How to get a free government phone

Do you qualify?

You qualify for Lifeline if either of these is true for your household:

• Your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• You, or someone in your household, takes part in at least one of these programs: SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, the Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, or certain Tribal assistance programs.

One Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. A household is everyone who lives at your address and shares income and expenses.

Use the quick eligibility checker to see where you stand. It runs in your browser and stores nothing.

What you actually get

Lifeline is a monthly discount, up to $9.25 on most plans and up to $34.25 on Tribal lands. Providers that specialise in Lifeline build plans around that discount so that your bill is $0. Many also include a basic smartphone at no cost. Plans differ by state, so what you get depends on where you live.

How to apply

1. Check your eligibility using the list above.
2. Pick a provider that serves your state. Provider pages and state pages are coming to this site; until then, the official site lists every company by state.
3. Apply through the National Verifier, either on the provider's site or directly at the official Lifeline site. You will need proof of identity and proof of income or program participation.
4. Once approved, the provider ships your phone or SIM. Keep using the service: Lifeline benefits are cancelled after 30 days of no use.

Common questions

What happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The ACP, which gave a larger monthly discount, stopped in June 2024 when its funding ran out. Lifeline continues and is a separate, permanent program.

Can I keep my phone number?

Yes. Ask the new provider to port your number when you apply.

Can I choose any phone?

Usually not. Providers supply a basic model. You can often bring your own unlocked phone instead.