It’s no doubt that mobile phones have become an essential part of the human race. As much as everyone needs a cell phone, seniors need them more. Due to medical emergencies and reaching out for help when left alone, seniors can hardly survive without a cell phone. However, many seniors are financially constrained making it hard to afford a cellphone. This is where seniors are considered eligible to get free phones from the government’s lifeline program. From the program, qualified seniors can get free phones like jitterbug alongside other benefits like free calls, data, and messages.
Besides the government, qualified seniors can also get jitterbug phones from lively direct with no unnecessary charges. This is through jitterbug cell phone plans that are meant to make phones and monthly plans affordable for them. To give every senior a chance to afford a cell phone, lively introduced jitterbug value plans for seniors that are available from as low as $14.99 per month. From this plan, you can access a phone, unlimited talk, and text messages. Even better, these phones avail with senior-friendly features like an emergency call dedicated button and easy to use keys among others. To know more about jitterbug phone for seniors free, this guide is here to help you.
Does Government Provide Free Jitterbug Phones For Seniors in 2024
The Government provides free jitterbug for seniors through the lifeline program. Lifeline is a federal government program that was initiated to lower the cost of cell phones and monthly internet services. The program provides free or discounted communication services to low-income families across the US. The good news is that low-income seniors also qualify for this program.
As a low-income senior, you can get a free phone from lifeline through participating service providers. From these providers, you can be lucky to access free phones like jitterbug among other models. However, you must prove lifeline eligibility before receiving your free phone. Also, you must fill out an application form, and once approved, a free jitterbug will be shipped to your address. This is on the condition that it is available at the time of application.
Qualifying Guideline For Lifeline Assistance Program
You are already aware that the American government provides free mobile phones to all needy households and seniors’ through a lifeline assistance program. Although seniors are considered vulnerable, not all are eligible for free cellphones from the lifeline. To qualify, you must meet a number of requirements that vary per your state and service provider. Here is how to qualify for the lifeline assistance program:
1. Must have low or no income
To qualify for a lifeline-free phone for seniors, you must earn an income that is equal to or less than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. Federal poverty guidelines vary per state, household size, and year. Therefore, confirm your income limit as per the 2024 federal poverty guidelines. Besides, you can also apply for free cell phone as a senior who has no income or retirements benefits. 65 years and above seniors that have been abandoned can also apply for free cellphones.
2. Must be a member of any government aid program
Perhaps you are disqualified for the lifeline assistance program based on income, worry not! This is because you can also qualify for the program if you are currently enrolled in any government aid program. These programs are:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental nutrition assistance
- Supplemental security income
- Federal public housing assistance
- Bureau of Indian affairs general assistance
- Low income home energy assistance program
- Supplemental nutrition assistance program
- Tribal head start
- Food distribution program on Indian reservations
- National school lunch program’s free school lunch or breakfast.
Lifeline Assistance Application Process
The process of applying for the Lifeline assistance program is so easy and instant. However, since the program does not benefit everyone, you should first confirm eligibility before starting the application. Once you confirm, you can jump straight to the application steps below:
- Choose a service provider: Since lifeline services are channeled through participating service provider, you should select the most reliable within your residential area. Different providers have different lifeline deals, therefore you should consider one that offers the best deals. To know the best service providers that serve your area, visit “lifelinesupport.org/companies-near-me” and enter your ZIP code.
- Fill an application form: Once you identify your preferred company, visit their nearby store or official website and apply for lifeline benefits. From the company’s website, you will be required to fill an application form with honest and accurate personal details. These are official name, date of birth, social security number and address.
- Prove identity and eligibility: Once you submit your personal information, the next step requires you to prove eligibility. Here, you should attach supporting documents to prove that you qualify for the program. Note that your supporting documents should be based on eligibility. Some of the documents required are your income statement, federal/state income tax returns, paycheck stubs, Medicaid card, tribal start approval letter or any other document to show approval to a government aid program. Rather than eligibility documents, you should also attach personal document to prove identity. These are documents like Birth certificate, Permanent resident alien card, social security card or Driver’s license.
- Submit the form and wait for approval: After you attach these documents, hit application submission button and wait for approval from lifeline national verifier. Once approved or rejected, your preferred company will notify you. If the application was approved, the company will ship free lifeline phone to your address ASAP.
