Since we are in the 21st century, being connected is no longer a luxury but a necessity for everyone. As a result, most Americans are now investing heavily in wireless devices such as tablets, smartphones, computers, and so forth. Although some Americans can now afford to buy these devices right away, some can hardly afford to purchase them upfront. This can be attributed to low-income levels and high rate of unemployment, among other factors. Consequently, this has led to a digital gap among Americans.
To reduce or bridge this digital gap, the Federal government has now proposed to offer discounted tablets to all eligible customers living in the United States. Additionally, they can now get a smartphone that can help them remain connected with their loved ones, work online, learn online, access emergency healthcare services, and so forth. To be eligible for a free tablet with phone, you must qualify for Lifeline and ACP combo plan. Thankfully, there are many carriers that offer this program across the United States. Therefore, you will not miss a carrier that offers the Lifeline & ACP combo program in your state. Since most people would like to know how they can get a free tablet with phone, we shall take an in-depth look at that, alongside any other helpful idea.
Does Government Offer Free Tablets With Phones
To start with, the government does not offer free tablets. However, if you qualify for the ACP program, you will be able to get a discounted tablet. To put this into perspective, you need to contribute at least $10 and not more than $50 towards the purchase of your desired tablet.
On the other hand, your preferred carrier will offer a one-time discount of up to $100 that will help you purchase your desired tablet less expensively. Since this tablet comes at a discounted price, some deem it to be a free tablet. However, it comes at a cost that will not strain your overall budget.
If you qualify for the Lifeline &ACP combo plan, you will be not only able to get a discounted tablet but also a free smartphone. The good news is that you will get a decent smartphone from reputable brands such as Apple, Samsung, LG, Alcatel, Motorola, and so forth. As long as you meet the much-needed eligibility requirements of this program, you will be able to get a free tablet with phone.
Eligibility To Get A Free Tablet With Phone
To be eligible for a free tablet with phone, there is an array of eligibility requirements that you must fulfill. To start with, you must ensure that your income stands at or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
As far as the Federal Poverty Guidelines are concerned, it is imperative to note that different states have different Federal Poverty Guidelines. To be on the safe side, check your country’s FPG state and then establish if you meet the much-needed requirements or not.
Besides meeting the low income criteria as stated above, you can qualify to get a free tablet with phone if at all you are a beneficiary of any of the following government assistance programs:
- Supplemental Security Income(SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Medicaid
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
- Lifeline
- You are a beneficiary of the free and reduced price school breakfast program or school lunch program
- You received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Apart from the government assistance programs mentioned above, you can now qualify to get a free tablet with a phone if you reside on Tribal lands. However, you should be a participant of any of the following programs:
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start(Only those individuals or household that meet the much-needed income qualifying standards are eligible)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance program
Required Documents For Submit Your Application To Get A Free Tablet With Phone
When applying for a free tablet with phone, there is a myriad of documents that you must submit. Here, you will be required to submit copies of your eligibility and personal documents so that your application can be approved.
By doing so, you will be able to prove your eligibility and identity respectively. Here is a breakdown of these documents so that you can know what to gather before the actual application process commences:
1. Personal documents
You need to prove your identity during the application process so that your application form can see the light of day. To prove this, you should submit a copy of an official document that shows your name in full, date of birth, place of residence, among other finer details. Here are the documents that contain these critical details:
- A copy of your birth certificate
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of a government-issued, Tribal, military or state ID
- A copy of your U.S driver’s license
- A copy of your Green card or permanent resident card
- A copy of your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
To prove your address, here are the documents that you should submit:
- A copy of your recent tax or W-2 return
- A copy of your lease or mortgage statement
- A copy of your utility bill
2. Eligibility documents
Apart from submitting the above-mentioned personal documents, there is a need for you to submit an official document that shows that you earn an income that stands at or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If you do not qualify via the low-income criteria, be certain that you can qualify in case you are a beneficiary of a government assistance program such as WIC, Medicaid, SSI, SNAP or Section 8. If you are a participant in government assistance program such as the ones mentioned above, here are the documents that you ought to submit during the application process:
- A copy of your benefit verification letter
- A copy of your approval letter
- A copy of your benefit award letter
- A copy of your statement of benefits
To prove that you earn a low income, here are the document that you ought to submit:
- A copy of your divorce decree
- A copy of your child support award
- A copy of your current income statement from your employer
- A copy of your Veterans administration statement of benefits.
- A copy of your paycheck stub
- A copy of your Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
As far as the Lifeline & ACP Combo plan is concerned, it is imperative to note that only those who are 18 years can enjoy its benefits. However, emancipated minors stand the chances of enjoying the benefits of this program. As long as they are eligible, they will be good to go. As far as eligibility documents are concerned, the emancipated minor should submit any of the following documents:
- A copy of a court document
- A copy of certificate of emancipation
The Process Of Getting A Free Tablet With a Phone
The process of applying for a free tablet with phone is not difficult per se. All you need to do is to follow these steps and you will be good to go:
- To start with, establish that you meet the much-needed Lifeline & ACP combo plan eligibility requirements. These includes having an income that stands at or is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or be a participant of a government assistance program such as Medicaid, Section 8, WIC, SSI, or SNAP. Thankfully, you can get this information from the National Verifier.
- After establishing that you qualify for the free tablet and phone, time is ripe for you to choose the service provider that offers a free tablet via Lifeline & ACP combo program. The good news is that there are many carriers that offer this program within the United States. From Cintex Wireless to AirTalk Wireless, there are many carriers to choose from.
