The Lifeline program is available to qualifying low-income subscribers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. Note: only one Lifeline service is available per household and the service is non-transferable.
To participate in the Lifeline program and get one of the best free government phone plans, you must be Lifeline-eligible. To be Lifeline-eligible, you must meet the FCC’s criteria, which is universal for all Lifeline providers. A household is Lifeline-eligible if they meet one (or more) of the following criteria:
Income-based eligibility:
The household has an income below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Program-based eligibility:
The household participates in certain federal assistance programs, such as:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA),
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- The Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
A household can also be Lifeline-eligible if a member participates in one of the following Tribal Programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Moreover, to qualify for a Lifeline program, you must be a resident of one of the states where a certain Lifeline provider offers its services.
Top 15 Lifeline Providers Offering Free Government Phone Plans
There are many Lifeline providers available in every state. Nonetheless, not all Lifeline providers offer the same plans, phones, and other benefits. In this section, you will find out which are the Lifeline providers that offer the best free government phone plans and exactly what kind of free Lifeline plans they offer.
Access Wireless
This is a nationwide Lifeline provider that serves in many U.S. states, including 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.
Access Wireless’ free government phone plan comes with:
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited data (15 GB of high speed)
- Hotspot data
- Free long-distance calls and international calling availability
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. If you need more minutes or data, you can buy an Access Wireless prepaid card at a participating retailer, such as Kroger, Family Dollar, and Speedway, and add it to your plan.
Read more Access Wireless free phone and apply at accesswireless.com.
American Assistance
This Lifeline provider offers services and plans in the states of Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
American Assistance’s free government phone plan offers:
- $14.95 monthly co-pay
- 4.5 GB of data
- 500 voice minutes
- Unlimited text
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. You can also purchase a top-up plan and thus add minutes or data to your Lifeline plan. At American Assistance, Lifeline customers can also get a free smartphone.
Read more about their free phone plans and apply at americanassistance.com/lifeline-program/lifeline-plans.
Assist Wireless
This provider offers free government phone plans in Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Assist’s free government phone plan provides:
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. Assist Wireless also allows you to refill your talk, text, and data. At Assist Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also get a free phone.
Read more about their plans and apply at assistwireless.com/lifeline-plans.
Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a telephone service subsidized by the federal Lifeline Assistance program that serves in 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.
Assurance Wireless’ free government phone plans offer:
- Free monthly data
- Free unlimited texts
- Free unlimited minutes
- Free 10 GB of mobile hotspot data up to 4G LTE speed
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. Assurance Wireless also allows you to refill your talk, text, and data. At Assurance Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also get a free Android smartphone.
Read more Assurance Wireless free phone and apply at assurancewireless.com/#.
Cintex Wireless
Cintex is a regional Lifeline provider that offers phone plans in Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Even though Cintex doesn’t operate in many states, it is one of the subscribers’ favorite Lifeline providers as it also offers free iPhones.
The provider’s free government phone plan comes with:
- Free talk
- Free text
- Free data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. At Cintex Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also receive a free 4G/5G LTE smartphone.
Read more and apply at apply.cintexwireless.com.
Easy Wireless
This Lifeline provider only operates in a few states – Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Missouri.
Easy’s free Lifeline plan offers:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Unlimited data and hotspot
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. At Easy Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also receive a free smartphone and even an 8-inch tabled (this is a limited-time offer available through the Affordable Connectivity Program).
Read more and apply at myeasywireless.com.
enTouch Wireless
enTouch Wireless is a rather large Lifeline provider that operates in many 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, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
enTouch Wireless offers a great variety of Lifeline plans. Some are Tribal plans, others are non-tribal plans, some come with more or less data, and they vary between states. Generally, the best free government phone plan from enTouch Wireless provides subscribers with:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free unlimited data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. At Easy Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also receive a free 4G/5G smartphone.
Read more about their plans and apply at entouchwireless.com/lifeline-plans.
FeelSafe Wireless
FreeSafe’s Lifeline services are available in California, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
This provider offers a free government phone plan with:
- Free talk
- Free text
- Free data
- Free Wi-Wi finder and map
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. The provider also allows you to add more minutes. At Easy Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also receive a free cellular phone.
Read more and apply at feelsafewireless.com.
Life Wireless
This free cell phone provider has many subscribers 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.
Life Wireless best free government phone plans include:
- Unlimited text
- Nationwide calling, no roaming charges, and no charges for domestic long-distance calls
- Call waiting
- Voicemail
- Three-way calling
- Affordable recharge plans
Life Wireless customers may also qualify for a free phone. The provider’s free phone plans vary between states. Take a look at the exact number of minutes and data you may expect to receive by clicking at your state of residence at lifewireless.com/plans.
Read more about their best free government phone plans and apply at lifewireless.com/plans.
Q Link Wireless
Q Link Wireless is a popular telecommunications company and Lifeline provider. It provides some of the best free government phone plans in the states of 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.
Q Link Wireless offers some of the best free government phone plans with:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free unlimited data
- The ability to bring your own phone and number
- Voicemail, caller ID, three-way calling, call waiting, free domestic roaming
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state.
Read more about their plans and apply at qlinkwireless.com/lifeline/lifeline-plans.aspx.
SafeLink Wireless
SafeLink Wireless is a Lifeline-supported service owned by Tracfone that offers some of the best free government phone plans in the following states: 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.
SafeLink’s best free government phone plans offer lots of benefits:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free 25 GB of high-speed data
- Free 5 GB hotspot
- Free calls to Canada and Mexico
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. You can see the plans available in your state at safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/zipcode. At SafeLink Wireless, Lifeline customers can also get a free smartphone (depending on availability).
Read more and apply at safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome.
