can receive a plan with free unlimited talk, free unlimited text, free unlimited MMS and:
- Free 6 GB of data (ACP Only plan for $30)
- Free 15 GB of data (Lifeline + ACP plan for $50)
- Free unlimited data (California Lifeline + ACP plan and Tribal subscribers plan for $70)
Read more and apply at https://www.feelsafewireless.com/affordable-connectivity-program/information.
Customer care:
- Online form: https://www.feelsafewireless.com/contact
- Hours of customer support: Monday – Saturday: 10AM-10PM EST, Sunday Closed
- Phone: 877-247-7799
- Address: FeelSafe Wireless, 2425 Franklin, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Life Wireless
Lifeline Plan:
Life Wireless Lifeline free plan includes 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited MMS, and 3GB of data.
As part of the Life Wireless Lifeline program, you can expect to receive a free phone.
To apply, visit https://www.lifewireless.com/, enter your email address and your zip code in the top orange box and click the “START NOW” button.
ACP Only Plan:
Life Wireless also participates in the ACP program. The standard Life Wireless ACP plan includes 15 GB of 4G/LTE data, as well as unlimited talk and text. Read more and opt-in at https://www.lifewireless.com/ACP.
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
Lifeline and ACP-eligible customers can also receive a combined plan, which offers free unlimited talk, unlimited text, 15 GB of data, and a free smartphone. Read more and enroll at https://www.lifewireless.com/.
Customer care
- Online contact form: https://www.lifewireless.com/contactus
- Email: [email protected]
- Customer Support Hours: Monday-Friday: Mon-Fri 9-6pm EST
- Phone support: 1-888-543-3620 -OR- dial 611 from your Life Wireless phone
- Address: Life Wireless, PO Box 2840, Covington, GA 30015
- Find a local store: https://www.lifewireless.com/stores
Q Link Wireless
Lifeline Plan:
Q-Link Wireless Lifeline FREE plan includes 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data.
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. As with most free government cell phone companies, you are not able to choose the exact device yourself.
You also have the option of upgrading your phone for as little as $25.
To apply, visit https://qlinkwireless.com/signup/d-6-717/ and click on the “Get My Free Phone Service Now”. Read one of our past articles Qlink wireless free phone
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
Q-Link also offers ACP benefits, therefore eligible customers can apply for a combined plan that offers free unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data, and a new ACP tablet. Unlimited data and tablets are funded by the ACP program. To enroll, go to https://qlinkwireless.com/.
Customer care
- Online contact form: https://qlinkwireless.com/members/support.aspx
- Customer Support Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-12am EST, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm EST
- Phone support: 1-855-754-6543
- Fax: 1-855-837-5465
- Address: 499 E Sheridan St #400, Dania Beach, FL 33004
Safelink Wireless
Lifeline Plan:
SafeLink Wireless Lifeline FREE plan includes 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data within the ‘Use your own Phone’ program.
To apply, visit https://www.safelinkwireless.com, enter your zip code and click the “START” button.
You can read one of our past articles Safelink wireless phone and plans
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
Eligible households can also apply for the combined Lifeline + ACP plan, which offers free monthly service with unlimited talk, unlimited text, 25 GB of high-speed data, 5 GB of hotspot data, free calls to Mexico and Canada, and a free smartphone.
Read more and enroll at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome.
Customer care:
- Customer Support Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST, Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 7 p.m. EST
- Phone support: 1-800-723-3546
- Address: SafeLink Wireless PO Box 220009, Milwaukie, OR 97269-0009
- Find a local dealer: https://www.safelink.com/wps/portal/home/retailers
StandUp Wireless
Lifeline Plan:
StandUp Wireless FREE plan includes 300 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data.
Lifeline top-ups:
- $5: 250 min, 250MB
- $10: unlimited min, unlimited texts, 1GB of data
- $20: unlimited min, unlimited texts, 3GB of data
- $30: unlimited min, unlimited texts, 8GB of data
To apply, visit https://standupwireless.com/lifeline/eligibility/, scroll down and click on the “Apply Now” button.
At StandUp Wireless, they don’t specify if you can get a free government phone or not. They do, however, offer ‘Bring your own Phone’ program.
