StandUp Wireless is a wireless service provider and a Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) provider. Lifeline is a government benefit program designed to help low-income citizens get free or discounted mobile services to help them stay connected. The Emergency Broadband Benefit, on the other hand, is a temporary FCC program that provides non-transferrable discounts on monthly broadband Internet access services. People can qualify based on their household income and through programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Federal Public Housing, and Veterans Pension.
As a Lifeline and EBB provider, StandUp Wireless offers free monthly wireless service with unlimited talk, text, and 10 GB of data, as well as a free smartphone. However, our main question is:
Does StandUp Wireless Offer A Free Tablet?
The answer is yes and no. StandUp Wireless does indeed offer Lifeline and Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) discounted tablets along with free monthly service, which includes unlimited talk, text, and 10 GB of data to its qualifying customers. However, the tablet is not completely free of charge.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program allows qualifying customers to claim a one-time-only discount of up to $100 on certain devices. However, the FCC requires the provider to charge at least $10.01.
The tablet you will receive works on Wi-Fi and the StandUp Wireless mobile network, nonetheless, you will not be able to make or receive calls or text messages unless you use an app such as TextNow or WhatsApp.
Who Is Eligible For StandUp Wireless Free Tablets Under The EBB Program?
Only EBB-eligible customers can qualify for a StanUp Wireless free tablet. The tablet as well as the benefit and monthly service are non-transferable and only one member of a household can qualify for the benefit and receive one monthly service and one device discount. The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program has the same eligibility criteria as the Lifeline program.
There Are Two Ways To Qualify To EBB
- Program-based eligibility
A consumer may qualify for EBB service through participation in Lifeline or a Lifeline-qualifying program, such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Fund.
- Income-based eligibility
A consumer may qualify if they have a gross annual household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Unemployment-based eligibility
For a limited time, which is determined by the FCC, unemployed individuals may also qualify for Lifeline and the EBB program.
- Additional EBB eligibility criteria
Additional eligibility criteria are unique to EBB. They include Pell Grants (current year award recipients), Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch and Breakfast, and certain instances of reduced wages.
Your EBB eligibility will be determined by a verification process approved by the FCC, such as USAC’s National Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database.
How Do I Sign Up For EBB With StandUp Wireless?
Signing up for EBB with StandUp Wireless is simple. You can do it on their website.
In case you are an existing StandUp Wireless Lifeline customer, you can sign up at myaccount.standupwireless.com/ebb.
In case you are a new customer or a Lifeline customer with another provider, you can apply at standupwireless.com/apply-now.
To apply and thus receive free monthly wireless service, as well as a smartphone, and a discounted tablet as a new customer, you must enter your ZIP code and email address at standupwireless.com/apply-now and press ‘Begin Application’. Afterward, simply follow the provided on-screen prompts and enter all the necessary information. You will also be required to provide documents that prove your enrollment in a Lifeline-qualifying program, your household income, or your unemployment, depending on your eligibility criteria.
Once you finish the application process, your application will be verified through the National Verifier. In case you are EBB-eligible, StandUp Wireless will give you free monthly service and send you a free smartphone or discounted tablet in no time. After receiving the device, you can activate the service by calling 1-800-544-4441 or 611 from your phone.
In case you also need information Standup Wireless Compatible Phones List
In Which Areas Does StandUp Wireless Currently Offer Free Tablets?
StandUp Wireless does not offer service and free/discounted devices in all states and areas. Currently, the Lifeline and EBB provider offers monthly services and free or discounted devices in the following states.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Offers vary by state, therefore, make sure to contact your local StandUp Wireless to ask them exactly what kinds of benefits can an EBB-eligible customer get in your area.
Read one of our past articles Standup Wireless Replacement Phone
What Are My StandUp Wireless Tablet Choices?
The question that many tablet-interested StandUp Wireless customers have is ‘Which brand of tablets does StandUp Wireless offer for free? Well, as we have established before, StandUp Wireless doesn’t offer any tablets completely free of charge, however, they do offer some discounted tablet models.
The exact brand and model depend on inventory availability, state, and other factors. Nevertheless, the tablet models that are usually available include:
- NUU Tab 8
- SKY Elite 8
- Vortex Tab 8
You can read one of our past articles Does Q Link Wireless Offer Free Tablets?
What Do I Get When I Sign Up For EBB With StandUp Wireless?
Let’s review the benefits you will get if you qualify for the StandUp Wireless EBB program.
- If you qualify for the StandUp Wireless EBB program, you would receive a free monthly service.
- You would receive a certain amount of free minutes (depending on the state – in some states you get 1000 minutes or unlimited minutes).
- You would receive unlimited free text messages.
- You would receive 10 GB of data.
- You could receive a free smartphone.
