Best 10 Free Government Cell Phones Provider by State

BySara Lina Last Updated:

Getting a free government cell phone has become essential in the digital age where it connects almost everything to everyone. Free government cell phones can also be your ticket to starting a career so employees can contact you once they want an interview or are ready to hire you. A so-called foot stamp cellphone is the fastest and cheapest way to stay in contact with your family and friends. Without a cell phone, you will not be able to cope with the world’s demands of work, school, and everything in life. It has become more than just a fancy or craving that we cannot live without. A free government phone by the state would, therefore, be the best pick for you.

Having a cell phone has become a necessity that people should be able to survive and go with the trend. Cell phones are a medium to make communication easier by just pressing or clicking some buttons into it just to call or message someone. Through cell phones, distance does not matter. You could contact anyone as far as the other parts of the globe are using this device. You do not have to send postcards and wait for days or even months just to receive a response. Within minutes or seconds, you will be able to hear or read a response all around the globe.

With the many advancements and technological developments in the telecommunication industry, the rise of smartphones has broadened its uses. Other than just calling and texting, you can also send emails, stream music and movies, browse the internet, or watch videos using your smartphone. The development of smartphone apps has been a great milestone and has also improved the function of these phones making available all variety of games, software, and many more. A cell phone, therefore, becomes a basic need, especially in the 21st century.

Who is Eligible for a Free Government Cell Phone?

Free-Government Cell Phones

There are still a lot of people confused regarding what owning a free government cell phone means. Some are even afraid of availing these services offered by the government thinking that they may end up in debt or it is probably a hoax or scam. Nonetheless, you do not have to worry anymore.

Availing of these services is not as easy as you may want it to be. You need to do an assessment for you to get the cell phone. There are criteria that you should meet before one qualifies for the program. First and most important you should know that anyone who avails this program should be able to participate in either one of the other government federal assisting programs.

These sets of programs may, however, be state-specific and may differ from one place to another. It is, therefore, more convincing for you to ask out to the local state government to ensure that a program is eligible for the lifeline assistance program.

The universal government programs include food stamps also known as Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Medic aid allows medical assistance to low-income families providing nursing homes and personal care services. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is administered by the Social Security Administration. Federal Public Housing Assistance through the aid of the US Department of Urban development: Cal-Works, Tribal TANF, and many others.

Apart from membership to any of these programs, you could also qualify into the Lifeline Assistance program through the qualifying of total household income. The total household incomes include the sum of all incomes generated by everyone in the family. Each state has different income-generating levels to start with. All other states other than Hawaii, California, and Alaska require about below 135% to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

How to get a free government phone

As earlier stated, the application process for a free government phone by the state is not an easy ride and may involve quite several processes and formalities. However, if you qualify financially, you find it pretty easy to apply. You must provide proof that you are financially eligible when you apply for a free phone.

The process is as follows: Locate a government phone provider in your state, fill out an application online, or by mail. You will also be required to provide proof of identity and submit the proof of income or provide a letter from the government agency or payroll stubs.

You then must wait to be approved and after approval, you will finally receive your free government phone. These processes may, however, have slight variations depending on the state you live in. That is just but a simple way of getting an Obama phone in California.

These rules have been put in place to help stop fraud and abuse that has been associated with the program.

The 10 Best Free Government Cell Phones by State

If you are looking into getting a free touchscreen government phone, a smartphone would be highly recommended due to their vast features and multiple functions that they perform. Below are a few options that you can choose from depending on the needs you require.

1) Infiniti Mobile

First on our list is the Infiniti mobile service provider that comes with a wide range of perks. Infiniti mobile offers its services to the following States”

  • Georgia,
  • South Carolina,
  • Vermont,
  • Nevada,
  • Maryland,
  • Wisconsin,
  • Oklahoma.

They have a simple application process that can be done straight from their website by simply filling in the application form and attaching your documents to prove eligible.

If you qualify, you get a free smartphone. For tribal States, you get unlimited talk, picture messaging and text while non-tribal get 750 minutes, and nationwide talk and text.

2) Assurance wireless

Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Sprint Nexte. Enrollment is available to individuals who qualify based on the criteria of eligibility that has been mentioned above.

They offer their services to more than 40 States across the US. For California residents, if you qualify, you get unlimited talk and text plus 5 GB of data while units in other States may vary. However, most people tend to get as low as 350 minutes, Unlimited texting and 2 GB of data.

To apply, visit the nearest Free government phone Stand near you to learn more on how you can get the free smartphone and plan.

Qlink is one prominent free phone and plan provider in the US. The Qlink wireless free phones are known to be the highest quality and it is easy to replace the Qlink phone in case it is lost. Currently, Qlink covers the following States:

  • Arkansas,
  • Minnesota,
  • Michigan,
  • Texas,
  • South Carolina,
  • Utah,
  • Vermont,
  • Washington,
  • West Virginia,
  • Wisconsin,
  • Pennsylvania,
  • Kansa, Kentucky, Colorado, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Nevadat, Ohio, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland and Maine.

