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The information provided on 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 Covid Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 or applying online here.

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.

COVID may mean that you need to apply online, by phone, or by mail instead of in person.

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
• 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	$18,346.50	$1,528.88
2	$24,718.50	$2,059.88
3	$31,090.50	$2,590.88
4	$37,462.50	$3,121.88
5	$43,834.50	$3,652.88
6	$50,206.50	$4,183.88
7	$56,578.50	$4,714.88
8	$62,950.50	$5,245.88
For each additional person, add:	$6,372	$531

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.
Assurance Wireless	• Free Smartphone • Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 3 GB of Data Coverage Map	Apply online here. 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 Coverage Map	Apply online here. OR Apply by completing and mailing a paper application to: enTouch Wireless PO Box 37 Hiawatha, IA 52233 The paper application can be found here.
Q Link Wireless	• Unlimited Phone Calls and Text • 3 GB of Data Coverage Map	Apply online here.
SafeLink	• Unlimited Text • 350 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data	Apply online here. OR Apply over the phone by calling 1-800-723-3546.
TAG Mobile	• Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 250 MB of Data Coverage Map	Apply online here.
TruConnect	• Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 250 MB of Data Coverage Map	Apply online here.
Access Wireless	• Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data Coverage Map	*Enrolling for this program can take weeks, since you have to submit two different applications. In order to apply for this provider, you must first complete and mail in a paper application to: USAC, Lifeline Support Center P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742
Standup Wireless	• Unlimited Text • 1,000 Minutes for Phone Calls • 4.5 GB of Data (but changing for everyone on February 28, 2021 to only 100 MB of Data. Those already on can keep the higher amount for $10/month) Coverage Map	Apply online here