How to Find Out Where to Get a Free Government Phone Today
It is incredibly difficult to imagine life without a cell phone in our pockets. After all, how can we possibly stay in touch with friends and family members, coworkers, and colleagues, how can we browse the internet, check our emails and social media, handle our finances, track health, and much more? Indeed, we have become dependent on cell phones and we really need them for so many things in our everyday lives. The ugly truth is that not all people can afford to buy such a device and therefore they are deprived of numerous opportunities in life. Luckily, the government offers a government assistance program called Lifeline that offers discounts on monthly phone and wireless services and free cell phones for people in need. In addition to Lifeline, the FCC has also recently launched a second assistance program, called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers discounts on monthly internet services and connected devices. This new program also serves as a complementary program for Lifeline, which enables Lifeline companies that also participate in ACP to provide eligible low-income customers with better monthly services and a better mobile device.
If you are wondering “Where can I get a free government phone today?”, you have come to the right place, as you will be able to find a suitable place and provider in the following sections of this article.
One way to find out where to get a free government phone today is to visit https://cnm.universalservice.org/, enter your location, choose a program, and press Search. The system will generate a list of all the Lifeline/ACP providers in your area, along with the type of service they offer, their phone numbers, and website links.
Alternatively, you can review the list of the best free government phone providers in the next section and check which ones operate and have free government phone stands or fixed local stores in your state of residence. Note: The best way to get a free government phone today may be to visit a free government phone stand or store in your area. However, as not all providers offer physical stands or stores (at least not permanently), you may be required to apply online, in which case, you can expect the free phone to be mailed to your home address in a matter of days.
Where Can I Get a Free Government Phone Today (2023)
If you are in a hurry of getting a free government phone and if you would prefer to get one today, your best option is to find a Lifeline/ACP company that operates and has stands or physical stores in your area. This way, you can simply visit the stand/store, apply there, have your application approved, and leave the store with a free SIM card and a free government phone.
However, most Lifeline/ACP companies don’t have physical stores, as such, they only enable customers to apply online and they send the free device to the customer’s home address as soon as the application gets approved. This way, you may get approved to receive the device today but you can expect to actually get it in a few days.
Anyhow, here are the best 15 free government phone providers along with their addresses, contact numbers, customer support service info, and much more.
Access Wireless
- Stand/store address: Access Wireless, One Levee Way Suite 3116, Newport, KY 41071 (however, this is not a store – it is a mail-only address)
- Official website: https://www.accesswireless.com/
- Contact number: 1-888-900-5899 for new customers and 1-866-594-3644 or 611 from your Access Wireless phone for existing customers
- Email address: https://www.accesswireless.com/contact-us
- States of operation: 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.
- Services offered: Free plan with unlimited talk, text, hotspot, and data. The exact amount of data depends on the state and plan.
- Free government phone models offered: The phone model is undisclosed in advance, as it depends on the plan, state, and availability. However, according to reports, you can get a mid-range Android smartphone, such as BLU, LG, or Motorola.
AirTalk Wireless
- Stand/store address: AirTalk is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands.
- Official website: https://airtalkwireless.com/
- Contact number: +1 (855) 924-7825
- Email address: [email protected] or https://airtalkwireless.com/contact
- States of operation: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Services offered: A free plan with unlimited talk and text, and high-speed data. The exact amount of data depends on the state and plan. ACP participants can also get a discounted tablet.
- Free government phone models offered: Lifeline and ACP customers can choose from a variety of high-quality devices from top brands, such as Apple iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S9, Apple iPhone 8, etc. See the available models at https://airtalkwireless.com/free-phone.
Assurance Wireless
- Stand/store address: Assurance Wireless P.O. Box 5040. Charleston, IL 61920-9907 (however, this is not a store – it is a mail-only address)
- Official website: https://www.assurancewireless.com/
- Contact number: 1-888-321-5880
- Email address: No email address is available
- States of operation: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A plan with unlimited talk and text, up to 2GB of mobile hotspot data, and up to 25GB of high-speed data (depending on the plan and state).
- Free government phone models offered: Customers can currently receive a smartphone or a flip phone from ANS, Coolpad, Hot Pepper, Orbic, Motorola, Moxee, Revvl, Schok, Unimax, or Wiko. See the available models at https://www.assurancewireless.com/help-center/phone-guides.
Cintex Wireless
- Stand/store address: Cintex is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands.
- Official website: https://cintexwireless.com/
- Contact number: +1 (855) 655-3097
- Email address: [email protected] or https://cintexwireless.com/contact
- States of operation: Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
- Services offered: A free plan with unlimited talk and text, and high-speed data. The exact amount of data depends on the state and plan. ACP participants can also get a discounted tablet.
- Free government phone models offered: You can get a flip phone or a high-quality smartphone. See the available models at https://cintexwireless.com/free-phone.