ACP Plan:
StandUp Wireless doesn’t offer a specific ACP Only plan, however, you can apply for ACP benefits and apply the discount to any available StandUp Wireless service plan at https://standupwireless.com/acp/rateplans/.
Lifeline + ACP Plan:
If eligible, customers can apply for a Lifeline and ACP government benefit, which comes with unlimited talk, unlimited text, 10 GB of high-speed data, unlimited additional data, and a free phone. Read more and apply at https://standupwireless.com/.
Customer care:
- Call: 1-800-544-4441 (Monday – Saturday 8am – 10pm EST, Sunday 9am – 6pm EST)
- Email: [email protected]
- Sales Inquiry: [email protected]
- Address: StandUp Wireless, PO Box 2148 Norcross, GA 30091
TruConnect
Lifeline Plan:
TruConnect offers a FREE Lifeline bundle that includes 1000 monthly minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB of data on a monthly basis. It also includes unlimited calls to selected countries.
To apply, visit https://www.truconnect.com/, enter your zip code and email address, and click the “Apply Now” button.
As part of the TruConnect Lifeline program, you will receive a free phone. They provide no specific information on which models are they providing, thus you should call their support or a local dealer if you need more details.
Lifeline + ACP and ACP Only Plans:
TruConnect also participates in the ACP program and thus offers several free ACP plans:
- California Free ACP plan for Lifeline subscribers includes 14 GB of high-speed data (ACP adds 8 GB to your Lifeline plan), unlimited talk and text, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
- Free ACP plan for Lifeline subscribers in non-CA states includes 12.5 GB of high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
- Free ACP Stand-Alone plan includes 8 GB of high-speed data, Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, your choice of an LTE-enabled hotspot device, or Google Play Certified LTE Android smartphone.
Read more and apply at https://www.truconnect.com/broadband.
Customer care:
- Online contact form: https://www.truconnect.com/contact-us
- Customer Support Hours: Monday-Saturday 5am PST – 9pm PS
- Phone support: 800-430-0443
- Address: find local dealers (https://www.truconnect.com/locations)
Tempo Communications
Lifeline Plan:
Tempo Communications offers a FREE Lifeline bundle that includes unlimited monthly minutes, unlimited text messages, and 3GB of data on a monthly basis.
As part of the Tempo Communications Lifeline program, you can expect to receive a free phone. They provide no specific information, thus you should call their support or a local dealer.
Additional Top-Ups for Lifeline users:
- Top-Up 250 for $5: 250 minutes
- Top-Up 500 for $10: 500MB
- Top-Up 1000 for $15: 1GB
Customer care:
- Customer Support Hours: Monday – Friday 7 AM – 5 PM Central
- Phone support: (888) 565-1011 and (877) 822-8501 (purchase)
- Address: 1390 Aspen Way, Vista, CA 92081
- Find local dealer: https://mytempo.com/dealer-locator/
Free Government Phone Ohio Other Things You Need to Know
Are free phones really free?
Yes. Regardless of which Lifeline provider you choose, Lifeline service is always 100% free to eligible customers. If you qualify, you will receive a free mobile device and a free plan.
What type of phone can I get for free (flip phone or iPhone or smartphone?
It depends on the Lifeline provider as each provider offers different Lifeline phones. Some also offer Lifeline discounts on some more advanced models. Normally, Lifeline providers offer free smartphones. iPhones, on the other hand, tend to come with major Lifeline discounts.
Can I switch Lifeline providers in Ohio?
Typically, you can switch Lifeline service providers in case you have used their service for at least 60 days. You simply contact another Lifeline provider and ask them to transfer your Lifeline benefits.
Can I have two Lifeline phones?
No, government rules prohibit eligible low-income members from receiving more than 1 Lifeline discount of any kind per household.
Can I change my government phone?
Yes, you can change your government phone, however, you will probably have to pay a small fee. If you change your Lifeline provider, on the other hand, you will automatically receive a new government phone.
Closing Words
Based on the information above, you should be able to choose the best wireless provider that will offer you a free monthly plan with a sufficient amount of credits and perhaps even a free Ohio government phone.
