The Lifeline Assistance program dates back to the 1980s. The FCC established it to make communication services affordable and accessible to low-income households. As a result, the program offers Lifeline free phones and tablets to individuals and families that qualify.
There are different benefits individuals can enjoy through the Lifeline program, including discounted internet services, voice and text packages, and free devices. In collaboration with providers such as Easy Wireless, individuals can keep in touch with friends and families and access healthcare, jobs, and educational resources using free phones and tablets.
The Lifeline program aims to benefit one person per household with a free phone and tablet. Again, these benefits are not transferable to another individual or family. Our article today focuses on getting a Lifeline-free phone and tablet. Let us begin.
Getting Lifeline Free Phone and Tablet: Who Qualifies?
To get a Lifeline free phone or tablet, you must be a qualifying member of the Lifeline Government program. You can qualify for Lifeline benefits based on your income and participation in a government assistance program.
i) Qualify for the Lifeline Program through your Income
Lifeline requires you to be at or below the 135% poverty line to qualify for Lifeline free phone and tablet. This poverty guideline is different depending on your state and household size.
ii) Qualify for Lifeline Through Government Assistance Program
Another way to qualify for a Lifeline free phone and tablet is by participating in a government assistance program. These programs include;
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch School Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Medicaid
iii) Tribal Land Programs:
- Tribal TANF
- Tribal Head Start (income-based)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Acquiring a Lifeline Free Phone and Tablet
Generally, Lifeline only offers discounts on services and phones. You cannot acquire a tablet directly via the Lifeline Program. However, Lifeline program subscribers can receive a free tablet through the Affordable Connectivity Program. You can automatically enroll in ACP and acquire a free tablet if eligible for the Lifeline Program.
To qualify for ACP, you need to;
According to Federal Guidelines, your income must be at or below the 200% poverty line. Participate in government assistance programs (Same programs listed as Lifeline above) and the following additional programs:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
Be a qualifying member of the Lifeline program
Here is How to Apply for a Lifeline Free Tablet Through ACP
- Make sure you are Lifeline eligible. Meet the eligibility criteria above to apply for the free tablet.
- Find an ACP provider that offers Lifeline-free tablets. You must check the providers in your state (choose your nearest one) that benefit residents.
- Gather documents you will need during the application process. (The documents proving eligibility are listed below.)
- Visit the official website of the provider selected in Step 2 and locate their application form for Lifeline-free phones and tablets.
- Fill out the application form with the correct personal information. Remember to attach the eligibility documents to support your application.
- Submit and wait for approval. It takes several business days for your application to be approved. Once approved, you will obtain your free tablet via mail.
How to Apply for Lifeline Free Phone?
Unlike tablets, you can acquire a Lifeline-free phone directly through the Lifeline Program. Most Lifeline providers offer free phones to eligible customers ranging from Android smartphones and iPhone models.
The application process is similar to that of getting a tablet. Apply by following the following steps;
- 1st Step: Check eligibility. Eligibility depends on income, which should be at or below the 135% level. You need to participate in a government assistance program as well.
- 2nd Step: Find a provider. In each state, different providers offer Lifeline benefits. Find the one closest to you that is offering free phones.
- 3rd Step: Visit the provider’s official website selected in Step 2 above to begin your application process. Remember to gather the documents you will need to prove eligibility demanded in step 1.
- 4th Step: Fill the application process with accurate personal information. Once done, submit your application and wait for approval.
- 5th Step: Approval. Once your application for a Lifeline free phone is reviewed and approved, you will get your free phone. Approval may take up to 7 business days.
- 6th Step: Receive your phone. You will receive your Lifeline free phone and other benefits, including unlimited talk, text, and data.
Documents to Prove Qualification
If you are applying for Lifeline free phone and tablet, the following documents are required;
- Identity Documents: Valid Government ID, Birth certificate, Valid driver’s license, Passport, Green Card, Certificate of U.S citizenship, Certificate of permanent residence.
