Which Discount Service Does Cricket Offer Now?
Cricket Wireless is an American wireless service provider owned by AT&T. It provides high-quality cell phones, affordable and versatile plans, and nationwide services with reliable coverage, budget prepaid rates, and no annual contract.
The government offers two types of discount services for low-income people – Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program. Certain wireless service providers like Cricket Wireless participate in the Lifeline government assistance program or the Affordable Connectivity Program and some participate in both programs and offer both types of discounts to eligible customers.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a government assistance program designed to help make communications services more affordable for low-income people. The program provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 for eligible non-Tribal households (or up to $34.25 for eligible households living on Tribal lands) on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages. Some Lifeline providers also offer free or discounted cell phones. Read more about Lifeline Cricket and what the program offers in the next section.
ACP
The Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP is a brand new government assistance program that provides discounts on monthly broadband services and connected devices, which ensures that all households can stay in touch with loved ones, work, school, healthcare, and other vital services. The program offers a monthly discount on internet services of up to $30 for eligible non-Tribal households and up to $75 for eligible Tribal households. Some ACP providers also offer a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer if the eligible customer contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Find out whether or not Cricket participates in the ACP program and what exactly it offers below.
Is Cricket Lifeline Discount Service Still on?
Cricket Wireless used to participate in the Lifeline assistance program, however, currently, it doesn’t offer Lifeline discounts anymore. Lifeline Cricket offered discounts on monthly wireless services and only households and customers who met the government-determined Lifeline eligibility criteria were able to apply and enjoy the Lifeline Cricket benefits. However, Lifeline Cricket never offered free cell phones.
Unfortunately, Lifeline Cricket is no longer available, however, there are still some other ways to receive a discount on monthly wireless services from Cricket. Read more in the next section.
How to Get a Discount From Cricket Wireless if Cricket Wireless Lifeline Discount Service is No Longer Available?
The Lifeline Cricket program is no longer available, however, eligible low-income customers can still receive a discount on monthly wireless services through the Affordable Connectivity Program. And there is also some good news – all Lifeline subscribers and Lifeline-eligible customers automatically qualify for the Cricket ACP benefit.
What is Cricket ACP?
Cricket ACP is a federal program that helps lower the cost of service for qualifying households. The program helps eligible low-income households pay for wireless service with a monthly benefit of up to $30 or $75 in Tribal areas.
What is the Process to Get Cricket ACP Benefits?
To receive the Cricket ACP benefits, you must follow these simple steps:
- First, make sure you qualify for the ACP program. To qualify, you must meet the strict government-determined eligibility criteria listed in the next section.
- Secondly, gather all the official documents that prove that you are indeed ACP-eligible.
- Then, apply for the Cricket ACP program. To do so, follow the quick and simple steps listed in the section ‘How to Apply?’.
- Lastly, enjoy the Cricket ACP benefits. Review these benefits in the section ‘What Are the Cricket ACP Benefits?’.
How to Qualify Cricket ACP?
To qualify for the Cricket ACP benefits, you must meet one of the following ACP eligibility criteria.
Income-based Eligibility
You are ACP-eligible if your annual household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See the guidelines at aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines/prior-hhs-poverty-guidelines-federal-register-references/2021-poverty-guidelines#guidelines.
Program Participation-based Eligibility
You are ACP-eligible if you or any other member of your household participate in a qualifying Federal or Tribal assistance program.
Qualifying Federal assistance programs include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- WIC
- The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision
- Lifeline
Qualifying Tribal assistance programs include:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (income-based)
In addition, to qualify for the Cricket ACP program, you must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor and a resident of one of the states where Cricket offers its services.
Note: ACP eligibility is determined through the National Verifier, which is the government’s application and approval process for determining eligibility. Cricket Wireless does not determine ACP eligibility itself. In case you have any questions about your ACP eligibility or application, you can visit affordableconnectivity.gov or call 833-511-0311.
What are the Important Documents Required While Applying for Cricket ACP?
During the National Verifier and Cricket ACP program application process, you will be required to prove your ACP eligibility. Depending on which information the National Verifier and Cricket will be able to confirm on their own and which information you will yet have to prove, you may be required to provide some of the following documents:
- To prove your household income, you may be asked to provide an official document that contains your full name and income, such as:
- Current income statement from your employer
- Paycheck stubs
- Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
- Social Security statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
- Divorce decree
- Child support award, etc.
- To prove your qualifying program participation, you may be asked to provide an official document that contains your full name, the name of the program, the name of the establishment that issued the document, and an issue date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date, such as:
- Benefit award letter
- Approval letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit verification letter
- School documentation
- To verify your identity or age, you may be asked to provide an official document that includes your full name and date of birth, such as:
- A valid government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- U.S. Driver’s license
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Government assistance program document, etc.
Note: As only people who are at least 18 years old and emancipated minors can apply, emancipated minors must also prove their emancipation status with a court document, emancipation certificate, or another official document.
- To verify your address, you may be asked to provide an official document that includes your full name and physical address, such as:
- A valid government, state, or Tribal ID
- Driver’s license
- Utility bill
- Mortgage or lease statement
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
How to Apply Cricket ACP?
To apply for the Cricket ACP program, make sure to follow these quick and easy steps:
- Step 1: Check your ACP eligibility with the National Verifier at affordableconnectivity.gov.
- Step 2: Once your eligibility gets approved by the National Verifier, visit cricketwireless.com/affordable-connectivity-program/form. If you are already a Cricket customer, you will be able to apply online. To do so, enter your Cricket phone number and press ‘Submit’ to begin the application process. To complete the application process, you will be required to provide all the necessary information and documentation. Make sure the provided information matches the information approved by the National Verifier.