Jitterbug Affordable Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
If you are fed up with incurring unnecessary costs on cell minutes and features, Jitterbug’s affordable cell phone plans got you covered. Jitterbug Flip2 and jitterbug smart3 have cheap plans that help seniors to afford monthly phone services with no long-term contracts and no cancellation fees. These plans are: a value plan for $14.99 per month and unlimited talk and text plan for $19.99 per month. Phones available under these plans are:
1. Jitterbug flip2
This is incredible yet the easiest to use a phone that is specifically meant to help seniors to make and receive calls. The phone is designed with large to use buttons, large screen and a simple to use the menu to help seniors make calls and receive calls effortlessly. It also boasts powerful speakers to enhance audibility. Besides, it features an easy to dial button that is dedicated to urgent calls and responses in case of an emergency. Amazingly, the phone is compatible with Amazon Alexa to help your granny make a call or write a message using her voice.
2. Jitterbug smat3
Unlike jitterbug flip 2, jitterbug smat3 is a touch screen phone that is also designed with senior-friendly features. Normally, smartphones are complicated phones but not with jitterbug smat3. This phone is made of a large screen, clear icons, and easy menu to make it simpler for seniors. Besides, it has a lasting battery and powerful speakers for easy communication. More to that, the phone is designed with an easy-to-touch button for urgent responses during an emergency.
8 Best Free Cell Phone Providers For Seniors That Are Compatible With Jitterbug
1. American Assistance
American assistance is one of the most reliable provider that offers free cell phone for low-income households including low income seniors. As a qualified senior, you will get a free cell phone with a free monthly plan from the company’s lifeline program. The plan offers free unlimited calling, unlimited texting, free monthly data, and free nationwide cell phone coverage.
2. enTouch Wireless
Qualified seniors and other eligible households can also get a free cell phone from enTouch wireless lifeline program. The program provides a free phone, a free plan with unlimited data, unlimited text, talk and free international calling. The company benefits qualified seniors from states like Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Colorado, North Dakota, Puerto Ricco, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas among others.
3. Easy Wireless
Easy wireless is another reputable service provider that helps qualified seniors to stay connected with their family and friends. Through lifeline program, the company offers free cellphone, free unlimited talk, free unlimited text and free unlimited data.
4. Cintex Wireless
As a qualified senior, you might be lucky to get a free cell phone from Cintex Wireless Lifeline and ACP program. The company provides these phones along with other benefits like free data, free text, and free talk. From your free cell phone, expect to enjoy features like free 911, national long-distance calls, caller ID, call waiting, domestic texting, and 411 Directory among others.
5. Safelink Wireless
Are you a low-income senior in the US? You can also receive a free cellphone from Safelink lifeline program. In fact, Safelink provides free cellphone to eligible seniors from two programs: lifeline and ACP. However, you have to meet Safelink lifeline eligibility criteria. From the programs, you can receive a free cellphone, free unlimited talk, text, and free 25GB monthly data.
6. Life Wireless
Life wireless also provides free cellphones to qualified seniors through the federal lifeline program. The company offers free monthly cell phone services plus a free phone with voicemail, call waiting, unlimited text, nationwide calls, free 911, three-way calling, and caller ID services.
7. Feelsafe Wireless
If you are a qualified senior residing in Kentucky, California, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin, you can also receive a free cellphone from the Feelsafe lifeline program. As long as you have a low income or benefit from any government assistance program, you will receive your free phone, call, text, and data from this provider.
8. Assist Wireless
If you are a low-income senior or participate in SNAP, SSI, Medicaid or another government assistance program, you can also receive a free cell phone from Assist Wireless. Through lifeline program, assist wireless offers free cell phone, free texts, calls, and data to eligible seniors.
Frequently Ask Questions
Is Lively A Good Cell Phone Carrier?
Yes. Lively is a good cell phone carrier with a myriad of benefits. First of all, the company offers simple to use phones and affordable plans to make connection easy for seniors. Besides, the company has other benefits like quick access trained specialists during an emergency, easy access, and responsive customer care services.
Who Is The Carrier For Lively Flip Phone?
Lively, formerly known as GreatCall, is a mobile virtual network operator that uses Verizon 4G LTE network. Therefore, lively flip phones use Verizon network tower. Since Verizon is one of the largest, most convenient, and reliable service providers In the US, lively flip phones are worthy to invest in.
Can You Use Jitterbug Phone With Any Carrier?
According to the nationwide standards, jitterbug are unlocked phones. This makes them compatible with any carrier that accepts them in their services. Note that, although unlocked, not all carriers accept to activate jitterbug phones in their services.
Can I Use Skype On A Jitterbug Phone?
Yes. You can use skype on jitterbug smartphones like jitterbug smat2 and smat3. These are android phones with access to Google play store. From the store, you can install skype and activate on your phone.
Does AARP Offer A Jitterbug Phone?
AARP customers can get a discount to get a cell phone from the famous consumer cellular cell phone company.
Can I Get A Free Jitterbug Phone If I’m On Social Security?
Yes. You qualify for the free phone as a beneficiary of social security. Social security is a federal assistance program that offers retirement benefits and disability income to qualified consumers.