- You could receive a discount on a tablet and thus receive a tablet for just $10.01.
- You would stay connected to your loved ones, work, job opportunities, education, health, and emergency services, etc.
Are There Any Restrictions For StandUp Wireless Lifeline Program?
Like all other Lifeline and EBB providers, StandUp Wireless also comes with certain restrictions.
For one, StandUp Wireless services are not available in all states. You can see the areas where their services are available in the ‘ In Which Areas Does StandUp Wireless Currently Offer Free Tablets?’ section.
Lifeline and EBB benefits are non-transferable and only one member of a qualifying household is entitled to receive a benefit.
Each household can only get one free monthly service and one free or discounted device.
You will not be able to choose the free smartphone or discounted tablet model you may receive, as the device you get depends on several factors, including inventory availability and state.
You can only receive all those benefits if you are EBB eligible. See the Lifeline and EBB eligibility criteria in the ‘ Who Is Eligible for StandUp Wireless Free Tablets Under the EBB Program?’ section.
Read one of our past articles Does Assurance Wireless Offer Free Tablets?
How To Install A SIM Card Into This Free Tablet?
The exact steps to install a SIM card into the free tablet depend on the tablet brand and model. As such, StandUp Wireless tends to send each eligible customer both the tablet and a compatible SIM card, as well as the instructions on how to install the SIM card into the tablet.
To install a SIM card into a tablet, you will need an active StandUp Wireless SIM card. Inserting it will allow your tablet to connect to cell towers instead of Wi-Fi.
The general instructions on how to install a SIM card into a free/discounted StandUp Wireless tablet are:
- Step 1. If your tablet is powered on, turn it off. You can do so by holding the power button for 5 seconds and then pressing the ‘power off’ sign on the screen.
- Step 2. Locate the SIM ejector tool in the box with the charger and power adapter.
- Step 3. Find the SIM tray at the top of the tablet next to the charging port.
- Step 4. Insert the SIM ejector tool into the hole in the SIM tray and gently press it. By doing so the SIM tray will pop out.
- Step 5. Pop-out the smallest SIM card size and prepare it.
- Step 6. Place the nano-SIM card in the SIM tray with the smaller slot, which is marked SIM ß. Make sure the cut corner of the SIM card is on the left and that the metal contact is faced down.
- Step 7. Reinstall the SIM tray by placing the tablet screen down. Carefully slide the SIM tray back into the SIM tray slot until the slot is fully closed. Make sure the ICCID on the SIM card is visible when doing so.
- Step 8. Turn your tablet back on. Once it is connected to the mobile network you will be able to see the LTE/4G symbol at the top left corner of the screen.
StandUp Wireless Free Tablet Others Things You Should Know
Does StandUp Wireless Charge Any Cost for Free Tablets?
Yes, the FCC requires StandUp Wireless to charge the customer at least $10.01 for the tablet.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a StandUp Wireless Free Tablet?
It depends on inventory availability, the state, and on where you live. However, the provider does its best to send each EBB-eligible customer a discounted tablet, a free smartphone and activate their free monthly service as soon as the customer’s eligibility is verified.
If I Already Receive Lifeline Benefits Will I Automatically Receive the Emergency Broadband Benefit?
No. You must apply for the EBB program at standupwireless.com/apply-now and choose an eligible plan.
Does StandUp Wireless Give Free Phones?
Yes, StandUp Wireless also offers free smartphones to their Lifeline and EBB-eligible customers.
Does StandUp Wireless Tablet Have a Hotspot?
StandUp Wireless service comes with free mobile hotspot functionality. You can set up a mobile hotspot for your tablet. To do so, your StandUp Wireless service must be active and the SIM card must be inserted into your smartphone. Then you simply connect your tablet to your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot.
Can I Replace a StandUp Wireless Free Tablet?
In case your tablet gets broken through no fault of your own and if the device has a manufacturer’s warranty, you will be able to get a replacement from the manufacturer. In case the device gets lost or stolen, you will be required to cover all costs associated with the replacement. In case you have any other issues, contact StandUp Wireless’ customer service and ask if you can get a replacement device. Call Customer Care at 1-800-544-4441 or 611 from your StandUp Wireless phone.
Can I Get Free Tablets for Low-Income Families From Charities and Non-profit Organizations?
Yes, in addition to Lifeline providers that offer free tablets to EBB-eligible citizens, there are also some charities and non-profit organizations that offer free or discounted electronic devices to low-income families. In most of these cases, you will also be required to apply for a free device and if the charity or non-profit organization finds you eligible for the program, you will receive it. You can try your luck at Smartriverside, Cty.org, Everyoneon, CTAC, Freecycle, Causes, Adaptive.org, Computers For Learning, Komputers 4 Kids, etc.
