You may be able to get a free or low cost cell phone if you or someone in your household is part of one or more of the public aid programs listed below. The program covers one phone or service discount per household. This is through the “Lifeline” program. You must be able to send in proof that you get one or more kinds of the aid below. Or you can instead show proof that you qualify based on income. (More about that below.)
Here is a list of the aid programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI). (This is different than the Social Security that most people receive.)
- Federal Public Housing assistance, including “Section 8”
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
- Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
- Tribal Programs(for people living on federally-recognized Tribal lands)
Here are income levels to qualify for the program:
The government has not posted the 2022 income levels for Lifeline to the public yet. However, these amounts should be current for 2022.
| Number of People in Your Household | Annual Household Income | Monthly Average Income |
| 1 | $20,331 | $1,694.25 |
| 2 | $27,594 | $2,299.50 |
| 3 | $34,857 | $2,904.75 |
| 4 | $42,120 | $3,510.00 |
| 5 | $49,383 | $4,115.25 |
| 6 | $56,646 | $4,720.50 |
| 7 | $63,909 | $5,325.75 |
| 8 | $71,172 | $5,931.00 |
| For each additional person, add: | $7,263 | $605.25 |
How do I apply?
You can apply for a free phone directly to a cell phone service provider. Here is the information you will need to give:
- Your Name
- Your Social Security Number
- A Working Email Address
- A Mailing Address (cannot be a P.O. Box)
- Proof of your income or that you get the aid benefits listed earlier in this article
- If you are not in one of the aid programs listed earlier you can send a copy if your tax return from last year or proof of three months in a row of your income.
- You might be able to give other kinds of proof of your income if your documents do not cover the whole year.
Different companies offer different plans. The amount of minutes may be different. The amount of data may be different. Find out if the company offers a free phone with its service. Different companies have different offerings. Find out ahead of time what the company offers. You can use your ZIP Code on the phone company’s site to see what the company covers where you live. Here are some examples. Check with each provider first to see if this information is still up to date.
| Program | Program Features | How to Apply |
| NewPhone Wireless | • Free Smartphone • Unlimited Phone Calls and Text • 4.5 GB of Data | Apply online here: https://www.newphone.com/Signup.php. |
| Assurance Wireless | • Free Smartphone • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 3 GB of Data | Apply online here: https://www.assurancewireless.com/apply-now
OR
Apply over the phone by calling 1-888-898-4888. |
| EnTouch Wireless | • Some applicants may be Eligible for a Free Phone • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 100 MB of Data | Online: https://www.entouchwireless.com/lifeline/apply-now
OR
Download a paper application: https://www.entouchwireless.com/pdf/enTouch CertProcess_LA.pdf
|
| Q Link Wireless | • Unlimited Phone Calls and Text • 3 GB of Data | Apply online here: Online: https://qlinkwireless.com/signup/g-6-717/. |
| SafeLink | • Unlimited Text • 350 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data | Online: https://www.safelinkwireless.com/
OR
By phone 1-800-723-3546
|
| TAG Mobile | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data | Online: https://www.tagmobile.com/StatePages/Louisiana-Free-Lifeline-Phones |
| TruConnect | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 250 MB of Data | Online: https://www.truconnect.com/ |
| Access Wireless | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data Coverage Map | Download a paper application: https://www.usac.org/wp-content/uploads/life line/documents/forms/LI_Application_NVstates.pdf |
| Standup Wireless | • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 100 MB of Data | Online: https://standupwireless.com/apply-now/ |
The information provided in this post does not, and is not intended to, represent legal advice. All information available on this site is for general informational purposes only. If you need legal help, you should contact a lawyer. You may be eligible for our free legal services and can apply by calling our Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 or applying online here.