Free Government Phones For Low-Income Families
Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine our daily life without a mobile phone. We can stay in touch with family, friends, and co-workers at the touch of a finger. However, cell phones and their monthly rates are often out of reach for some people due to their cost. In this article you will find very useful information about free cell phones from the government for low-income families.
However, not everyone can access this government assistance. As with other assistance programs, such as Food Stamps or WIC Supplemental Assistance, the applicant must meet certain requirements to be declared a beneficiary. Let’s see below what the government offers and how to get this help.
There is currently a free government smartphones Kentucky called Lifeline Assistance those partners with several of the major wireless carriers to provide free phones and services to qualifying families.
It is true that you will not be able to receive an iPhone or other high-end cell phone, and you will not receive network coverage from the large cell phone companies because they do not work with the Lifeline Assistance program, but there are these:
- Assurance Wireless
- Cintex Wireless
- Copper Valley Wireless
- Easy Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- FeelSafe Wireless
- GCI
- Infiniti Mobile
- Life Wireless
- NewPhone Wireless
- Q Link
- Safelink Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Tag Mobile
- Tempo Communications
- Terracom Wireless
- TruConnect
- True Wireless
To find out which carrier provides coverage in your area, enter your zip code at this link.
Who can apply for Lifeline Assistance?
Although the state recognizes that access to the Internet and communications is essential – so much so that some non-governmental organizations have classified it as a human right – it would be unfair to give a cell phone full of minutes and hours of browsing to anyone who requests it. After all, the federal budget is not capable of covering a global aid program, that is, universal access. In addition, there are several families that can afford this expense without putting their personal or food security at risk.
That is why assistance programs are driven by what is known as eligibility requirements. In this way, you can help those who really need it and provide them with the best possible service.
Eligibility Requirements for Lifeline Assistance
The initiative that the federal government has launched to provide landlines or smartphones free of charge is mainly designed for families living near the poverty line. Now, this leaves us with a question: how does the government determine that a family is poor, middle class or millionaire? Could a person who can’t buy the latest iPhone be considered someone who needs government help?
Federal Poverty Guidelines
With these, you can find out the financial situation of a person or family easily and without complications, and with a fairly small margin of error.
The Federal Poverty Guidelines do not define what is an income, a family, or a household; since the authorities consider that several definitions can be applied to these terms. What it does do is allow the administrators of assistance programs – in this case, Lifeline – to choose a certain group of people as beneficiaries.
Calculation of your household income
So the first thing you need to do to find out whether or not you qualify for a free mobile phone with Lifeline is to calculate your household income . A household is considered to be made up of a group of people who live in a particular property. This definition includes relatives or people who are not related, as long as they all share the same space, in addition to the costs of housing, food, etc.
How to apply to receive a free government cell phone through Lifeline Assistance?
If you have already calculated your household income and/or you are a beneficiary of any of the government plans mentioned above, then you will be able to apply for the benefit. The first thing you should do is find a mobile provider that provides services in your area and that suits your needs.
Cell phone companies that work with the Free Phones for Low-Income Families program
Here are the states where the top companies partner with Lifeline Assistance to provide free government smartphones Oklahoma, rack up free monthly minutes, and/or set up a landline at a reduced rate. Although many of the following companies will offer network coverage in most of the country, you will be able to purchase their services only if they have business operations in your state.
When you find the company that you consider appropriate, press the link that will take you to the official website so that you can see in greater detail all the services that said company offers and at what costs.
Once you are on the website of the chosen company, you can begin the application process. This can be by phone or online. If available, we recommend this last option because you will be able to supply any documentation that is required by the company in a simple and fast way.