Life without a phone in this modern society can be hectic. Regardless, there is still a huge percentage of customers that are not in a position to own a phone. To help such consumers, the government came up with programs that offer free phones and other connection devices to financially strained customers. To qualify for a free phone from these programs, you need to be a low income consumer or a beneficiary of government assistance programs like food stamps.
If you are not a member of Food Stamps, chances are that you might be wondering whether it’s still possible to get a free phone. The good news is that you can still get a free phone without food stamps. This is because apart from food stamps, there are other government assistance programs that can qualify you for a free government phone. These are programs like SSI or Medicaid. In addition, you are considered eligible for a free government phone if you come from a low income household. In this article, we shall discuss different ways of how to get a free phone without food stamps, application process, and required documents among other related topics. Keep reading to learn more:
Ways To Get A Free Phone Without Food Stamps
As we have stated above, you can qualify for a free phone without food stamps as long as you are a member of other government assistance programs like Medicaid, FPHA and SSI. Once you qualify, you can now get a free phone from lifeline or ACP program.
Lifeline is a federal communications commission program that was initiated to make communication services more affordable to low income consumers. The program is commonly known to offer free phones and other communication services to low income American households through selected service providers.
ACP or affordable connectivity program is also a federal communications program that offers free phones and other internet services to qualified households across several states. Similar to Lifeline, ACP also collaborated with selected service providers to offer free phones and other services, as long as you meet their eligibility requirements. In a section below, we shall discuss how to qualify for these programs and get a free government phone. Keep reading!
Qualifying Guideline For Getting A Free Phone Without Food Stamps
By this point, you already know that is possible to get a fee phone without food stamps through Lifeline or ACP programs. To qualify for a free phone through these programs however, you will need to meet lifeline or ACP eligibility requirements. Below are ways on how to qualify for free phone without food stamps:
Qualify through lifeline
To qualify for free phone through lifeline, make sure that you come from a low income household, with an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you do not meet lifeline income limit, you can also qualify for free phone from lifeline if you are a member of the following government assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income(SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Head Start
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(Tribal TANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Qualify through the affordable connectivity program
To get a free phone via the ACP program, make sure that you come from a low income household with a total income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Besides income, you can also qualify through program participation. This is through participating in the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children(WIC)
- You received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year
- You are a beneficiary of Free and Reduced-Price School Breakfast Program
- Tribal Head Start
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Documents Needed To Get A Free Phone Without Food Stamps
As we have stated above, you need to qualify for lifeline or ACP before getting a free phone from the government. Therefore, you will need to submit proof of qualification. This is through attaching documents with your income or program participation evidence. In addition, you should submit documents with proof of identity. Below are example of documents needed to get a free phone without food stamps:
Identity documents
- Government-issued, state, military, or Tribal ID
- Your birth certificate
- Your driver’s license
- Your passport
- Certificate of U.S citizenship
- U.S. driver’s license
- Green card or permanent resident card
Income documents
- Your paycheck stub
- Social Security statement of benefits
- Pension or retirement statement of benefits
- Current income statement from your employer
- Your prior year’s state, Tribal or Federal tax return
- Any other similar document that shows your current levels of income.
Program documents
- Medicaid card
- SSI approval letter
- Section 8 verification letter
- Tribal head start benefit award letter.
Applying Guideline For Free Phone Without Food Stamps
If you need a free phone without food stamps, you should apply through lifeline or ACP. To apply for these programs, FCC has initiated three major ways: you can apply online, via mail or apply directly through your service provides. In this section, we shall discuss various ways of applying for free phone without food stamps for better understanding:
1. How to apply for lifeline online
- Visit lifeline official website “lifelinesupport.org”
- Tap “apply now” on your home screen
- Select your state and tap “get started”
- On the next page, you will find an online application form to fill.
- Fill the form with your correct personal details.
- Attach your program and identity proof documents
- Submit the form for the national verifier to analyze and give you approval within few hours or days.
- After the consent, you can now contact your service provider to get instructions on how to get your free phone.
2. How to apply for ACP online
- Open the affordable connectivity program page: “affordableconnectivity.gov/how-to-apply”
- On the front page click on “apply now”
- On the next page, you will come across an online application form
- On the form, provide your personal, contact and address information just as required. Make sure the information that your provide is correct and valid
- Attach your valid and clear eligibility, identity and address proof documents.
- Submit the form to the national verifier
- The team will substantiate your form and give approval within few days or hours.
- After the consent, contact your service provider and get directives on how to receive your free device.
3. How to apply for lifeline through mail
- Visit lifeline mail application page online: “lifelinesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/get-lifeline/LI_Application_NVstates.pdf”
- On the page, you will get a download link. Click the link to download your application form then print it
- Fill the form with all correct details
- Attach copies of your personal, address and identity documents. Make certain that your documents are valid and clear (not blurred).
