Free Government Smartphones. It is fantastic that they are now a reality! The federal authorities have started a Lifeline support program to provide free cell phones (touchscreen government phones) to everyone who needs these essential devices. Today already, millions of our fellow citizens have obtained a cellular device at no cost through an eligible service provider and enjoy complimentary talk & minute plans. Enthusiasts have created this website to serve as an ultimate information source for all those thinking about getting one of the free government phones and everyone who has already enrolled and wishes to check out updates or news concerning the program.
Free phones from the government are distributed through the Lifeline partner companies. Initially, the Lifeline aid was initiated by the Federal Communication Commission in the 1990s and covered just the landline service fees. Naturally, with the spread of wireless communication devices throughout the country in recent years, the demand for expansion of the program has grown, resulting in a broadening of assistance to the wireless user segment. Often the devices distributed through the Lifeline phone service programs are called “Obama phones” or “Obama smartphones,” though they appeared before B. Obama had become the POTUS. No matter the word confusion, the essence of Lifeline is logical and easy to understand. In reality, eligible low-income households or individuals get either one of the free government smartphones or regular cell phones along with a discounted monthly service plan.
Typical Benefits of the Lifeline Free Government Smartphones Program
In our opinion, it is essential to understand all the advantages and features of a program before enrolling in one. The Lifeline assistance does not end with giving away Lifeline free government smartphones and cell phones. The idea behind this national project is to help people continuously, so everyone enrolled benefits from the program every day, and as long as one’s financial situation requires this compensation.
Basically, there are direct and indirect benefits you get by enrollment in the free smartphone programs. If approved, you get a phone at no cost and a discounted or even zero monthly charges wireless service. These can be appreciated right away. Moreover, the indirect benefits of free touchscreen government phones are experienced over time. They include an easy application process, no contracts, no hidden fees, freedom to choose a telephone company as a preferred discounted service provider, unlimited talk time and text plans for some states, and many other advantages.
Do You Qualify for Free Government Lifeline Smartphones?
Our country has come along to start implementing a vast number of reliefs to lacking sufficient money people. Unfortunately, due to economic fluctuations and other factors, millions of Americans live below the poverty line or just on the edge of it. To lessen the burden, these people already care; the federal authorities have defined two ways for a free government phone qualification.
First and foremost, there is an income-based qualification for free government smartphones & cell phones. Every year the federal authorities define a specific amount of earnings per household classified as a poverty level. When a person or several people living together manage to get less cash within a year than this number, they are considered to live in poverty and may apply for free smartphones or cell phones.
A second way to get a device with a plan for nothing is to be program-eligible for free government phones & services. You need to be enrolled in some state or federal aid programs and have proof of the fact. There is an article on our site covering the general guidelines regarding eligibility issues.
Free Government Smartphones and Cell Phones in All States
The communicational environment we have today includes the whole territory of our big country. No doubt, people living in every state want to enrich their lives with the ability of instant talk. It is excellent; they do not have to rely just on their budget to get this ability. With free phones from the government, underprivileged citizens of all American states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., can call and send messages at no charge.
Though most free government smartphone and cell phone providers operate in like manner, none is available for enrollment in all American regions. For instance, California has almost a dozen Lifeline service companies, in contrast to Wyoming, which has only two so far.
From Whom To Get a Free Government Phone?
The Universal Service Administrative Company, aka USAC, serves to administer the authorities’ Lifeline fund subsidized. In fact, it is not a primary source of free government smart phones and free government cell phones. Simultaneously, it helps eliminate the lack of income in low-income families by working along with some telephone companies, also called “providers.” In the meantime, there are many of these enterprises across the U.S. There is a dedicated article to the providers of free phones, listing them in alphabetical order and explaining their role in carrying out the Lifeline assistance. You can review it here.
The following companies offer free government smartphones through Lifeline: American Assistance, Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Tag Mobile, Safelink Wireless, enTouch Wireless, and several others. Most of the free smartphones are Android OS devices. If you already own smartphones like an Apple iPhone or Google Pixel, or any other, you can ask your Lifeline provider if it is okay to use your handset with the free Lifeline talk/text/data plan. Plus, you can always contact the customer service of your vendor and find out the answer.
What is the Application Process for Free Smartphones From the Government?
The free smartphones/cell phones program has progressed to a quick and relatively easy application process. Therefore, it takes a few small actions, from checking your eligibility to filling out and submitting the actual application. After that, you get your chargeless wireless device with a pack of minutes on the house that both can be so helpful in most aspects of our life.
To clarify, we have compiled a list of actions to take to receive a Lifeline free government phone aid:
- Choose a telephone company from those serving in your state.
- Complete and submit its application with proof of your eligibility.
- Wait for the completion of the review process.
- Get your free smartphones or free government cell phone.
What Else Do Providers Offer?
It is inevitable as a rule of thumb that any privately owned company is created and run to gain its shareholders’ profits. Of course, free government smartphone service providers are not exclusions from this rule. In the second place, after providing Lifeline assistance to its customers, the companies also make money by offering additional services and products. Specifically, these range from extra airtime and text packages to unlimited voice and data plans to phone upgrades or purchase options. Every owner of a free government phone can buy these products immediately after receiving the enrollment approval. For instance, if your free phone has arrived in the form of a refurbished old device, you have two options. They are: either to face the music and be glad about what you’ve got or to pay some money out of your pocket for the latest iPhone or an Android smartphone (depending on what your best free government smartphone provider offers). Also, for now, the free government iPhone is not a valid Lifeline option to the best of our knowledge.
Click HERE to check if you qualify for free government smartphones (cell phones) and services.