- Once you choose your preferred carrier, go ahead and start the actual application. One of the vital details that you will be required to key in is your ZIP code and then tap on the ‘Apply Now’ or ;Get Started’ button.
- By clicking any of the above-mentioned buttons, you will be redirected to a page where you will find the online application form.
- Here, key in your personal details as required. From your name to your SSN, there are many essential details that you should key in. Most importantly, ensure that you enter the right details so that your application can be approved.
- Ensure that you have soft copies of your personal and eligibility documents so that you can attach them on your application form.
- Check and confirm that everything is right and then tap on the ‘Submit’ button.
- After submitting your application, wait for your carrier’s team to review your application. Ideally, this should take a few days and you will be good to go.
- If you met the much-needed requirements, you will be able to receive the much-needed discount from purchasing your desired tablet. However, you must contribute at least $10 and not more than $50 towards the purchase of this device.
- Additionally, you will get other offers that come with a discounted tablet. These include a free smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited mobile data, call waiting, Caller ID, voicemail services, unlimited calling to international countries such as Canada and Mexico, etc.
Benefits Of Getting A Free Tablet With a Phone
Once you qualify to get a free tablet with phone, you will be able to enjoy an avalanche of benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- You will be able to learn online
- With a discounted tablet in place, you will be able to work online
- The free tablet and phone allows you to do business online
- You will be able to access emergency healthcare services
- You will be able to search for information online
- The device allows you to seek for better job opportunities online
- When it comes to entertainment, be sure that the free tablet and phone will not disappoint. Here, you will be able to watch your favorite movies, stream online contents, play mobile games, surf the internet and so much more.
- It allows you to save more as you will not have to strain your budget in order to purchase this device. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy discounted cell phone plans, which will greatly help you save more bucks in the long run.
Other Offers That Come With A Free Tablet With Phone
Apart from getting a free tablet with phone, you stand to enjoy other additional offers. Some of these offers include:
- Free shipping
- Caller ID
- 3-Way calling
- Voicemail services
- Call waiting
- Unlimited data(This varies from one service provider to another)
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited talk
Best Providers That offer Free Tablet With Phone
Currently, there are reputable carriers that offer Lifeline & ACP Combo plan. Some of these service providers include:
- Cintex Wireless
- AirTalk Wireless
- Qlink Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- Easy Wireless
- Assist Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- NewPhone Wireless
Other Ways To Get A Free Tablet Or Free Phone?
Besides the Lifeline & ACP combo plan, there are other ways that can help you get a discounted tablet or a free phone. One of the popular methods is via non-profit organizations. Some of the organizations that offer free tablets include:
- Smartriverside
- Cty.Org
- Computer Technology Assistance Corps
- Everyoneon
- Freecycle
- World Computer Exchange
- Accelerated Schools Programs
- Microsoft Registered Refurbished
- Computer For Learning
- The On It Foundation
- Komputers 4 R Kids
- Technology Assisting People In Need
Besides the above-mentioned non-profit organizations and programs, you can get discounted tablets via any of the following methods:
- Visit the Facebook Marketplace and see if there are some decent affordable models that suits your needs.
- Visit online platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart among others and check the available tablets. Chances are that you will not miss a tablet that comes at a discounted price.
- Check tablet deals with your carrier. The good news is that you will not miss a deal or two, every now and then. Here, your carrier must be selling tablets to all its customers.
- Talk to your friend and see if he or she can offer you a free tablet. This is usually the case if he rarely uses the tablet he had acquired several months or years ago.
Basic Specifications Of The Government-Free Tablets
First and foremost, most Lifeline &ACP Combo providers do not offer the latest tablet. Additionally, they might not offer the tablets that you have always yearned for. However, you can be sure that you will get decent tablets from reputable brands such as Google, Microsoft, LG, Lenovo, Microsoft among others, The good news is that these tablets come with impressive features that will impressive you. Some of these incredible features include:
- It will run on the latest Android OS
- Your model will be powered by an Intel Core processor(i3 Core chipset)
- When it comes to internal memory storage, the model comes with 128GB ROM. Besides this, it comes with a dedicated slot where you can insert an SD card and expand its internal memory space. Here, you will be free to insert an SD card whose storage capacity is 512GB. As far as its RAM is concerned, your model of choice might have 8GB RAM or thereabout.
- The tablet will have a 12.3-inch PixelSense screen display which is large enough for you to watch your favorite movies, stream online content, play mobile games and so much more.
- When it comes to connectivity, this model does not disappoint as it comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. In addition, it allows you to connect to 4G LTE and 5G networks.
- To enable you remain connected, the tablet comes with a long-lasting Li-Ion battery whose capacity is 5000 mAh.
- At the front the model comes with a 5MP camera and 8MP camera at the back. Besides this, there is a LED feature that allows you to take high quality photos even at night or under low light intensities.
- The model comes with a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer.
List of Latest Best Free Government Tablets in 2023
Like we mentioned, the tablet that you will receive from the government depends on the availability of the model and the policy of your carrier. This means that you will not receive the model that you have always wished to own. However, you can be assured that you will get a refurbished or pre-owned model.
Since these tablets come in a good working condition, you can trust that you will be able to work online, learn online, seek better job opportunities online and so forth. Here are some of the models that you can get from government almost free of charge:
- Lenovo Tab 5
- Sunshine T1
- Vortex tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
- New Microsoft Surface Go 2- Platinum(Latest model)
- 2020 Apple iPad-Space Gray(8th Generation)
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Tablet
- Fire HD Tablet + Amazon Standing case(Sandstone White)
- LG G Pad 5
- Google Chromebook
- Apple 12.9 inch iPad Pro 2021-Space Gray