How to Get a Free Phone from the US Government

By Tyler Abbott

Dec 18, 2024

3 min read

You can no longer get a free phone through the US government. However, the federal government still offers a program called Lifeline Assistance

that can reduce the cost of phone and internet services, if you qualify. And we can help you learn how to get a free phone plan (or pretty close to free).

While Lifeline Assistance no longer provides free cell phones alongside their discounted services. But you may find that some of the wireless providers with free plans through the Lifeline program still offer a free cell phone or free SIM kit.

In this piece:

What kind of phones can I get?
Free cell phone plans from the US government
How to apply for Lifeline Assistance
Cheap alternatives

What kind of phones can I get?

You usually won't know what kind of phone you can get until you go through the approval process, though most of the Lifeline Assistance-eligible carriers do a decent job offering a variety of phones. Sadly, you likely won't find the iPhone 16, iPhone SE 3, or a new Android phone with these carriers, but there are still plenty of smartphones out there that you can get for super cheap or even free. Yup, that’s right: a potential free smartphone.

To give you an idea of what to expect, Assurance Wireless has its cell phone lineup public. You can find smartphones like the Artia P600, Hot Pepper Panca, and Foxx A55.

Free cell phone plans from the US government

You won't find any major cell phone providers or new iPhone devices eligible for the Lifeline Assistance program, but that doesn't mean you can't get a decent phone on a reliable network. Some of these cell phone providers also offer free phones or free SIM kits as well. (Or you may be asked to pay a small $10 co-pay.)

These are the carriers that currently are eligible with the Lifeline Assistance program:

You can find out what carriers specifically cater to your area by entering your zip code here.

How do I apply for Lifeline Assistance?

To qualify for Lifeline Assistance, you either have to have an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or be currently enrolled in any of the following government programs:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Tribal-specific programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Head Start
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

If any of the above relates to you, your child, or one of your dependents, then you deserve a free cell phone and a cheap cell phone plan to go with it.

screenshot of lifeline assistant website: how to qualify for free phone with lifeline

Source: Lifeline Assistance

You can apply for Lifeline Assistance here. Enter your state or territory and the qualification process will start.

Alternatives to free government phones

If you don't qualify for any free phones from the government, you've still got some cheap cell phone options and cheap cell phone plans to choose from.

And you can check out the FreedomPop Free plan, which offers 10 minutes of talk, 10 text messages, and 25 MB of data every 30 days. All you need to pay is $10 for the SIM kit—that's it.

Tello Unlimited Text, Talk, and 1GB plan

The cheapest cell phone plan we've come across that includes unlimited minutes, unlimited texting, and at least 1GB of data is Tello's Unlimited Text, Talk, and 1GB plan for $9 a month. The network coverage isn't the best, but the price is dirt cheap.

Tello Unlimited Text, Talk, and 1GB plan

Carrier	Data	Type	Total price	Details
Tello	1GB	No contract	$9.00/mo.	View Plans

US Mobile Unlimited Talk and Text plan

The only way to bring your bill lower than $15 a month is to almost throw out your data plan altogether. If you know you don't want to pay for any wireless data, the US Mobile 2 GB Shared Data Plan at $10 a month is your best bet. As a bonus, US Mobile operates on both T-Mobile and Verizon networks, which offer excellent coverage.

US Mobile Unlimited Talk and Text plan

Carrier	Data	Type	Total price	Details
US Mobile	2GB	No contract	$10.00/mo.	View Plans

Spectrum Mobile By the Gig plan

Another way to downsize your phone bill is to pay for data as you go. Spectrum Mobile's By the Gig plan is great for those who need less than 3 GB of data a month. Spectrum Mobile is only available to current Spectrum Internet users, but it's worth considering the switch. A Spectrum Internet and Mobile bundle could save you even more on your internet and phone bill.

Spectrum Mobile By the Gig plan

Carrier	Data	Type	Total price	Details
Spectrum Mobile	1GB data at 4G LTE/5G speeds; 1GB mobile hotspot data	No contract	$20.00/mo. (plus $20 upfront)	View Plans

Free government phones FAQ

What kind of phone does Safelink give you for free?

Safelink Wireless offers basic smartphones for free. The exact type varies by location and current availability.

What kind of smartphone does Assurance Wireless give you?

Assurance Wireless offers a free Android Smartphone for new customers.

Written by

Tyler Abbott

Tyler has been obsessed with watching sports as efficiently as possible since the creation of the DVR. He is always on the lookout for the best tech in TV and wireless so he can watch all the sports and still have enough time to hang out with his baby. He has written about streaming, wireless, and TV for over three years. He hopes the Lakers will eventually get better.