With the current technological advancements, everything has almost relied entirely on online transactions. Starting from business, education, and even health, having a smartphone or tablet is a vital part of life in this era. Low-income households may need help to acquire these devices.
Therefore, knowing how to get a free government phone and tablet is an essential opportunity for you. In this regard, you must enroll in a Lifeline or Affordable Connectivity Program that entails meeting the income and participation criteria. This offer is only limited to one member per household.
Eligibility Criteria For Free Government Phone And Tablet
To be eligible for free government phones and tablets, you must apply to a telecommunication company that offers free government phones and tablets via ACP and the Lifeline program. Eligible customers also enjoy unlimited text, talk, and data from the device.
You must enroll in a Lifeline or Affordable Connectivity Program to qualify for a free phone and tablet. The process requires you to meet the following eligibility criteria.
i) Participation criterion
It would be best to enroll in government-aided programs to get a free phone and tablet.
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Reduced lunch and breakfast program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Infants, Women, and Children (WIC)
You can also obtain a free phone and tablet if you live in a tribal land and participate in the following government-assisted programs.
- Tribal TANF
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (income-based)
ii) Income criterion
You can register for a free government phone and tablet with an annual income of 200% or lower than the federal poverty guidelines for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Based on this criterion, you are eligible for a free government phone and free government tablet via Lifeline if you have an annual income of 135% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
What Documents Required For Proof Of Eligibility
i) Identity-proof documents
- Green card or Permanent Resident Card
- A valid government, state, military, or Tribal ID
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
- U.S. valid Driver’s license
- Birth Certificate
ii) Income-proof documents
- Divorce decree, child support award
- Paycheck stubs
- Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration Statement of Benefits
- Social Security Statement of Benefits
- Retirement/ pension statement of benefits
- Current income statement from your employer
- Federal or Tribal notice participation letter in General Assistance
iii) Participation proof documents
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit award letter
- Approval letter
- Benefit verification letter
- School documentation
Free Government Phones and free government Tablet Application Processes
You can acquire a free government phone and tablet by following the easy steps listed below:
- Visit the national verifier to confirm your Lifeline and ACP program eligibility.
- Locate your desired service provider with ACP and lifeline benefits.
- Enroll for free phones and tablets by entering your zip code and email on your carrier’s official website.
- Then navigate to “Apply now” or “Get Started,” depending on your carrier.
- They fill out the correct personal information per the instructions and attach the required legal documents as discussed above.
- Proofread the form before you submit it.
- Upon successful application, you will receive a notification, and your free government and tablet will be shipped to you.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Free Government Phone and Tablet Service Provider
a) The availability of the service in your specific location
Confirming that your desired free phone and tablet provider offers Lifeline, an ACP service in your area of residence or the state you intend to settle before applying is vital.
b) Internet speed and bandwidth
Bandwidth is the ability of a network to transmit a cellular connection. Check out the service providers in your area and choose the one offering a high bandwidth to ensure smooth internet connectivity for your free government phone and tablet.
c) Customer Care services
Check out the quality of your free phone and tablet provider’s customer support services for easy accessibility in case you encounter complications or need to upgrade the phone, among other issues.
Best Service Providers For Free Government Phones And Tablets
1) enTouch Wireless
This carrier participates in both ACP and Lifeline. This company offers eligible customers free government phones and tablets with fantastic plan deals. These plans vary depending on your location and also in terms of data. They are the only plan, Kentucky lifeline plan, California lifeline plan, non-tribal lifeline plan, tribal lifeline plan, and ACP and Lifeline combo plan.
In addition, you will enjoy a one-time discount on the tablet of $100 as long as you pay more than $10 and less than $50 towards the tablet purchase. To enroll, visit the enTouch Wireless official website and enter your email address or zip code. Next, navigate to the “Enroll Now” button and click on it. Then, choose your desired plan based on your needs and your eligibility.
2) Cintex Wireless
This telecommunication company offers free phones and tablets without contracts and hidden fees. HTH Communications, LLC powers this company. Moreover, it is also a participant of Lifeline and ACP. In addition, eligible customers enjoy unlimited plans, talk, and data that vary depending on their desired cell phone plan. These include the Lifeline, ACP, Lifeline, and ACP combo plans.
Again, you can obtain an incredible discount of up to $100 on tablets with a $10.01 co-pay. You will also enjoy a $30 internet discount. In addition, if you qualify based on tribal land programs, you will enjoy a value of $75. To apply, visit Cintex Wireless’s official website, enter your zip code, and click “Apply Now.” Then, fill out the form’s correct information and attach the required legal documents. Please go through the form before you submit it.
3) Q Link Wireless
Q Link Wireless provides eligible customers with free government phones and tablets with ACP and unlimited text, talk, and data. This company partners with Lifeline and ACP; therefore, you will also enjoy a one-time discount of $100 with a co-pay of $10.01. In addition, based on ACP, you will enjoy a $30 internet discount, and those who qualify on tribal land will get a $75 internet discount.
To enroll, visit Qlink Wireless’s official website and enter your zip code and email address. Then navigate to “Get it now” and click on it. You will be redirected to a page to fill out your personal information per the instructions. Then, attach the required documents and submit them. Ensure that you go through the document before you submit it.
4) AirTalk Wireless
This company provides both Lifeline and ACP benefits to its eligible customers. This Air Voice Wireless, LLC-powered Airtalk Wireless offers free phones and tablets to its eligible customers with no contract and hidden fees. You will enjoy unlimited data, talk, or text based on the plan of your choice. These are the ACP plan, lifeline plan, and ACP and lifeline plan. In addition, you will get a free shipment and are allowed to keep your number.
To enroll, visit Airtalk Wireless’s official website and enter your zip code. Then tap “Apply Now” and fill out the correct personal information. Finally, proofread the form and attach legal documents before you submit it.
5) Assurance Wireless
This company is a mobile virtual network operator under the T-Mobile network, participating in Lifeline and ACP. Eligible customers enjoy excellent coverage along with free government phones and tablets. You will also enjoy a $75 discount if you qualify by tribal land. Moreover, at a $100 one-time deal, you will get an Assurance Wireless free tablet. However, you must pay over $10 and less than $50 for this device discount.
To apply, visit Assurance Wireless’s official website and enter your zip code and email address. Then, complete the form with the correct personal information, attach the required legal documents, and submit and await approval.
Conclusion
You can obtain a free government tablet or phone if you enroll in Lifeline and ACP. These government-assisted programs powered by the FCC require applicants to meet the income and government program participation criteria. Moreover, you must provide legal documents as proof of eligibility. You will apply through participating telecommunication service providers such as Cintex Wireless, enTouch Wireless, and Assurance Wireless to get free government phones and tablets.