We all understand the importance of a cell phone in our lives today.
This article will explain to you how free cell phones for green card holders is possible with Free Talk, Text and Data. Immigrants that are already U.S. citizens, may also qualify for these same benefits.
Of course, the government doesn’t just hand out free phone service because you live in the U.S. You have to qualify for the Lifeline Program.
Later in this article, we will tell you how to have this all done at one time and have your SIM Kit and new smartphone drop shipped to your door.
But first, let’s learn about the Lifeline Program.
What is the Lifeline Program?
From the FCC website – “Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers.
The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st-century broadband and the access it provides to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources.”
This program is available to both permanent residents (green card holders) and immigrants that became citizens that meet the eligibility requirements.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The ACP Program is currently on hold pending funding from the Federal Government.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a program that provides discounts on monthly broadband Internet access service and certain connected devices.
This benefit service is provided by Easy Wireless to its customers through support received from the Federal Communications Commission.
This program helps even more people receive free internet and free cell phone services as the eligible programs are broader than Lifeline and the income levels are higher.
How Do I Qualify for These Programs?
You can qualify for these programs by either your income level or by taking part in another government program.
Qualify for Lifeline
The programs that will allow you to also get benefits through the Lifeline Program are as follows:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Various Tribal Programs
Qualify By Income
You can qualify for Lifeline if your income is 135% or below of trhe Federal Poverty limit.
How Do I Get My Free Government Cell Phone Service
So now you know whether or not you qualify.
If you do, here’s how to get your free phone and more: first confirm your identity with a government-issued ID, then confirm either your participation in one of the qualifying programs or your income.
To prove your ID you can use the following U.S. Government Issued ID, such as;
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
To confirm that you are taking part in a government program you can show the following documents that show proof of active benefits.
- Statement of benefits from a qualifying Program.
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Program participation documents, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months’ worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or SSI benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
The application process is confidential and the proof is checked by the government against its own database of programs.
You can do applications manually through the National Verifier and then look for a Lifeline or ACP service pprovider and see if they will accept you in their program.
This can take much longer than applying directly through a service provider.
Ready to Get Free Cell Phones and Service?
Many Lifeline providers will let you apply online for service. You’ll be notified during the application process on the website if your area is covered by them.
USAC offers a search tool to find Lifeline providers in your area.