- Address Documents: Valid driver’s license, Recent utility bill, Statement of lease/mortgage, tax return
- Documents proving your Income: Include Retirement statement of benefits, recent pay stubs, tax returns, child support award, and current income statement from your employer.
- Assistance Program Participation documents: Approval letter from an assistance program, benefit award letter, Benefit statement, or an acceptance letter.
Top Five Providers of Lifeline Free Phone and Tablet
1) Easy Wireless
Easy Wireless is among the top Lifeline-free phone and tablet providers across the United States. It has several plans through which eligible individuals can benefit. It works with both Lifeline and ACP government programs to give offers and benefits to low-income households.
If you sign up for the Easy Wireless Unlimited plan (Lifeline and ACP), you receive a smartphone, unlimited talk, text, and data. With its Plus plan (ACP), you can enjoy unlimited talk and text, 5GB of data, and a free government smartphone. Finally, it has a base plan (Lifeline) with which you get a discounted smartphone, free text, 1000 talk minutes, and 25MB of data.
Through Easy Wireless, eligible households and individuals will receive;
- Free smartphone
- Free unlimited talk and text
- Free unlimited data and hotspot
- Free tablet
- Free emergency call services
2) QLink Wireless
QLink Wireless is a well-known telecommunications company in 50 states of America. It partners with government programs such as Lifeline and ACP to provide eligible individuals with telecommunication offers and discounts.
If you sign up for QLink services, you can apply for Lifeline free phone or tablet via the provider. As a partner of Lifeline, QLink offers its active customers the following benefits;
- Unlimited data
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited picture messaging
- Emergency service calls to 911
- New Tablet
- Free phone
3) AirTalk Wireless
AirTalk Wireless is a program that serves eligible households across the United States. It gets its funds from AirVoice and aims to help people who;
- Meet the Income Poverty Guidelines as defined by the state.
- Participate in Federal support programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.
- Participate in SNAP or Lifeline Assistance Program.
AirTalk Wireless is, however, limited to benefiting one person in every household. Since 1999, it has provided secure services. If you are eligible, you will receive a free 4G/5G LTE smartphone alongside free data, talk, and SMS from AirTalk Wireless.
3) Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a telephone service that partners with the Lifeline Assistance program to support low-income families across the United States. The service provider offers eligible individuals benefits such as;
- Free phone
- Free monthly data
- Unlimited texting
- Free monthly minutes
You can apply for a free tablet or phone from Assurance Wireless by visiting their official website.
4) TruConnect
TruConnect is a wireless company that provides high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and a free Android smartphone to eligible households. You can acquire these Tru Connect benefits by participating in government programs such as Lifeline and ACP.
Which Models are Available on Lifeline Free Phone and Tablet Program?
Phone models you are likely to find through Lifeline free phone and tablet program include;
- Motorola E5
- Apple iPhone 7
- Apple iPhone 6
- NUU Mobile A3
- Samsung Galaxy A10, J3, S7
- ZTE Wrap Elite N9518
Tablet models you can choose from include;
- LG G Pad 5
- Apple iPad 2020
- New Microsoft Surface Go 2
- Lenovo Tab 5
It is vital to note that the above Lifeline free phone and tablet models vary from one provider to the next. The availability of these devices is also a critical determinant of the model you will likely receive.
Conclusion
The Lifeline Assistance Program has enabled low-income households to access digital services and devices. The program allows qualifying individuals to apply for Lifeline-free phones and tablets through participating nationwide providers. You must meet the Lifeline eligibility requirements to acquire a free phone or tablet.
You should be at or below the 135% Federal Poverty guideline and be a participant in any government assistance program as listed in the article above. You will need identity, address, and participation documents to prove this eligibility. Once you verify your eligibility, you can apply for Lifeline free phone and tablet through Easy Wireless, TruConnect, Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless, and Air Talk Wireless.