- As soon as you are done, mail the form to lifeline support center. This is the address to use: USAC, Lifeline support center, P.O Box 7081, London, KY 40742
4. How to apply for ACP through mail
- Visit ACP mail application instructions: “affordableconnectivity.gov/help/tools/#instructions”
- When the page opens, download and print your application form
- Fill the form, attach your identity, address and eligibility copies of documents
- Mail your well-sealed form to ACP support center. This is the address to use: ACP support center, P.O Box 7081, London, KY 40742
5. How to apply for your free phone through your service provider.
Besides the methods above, you can also apply for a free phone directly from your service provider. Depending with your selected carrier, you will be required to fill an application form on their website and wait for approval before getting your free device. The good news is that there are several providers that offer free phone without food stamps. All you need to do establish a carrier that offers free phone service in your area and apply for your free phone.
Carriers That Offer Free Phone Without Food Stamps
As we have mentioned, there are many providers that offer free phones without food stamps. Below are carriers that offer free phone without food stamps:
1. Cintex Wireless
This is one of the most trusted ACP and Lifeline service provider that offers free phones and other services to all low income consumers. As long as you qualify for lifeline or ACP, you will get quality free phones from cintex wireless. To apply for a free phone from cintex wireless, open their website and get started: “cintexwireless.com/apply”.
2. AirTalk Wireless
This is another reliable carrier that offers free phone to qualified low income consumers across several states. From this company, you will get a free phone from reputable brands like Samsung, Motorola and Apple. To get a free phone from this company, visit their official website and get started: “airtalkwireless.com”.
3. Access Wireless
Access wireless is another carrier that is funded by lifeline assistance program to offer free phones to all qualified households in the US. Once you qualify for the program, access wireless will give you a free phone, free unlimited call, free texts and free data. To get a free phone form this carrier, visit their website and get started: “accesswireless.com”.
4. StandUp Wireless
You can also be lucky to get a free phone without food stamps from standup wireless. All you need to do is qualify for Lifeline or ACP. Once you qualify, standup wireless will ship your phone and give you free access to data, call minutes and texts. To apply, visit: “standupwireless.com”.
5. NewPhone Wireless
Newphone wireless is another reputable carrier that offers free phones through lifeline and ACP. To get your free device from this company, visit their website and get started: “newphone.com”.
6. enTouch Wireless
Entouch is also an eligible lifeline service provide that offers free phones and other services to qualified low income households. In an event that you qualify, the carrier will give you a free phone, free call minutes and free data. To get your device, visit their official website: “entouchwireless.com”.
7. Life Wireless
This is another lifeline provider through which you can get a free phone. When you qualify for lifeline, the company will give you a free phone, free text, minutes and data. Visit their website and apply for a free phone through a very easy process: “lifewireless.com”.
8. Assurance Wireless
Assurance wireless will also give you a free phone without food stamps. All you need to do is qualify for lifeline and fill your free phone application process. To apply, visit their official website and get started: “assurancewireless.com”.
9. Q Link Wireless
From Qlink wireless, you can also get a free phone given that you qualify for the government’s lifeline program. To apply for your free phone from Qlink wireless, visit their website and get started: “enroll.qlinkwireless.com/signup”.
10. Easy Wireless
Easy wireless also offers a free phone to qualified low income households through the government’s lifeline and ACP program. The company offers free phone services to qualified households that live in states like Kentucky, Oklahoma and Missouri. To get your free phone from this company, visit their website and get started: “myeasywireless.com”.
Why Was I Disqualified For A Free Phone Without Food Stamps
As we have mentioned, you can get a free phone without food stamps through applying for the lifeline and ACP program. Once you apply, the lifeline national verifier will either approve or reject your application. Below are reasons why you might be disqualified for a free phone without food stamps:
- You will get disqualified in your household income is above 2000% (for ACP) or above 135% of the federal poverty guideline
- You will get disqualified if you are not qualified for other assistance programs like Medicaid and SSI.
- You will be disqualified if you attached wrong, invalid or blurred eligibility/identity documents
- You will get disqualified if you provided invalid information as you were applying for your free phone.
Alternative Ways To Get A Free Phone Without Food Stamps
Did you get disqualified for a free phone without food stamps? Worry not because there are other substitute ways through which you can get a free phone without food stamps. Below are alternative ways to get a free phone without food stamps:
- You can get a free phone without food stamps from non-profit organizations like, the on It foundation, everyone and adaptive.org.
- You can be lucky to get a free phone from well-wishers who are willing to help you acquire a free device. You can get these well-wishers from online platforms like Freecycle and Craigslist.
- You can seek help for a free phone from your local church.