If you qualify, Qlink offers you a free smartphone, unlimited texts, 1000 voice minutes and 1 GB of data. You are also assured of no contracts, activation fees and no credit checks. The add-ons are very affordable too and there are no commitments.

Safelink wireless is another one of the biggest service providers in the US working next to the Qlink wireless. They offer their services to 40 States. To know if your State is covered, visit Saeflink’s website whereby you will key in your zip code after which you will receive a notification whether your area is covered or not.

If you qualify and you live in California, you get a free phone, 1 GB data, unlimited texts and 1000 minutes. Other States receive 1000 minutes, 2 GB data and unlimited texts. California residents have another alternative to receive 350 minutes, unlimited texts and 2 GB of data.

To apply, visit Safelink Wireless or go to the nearest store and if you qualify, the free Safelink phone will be delivered to you!

5) Assist wireless

Assist wireless is one of the recent established lifeline providers in the US. The application process is very simple and you never have to worry about any contracts and credit checks. Currently, Assist wireless offers coverage to:

  • Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma.

In Arkansas and Maryland, the lifeline phones are absolutely free while in California you are likely to pay some small amount around $1 for the free phone.

For Arkansas, Missouri and Maryland residents, you get there 1000 minutes, 500 texts and 50 MB or the free plan 2 option that comprises 1000 minutes, 500 texts and no data.

6) Entouch wireless

Entouch wireless is one of the renowned lifeline service providers under the renowned company, Bloomberg. The company offers free phones and plans to twenty States across the US and the number of States tends to rise over the years. Currently, they offer their services to:

  • Puerto Rico,
  • Georgia,
  • Hawaii,
  • Idaho,
  • California,
  • Colorado,
  • Washington,
  • Rhode Island,
  • Mississippi,
  • Texas,
  • West Virginia,
  • Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Oregon, South Dakota, Maryland, Michigan and Wyoming.

They offer a simple application process done straight from Entouch Wireless. The add-ons in case you run out of data, and talk time is very affordable too. Re-certification process is also quite simple and if you still qualify, you get to keep your phone and plans.

7) Tag Mobile

Tag mobile is one of the rising service providers across the US when it comes to lifeline services. They are acknowledged for their reliable customer care services and other benefits.

If you qualify for the free phone and plan, you will get unlimited texts, unlimited talk, and 3 GB data in California. Other States may receive up to 1000 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and 1 GB LTE data.

Tag mobile currently offers their services in 19 States and follow the Tag Mobile official website to knows whether your state is covered.

8) Terracom wireless

Terracom wireless is one of the largest and rising regional lifeline providers in the US. They offer their services to the following States:

  • Kansas,
  • Louisiana,
  • Maine,
  • Indiana,
  • colorado,
  • Illinois,
  • Minnesota, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Arkansas.

Currently their offer their free phones and plans to:

  • Wisconsin,
  • West Virginia,
  • Texas,
  • Ireland,
  • Nevada,
  • Louisiana,
  • Minnesota, Missouri, Maryland, Iowa, Kansas, Rhode Island, and Mine

For most States, the plans include 1000 minutes, unlimited texts but no data. If you wish to get data, then you will opt for the plan B which entails 500 minutes, 2 GB data and unlimited texts. Kansas and Nebraska receive a unique plan allocation which changes from time to time. You can visit the Terracom wireless and know what your state is covered.

9) Cintex wireless

Cintex wireless is one of the vibrant rising lifeline providers in the US and they come with a wide range of benefits. This service provider offers their services to:

  • Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, West Virginia and Rhode Island.

If you proof to be eligible, you get 1000 minutes, 1 GB of data and unlimited texting. There are no application fees and you are assured of no contracts and credit checks.  To apply, Cintex wireless website or you can simply visit their nearest retail store to apply.

10) Easy wireless

Last on our list is Easy wireless. This lifeline service provider aims to simplify things by offering a wide range of deals. They also have a referral program whereby you can get up to $25 in credit when you refer a friend.

They offer their services to around 50 States and the allocation of the data plans also vary with some of the States. However, in some time of the year, the company may offer up to 5 GB of data to their customers

You can apply by visiting my easy wireless or by going to the nearest free government phone store near you!

Bottom Line

The Lifeline program works with the government, and wireless companies, to provide free cell phones and services to low-income families. As indicated, the benefits vary from state to state so look for a phone provider that offers the best benefits but also has a record of good customer service. If you, however, do not qualify for a free cell phone, there are many prepaid phone providers that offer affordable, low-cost phone plans.

Similar Posts