One way to qualify for free government cell phone from Safelink Wireless, Assurance Wireless, ReachOut Wireless and any other similar companies that work with the FCC’s Lifeline and Link-Up programs, is if your household income is at or below either 135% or 150% of the poverty level set by the federal government for your state. This does not apply in some states, so ask the wireless phone company specifically if your state allows this qualification and if so, what it is.

The following are the levels from the Federal Poverty Guidelines developed by Health and Human Services (HHS). Remember, you must multiply these numbers (we did this for you in the second chart) by 135% or 150%. We’ve produced a chart that shows the levels at 135%. As far as we know, the states that are at 150% are Florida, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas (get out your calculator).

Note that some states may not allow the qualification by household income.

2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 13, January 20, 2011, pp. 3637-3638.

2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines X 135%

The default multiplier against the poverty levels is 135%. We think we are accurate in saying the following states use 135%:

Here are the same numbers, multiplied by the 135% that the Lifeline program uses.