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7 ways you can lose your free government cell phone

Every day of the week, we hear from dozens of people who’ve lost their free government cell phones.

They’ve lost them in completely unpredictable ways like, “My baby flushed my cell phone down the toilet” or “My ex-boyfriend stole my phone” or “I accidentally left my cell phone on the subway” or “I loaned it to my daughter and she lost it at school.”

But those aren’t the only ways to lose your phone. Every customer should be aware that the Lifeline Assistance program has some very strict regulations. And if you violate any of those regulations — even accidentally — you may lose your free government cell phone. In fact, as soon as any of the following violations come to light, it is more likely that you will lose it than not.

Here are seven ways you could be disqualified and lose your free government cell phone.

1. Having more than one phone per person.

We’ve all heard stories about people abusing the system and signing up for three, four, even a dozen or more free government cell phones. That’s why the Federal Communications Commission has instituted strict new regulations that crack down on fraud and require Lifeline companies to assure that free government cell phones are restricted to one per person. If you’re a customer, your name and address are now part of a huge national database. If you attempt to cheat the system and sign up for a second cell phone, your name will automatically pop up on the data base and your application will be rejected.

The USAC says, “A carrier that provides Lifeline Program-supported service must terminate service for any subscriber who fails to demonstrate continued eligibility within the 30-day time period.”

2. Having more than one phone per household

Unfortunately, if you live with your cousin Sally and she has a free government cell phone, you will not be eligible for one. Blame it on that new government database, your account will be automatically closed.

The USAC says, “If USAC, the administrator of universal service, provides notification to a telecommunications carrier that a subscriber has more than one discounted account, or that more than one member of a subscriber’s household is receiving service, the telecommunications carrier must de-enroll the subscriber within five business days.”

3. Not recertifying annually

Lifeline rules clearly state that you must certify annually that you still qualify for Lifeline Assistance. If you do not provide information adequate to substantiate your continued participation in the program, your account will be closed.

The USAC says, “If a telecommunications carrier has a reasonable basis to believe a subscriber is no longer an eligible consumer, the carrier will send the subscriber a notice of impending termination. The subscriber has 30 days from the date of the impending termination letter to demonstrate continued eligibility by re-certifying his or her continued eligibility.”

4. Failure to respond to your cell phone company’s request for certification

If you don’t re-certify in a timely basis, your phone company will send you a letter demanding that you do so within 30 days. This is very cut-and-dried: Provide your phone company with the paperwork they request or you’ll lose your phone.

The USAC says, “Subscribers have an obligation to re-certify annually that only one member of their household receives program-supported service and they continue to be eligible. If a subscriber fails to respond to a telecommunications carriers request for certification, the telecommunications carrier must provide the subscriber with notification that the subscriber has 30 days from the date of the notification to provide the requested certification.”

5. Getting off permissible government aid programs

To paraphrase the USAC and FCC authorities, “Congratulations! You no longer need government assistance and that means you lose your free government cell phone.”

The USAC says, “Subscribers have an obligation to inform their telecommunications carrier if they no longer qualify for Lifeline Program-supported service. Subscribers who become ineligible must de-enroll by contacting their telecommunications carrier directly.”

Most folks qualify for Lifeline service by participating in another federal or state assistance program. The theory goes, if you are on these designated programs then you have already proven yourself to be in financial need; so no need to prove it all over again. The following are universal federal assistance programs available in every state, but some states offer additional assistance programs through which you can also qualify:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

To find out which programs are available in your state, click here.


6. Getting a job with an annual income above federal poverty guidelines

We can’t imagine anything better than landing a job that pays well enough that you no longer qualify for a free government cell phone. There’s nothing that will fill you with more pride than being able to provide for yourself and your family.

But when you land that job, make sure you notify your Lifeline Assistance provider to let them know that you no longer qualify. If you don’t your free government cell phone account will eventually be cancelled and you may be required to reimburse the government for the period of time in which you used illegally used the free government cell phone service.

Also keep in mind that the incomes of everyone living in your household are added together to determine if you qualify.

In most states qualifying incomes fall below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. But some states allow you to qualify with household incomes that go all the way up to 150% of those same guidelines. Those states are Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas. And just to confuse things even further, California, Nevada and Vermont set their own levels.

For more information on how to qualify, click here.


7. Not “using” your free government cell phone for 60 days or more

Many Lifeline Assistance customers consider this the oddest way to lose your free government cell phone. If you don’t “use” it for 60 days or more, your account will be cancelled. Unfortunately, “use” has an odd definition according to the FCC.

For example, you’re out of luck if you only “use” your cell phone for texting, because that’s inadequate to satisfy USAC and FCC regulations. So make sure you place a voice call at least every 60 days or you could lose your phone.

The USAC says, “If a subscriber is receiving service for which the subscriber is not billed (for example, free wireless service), and the subscriber does not use the service for 60 consecutive days, the telecommunications carrier must provide the subscriber with 30 days notice that failure to use the service within the 30-day notice period will result in termination of program-supported service.”

It’s not hard to follow the rules

The federal government is really tightening the screws on fraud, waste and abuse in the Lifeline Assistance program. They’re looking for people who are cheating the program.

So take our advice: Follow the program’s relatively simple rules, keep your nose clean, and you’ll be able to continue talking and texting on your free government cell phone. Violate those rules and you’ll lose your phone.

It’s that simple.

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Comments

  1. Easy guidelines?? Try to get a government agency to send you a copy of your award letter with all the needed info…Good luck…

    Reply

  2. I am a lifewireless customer and they use AT&T service. My phone broke so I went to AT&T to buy a phone. They said The could set me up as a prepay phone for a month and then I can call lifewireless and have them switch it to Lifewireless. Is theis true. I really need a phone.

    Reply

    • We have no idea why you should be set up as a paying customer, then become a free government cell phone customer. Enroll online or by phone and speak to Life customer service directly.

      Reply

  3. Assurance wireless refuse to cancell my phone service because they are a bunch oh crooks. They wanted me to return a free phone that I was given at the beginning which was about 2 years ago. The free phone was a Chinese made phone brand ZTE which was horrible. Half the time the phone would not work properly. I asked them to chancell my service and had to deal with their tactics of talking to some agents that could barely speak English. After I demanded to cancell the service they said that in order to cancell my account it have. be suspended . I then ask them why they told me thats was how my service would be cancell. Supended and cancelling is not the same thing. Finally I call California Life Line to have the Assurance wireless cancell. Do not deal with their tactics. File a complain with California Life line and stay away from Assurance Wireless. Use other carriers instead.