SafetyNet Wireless
SafetyNet’s services are available in California, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
SafetyNet’s plans vary between states. However, some of their best free government phone plans offer:
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
- 4.5 to 6 GB of data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. The provider also allows you to add more minutes by purchasing a refill. At SafetyNet Wireless, Lifeline-eligible customers can also receive a free smartphone.
Read more about their plans and apply at safetynetwireless.com/lifeline-plans-california.
StandUp Wireless
This popular nationwide Lifeline provider offers some of the best free government phone plans in 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, and Wisconsin.
StandUp Wireless offers a basic free Lifeline plan and lots of additional top-up options. Their basic plan includes:
- At least 1000 minutes of talk
- Unlimited texts
- 4.5 GB of monthly data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. The provider’s top-up plans can be seen at standupwireless.com/lifeline/top-up.
Read more and apply at standupwireless.com/lifeline.
Tag Mobile
Tag Mobile serves in the states of Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Tag Mobile’s free government phone plan comes with:
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
- 8 GB of free LTE data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. The provider also offers numerous Lifeline top-up plans, which allow customers to add minutes and data.
Read more Tag mobile free phone and apply at tagmobile.com.
TruConnect
TruConnect is a popular MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) and one of the best Lifeline providers. Its Lifeline services and best free government phone plans are available in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
TruConnect’s best free government plans provide:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited text
- Free international calling to select countries
- 14 GB of monthly data
The exact amount of free minutes and data depends on the state. The provider also allows customers to add minutes and data. In addition, at TruConnect Lifeline-qualifying customers can also get a free brand new Android smartphone.
Read more and apply at truconnect.com/lifeline.
How to Signup Lifeline Provider for Free Government Phone Plans
Signing up for free cell phone service through the Lifeline program and getting the best free government phone plans is simple. All you have to do is to follow the easy steps below.
- Step 1: First thing you must do to sign up for the best free government phone plans is to make sure you are Lifeline-eligible. You can check the eligibility criteria in the first section.
- Step 2: Find a Lifeline provider who offers some of the best free government phone plans in your state of residence. You won’t be able to enroll in a Lifeline program from a provider that doesn’t operate in your state.
- Step 3: Review a potential provider’s offer and the information on their website. Visit the official website of a Lifeline provider and take a closer look at their offer. It is important to know that both mobile devices and phone plans vary between carriers, therefore it’s vital to make a thorough assessment before committing to a provider. Make sure to review their best free government phone plans, the cellular phones, the network they use, and more.
- Step 4: Enroll online or by phone.
All Lifeline providers have an online application form. Applying online is probably the fastest and simplest way to enroll. Simply visit the provider’s official website and search for their Lifeline program. Once you review it, press ‘Sign Up/Enroll/Apply/Get Started’ or something similar. Then, you will be redirected to their online application form. There, simply provide all the necessary information and if necessary, provide certain documentation that may prove your Lifeline eligibility (this may be especially true for those who enroll based on income requirements). When you’re done, submit the application and allow a couple of days for the provider to inform you whether or not you have been successfully enrolled. It may take up to a week to receive your free government phone.
Another way to enroll is by phone. Simply call the Lifeline provider’s customer support service and the representative will help you to enroll.
Once you receive your new SIM card and in some cases, phone, you can activate it and start using your best free government phone plan.
FAQ
What is Lifeline?
Lifeline is a government assistance program by the Federal Communications Commission (also known as the FCC). The program was established in 1984 when having communication services was no longer considered a luxury but a basic need instead. Lifeline was designed to make communication services more affordable for low-income people.
Lifeline providers offer qualifying low-income individuals and households a discount of up to $9.25 a month ($34.25 on Tribal lands) on monthly telephone service. Subscribers can receive a discount on wireless or wireline services. Moreover, they can get a discount on broadband internet service or bundled voice-broadband packages. In addition to communication services, certain Lifeline providers also offer discounts on cell phones and some other advantages.
Why Does the Government Offer Free Phones and Plans?
As you can see, the government is making sure that all U.S. citizens, including the ones with the lowest annual income, have access to communication services and cell phones, both of which are nowadays considered a necessity.
You may be wondering why does the government go through all that trouble. Well, the answer is because they wish to enable low-income households access to their jobs, education resources, friends, family members, healthcare, emergency services, and much more. It has been shown that giving people free phones and discounted or free phone plans helps them get and keep jobs and raise their standard of living. This enables people to become more independent, which in turn eliminates the cost the government has to support low-income people. As such, the government actually profits from providing free services and devices. It is a win-win arrangement for both the clients and the government.
How to Choose the Best Free Government Phone Service Option for You?
When choosing the best free government phone plans, it’s vital to choose the right Lifeline provider. Not only must the provider offer services in your state and provide the benefits you need, but it must also be credible, reliable, and trustworthy. Carefully review the plans from some of the best Lifeline providers listed above and choose the provider who can meet your needs and provide you with support when you need it.
How to Find the Best Government Cell Phone for You?
The first thing in finding the best government cell phone is to know exactly what kind of a device you need and want. Then, review what kind of phones do different providers offer and choose the provider accordingly.
Does Government Offer Free Tablets?
Yes, in addition to free phone plans and smartphones, some Lifeline providers also sometimes offer free tablets. Such providers are Q Link Wireless and StandUp Wireless.
Can I Upgrade My Government Free Phone?
Yes, however, these upgrades are usually not for free (unless you get a special promotional deal).
What Kind of Phones Can I Get?
Government usually offers basic to mid-range Android smartphones for free or with a discount. However, there are also some companies that offer discounted or free government iPhones (for example, Cintex Wireless). Exactly which discounted or free smartphone you can expect to receive from your Lifeline provider depends on the provider, the state, and availability.
