You might qualify for free phone service (or even a free phone) if you’re low income! Many phone companies participate in the government’s Lifeline program, which helps provide free phone service to those who qualify.
This means you can stay connected with loved ones, access essential services, and even search for jobs without worrying about the cost. It’s a great way to cut back on your bills and save money!
What is Lifeline?
The Lifeline program is a government assistance program that makes phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. It’s been around since 1985, and it’s run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
This program provides a monthly discount on your phone service. The amount is technically only $9.25, but many phone companies offer discounted plans that can be fully covered by the Lifeline subsidy. That means that you may qualify for free phone service if you’re eligible for this program!
Even better, some companies also offer free phones to eligible subscribers as an incentive to choose their services! This makes it easy to get started without any upfront cost. We’ve got a list of current Lifeline providers at the end of this post so that you can choose the one that’s best for you.
Who qualifies for Lifeline?
Lifeline is a low income program for people who live in the United States. This program is available in every state, commonwealth, territory and even on Tribal lands.
There are two ways that you can qualify:
- You must have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline; OR
- You must already receive benefits from another federal assistance program like Medicaid, SNAP (EBT), Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits, or certain eligible Tribal Programs.
You can only receive ONE Lifeline subsidy per household but you can transfer your benefit between providers. You can either use the subsidy to receive help with your home phone, cell phone OR high-speed broadband internet service. This is verified by the National Verifier system to prevent fraud.
If you don’t qualify for the Lifeline program, make sure to check out Mint Mobile! They offer unlimited phone service starting at just $15/month! Mint has been highly recommended by many of my readers, since it’s so affordable. Try Mint now.
Which companies offer free phone service?
The great news about this program is that you can choose your provider. There are many different companies that offer Lifeline plans, from well-known brands to small independent companies. You can choose the best plan for you!
As you consider the plans we’ve listed below, please remember this:
- All free phone plans are held to a minimum standard. Under the FCC’s Lifeline program, there are minimum standards that these companies must meet. They must offer at least 1,000 minutes of voice service at 3G or better speed and at least 4.5 GB of mobile internet data each month. They cannot charge you a service deposit, either.
- You have to choose carefully to get a free phone. The free phone isn’t guaranteed by the Lifeline program. It’s an incentive that some providers use to encourage you to choose their plan instead of others. In the past, we’ve discovered that some providers (like Assurance Wireless) preloaded their phones with malware so you should always do your research before choosing a free phone provider.
That being said, there are dozens of nationwide and local providers who offer Lifeline plans so there are plenty to choose from. Let’s look at the list.
Quick Comparison of Nationwide Lifeline Providers
| Provider | Network | Talk | Text | Data | Phone? | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access Wireless | Sprint | Varies | Varies | Varies | Unclear | Access Wireless |
| Airtalk Wireless | T-Mobile + AT&T | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15 GB | FREE PHONE | Airtalk Wireless |
| American Assistance | T-Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Varies | Unclear | American Assistance |
| Assurance Wireless | T-Mobile | 1,000 Min | Unlimited | 4.5 GB | FREE PHONE | Assurance Wireless |
| Life Wireless | AT&T | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited* | FREE PHONE | Life Wireless |
| Safelink Wireless | Multiple | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 GB | Unclear | Safelink Wireless |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Sprint | Varies | Unlimited | Varies | FREE PHONE | SafetyNet Wireless |
| Standup Wireless | T-Mobile | 1,000+ | Unlimited | 4.5 GB | No | Standup Wireless |
| TAG Mobile | AT&T | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15GB | FREE PHONE | TAG Mobile |
| Tempo | AT&T | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4.5 GB | No | Tempo |
| Terracom | T-Mobile | Varies | Varies | Varies | No | Terracom |
| TruConnect | T-Mobile + Verizon | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4.5 GB | CA Only | TruConnect |
| QLink | T-Mobile | 1000 Min | Unlimited | 4.5 GB | No | QLink |
Providers with Free Phones + Free Phone Service
Life Wireless offers free phones. Their free cell phone service plans vary by state, but generally include unlimited text messaging, nationwide calling and other benefits. It appears they offer unlimited data, but your data speeds may be reduced after you use your high-speed allotment.