    Reply

  4. I was not qualified for a free phone even though I have no income and I get state Medicaid and food stamps.

    Reply

  6. For some reason I can never receive a phone I’ve gotten one phone with SafeLink it broke but I have to pay twenty five to receive another is that true

    Reply

    • That is generally true. In some rare cases the Lifeline companies will provide you with a free replacement phone, but in most cases they will require a payment of $25 or more.

      Reply

  7. I have 34 more days of service, how do I continue my phone service beyond that 34 days of service?

    Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone team. They can talk you through the process. Or you can also visit its website and look for “Recertify” or “Recertiication.”

      Reply

  9. I qualified for a free Safelink phone, which I received a few weeks ago….my question is, can I still apply for the Lifeline internet discount, without breaking any rules, set by Safelink… so I would have a free phone..and than be able to get a discount on my internet. I do qualify for it, for sure. Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • Yes. You can receive data as part of your Lifeline free government cell phone plan and also enroll in one of the low-income internet plans. Check out our other website, which specializes in those low-income internet plans:

      https://www.cheapinternet.com/

      Reply

  10. I been on safelink at my address for 11 years. I get government assistance with housing and Medicaid and food stamp.and I just found out I was stop because someone I know is using my address. That my home I can’t see why they stop it it was just me and my son

    Reply

    • Have you spoken to your service provider’s customer service team? If not, that should be your next action. Explain the odd situation and if you don’t get satisfaction, ask to speak to a supervisor.

      Reply

  11. How close can a government phone stand be to a Cell Phone provider store like an ATT or T-mobile. Are they allowed to be directly in front?

    Reply

    • Not a clue, Kylee. We’d be willing to bet that it all depends on local zoning regulations and a slew of other laws and regulations, and that it varies widely city-by-city.

      Reply

    • We don’t know who your service provider is and we don’t know what kind of contract you have, so there’s no way for us to answer your question, Brenda. You’ll need to call 6–1-1 on your free government cell phone to speak to your customer service team.

      Reply

  15. My phone all of a sudden will not take calls or make calls. Help! I am sick at home and no way to contact anybody.

    Reply

    • Sigh. For about the millionth time, we are not a service provider. This is an independent informational website. In other words, Julia, “we” are not turning off your service. Your service provider is turning off your service. And since we are not your service provider, we have no idea why your service is being turned off. Contact…you guessed it…your service provider.

      Reply

  17. Do I have to worry about having to make out ove pocket payment’s on my or any apps running on my phone

    Reply

    • If any apps came installed on your phone, they are free. However, you are responsible for any costs that may be associated with any additional apps you install.

      Reply

  18. To those with coverage issues…

    Safelink is your best option because TracFone uses AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

    Q-Link uses Sprint.

    The catch is by default Safelink sends out T-Mobile homed SIM cards. To switch to AT&T or Verizon as the home network you have to buy (for a dollar) a TracFone SIM card for that network then have your serviced moved over to that new SIM card.

    Reply

  19. I was in jail from October until April and was unable to use it . I would like it back on.

    Reply

    • You’ll need to begin the enrollment process all over again, Gina. Whenever a phone goes unused for 30 days or longer, the account is cancelled.

      Reply

  20. I’ve only had phone for about a month or two and now it has no service. I looked into the issue and found out that the state of Texas told my service provider that I am no longer eligible for the service and that I could reapply in 60 days. I don’t understand what the state of Texas has to do with this. I’ve never lived or even been to Texas, I reside in Nevada. Any idea on what is going on or happened? Plz and Thx

    Reply

    • We get comments about some real oddball situations here, and this is one of them. We don’t have a clue, but your service provider’s customer service team should be able to give you additional details. Give them a call.

      Reply

  21. I don’t qualify for safelink anymore can I keep the phone and add minutes on my own As all my contacts have this number.

    Reply

  22. I have a Safelink Lifeline phone. TFW sent me the wrong SIM card, so my calls are not registering on their end. I’ve faxed and uploaded all required info every month since November. I speak with customer service every month. Now the last time I called on 4/20/19, I was told my service would be restored by 4/25/19. After that call dropped, I could no longer even make phone calls. I cannot make or receive phone calls, have no data, and my service has not been restored. I have no other way to contact TFW, as I cannot call and their website gives me conflicting information. I am on disability and my doctors need to reach me, and I them. My son nor the rest of my family/friends cannot reach me. This ridiculously horrid service is not helping me AT ALL. The agents hang up on me when I am able to use someone else’s phone and nothing has been fixed. PLEASE HELP ME! This is not fair or safe! *Also – MI DHHS has faxed over my proof of qualification every month since November and eventhat is not helping. I’m desperate and scared that something will happen to me. I cannot even make an outbound call yo 911!

    Reply

    • (1) Contact your customer service team by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. (2) Turn it off and make sure you neither send nor receive any phone calls or texts for at least 30 days. That should also kill your account. (3) Don’t send in any paperwork when your annual re-certification notice arrives.

      Reply

  24. I was hospitalized for one hundred days.my phone was lost.upon leaving hospital I got another phone.i was hospitalized again so lost service because unable to use phone.now can’t get service because keep saying I have phone already. But it don’t work.hiw do I get service back??

    Reply

    • It sounds as if you were attempting to get a new phone from a different company. Is that correct? Call your original company’s customer service team. You will undoubtedly be required to pay a reasonably small fee for a replacement phone.

      Reply

    • Hi, Betty. Are we penpals now or is there another reason you introduced yourself so nicely?

      Reply

  26. My safelink service was turned off I had upgraded to a smartphone last year around this time. I cannot speak I use it to text and for emergency at home or on the road,I’ve tried to chat online with someone but can’t get any one! I re-enrolled and got a new enrollment number then when I got up to reenroll it said I have to go to a national verification system,I did! When I got back on the website to check my status it told me I didn’t have to recertify for another 4 months but my phone would be back on after I re-enrolled in 7-10 days well to day is day 10! I live alone and need that phone for the Department of Veterans Affairs people to contact me! Iv’e been on safelink for 9 years and don’t know why it was even turned off in the first place! I sometimes have people use my phone to make verble calls just to make verble calls.