Easy Wireless
- Stand/store address: Easy offers 33 stores throughout the country. See the locations at https://myeasywireless.com/store-locations/. The main address is PO Box 831478, Ocala FL 34483.
- Official website: https://myeasywireless.com/
- Contact number: +1 (877) 476-3451
- Email address: [email protected]
- States of operation: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
- Services offered: A plan with free unlimited talk and text, data and hotspot (the amount depends on the plan and state), and a free device.
- Free government phone models offered: The phone model is undisclosed in advance, as it depends on the plan, state, and availability. However, according to reports, you can get a mid-range Android smartphone.
enTouch Wireless
- Stand/store address: 3030 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1320, Dallas, TX 75234 (however, this is not a store – it is a mail-only address)
- Official website: https://entouchwireless.com/
- Contact number: 866.488.8719
- Email address: [email protected] or https://entouchwireless.com/contact/
- States of operation: 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, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Services offered: A plan with unlimited monthly talk, text, limited or unlimited data (depending on the plan and state), and free international calling (depending on the plan and state).
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a brand new Android smartphone with a large screen.
Infiniti Mobile
- Stand/store address: Infiniti is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands.
- Official website: https://infinitimobile.com/
- Contact number: 888-801-0012
- Email address: [email protected] or https://infinitimobile.com/contact/
- States of operation: California, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A monthly service plan with a certain amount of free talk minutes, texts, and data (depending on the plan and the state).
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone.
Life Wireless
- Stand/store address: Life Wireless is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands.
- Official website: https://www.lifewireless.com/
- Contact number: 1-888-543-3620
- Email address: [email protected] or https://www.lifewireless.com/contactus
- States of operation: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A plan with unlimited talk and text, a certain amount of high-speed data (depending on the plan and state), and up to 5GB of hotspot.
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone, such as Alcatel, BLE, LG, or Nokia.
NewPhone Wireless
- Stand/store address: NewPhone is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands.
- Official website: https://newphone.com/
- Contact number: +1 (855) 204-3667
- Email address: [email protected] or https://newphone.com/contact
- States of operation: Louisiana and Wyoming.
- Services offered: A free plan with unlimited talk and text, and high-speed data. The exact amount of data depends on the state and plan. ACP participants can also get a discounted tablet.
- Free government phone models offered: Lifeline and ACP customers can choose from a variety of high-quality devices from top brands, such as Apple iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, Apple iPhone 8, etc. See the available models at https://newphone.com/free-phone.
Q Link Wireless
- Stand/store address: Q Link is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands.
- Official website: https://qlinkwireless.com/
- Contact number: (855) 754-6543
- Email address: https://qlinkwireless.com/members/support.aspx
- States of operation: 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.
- Services offered: A plan with free unlimited talk, text, data, and a new tablet. The amount of data depends on the state and plan.
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, in certain areas, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone or just a discounted tablet instead.
SafeLink Wireless
- Stand/store address: Find the company’s retail locations at https://www.safelink.com/wps/portal/home/retailers. The main correspondence address is SafeLink Wireless, PO Box 160490, Hialeah, FL 33016-9997.
- Official website: https://www.safelinkwireless.com/
- Contact number: 1-800-SafeLink (723-3546)
- Email address: No email address is available
- States of operation: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A plan with free unlimited talk, text, and data. The amount of data depends on the plan and state.
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone, such as BLU, Alcatel, and Motorola.
StandUp Wireless
- Stand/store address: StandUp is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands. The main correspondence address is STANDUP WIRELESS, PO Box 72397, Newport, Ky 41072.
- Official website: https://standupwireless.com/
- Contact number: 1-800-544-4441
- Email address: [email protected]
- States of operation: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A plan with unlimited talk and text, up to 10GB of high-speed data (depending on the plan and state), and unlimited additional data. ACP customers can also get a discounted tablet.
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone.
Tag Mobile
- Stand/store address: You can find a physical store/stand in your area at https://www.tagmobile.com/Support/StoreLocator.
- Official website: https://www.tagmobile.com/
- Contact number: 1-866-959-4918
- Email address: https://www.tagmobile.com/Support/ContactUs
- States of operation: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A monthly plan with unlimited talk and text and up to 8GB of free data (depending on the state and plan).
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone.
TruConnect
- Stand/store address: You can find a physical store/stand in your area at https://www.truconnect.com/locations.
- Official website: https://www.truconnect.com/
- Contact number: (800) 430-0443
- Email address: https://support.truconnect.com/s/contactsupport
- States of operation: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Services offered: A plan with high-speed data (the amount depends on the plan and state), unlimited talk and text, and a highly discounted ACP tablet.
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone.
True Wireless
- Stand/store address: True Wireless is an online-only provider with no physical stores or stands. The main correspondence address is P.O. Box 891808, Oklahoma City, OK 73189.
