The advent of 5G technology has brought about a major shift in the way people communicate and access information. It has opened up new possibilities for faster and more reliable connectivity, especially on mobile devices. To help more people gain access to this technology, the US government has launched a program that offers free 5G phones to eligible individuals.
In this guide, we will discuss how to qualify for this program and the steps you can take to obtain a free 5G government phone in the US. Whether you’re in need of a new phone or simply want to take advantage of the latest technology, this guide will provide you with the information you need to get started.
How to Get Free 5G Government Phones in the US
The US government is offering free 5G phones to those who meet certain eligibility criteria to promote the adoption of 5G technology on a wider scale. The objective is to encourage more individuals to use 5G technology to maximize the benefits of this new wireless standard.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has played a crucial role in launching several programs that can help eligible low-income individuals and families get a free or discounted phone with a 5G network. It primarily includes the Lifeline program, which was established in 1985 as part of the Universal Service Fund, and the recently launched Afordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in 2021.
The ACP is part of the larger Emergency Broadband Bene1t Program and is anticipated to be funded with up to $3.2 billion in federal funding. Both initiatives aim to help bridge the digital divide and ensure that low-income households have access to essential communication services.
If you qualify for Lifeline or ACP, all you have to do is 1nd a company that includes a free phone with their Lifeline/ACP plan. And you now have a free 5G government phone.
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Lifeline Program
The Lifeline program is a government assistance program in the United States that provides discounted phone or internet services to low-income households.
The program aims to ensure that individuals have access to basic communication services essential for emergencies, employment, and access to healthcare. Lifeline bene1ts are available to qualifying low-income residents in every state, commonwealth, territory, and on Tribal lands administered by the Universal Service Administrative Corporation (USAC).
The FCC prohibits more than one Lifeline service per household. This implies that each household—defined as any individual or group of individuals who reside together at the same address and share income and expenses—is only eligible for one Lifeline bene1t.
Eligibility Requirement for Lifeline
Lifeline is available to residents of all 50 US states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. As a result, you might be eligible for Lifeline if you live in a qualifying state or territory and meet one of the following conditions:
Income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines: You may be eligible for Lifeline if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal PovertyGuidelines (FPG). When applying for Lifeline, you must provide proof of income, such as a tax return or three consecutive pay stubs.
The following table represents 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2022:
Participation in a qualifying federal assistance program: You may be eligible for Lifeline if you participate in certain federal assistance programs, as listed:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Bene1t
Participation in a qualifying tribal assistance program: You may be eligible for Lifeline if you participate in any of these tribal assistance programs such as:
- Bureau of Indian AIairs General Assistance
- Head Start (only for households that meet the income standard as per the FPG)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Note that Lifeline bene1ts are not transferable, and you must re-verify your eligibility annually to continue receiving the bene1ts. Additionally, the Lifeline bene1t only
applies to one phone or internet service per household, and any additional services must be paid for separately.
You can check your Lifeline Eligibility here.
Applying for Lifeline
You will need to provide documentation to prove your eligibility for Lifeline. This could include proof of income or participation in the above-mentioned government assistance programs. Once you’ve gathered all of your proof, you can apply for Lifeline in several ways.
Apply online: You can apply for Lifeline online through the National Veri1er application system. The National Veri1er is a central database established by the FCC that determines if you are eligible for Lifeline and even recertifies your eligibility annually.
Apply by mail: You can also apply for Lifeline by mail by downloading an application from the Lifeline Program website (English, Spanish), 1lling it out, and mailing it in with proof of eligibility documents at the address below.
Lifeline Support Center
P.O. Box 7081 London, KY 40742
Apply through a Lifeline service provider: You can also apply for Lifeline through a participating service provider. You can 1nd a list of participating service providers on the Lifeline Program website.
To 1nd a Lifeline provider near you, you can utilize the Companies Near Me feature. This tool enables you to search by entering your zip code or city and state. If you wish to view all available options, simply click on the option “See the list of companies in your state” located below the search results.
Apply by phone: You can also apply for Lifeline by calling the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473.
Please note that the states of California, Oregon, and Texas have separate application processes for the Lifeline Program. For more information, applicants from these states can get in touch with their phone provider or visit the state website.
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Affordable Connectivity Program
The AIordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new program in the United States that aims to provide affordable internet access to low-income households.
It provides a discount on monthly broadband bills and connected devices to eligible households. By making internet service more affordable, the ACP aims to help ensure that everyone has the ability to participate in the digital economy, access educational resources, and stay connected with friends and family.
Eligibility Requirement for ACP
To be eligible for the AIordable Connectivity Program, you must meet the following requirements:
Income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: If your income is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, as outlined in the table below, you may be qualified to receive the ACP benefits.
The Federal Poverty Guidelines are calculated based on the size of your household and the state of residence. When applying for the ACP, you might be required to provide evidence of your income, such as a tax return or three consecutive payslips.
The following table represents 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2022:
Participation in a qualifying federal assistance program: If you (or someone in your household) participates in one of the following federal assistance programs, you are eligible for the ACP:
- All of the above-mentioned programs under Lifeline
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
- Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
Participation in a qualifying tribal assistance program: If your household is located on Tribal lands, you may be eligible for ACP if you participate in any of the already listed tribal assistance programs under Lifeline.
Participation in Lifeline program: A Lifeline bene1t recipient will automatically be eligible for the AIordable Connectivity Program. This means that you do not need to provide additional documentation to prove your eligibility for the ACP, as your eligibility for Lifeline automatically satisfies the requirements of the ACP.