    Reply

    • We’re not your service provider, so we don’t know why your account was terminated, Ricky. Contact Safelink’s customer service team.

      Reply

  27. Ordered a phone through qlink they took my money and refuse to ship the phone. Why do they do this stuff, I need that little money. They are thieves.

    Reply

  28. My husband has had over 25 Tia’s which gives him a form of dementia so he didn’t get phone message to recertify ,I don’t know if it can get it back or not

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear about your husband’s health problems. First thing you need to do is contact your service provider’s customer service team to find out if his service is still active. If so, recertify ASAP. If not, you may be able to re-enroll with the same company. If not, you should be able to enroll with any other company offering free government cell phones in your state. Here’s where you can find them all:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  29. I think my govt. Phone was cut off because I didn’t make a voice call, I had cancer on my vocal chords and they was removed, but I gotta an electric larynx now, so can I get my phone back on, and a new phone, mine is out dated,I believe, , thanks if you can help me with this.

    Reply

    • Please send me anew phone, mine is very old and the front display has crack’s in it. # is 706-233-****. thank you for your help. Charles J. Dupree

      Reply

      • Since your phone still works, try calling 6-1-1 to be connected to customer service. They can help you get a new phone (but be aware that it probably won’t be free).

        Reply

    • Glad to hear your recovery is going well, Charles. You may be correct that your account was cancelled because the phone went unused for 30 days or longer. That will usually trigger a cancellation. You can now re-enroll with any free government cell phone company offering plans in your state. Here’s where to find that complete list:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  30. My free cell phone was reactivated according to the monthly process, approximately a week later when I keep getting asked to register for private policy something or other, suddenly callers get my voicemail, I sent in complaint weeks ago, but, it says, there is no customer that is listed as that phone number, (I was trying to get my PIN number which I had not at the ready) I am, unable, to get past Blu screen, and unable to use phone, for some reason, my boyfriends phone no longer had my name under my number, but, another, Laguna Honda, Patrice, which is coincidentally, his sister name who is in Laguna Honda, but, my voicemail, still, and my number which is on my google accounts and all my iPad accounts, and I’ve had no further problems with my iPad even though I couldn’t use it for a few days, after my free cell phone stopped allowing me entry.

    Reply

    • Btw, I received no cut off confirmation of any kind, it just stopped allowing me entry,
      My Samsung did the same thing out of the blue, using it one minute, can’t swipe to access password or pattern, that’s why I got a free phone, but, forgot to have mine other checked out, and, lost it due to, not paying monthly bill like I always have done. It off but still taking messages, but, now my number is no longer mine, understood…what did I do to Obama phone, too much data?

      Reply

      • There is absolutely no way for us to determine what the problem might be, Karen. Contact your service provider’s customer service or tech suppor teams.

        Reply

  32. I was using my Obama free cell phone, they said I as already registered, and when I filled out section for the privacy act, out of no where, I could not get past the Blu, bold like us screen, now it says the customer number does not exists when I try to recall my pin#

    Reply

        • It’s not “our” code, Karen. This is an independent informational website. Contact your service provider’s customer service team.

          Reply

  33. I am in Pennsylvania and have had safelink service, I think originally it was lifeline, maybe for 3 years. I sent in an application with proof, they sent me a phone, and my service started. When I would receive recertification notices, I filled them out or called. Once I was told that I didn’t have to recertify yet, that it was fine and they didn’t know why I got that notice and disregard it. A few times I had problems with the minutes not starting, or not being able to text, and they eventually would work it out. Now I received notice that my service is inactive, when I was waiting for the minutes to restart, and I cant find any way to contact them other than the phone, which has no service. From what I can figure out, it says pending state approval, and then cancelled. I lost snap benefits, but still receive Medicaid, and they still have my original address from when I applied, which isn’t correct, and I’ve tried to change. Online help told me to file a new application, but I can’t find where or how to do that, because it says they dont have service in Pennsylvania. I dont understand. I applied and had service in pa, and am still here.so if they don’t have services here, who did I have services with? I should still be eligible, and am trying to find someone to help me figure it out/reapply but I am just given an online runaround that lead to dead ends. Other than calling, how do I find out what’s going on and about my account?

    Reply

    • Try visiting the Safelink website. It offers a couple different ways to get in touch with the company depending on which issue you need to discuss.

      Reply

  34. A few years ago I did have a phone stolen from me and also one fell out of my coat pocket and got run over by a car before I was able to pick it up. I paid Safelink for years for a phone while I was disabled. When they were not able to get one from them I had an old phone in my junk drawer. I used that for about a year, it was a very small phone and I had a difficult time reading the numbers or text. So unfortunate for me they could not help. I called Assurance even though it took from Nov. 2017 to Apr 2019 in that time I was sent 9 phones everyone either became really hot, said no sims card, now the one I have no I can only dial one phone call, the phone powers down. If it doesn’t do that right away it becomes very hot, I mean dangerously hot. I called today and the only way that they could upgrade me I would have had to have 2 phones happen in 60 days. I told her I had in May one already in January and now this one in February, she still said she couldn’t upgrade me and these weren’t my problems. They refused to help. They wanted to send another unsafe phone “don’t you think 9 phones in 8 months would qualify me” They told me if I close my acct. I couldn’t get a lifeline phone for a year. Though I asked safelink if I buy a phone could they help me, they said yes “the ucatel UL40 is a dangerous phone , just maybe someone will understand and pull them off the market. I have to once again be punished for something I did not do.

    Reply

  35. Assurance is such a terrible service cell. Has no memory with forty apps taking all the memory. This is how the poor are taken care of. Game constantly popping up every time one is going on google or even making a call. How do I stop this assurance service without waiting for sixty days of non use? I need a cell that works all the time and doesn’t get hot to touch.

    Reply

    • It only takes 30 days of non-usage, Richard, not 60. You can switch to another provider at any time as long as you’ve been with the same company for 60 days. Hope that clears up the confusion.

      Reply

  36. Why cant I or how do I cancel, terminate service on myy qlink phone? Why is it so damn hard to find out!?? Gf stole it sells dope etc I want the service TERMINATED F^#&,”÷%*? PLEASSSEEE!!

    Reply

    • Have you contacted your service provider’s customer service team? They should be able to cancel your account.