Assurance Wireless offers free phones and free cell phone service to low income households through the Lifeline program. Their plans include unlimited texting, as well as a free data and minute allotment. They use the Sprint network. However, it’s important to remember that this is the same company that was proven to distribute phones with malware… so be careful.
Airtalk Wireless provides robust Lifeline plans with unlimited minutes, text messaging, and up to 15 GB of data. They also provide free phones! The phones are 4G and 5G+ capable, but the exact phone offers vary by state.
TAG Mobile provides free phones and free cell phone service to first-time subscribers. The plans with 1,000 free voice minutes and unlimited texting. California residents may also receive a free smartphone with unlimited talk and text messaging, as well as between 1/2 and 1 GB of data!
SafetyNet Wireless provides free phones and free cell phone service that includes free minutes, texting and data. In most states, the limit is 350 minutes and 4.5 GB data, with unlimited texting. However, some of their plans offer unlimited minutes and higher amounts of data. They provide services in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Providers with Free Phone Service
Access Wireless provides free high speed data, hotspots, talk and text. They use the Sprint Network. All information about plans is hidden behind a screen that requests your zip code, so I am unable to provide additional information here. You can check their website for details.
American Assistance offers free phones and free cell phone service with free minutes, data and unlimited free text messages. Their service uses the T-Mobile network.
Safelink Wireless offers free cell phone service. It is part of TracFone Wireless, which uses the towers from four major cell phone companies: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. They used to offer free cell phones with their plans but it’s not clear if that’s still available in 2024. You can check the Safelink website to see what services are available in your area.
StandUp Wireless does not provide free phones but they do provide free cell phone service on compatible devices. When you bring your own device to StandUp Wireless, you’ll get 4.5GB of data, unlimited texts and at least 1,000 minutes per month for free. Unlimited minutes and higher data caps are available for a price.
Tempo offers free cell phone service with unlimited minutes, unlimited text messages and 4.5 GB of data. Some states may not qualify for this plan, so be sure to check what’s available in your state.
Terracom has different offers depending on which state you live in. You can find the options on their website.
TruConnect offers Lifeline plans in many states but they only offer free phones in California. Their plans include unlimited talk and text, a limited amount of data, and other features.
QLink provides free cell phone service with 4.5 GB data, 1,000 minutes and unlimited texting. You can earn an extra 5 GB of data when you refer friends to QLink as well.
Local Companies with Discounted or Free Phone Service
You may be able to receive assistance from other companies, depending on what state you live in:
CellularOne operates in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. They offer a free smartphone when you sign up for their plans. The plan includes free unlimited talk and text with up to 5 GB of high speed data.
Choice Wireless serves Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. They offer standard and tribal Lifeline plans. The Standard plan includes unlimited calling and texting, as well as 5 GB of full-speed data. The plan is fully covered by the Lifeline subsidy so there is no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Easy Wireless serves Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma with free phone service. The plans include at least 1,000 free minutes of talking, unlimited texting, and free data. If you’re on a Tribal plan, you’ll also be eligible for a free phone, 6 GB of data and a unlimited minutes.
Southern Linc is available in Alabama and Georgia. They provide a Lifeline plan that includes 2000 monthly minutes, unlimited texting, and more. Unfortunately, Lifeline only covers part of the cost so you’ll still have to pay around $20 out of pocket per month for this service.
True Wireless serves Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Maryland and Rhode Island. Their Lifeline program offers a free phone and free phone service. You can learn more on their website.
Viaero Wireless serves Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming with free phone service. Their plan includes 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 3 GB of high speed data.
Alaska
Copper Valley Telecom has served the Valdez and Copper River Basin areas for more than 50 years. They are now Lifeline approved providers as well. For $1 per month, you can get a voice only landline or wireless connection. For voice and data, you can get a $34.25 credit towards their Ala Carte voice and data plan.
Cordova Telecom Cooperative provides a Lifeline cellular plan that costs just $1 per month. You have to schedule an appointment to apply in person at either their office on 2nd Street in Cordova or at Mallott’s General Store in Yukatat, although you can print the application from their website.
GCI offers a Lifeline Mobile Plan. For $1 per month, you can get the Lifeline Mobile plan which includes an unlimited nationwide talk and text plan with 12 GB of data. There is no credit check required for this program.
TelAlaska offers a discount on their mobile telephone services and broadband internet services. Their basic phone service is free after the discount.