- Official website: https://gotruewireless.com/
- Contact number: 833-733-8524
- Email address: [email protected], [email protected], and https://gotruewireless.com/Contact-Us.php.
- States of operation: Oklahoma, Maryland, Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Texas.
- Services offered: A plan with free monthly talk, text, and data (depending on the plan and state).
- Free government phone models offered: Undisclosed, however, customers are likely to receive a mid-range Android smartphone.
To find such information about other providers, find all the companies in your area at https://cnm.universalservice.org/ and then visit each provider’s website or contact its customer service to find the addresses of nearby stores and other details.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Free Government Phone Provider Today
When choosing a free government phone provider, it is important to take several factors into account to ensure you make the right choice that aligns with your needs. Here are key considerations to keep in mind:
- Network coverage: Look for a provider that offers reliable and extensive network coverage in your specific region to ensure uninterrupted communication.
- Phone options: If the company discloses the options in advance, consider the available devices and their main features to find one that suits your requirements.
- Plan features: Compare the plan features offered by different providers, including the number of talk minutes, texts, and data. See if any additional benefits, such as international calling or rollover minutes, are provided. Select a provider whose plan aligns with your needs.
- Customer service: Research the reputation of each provider’s customer service through online reviews and testimonials or contact their support team yourself to assess it.
- Application process: Choose a provider with a fast and simple application process.
- Additional services: Some providers may offer extra services, such as discounted tablets.
Carefully consider these factors to choose the best provider.
What Kind of Phones Can I Get Free From the Government Today
As you can see above, most Lifeline/ACP companies are secretive when it comes to disclosing which phone models they offer free of charge, as their offers depend on the plan, state, and availability. However, most of them offer mid-range Android smartphones. If the company only offers Lifeline benefits, you are likely to receive an older and less advanced phone model than if you apply for a company that participates in both Lifeline and ACP.
However, the few companies that not only tell the customers which phones are available in advance but also enable them to choose the device that best fits their needs (only through Lifeline & ACP Combo plans) currently offer the following phone models:
- Apple iPhone 8
- Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S9
- Apple iPhone 7
- Samsung Galaxy A51
- Motorola G Stylus 2020
- LG G8 ThinQ
- Google Pixel 4 XL
- OnePlus 7T
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- Motorola Moto Z4
- LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- And many more
What Are the Benefits of Free Government Phone Stands?
The benefits of Lifeline and ACP providers, in general, are numerous, including:
- They offer access to communication by offering free mobile devices, free SIM cards, and free plans with talk minutes, text messages, and monthly data.
- They enable people to stay in touch with loved ones, work, school, emergency services, healthcare providers, etc.
- They enable people to search for information online and thus study and expand their horizons.
- They enable people to look for job opportunities, communicate with potential employers, schedule interviews, receive important job-related updates, and stay connected in the professional world.
- They enable access to support services.
- They enable connectivity and social inclusion as having a free phone and plan enables customers to stay connected with their communities, social networks, and the broader world.
- They enable low-income households to save lots of money on vital communication devices and services.
Moreover, Lifeline providers that have physical stands and stores offer certain advantages compared to Lifeline providers that operate solely online, such as in-person interaction and support, immediate application and activation, and the possibility to receive the device immediately. However, most providers are only-only.
Process to Get a Free Government Phone Today
To get a free government phone today (which is a long shot in the first place), try the following:
- Find the list of all the Lifeline/ACP providers in your area at https://cnm.universalservice.org/.
- Find out which ones offer physical stores or stands.
- Check the general Lifeline/ACP eligibility criteria, application requirements, and application process in advance so that you come to the store prepared (knowing that you qualify and can prove your eligibility).
- Visit the store/stand near you.
- Ask the agent to help you with the application process. If approved immediately, you may be able to get a device immediately as well.
How to Get a Free Government Phone Today (2023)
When visiting a store/stand or trying to apply for a free government phone online, do the following:
- Make sure you are Lifeline/ACP eligible. You can qualify based on a low income (if your annual household income is at or below 135% for Lifeline and 200% for ACP of the federal poverty level) or based on your program participation (if a household member participates in a qualifying government assistance program, such as SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, FPHA, WIC, Tribal programs, etc.). If you qualify for Lifeline, you also automatically qualify for ACP.
- Make sure you can prove your eligibility. You can do so by providing a copy of a valid official document that proves your low income (tax return, paycheck stubs) or program participation (approval letter, benefit award/verification letter). You may also be asked to verify your identity (ID, passport), age (ID, birth certificate), address (driver’s license, utility bill), or other personal information.
- Apply by filling out a physical or online application form. Make sure to include all the required information and documentation copies. You can apply directly through the provider or through the National Verifier.
- Wait for approval. If you apply online, you may expect approval (if eligible) within a few hours to a few days.
- Receive the benefits. If approved, you will be notified and you will shortly receive all the benefits you have signed up for.