      Reply

  37. My EBT card was stolen so I had to request a new one , shortly after my safelink phone was disabled. Could this be the reason? If so why didn’t those mindless reps from another country just tell me that instead of all the “hold please” “bare with me” bull shi#?

    Reply

    • No way for us to know. You need to speak to your service provider’s customer service team to get your question answered, Robert.

      Reply

  39. KEEP YOUR CURRENT PHONE NUMBER EVEN WHEN YOU LOSE LIFELINE! PHONE COMPANIES DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW TO DO THIS! DO IT ANYWAY. Phone companies look for excuses to retain all their numbers: that way they can keep the money coming in and also prevent customers from changing companies. They try to hold your phone number hostage.

    A lot of people in Colorado are being dropped from their free gov’t cell phone accounts, because now you have to provide copious documentation to some new government database that cross-checks your eligibility against either the qualifying programs you receive, or your tax returns. Sometimes people were were using a phone that belongs to someone else, or the old owner died or is no longer receiving the qualifying gov’t programs, or there are multiple Lifeline customers registered at one address, etc. Follow this procedure when you want to move your current number to a different carrier. The phrase for this is “I want to port the number I already have.” Do this BEFORE Lifeline disconnects your account. Only a live number on an active account can be ported. Once your account has been disconnected, you usually have lost the phone number. A number that is still on a Lifeline account can not be ported, but someone in Customer Service can remove Lifeline from your account, and then that number becomes eligible to be ported.

    Find a new phone carrier company you like, and find out what info you need to provide to them to port your current number. Usually they’ll need your current Account number and PIN, your current cell phone number, and a check or credit card for the beginning payment . Unfortunately, some Lifeline companies keep your actual account number secret, and only give you your PIN number. Call your old Customer Service, often 611, and then wend your way thru the inscrutable electronic menu until you can talk with a live person. Sometimes pressing zero, ( even when that is not one of your choices,) will get you out of the Artificial Intelligence menu and into the line for a human being. The customer service workers may be trained to try to intimidate you into not asking for your account number or other info that you have to have in order to move your phone number elsewhere. Be determined and keep asking politely.

    The first person you talk to should be able to get some escalated department in Customer Service to tell you your account number. Tell them that you want it “for your records.” Assurance Wireless will ask if you want to “Escalate this matter,” as if it is a terrible thing that you want your own account number. Say Yes, and wait on the phone for awhile, and then when you get to talk to someone, ask them for your account number. Write it down and do not lose it! Then ask them to discontinue or separate your account from Lifeline. It’s going to happen anyway, so deal with this before they steal your phone number, too. Sometimes they will let you keep using the free Lifeline service until the next payment period rolls around. Make sure to continue some kind of phone service with your old carrier until your number gets ported. Then go back to the new company with the required information. They are the ones that have to initiate moving the phone number over. Set up your new account, pay out of pocket, and get on the plan you want. At least you still have your old phone number. A phone number is like a piece of our identity. Don’t let the bastards steal it.

    Reply

  40. I would like to know why I have to call every month for my service? Even if I have service I get emails telling me I am being shut off..Why?

    Reply

    • We are not your service provider, so it’s impossible to know what the on-going issue is, Jane. But it’s a very odd situation you describe and must be very annoying.

      Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team to get a definitive answer to your quesiton, Elvira, but replacement phones usually cost about $25 or so.

      Reply

  44. I use my Safelink Tracfone several times a week to make calls. But every 60 days I get a letter from Safelink saying I am being dis-enrolled for not using minutes (even though I have used minutes). I then submit a new application along with my documentation and and they re-enroll me once gain. Exactly 60 days later the cycle repeats itself.
    This all started in Feb after I changed from the phone they originally sent me 8 years ago to an I-phone via the BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) option which required a different SIM card. I have called and spoken to several different reps and techs at Safelink as well as Tracfone. Each says they have “synced my account” so this won’t keep happening. But it does keep happening as I got yet another letter today, like clockwork.
    I suppose I shouldn’t be too concerned since they do at least re-enroll me each time. But I worry that one day everything will stop working altogether. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • You’ve done everything you can possibly do, but we can’t help but imagine how annoying and time-consuming this must be.

      Reply

  45. 8. They say you’re dead.

    Went to log into my account, which I just activated a newish iPhone over the zte. They said the federal government says I’m dead, too funny.

    Reply

  46. Is the government phone suppose to be 4G my phone stays on 3G and it cut in an out really bad when I’m on the phone with someone

    Reply

    • Continuing to use it would violate the rules of the program, but you are probably eligible to enroll in the program and get a phone for yourself.

      Reply

  49. I have been trying for months now to recertified my lifeline. Keep getting new application sent to me with an excuse saying something wasn’t right about the last application I sent in. I had phone for 5 years. My yearly renewal ran out now I can’t get my phone back.

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear about your problems. But we are “glass half full” kind of people, so we’d recommend that you take this opportunity to enroll with a different company. We’d also suggest that you enroll by phone so that you can speak to a customer service rep.

      Reply

  50. I called and told them I recently moved. They said I no longer qualify because someone already has a phone at my address, but a different phone number. I told the guy I live alone in my apartment. He continued to read the rules of what qualifies as a household. He didn’t seem to get the point that the person that lived at my address before me must have had a government phone. I received an application in the mail and filled it out. It never mentioned whether I had a phone or what my situation was. I think it was a new phone application. This month I got no free minutes added to my phone. I think they disqualified me. I wish I had spoken to someone that at least spoke English as a first language!

    Reply

  51. I had one hell of a run around trying to get my daughter’s hooked up and now it doesn’t work for calls or messages

    Reply

  52. My friends are a married couple in their 60’s and in poor health but they are not always out together. one might be in a store and the other would be at the Doctors, What I’m trying to get at is they both need a cell phone but on Social Security they can’t afford to pay for a second one.

    Reply

  53. This isn’t completely accurate at all. For one thing they are actually horrible at busting people who break the rules ,it’s been in the news that they even wanted to start a special division to crack down on these people after they did an analisys on the situation they found that very few people actual qualify for the program and most over 60% don’t . As well many people of those like 70% of those people have multiple lines . They decided they don’t have the extra money to spend on busting and monitoring everyone so they declined to start this division. So there’s actially very little oversight because as they put it ” we have already spent millions on this program and will not spend anymore believeing that it’s useless to do so as they knew before they started it that generally most people who qualify don’t take advantage of it . Because of the actual service etc they would rather pay a little extra for real plans that don’t like limit you to 350 min a month . They min cost them like virtually nothing and yet they can’t just give us unlimited how pathetic .