Hawaii
Sandwich Isles Communications Inc. also has a Lifeline program, although I was not able to find any details on their website.
How do I apply for free phone service?
Once you know which plan you want to choose, applying for Lifeline is easy! Here’s what you need to do to get your free phone service.
- Choose your plan and provider. You’ve already explored our detailed list of nationwide and local Lifeline providers. Choose the one that best fits your needs and coverage requirements.
- Gather your documentation. You’ll need to make sure you have your necessary documentation ready. This may include pay stubs, proof of participating in a program like SNAP, and your personal identification.
- Apply online. Almost all of the providers in our list allow you to apply online. You just need to click the link to their website and then find the apply button.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, contact the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473.
Don’t forget these other ways to save!
If you’re eligible for Lifeline, there are even more low income assistance programs that may be able to assist you. We write extensively about these topics, so be sure to subscribe to our email list and check out these posts:
Relief Recap
Stay connected with free phone and free phone service from the Lifeline program! This benefit exists to make it easier for low income Americans to communicate and connect with the world around them. Don’t hesitate to contact the providers on this list to get started so that you can save money on your phone bills today!
Wow, I didn’t know there were so many options out there. It’s great that people who really need a phone can actually get help like this.
We’re so glad you found it helpful! Access to a phone can make a huge difference, and we love sharing resources that make life a little easier.
Free phone
To everyone who posted their thought’s and all the helpful info thank you!! So much. Incredibly useful
Thank you and your hard working staff for all the great information, I watch you on uTube.
In California, Xfinity just raised the pricing of low cost phone service for low income and seniors from 15.00 to 20.00 per month starting this month. I have been informed there is no recourse, just change carriers and shop for other plans elsewhere.
Florida is completely missing and thats why im here ? Why?
It’s unfortunate! One of the national options may still be a possibility.
Does the ACP end at end of April? If happen which free phone companies are available for low income people? Thank you in advance!
The best and cheapest unlimited everything plan is Boost Infinite. It’s no the same as Boost Mobile. It’s $25 a month with maybe 75 cents in tax. Visible offers the same price but I hate them. They pretty much strong arm you in buying one of their phones but told me that the exact same phone that I had wasn’t compatible with their service when I had been using it for a year with them! Their only customer service contact is thru messenger. The other Lifeline services I’ve used always gave you crappy phones so I always brought my own. Out of all the govt cell providers I’ve used I liked Qlink Wireless the best.
@Travis,
I love
The phone
@Laura Solis,
I have HELLO mobile and you can get a plan as low as $5 per month. You can also bring your own phone.
Thank you.
@Nancy, From my experience you can go to the lifeline sign up home page and reassign your benefit. I’ve always been able to just sign up with another company and they’ve reassigned it also. The carriers are getting spoiled and greedy with the government money. There not wanting to send phones mostly 99% unless your anew customer or if you give up your acp benefit and lifeline to them. Which means they are getting over premium money per month after the 1st month for basic phone service and 60% of the time the most untruthful, most rude scrappy customer service! Especially assurance wireless. Blink sent a broken phone and service was never used not a seconds worth and they took all for 5 months along with lifeline. Its a shame these companies don’t feel that low income people have a voice. But, gratefully Nicole helps that quite a bit. I know a little about these companies because I help people to when I can.
Nicole, first of all your awesome! Secondly, its a real shame all the providers are getting greedy and taking peeps back benefit and their lifeline benefit just to get a cheap smartphone and basic service. Thanks for all you do! I’ve learned quite a bit of stuff from you, and I’ve helped many other people with your information!
Hi. If the options above are not helpful, you can try calling 211 to see if they know of anything else.
It may be worth calling them to find out. Plans can vary by location.
Here in north central Florida, Selectel has ACP service on the Verizon network. Also, Visible by Verizon has great service here for unlimited data, voice and text for low prices.
This was a very informative write-up. I especially like how you specify some of the details of the plans offered where you were able to obtain that information. Thank you for taking the time to write this. ☺
Very helpful. Thanks for what you do Nicole. Add me to e-mail.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
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I was looking over this page and checked BlueJay mobile, but they don’t seem to be in business any more.
Anyway, thanks for all the great info!
QLink wireless phone is amazing.1000 minutes per month unlimited texting.
Thanks