Furthermore, if you are eligible for both the ACP and Lifeline, you can take advantage of both programs simultaneously and save more money on your phone and internet services. You can use your ACP benefits and your Lifeline benefit for the same or different services, depending on your needs and preferences.
For further details, check here.
Applying for ACP
If you are already enrolled in the Lifeline program, you can contact your service provider or a separate provider to enrol directly in the AIordable Connectivity Program.
However, non-Lifeline participants must submit a separate application to receive ACP bene1ts and may do so in one of the three ways:
Apply online: You can also apply for the ACP by completing an online application through the National Veri1er application system. It is the quickest and easiest way to apply, and you may even receive instant approval.
Click here for the Online Application Instructions in English and nine other languages.
Apply by mail: To apply for ACP by mail, you can download an application form from the Lifeline Program website (English or Spanish), complete it, and mail it to the address provided below along with the required documents to prove your eligibility. It is recommended that you also include a Household Worksheet with your application.
You can send your application to the ACP Support Center at the following address:
ACP Support Center
P.O. Box 7081 London, KY 40742.
Click here for the Paper Application Instructions in English and nine other languages.
Apply through an ACP service provider: You can also apply for the ACP through a participating ACP service provider. To do so, you would need to contact the provider and request to enrol in the ACP program. The provider will guide you through the application process, which may include providing documentation to prove your eligibility.
You can use the Companies Near Me online tool to 1nd a participating ACP provider in your area and provide information on the types of services they offer to ACP recipients, as well as the process of signing up.
Apply by phone: People with disabilities who may need some extra assistance with their application can call the ACP hotline below and complete the application process over the phone with the help of a customer service representative.
ACP Support Center No.: (877) 384 2575
Proof Needed for LifeLine/ACP Application
The specific documents needed to apply for Lifeline or ACP may vary depending on the state and program requirements, but generally, you will need to provide some or all of the following:
- Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or state ID
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Tribal Identi1cation Number (TIN)
- Proof of participation in a qualifying government assistance program, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and any tribal assistance
- Proof of income for the past 12 months, which can include tax returns, paycheck stubs, or bene1t statements from government programs. Other documents that may be accepted include divorce decrees or child support awards that show income.
- Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or mortgage statement
It’s important to check the specific requirements in your state and for the program you are applying for to ensure that you have all the necessary documents before submitting your application.
For further information, click here.
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Free 5G Government Phone Providers
The availability of free 5G phones through Lifeline or ACP plans will depend on the service provider and the region where you live. Here are some companies that offer Lifeline or ACP plans that may include free 5G phones:
SafeLink
SafeLink is the largest Lifeline service provider and is available in 40 US states. It provides eligible customers with a free smartphone, along with free minutes, texts, and data each month.
SafeLink provides different benefits to eligible customers based on the state they are in. In many states, the company offers a free SIM card along with 1000 free minutes and 1.5 GB of monthly data. If customers receive a free government phone, the company provides 1000 free minutes and only 1 GB of monthly data. However, in California, it offers a free SIM card with unlimited minutes and 1 GB of data per day.
Access Wireless
Access Wireless is a service provider that offers Lifeline and ACP programs to eligible low-income individuals in 35 US states. If you qualify for Lifeline or ACP, you can receive a free 5G phone and additional services as part of their plan.
You get 750 minutes of talk time, free unlimited messages, and 200 MB of data per month with Access Wireless. The only exception is California, where you get 1000 minutes of call time, unlimited messages, and 200 MB of free data.
Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a subsidiary of T-Mobile and others Lifeline plans that include free smartphones and services in 41 US states. It generally offers 350 minutes of talk time, unlimited messages, and free monthly data, except in California. In California, you get unlimited talk time, unlimited messages, and 500 MB of free data.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is a major wireless carrier in the United States, offering a wide range of phone plans and devices, including 5G phones. For customers who qualify, T-Mobile also offers Lifeline and ACP plans that may include free smartphones. It offers several plans, including its Magenta and Magenta Max plans, which include 5G access, unlimited data, and other features such as international roaming.
T-Mobile also offers a trade-in program that allows customers to trade in their existing devices and receive credit toward a new phone. For instance, you can get up to $1,000 on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S21 5G with an eligible trade-in.
AT&T
AT&T is a telecommunications company that offers wireless services, including 5G phones and plans. It offers a range of 5G phones, including the latest models from Apple, Samsung, and other manufacturers.
AT&T has a range of offers for customers looking to get a 5G phone. It is offering up to $800 oI select 5G phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the iPhone 13, with eligible trade-ins. It also has several unlimited data plans for 5G phones, such as the Unlimited Elite plan, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as 40GB of mobile hotspot data and access to HBO Max.
Some Free 5G Government Phones in 2023
Here are some of the best 5G phones for 2023 from popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, and others.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Motorola G Stylus 5G
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
- OnePlus 9 Pro
Concluding Words
The US government’s program offering free 5G phones to eligible individuals is a welcome initiative that seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure that low-income households have access to essential communication services.
The Lifeline and AIordable Connectivity Programs are two government assistance programs that provide discounted phone or internet services to low-income households.
The primary objective of these programs is to encourage more people to use 5G technology and maximize the benefits of this new wireless standard.
The adoption of 5G technology is expected to revolutionize the way people communicate and access information, and these government programs are a significant step toward ensuring that everyone has access to this new technology.
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