    Reply

    • The way we interpret your comment, you think you aren’t getting enough for free and that you won’t be satisfied until the free is absolutely unlimited. Interesting.

      Reply

    • This is so very true that people get these cells yet don’t qualify for them at the time. My mother uses this Assurance cell. It’s very unreliable service to the point she’s gonna pay to get a real cell plan and cut down on other expenses. Assurance is a insult to the poor people. Cheap cell. Terrible service. Constantly game ad pooping up. Cell gets hot. Battery fully charge will discharge within hours. Forty apps Assurance has automatically installed that use up all the memory yet not one app can be removed rendering the cell virtually useless. Sure it’s free yet not worth the dang headache.

      Reply

  54. Are the phone numbers provided with these phones recycled? I’m curious because I’ve gotten a few texts that seem to be for someone else on the phone I just got

    Reply

  58. Why did I got charged $25 dollars for my supposed free phone and I heard they use last four of your social and if they forget to ask for ur number the use random number I think that those companies are in to the money not help people I wish i had a phone number to rat them out

    Reply

  59. Government phone suddenly changed to another mobile number. The number that it came with was working fine. When I tried calling someone they asked me if I had change my mobile number? I said no but it was a different number I was calling from. Went into setting and sure enough the number is not the same. I have to keep the previous number what can I do?

    Reply

    • That’s a problem we’ve never heard of until we read your comment, Debbie. The only thing we can suggest is that you call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to discuss the strange problem with customer service.

      Reply

  60. My phone got shut off . I called and the representative said the state ordered it to be cancelled can someone tell me have u guys experienced this ?

    Reply

    • Oddly enough, your comment is the third in a row from readers who have been enrolled with three different service providers, yet they are all complaining about the same thing. Any other readers want to add their two cents?

      Reply

  61. For some reason my safelink phone did not get its minutes so I checked my status and it says cancelled and I have no idea why. I recertified like I was supposed to.. could you please tell me what to do

    Reply

    • Sure, Jason. Contact Safelink customer service ASAP because they are the only ones who can tell you what’s up with your account.

      Reply

  62. My free safe link is broken and I need a replacement.I have tried the number i can find and I get transferd to more automated messages.How or who do I contact to get another phone.

    Reply

  63. I have used Savelink before try to to reactivate phone well they did nothing except telling me to fill out more forms which i send 4,no respond,also can not understand any one in the service department they get mad when i ask to speech to someone else,so i give up on them,really need A free phone.

    Reply

  64. I wish to cancel my phone but I still need to find out am I still being charged for phone.im not using it.i just got it.cant pay another Bill plz let me know.ty Anita marshall.

    Reply

    • Depends. It will work anywhere that’s covered by whatever cell network your free government cell phone company’s network. Most of them work on the Sprint network, which covers virtually all of the country.

      Reply

    • Had same problem. Assurance Tech said I probably used all the data & I need to purchase more. Did @ $20.00. Ended up WITH DATA that would not access the Internet.

      “Here I sit brokenhearted:Tried to access but only farted.

      I remain,

      Reply

  67. My brother in law passed away and he had a government issued cell phone. What should we do with the phone?

    Reply

    • You have a couple options. First of all, there is no need to return the phone. It was given to your brother and can now be given to anyone who may need a cell phone. In regard to the service, you can get it shut off by contacting the service provider’s customer service team. Call them at 6-1-1 on that free government cell phone. You could also do nothing and the cell phone service should be automatically cut off on the anniversary date of your brother’s enrollment.

      Reply

  68. My fiance has had Assurance for about 2 months. Neither the phone nor the service has worked properly since he got it and they gave replaced it twice. He was told would have to wait a year to change service. Is there no exception since his initial service has never worked? Basically, he hasnt actually received a workibg Obama phone . Ty.

    Reply

  69. If I live with someone else and they have a government phone if they don’t recertify will they account close?And will I be able to apply for a government phone?

    Reply

  70. My phone says no more service days. I still get medicaid,
    and I only have one government phone in my household.
    Please let me know how to get more service days.

    Thanks in advance. Kathie Ellis

    Reply

    • Several ways: (1) The best way is to call customer service at 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. That will connect you to customer service. Alternately, you can decline to re-certify when the anniversary of your enrollment rolls around.

      Reply

  72. I’m in transition after successfully completing a 12-month inpatient rehabilitation program. Unemployed and in need of a phone, I promptly applied for assistance through Tag mobile. When I enrolled they instructed me to select the BYOD bring your own device plan due to being out of free phones. Fast forward and I’ve decided to switch after 3 months of spotty service, not to mention I shattered the glass on my sad old phone. I submitted an application with Q-Link and am told that I do qualify for benefits, but that I am ineligible for the free SmartPhone due to having previous lifeline service. Should this be the case?? I feel like I am being shorted because I never did receive a device through Tag mobile…

    Reply

  73. I have a Sprint Phone plus an Obama phone. worried about losing the free phone. have life line alrrady.

    Reply

    • If you can afford a Sprint phone, why are you eating up precious funds by having a free government cell phone, too?

      Reply

  74. I think my phone was disconnected for lack of use. I must have lost track how long it’s been since I made a call through mobile. I usually call through google voice over wifi since I get better quality calls that way. My phone says “In Service” but also “Disconnected” under Cellular Network State. Will I have to re-enroll or can they restore my account?

    Reply

    • Each company offers different plans, so visit your service provider’s website to see if they offer an option to purchase minutes.

      Reply

    • If you buy mins. for the safelink, use trac phone mins. If you purchase through your account on safelink they cut your service at the end of the month. I found out first hand and takes months to get safelink to re-instate your account

      Reply

  76. Dear: access wireless June 15,2018
    I am Thomas Komninos,#323-519-****. A few days ago in the morning, to my suprise, I found that my service was cut?

    Reply

    • Sorry, Thomas, but this is NOT Access Wireless. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact the Access customer service team.

