Idaho Lifeline Free Government Smartphones and Cell Phones

Welcome to Idaho Lifeline Free Government Smartphones and Free Government Cell Phones Page!

As can be seen in the official sources, Idaho is in the middle of the national poverty ratings with a poverty level of 14.9%. 238,000 Idaho residents suffer from this “economic cancer.” Significantly, this leads to the spread of other problems for low-income households. Idahoans in Boise, as well as in other cities, towns, and counties, are somewhat relieved by the number of federal and state assistance initiatives. These help with day-to-day needs. For instance, the Lifeline program offers free government cell phones and smartphones in Idaho to eligible low-income families. These things are not gems, though they are on the positive side of everyone’s life in the Gem State.

Lifeline Free Government Cell Phones Program in Idaho

Because of its fundamental rules, Lifeline assistance is distributed with the help of various privately owned telecom businesses. With this in mind, the following is the list of the carriers serving Idahoans with free Lifeline phones and minutes.

Who is eligible for free government smartphones and free government cell phones in Idaho?

You may qualify for a free phone or smartphone from the government if you are a participant of any of the following government-paid programs:

  • Medicaid
  • Food Stamps/ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit
  • Section 8/ Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
  • Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).

You can also qualify based on the household income rule: your household income has to be lower or at the level of 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines for Idaho. For 2022 this number is shown in the table below.

Household size (number of people)Eligible annual income per household
1$17,388
2$23,517
3$29,646
4$35,775
5$41,904
6$48,033
7$54,162
8$60,291
For each additional person, add$6,129

Click here to see all steps needed to enroll in Idaho free government smartphones, free government cell phones Lifeline program.