Free government phone in Missouri
Missouri residents who qualify for Lifeline can get free or discounted phone service. Here is who qualifies, where to apply, and which companies serve the state.
In short
- Lifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off internet or a phone plan with data, or up to $5.25 off phone-only service. On Tribal lands it is up to $34.25.
- Missouri also has its own program, Missouri Lifeline and Disabled Programs: Up to $24 a month under the Lifeline and Disabled Programs (from a PSC brochure dated 9/20; the state's share is not listed separately).
- Apply at getinternet.gov, the FCC's National Verifier site, or through a Lifeline company. Both lead to the same check.
- In May 2026, 17 companies gave Lifeline cell phone service in Missouri. The most customers were with AirTalk Wireless, Infiniti Mobile and TAG Mobile.
Who qualifies in Missouri
Under the federal rules, either one of these is enough:
- Someone in your household gets one of these benefits:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicaid (called MO HealthNet in Missouri)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (including Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- a qualifying Tribal program
- Your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. These are the government's yearly income levels by household size.
Each household can get only one Lifeline benefit.
What to know in Missouri
- Lifeline rules match the federal rules above.
- The Disabled Program has separate rules based on disability. Only some landline providers offer it.
- One discount per household. You must verify every year.
Check if you qualify with our quick tool, or read the full rules.
Missouri Lifeline and Disabled Programs
- A consumer brochure from the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC), dated 9/20, describes both programs.
- It says they offer a discount of up to $24 a month to low-income or disabled customers who qualify.
- The Disabled Program is a separate discount, for landlines only. It has its own rules.
- It is for people who get VA disability benefits, the State Blind Pension, State Aid to Blind Persons, state supplemental disability payments, or Social Security Disability.
- You cannot combine the two discounts.
- Sign up through your phone provider.
Extra discount: Up to $24 a month under the Lifeline and Disabled Programs (from a PSC brochure dated 9/20; the state's share is not listed separately)
Official Missouri Lifeline and Disabled Programs page
How to apply in Missouri
In Missouri, the National Verifier checks who qualifies. It is the federal system for Lifeline. You can apply on your own, or through a provider. Both lead to the same check.
Apply at getinternet.gov. This is the FCC's official National Verifier site. Have proof of who you are ready, and proof of your income or your benefit.
Companies that give Lifeline service in Missouri
In May 2026, 17 companies gave Lifeline cell phone service in Missouri. These are the 8 with the most customers. The counts come from USAC, which runs Lifeline. They show who serves Missouri, not who is best.
| Company | Lifeline customers | Free plan data |
|---|---|---|
| AirTalk Wireless | 34,540 | 5GB |
| Infiniti Mobile | 29,549 | |
| TAG Mobile | 16,562 | Up to 16GB |
| SafeLink Wireless | 12,273* | Not stated |
| Assurance Wireless | 8,477 | 10GB |
| StandUp Wireless | 5,380 | 5GB |
| Gen Mobile | 3,621 | |
| TruConnect | 3,043 | At least 4.5GB |
* SafeLink Wireless: This count also includes Lifeline customers of Straight Talk, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile and TracFone. USAC counts them together with SafeLink.
Free plan data is from each company's own site. We show it for the companies we have a page on.
Some local phone companies give Lifeline on a home phone instead. In Missouri, 57 companies did this, with 2,831 customers in all.
Not every company serves every part of Missouri. To see who serves your address, enter your ZIP code in the official company finder.
If you don't qualify
Lifeline is only for households that get one of the benefits above or have a low enough income. If yours doesn't, you can still get a phone line for little or nothing. These are this month's picks from our plans page:
- Best free plan: TextNow Free, $0 a month (550 MB, select apps)
- Best under $15: Red Pocket Essentials, $10 a month (3 GB)
- Best free trial: Visible Free Trial, $0 for 15 days (Unlimited)
Each one has a catch, and the plans page says what it is. Our guides compare more options: plans that are genuinely free and free trials. The plans page also lists every plan at $15 or less.
If you applied and were turned down, read why Lifeline applications are denied first. It covers each reason and the document that fixes it.
How many people use Lifeline in Missouri
Phone companies claimed Lifeline for 120,316 subscribers in Missouri in May 2026, up 7.8% since May 2025 (USAC). That is the 18th highest count among the 50 states and DC. Lifeline enrollment in every state.
Other states
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