      Reply

    • If it has been cancelled, you will probably need to re-enroll. If that’s the case, you are free to enroll with any company that offers free government cell phone plans in your state. Here’s where you can find them all:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Check them all out carefully to find the one that offers the plan that fits your needs best.

      Reply

    • Free government cell phones can make and receive any phone calls regular cell phones can make or receive.

      Reply

  79. I had a old flip phone from safelink 3 years ago do i qualify for a free smart phone or do i have to pay to get a new one and i call the other day and they told me i had to buy a phone before i can get service back is this true or not

    Reply

    • As we understand it, you were a customer three years ago, but you are not a customer now. Is that correct? If so, no, you should not have to purchase a new phone. If that is Safelink’s position, please be aware that you can enroll with any other free government cell phone company offering service in your state. Here’s where you can find all those alternate companies and plans:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  80. i cant get them to cancel my service and im now over the income limit. no matter what i send in or fax they still wont believe it. since i cant get them to understand 4000 a month job is over the income limit how else. i have stopped using phone and yet still nada for disconnect. will this ever be considered fraud?

    Reply

    • Nothing to worry about, Michael. You might want to keep a record of your attempts to cancel, because then the fraud will be on the part of the free government cell phone company that refuses to cancel your service.

      Reply

  81. Hi, my phone has been shut off due to my misplacing of the phone. I am a single mom of 3, and on government assistance. I sent in all of the paperwork and still the phone was shut off. I found my phone yesterday and was wondering if there is anything I can do to get it turned on again or if there is no way? Thank you

    Reply

  82. I have assurance wireless; they renewed by contract without my knowledge; I have had problems with their phones with downloads I do not want. I just want an old fashion phone with calling and text messages but cannot get out of their program. Their phones keep wanting me to download all kinds of programs I do not want. I have tried to cancel but they tell me the only way is to quit using the phone for a month which I tried but they kept it on. How can I change companies. I do not like assurance wireless. I am 77 and do not need all their problerms Who do I complain to

    Reply

  83. Im recieving snap and unemployment and i have a free phone through standup wireless on the program and i woke up yesterday and my phone was shut off. Please explain to me why.

    Reply

  85. My brother lost his free government phone we found out that my fostercare child has it and she won’t give it up what do I do how do I get the phone turned off

    Reply

    • Contact his service provider’s customer service team and request that the number be deactivated and another one issued to you.

      There is another option you may prefer. You didn’t mention if your brother had a smart phone, but if not he can switch to another service provider. That will kill two birds with one stone — his old account will be cancelled and he will receive a smart phone from the new service provider. Here’s an article that will tell you exactly to make the switch:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers

      Reply

  86. My brother received one of your free cell phones and he tried to get it fixed but don’t know where to get it fixed cuz it fell and it shattered in pieces we tried to contact vortex and even tried to call the 800 number but got no answer he has not been able to use this phone since day 5 of getting it

    Reply

    • You didn’t get one of “our” phones because this is an independent informational website that’s NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. The USAC will help you figure out who your service provider is. Check out its website.

      Reply

  88. I moved and now my phone won’t make calls everything but texting is messed up and the dumb website won’t let me change my address and I really need my phone to change my address for all my insurance and such but again I can’t make any calls I don’t understand I followed all the rules I call every month to keep it running

    Reply

    • There could be a thousand different reasons why your account is screwed up, Starla. Contact customer service/tech support to get an accurate answer.

      Reply

    • I was given a broken phone that I returned to the Assurance Wireless carrier but they said they never received it even though I used the label they sent me. They say they have not received it & shut my phone off. Now I have NO phone at all.I am a senior who is living in poverty & rreally need that phone. What can I do & can they just shut me down?

      Reply

      • It sucks, but no one ever said these companies were efficient or competent, Andrea. How long has it been since you first got your phone? You should be able to switch to any company offering plans in your state after 30 days.

        Reply

    • It’s impossible for us to know if what you sent will be sufficient for your service provider. Contact that company’s customer service department to get your question answered.

      Reply

  90. Previously I had gotten a free government phone for my son to you use. My boyfriend had also had a free line, however because we were on separate cases we were under the assumption that we were able to have one free phone per case not per address. So when my son’s phone broke and we went resign up for a new one we were not qualified. We are now wondering how can we fix this issue or are we just permanently disqualified? It’s definitely been more than six months since either line has been active does that make a difference?

    Reply

    • PS my boyfriend line had also not been used for about a month at that time so that’s why we also did not think we would have an issue

      Reply

    • The only way to get two or more accounts at the same address is to prove that each resident of the house lives independently of the others. For example, can your boyfriend prove that he pays you rent for a room? If so, he can probably be accepted as a separate economic unit sharing one residence. If not, the odds are against you.

      Reply

      • @Free Government Cell Phones
        Paying rent for a room in a house or apartment is not considered a “economically separate household” by govt definition. An economically separate household is one that has it’s only kitchen and bathroom that is not shared by any other “unit” in the structure. So unless it is a separate apartment WITH a separate address recognized by the postal service, it is not considered a separate household.

        Only ONE phone per household.

        Reply

        • You are incorrect, Chuckers. Here’s info quoted directly from the USAC that helps define “household.”

          What this worksheet is for

          Use this worksheet if someone else at your address gets Lifeline. The answers to these questions will help you find out if there is more than one household at your address.

          What is a household?

          A household is a group of people who live together and share income and expenses (even if they are not related to each other).

          Examples of one household:

          • A married couple who live together are one household. They must share one Lifeline benefit.
          • A parent/guardian and child who live together are one household. They must share one Lifeline benefit.
          • An adult who lives with friends or family who financially support him/her are one household. They must share one Lifeline benefit.

          Examples of more than one household:

          • 4 roommates who live together but do not share money are 4 households. They can have one Lifeline benefit each, 4 total.
          • 30 seniors who live in an assisted-living home are 30 households. They can have one Lifeline benefit each, 30 total.

          Household expenses

          A household shares expenses. Household expenses include, but are not limited to, food, healthcare expenses, and the cost of renting or paying a mortgage on your place of residence and utilities.

          Income

          Households share income. Income includes salary, public assistance benefits, social security payments, pensions, unemployment compensation, veteran’s benefits, inheritances, alimony, child support payments, worker’s compensation benefits, gi s, and lottery winnings.

          Reply

        • You are incorrect, Chuckers. Here’s info quoted directly from the USAC that helps define “household.”