In case you are not yet a Cricket customer, you must visit a local Cricket store to purchase your service and enroll. You can find a Cricket store near you at cricketwireless.com/stores.
- Step 3: Once your enrollment (online or in-store) is complete, Cricket will apply your monthly discount of up to $30 (or $75 for eligible Tribal households) to your next month’s bill.
In case you have any questions, you can contact Cricket’s customer support service at (844) 246-8364.
What are the Cricket ACP Benefits?
At Cricket, ACP-eligible customers can receive a discount on monthly broadband services of:
- Up to $30 for eligible households that do not live on Tribal lands
- Up to $75 for eligible households that live on Tribal lands
The benefit can be applied to all Cricket plans that include data and it can be applied to accounts with multiple lines of service.
Note: The ACP benefit is limited to one per eligible household (not per person). The benefit is non-transferable and it can only be applied to one service, regardless of the service provider.
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What if I Am Having Issues with the Cricket ACP Enrollment Form? How Do I Get Help?
As Lifeline Cricket is no longer available, Lifeline and ACP-eligible customers may wish to apply for the Cricket ACP program. If such a person experiences any issues during the application process, you can simply get help.
First, make sure to visit the Cricket ACP FAQ page, where you may find the answer you are looking for without having to contact anyone. Visit the FAQ page at cricketwireless.com/support/discounts-and-savings/affordable-connectivity-program.html.
In case you don’t find the answer that you are looking for, contact the provider’s customer support service by phone at (844) 246-8364 or visit a local Cricket store (see stores near you at cricketwireless.com/stores). The company’s customer service agents and in-store professionals will happily answer all your questions and help you out with your enrollment form or any other Cricket ACP-related issue.
How Do I Know When My ACP Benefit Has Been Applied to My Account?
Once your Cricket ACP application gets approved, you will receive a confirmation via text message. You can also see the status of your application by logging into your Cricket account online or via the myCricket app. However, note that your benefit may not be reflected on your account details immediately.
If you have any issues or questions, make sure to contact the company’s customer support service. The representative will surely be able to help you out.
Is There Any Other Way to Get Cricket Discount Services?
Even though Lifeline Cricket is no longer available, you can get a discount on Cricket services through the company’s ACP program. Additionally, there are some other ways to receive discounts on Cricket plans and devices. Cricket Wireless often offers special deals to eligible customers and existing customers.
Cricket deals tend to change often, however, currently, the company offers the following deals. Note: In order to qualify for the special deal, you may need to switch to Cricket, add a new line, activate a qualifying plan, trade-in an old device in good working condition, etc.
- Motorola moto g power from $0 when you bring your number and activate a min. $55 a month plan.
- Samsung Galaxy A02s from $0 when you bring your number and activate a min. $60 a month plan.
- Cricket Debut from $0 when you bring your number and activate a min. $55 a month plan.
- Cricket Icon 3 from $0 when you bring your number and activate a min. $55 a month plan.
- Motorola moto g pure from $0 when you bring your number and activate a min. $60 a month plan.
- Cricket Dream 5G from $0 when you bring your number and activate a min. $60 a month plan.
- Cricket Ovation 2 from $19.99.
- Motorola moto g power (2022) from $39.99.
- Samsung Galaxy A13 from $49.99.
- Apple iPhone SE 2nd Gen from $49.99.
- Motorola moto g stylus 5G from $69.99.
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G from $69.99.
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G from $109.99.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G from $399.99.
You can see the up-to-date list of Cricket deals at cricketwireless.com/current-phone-and-plan-deals.
Cricket Lifeline Related FAQs
What if I Live on Tribal Lands?
In case your household lives on federally recognized Tribal land, you may be eligible for a tribal benefit of up to $75 a month. You can see whether or not you qualify for the tribal discount by reviewing the ACP eligibility criteria above or by applying through the National Verifier.
Why is My Cricket ACP Application Sometimes Denied?
As Cricket Wireless does not determine ACP eligibility, the company does not have the information why your application may get denied. If this happens, double-check if the provided information at the National Verifier and Cricket match. If your National Verifier application was denied, contact the ACP support center at 833-511-0311.
What is the National Verifier?
The National Verifier (or National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier) is a system that determines Lifeline and ACP program eligibility. It is managed by Universal Service Administration Company (USAC).
How Long Will It Take to Get a Response From the National Verifier?
The quickest way to apply and receive a response from the National Verifier is online at acpbenefit.org. Some applications get approved within a few minutes, while in other cases it may take several days.
Is the Cricket ACP Available to New and Existing Customers?
Yes, both new and existing customers may apply for the Cricket ACP program. Before doing so, customers must apply for the ACP benefit at the National Verifier and activate a Cricket service plan. New customers must visit a Cricket store to purchase a service plan and enroll, while existing customers can apply online.
Can I Lose My ACP Benefits From Cricket?
Yes, customers may lose the ACP benefit from Cricket if they become ineligibly, apply for the ACP benefit with another provider, do not use the benefit for more than 30 days, or if the name provided on the National Verifier application does not match the name on the Cricket account.
Can I Get More Than One ACP Benefits on My Wireless Account?
No, according to the federal government rules, the ACP benefit is limited to one per household, regardless of the service provider. You can change your service provider at any time, but you can only receive one benefit at a time. In addition, the benefit cannot be transferred between households and individuals within a household, even if eligible.