          What this worksheet is for

          Use this worksheet if someone else at your address gets Lifeline. The answers to these questions will help you find out if there is more than one household at your address.

          What is a household?

          A household is a group of people who live together and share income and expenses (even if they are not related to each other).

          Examples of one household:

          • A married couple who live together are one household. They must share one Lifeline benefit.
          • A parent/guardian and child who live together are one household. They must share one Lifeline benefit.
          • An adult who lives with friends or family who financially support him/her are one household. They must share one Lifeline benefit.

          Examples of more than one household:

          • 4 roommates who live together but do not share money are 4 households. They can have one Lifeline benefit each, 4 total.
          • 30 seniors who live in an assisted-living home are 30 households. They can have one Lifeline benefit each, 30 total.

          Household expenses

          A household shares expenses. Household expenses include, but are not limited to, food, healthcare expenses, and the cost of renting or paying a mortgage on your place of residence and utilities.

          Income

          Households share income. Income includes salary, public assistance benefits, social security payments, pensions, unemployment compensation, veteran’s benefits, inheritances, alimony, child support payments, worker’s compensation benefits, gi s, and lottery winnings.

          Reply

  91. i got a 60 day notice, can i wait til the last minute to send it in to get another month i kinda need this phone to get a job

    Reply

  92. My ex-girlfriend got me an Obama phone when we was together using her welfare ,I didn’t know it was a free phone til after we broke up , I didn’t live with her so is that fraud against her ? Or is it legal too do that ?

    Reply

    • We can’t explain it, Chris, because we are not your service provider. This is an independent informational website. Have you spoken to your service provider’s customer service team to ask what the problem is?

      Reply

    • There’s no way for us to know, Johnny, because we are NOT your service provider. This is an independent informational website. Contact your service provider’s customer service team to get your question answered.

      Reply

  97. Why are government phones shut off on Feb 10,11.in the upper left-hand corner on government flooring phones it shows red triangle which means roaming, how or who put that on an how can you get it off of Total Mobil cell? Please post answer to Facebook, thank you.

    Reply

  98. I need to know how to fix this problem I know from experience because I’ve handed out free cell phones before that part of the application process is verifying the last 4 of the social and their address or you don’t give them a phone if you can’t verify that I received a free government phone from SafeLink not even 30 days later they cut me off the first reason they gave me was because I went to another carrier and the second reason they gave me was because I changed my address I have my photo ID from the state of California which has my address on it and I have my social security card with my name and my social security number on it I don’t know if that is sufficient for verification for them and I don’t know who I need to go to to verify it do I go to the booth where I got the phone or do I have to go somewhere else the only thing that I can think of is that I’m dealing with identity theft here because I haven’t changed my address and I still have the same Social Security number so how I ever even received the phone in the first place I don’t understand if they couldn’t verify it so I don’t know what’s going on but I need somebody to tell me how to fix it cuz they said I cant apply for a phone for 60 days and I need my phone

    Reply

    • If we are reading your comment correctly, Cathy, it sounds as if you switched service providers too soon. You cannot switch until you’ve been with one service provider for at least 60 days. Do you think that could have caused your problem?

      Reply

  99. i was trying to help my nephew apply for a free government online. it was kind of confusing and i inadvertently by mistake applied for an Assurance plus also a SafeLink phone. i assure you it was a mistake as i am not that good at using computers at 69 years old and even after taking basic computer at Tech College.
    i hope there is some way i can rectify my mistake. my Nephew is very honest and i definitely was not attempting to commit fraud.
    Assurance sent him a smartphone but when He tried to activate it , They said they couldn’t connect him to a Cell Tower and could not help him.
    SafeLink said they couldn’t help him because He had received the Assurance phone. Can someone please help us
    Horace L. Bell

    Reply

    • We’re not sure what they meant by they “couldn’t connect him to a cell tower.” Try calling in again and ask to speak to a supervisor in hopes that he/she can give you more info.

      Reply

  100. I lost my free government phone even though I recertified myself 4 times. They gave me no notice before cancelling my phone, nothing.

    I would like to have it back, how do I get it back.

    Reply

  101. Good evening
    my son received a message on his phone which stated that the service will be terminating. However he still receives Medicaid and it’s not time for recertification.
    I need to what is the problem. Thank you for your prompt response.

    Reply

    • We can’t tell you what the problem is, Janice, because we are not your service provider. This is an independent informational website. Contact your son’s service provider by calling 6-1-1 on your son’s free government cell phone.

      Reply

  102. I received an email that my service has been cancelled by Safe Link – however my phone says service till Jan 2018. Phone ID # 2464****. Phone # 585 969 **** Last 4 digits of SSN ****
    Gayle Grandits-Offhaus
    How do I get service from Safe Link again?

    Reply

    • You need to speak to Safelink customer service to find out why your service was cancelled, Gayle. That will determine what next step to take. You may find that it was cancelled in error.

      Reply

  103. I have had my safe link phone turned off.when I try to call out it says. The phone has been suspended by the users request.then it ask me to reactivate my phone press # 1. It says I have to use phone at least once a month. I use it everyday. I didn’t send the pink envelope in .bucause I talked to someone in the phone from safe link a couple months ago. And answers all the questions .to hold the man if I had to send the pink envelope .and he said no. That I had answerd .and enterview was completed. I am the only one at this address with a safe link phon. Also wanted to mention there are two numbered addresses the same on my street. Only differance is there north and south. We get eachothers mail if nth and sth isn’t specified. Please help get my phone back on. I need it. I can’t go out in public to get another phone. I’m sick. And need my phone..please help.. thank you.

    Reply

    • You need to call your service provider’s customer service team. Ask to speak to a supervisor and explain your situation. If you don’t have another phone, ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow their phone.

      Reply

  105. I think my in laws are doing a fraudulent thing they both have their own free phone. They live at the same address but they use a P.O. box along with there home address. I just want to know if they are in the wrong thanks.

    Reply

  106. Phone has minutes but no service. Called and they couldn’t help me. Tried and tried to explain but apparently they weren’t comprehending what I was saying.

    I’m not sure if I was die to recertify but if I was how do I do it

    Reply

    • Visit your service provide’s website and you will be able to find the recertification information you need.

      Reply

  107. I am looking for a free government Obama phone preferably Verizon or you catch where do I find a location in Fresno California or it also could be in Oakhurst California

    Reply

  108. so heres my problem…my husbands lifeline service was shut off for no reason he recertified in may…but when i finally got in touch with his service provider and they said i had to get in touch with the lifeline administrator for cincinnati ohio…but i cannot find the # so what can i do to find out the reason why his phone is no longer active…

    Reply

    • That’s a nonsense answer they gave you, Cindyann. Any customer service rep should be able to help you. Call in again and ask to speak to a supervisor.

      Reply

  109. I had my safelink wireless phone for a while but it got cancelled about a year ago but now I have re applied and it tells me I have been approved because I have been found on the records and that I can use my old device and keep my old number but Its requiring me some documents, what happens if I dont send those in time, will my safelink be cancelled or my snap benefits will?

    Reply

  110. I have a question about who can use a Lifeline benefit. I can best explain in through an example scenario. Let’s say a single father of two daughters can qualify for Lifeline benefit program. Only he receives government help and can qualify. The father already pays for his own cellphone service and the eldest daughter pays her own. However, the younger daughter, who is over 18, needs a way of communication. The father can’t afford to pay for the younger daughter and she cannot pay for her own phone service but does not qualify for Lifeline benefit. Can the father get the free cell phone service and give it to his daughter, whom is part of the household and is a dependent of the father?

    Reply

    • Does the father pay for his cell service or is it also a Lifeline free government cell phone. If so, he can get the phone and let his daughter use it. If it’s a Lifeline phone, he cannot get a phone for his daughter because only one Lifeline discount is per household.

      Of course, based on your description of the situation, it also sounds as if the daughter can qualify for the program and get her own free government cell phone.

      Reply

  111. Is a eligible individual whom re wives a phone aloud to se d it to a child that lives in another state to use. When that child isent claimed by them.

    Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team to get your question answered, Cody. Depending on which company you enrolled with, its website may offer a “Check Your Status” function that can answer your question.

      Reply

  115. I was wondering why my service was cancelled.. I tried changing my phone number on line through assurance wireless because I had and Obama care phone. So please let me know what happend. And also if I can get my account back and activated…

    Reply

    • We have absolutely no way to know why your service was cancelled, Ze. This is an independent informational website. You must contact your former service provider’s customer service team to get your question answered.

      Reply

  117. I was a customer at qlink Wireless and my phone was stolen and I was also a customer of Assurance Wireless after that and my phone was stolen I have tried multiple times to apply for free cell phones and I keep getting denied saying that I am already getting service through another company I have not used either one of these services in more than 60 days it’s been months I have an 11 year old boy and I receive benefits through the government I need a phone if I am out and God forbid something happens what do I do I lost my job I have no way of paying for a phone this is totally unfair all they both have to do is look on their records and see that I have not used either one of those phones in months there has to be something that I can do this is absolutely ridiculous I am beside myself I need a phone and it is not hard for them to see on their records that neither one of these fans have been used I have reported both of them stolen what do I do can someone please help me and advise me what I can do thank you very much!

    Reply

    • The problem, Donna, may be that someone else is using your old phones. If the person who stole your phones uses them, your service provider just knows that they are being used. You need to cancel your current account or at least notify customer service that it has been stolen.

      Reply

  118. I PAID THE 25 DOLLARS TO GET A NEW PHONE BUT MOVED BEFORE IT CAME AND COULDNT HAVE IT MAILED AT POST OFFICE I CALLED AND TRIED TO SPEAK WITH THE MAN HE WAS RUDE KEPT AWNSERING PHONE AND PLAYING GAMES I NOW HAVE A ADRESSE AND WOULD LIKE TO GET PHONE I PAID FOR

    Reply

    • Contact customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone and ask to speak to a supervisor.

      Reply

  119. I have had my phone for only a month or maybe not a whole month but got disconnected during a call and can’t make or receive phone calls and don’t understand why

    Reply

    • Speak to your service provider’s customer service team, Carrie, to find out if your phone is defective or if your service has been cut off for some unknown reason.

      Reply

        • No, unfortunately, we cannot renew it, CH. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact your service provider directly.

          Reply

    • It is the customer’s responsibility to re-certify on time. If not, your service will be cancelled.

      Reply

  122. I applied for a government phone at the beginning of the month and about a week ago my son broke it. I have no other phone to call and cancel service or request a replacement phone. I’m assuming all I can do is wait for my service to be cancelled after not using it for some time. Can I ask how long it’ll take before I can apply for another government phone? Or how long it’ll take until my service is cancelled for not using the phone? Thanks.

    Reply

    • You can ask your service provider to give you a replacement phone, Serena. But do it quickly, because your account will probably be cancelled if you don’t use it for 30 days.

      Reply

  123. Myself and 2 other friends all are lucky to have “government phones”, however, none of our phones have been working for 2 days and this evening makes 2 nights. The screen says, “Searching” we can’t make calls or text. When we go to “our acct. from the menu the screen says, “No Internet Connection”. People are telling us when President Trump did away with Obamacare the phones went too. I have not seen anything on the Internet and I’m on every day. I also haven’t seen or heard this for myself on any media/news via television. Anyone who might come across my comment and has any info, please post it and let the rest of us know what you know. Thanks

    Reply

  124. I switched from my government phone(because it working anymore and I was calling and texting every month) to metro PCS and I got a great deal. But I had to use my girlfriends social security number and name which she gave me permission, and I signed my name before I paid metro PCS. But my girlfriend thinks my phone is in her name. And she doesn’t have a government phone and neither do I which is why I switched, she only got me that phone because she was eligible for it. Bottom line is the metro PCS phone that I paid $72 is it in my name? And if it is in her name is that fine for her and me? Thank You

    Reply

    • Metro PCS does not participate in the free government cell phone program, so we hesitate to give you any opinions on what is legal and what isn’t.

      Reply

  125. not sure how it all works yet. but im pretty sure im out of data. no internet period without wifi. i cannot even use the gps, and i am extremely directionally challenged. so does the data replenish itself or do i need to call someone? also will i have to worry about my call services running out?

    Reply

    • You should get your minutes, texts and data added to your account on the same day every month. For example, if you enrolled on February 10, everything should be added on March 10, April 10, May 10, etc.

      Reply

  126. I lost my phone and recently found it. We moved and it was in a box that I just found in my closet. Of course it was deactivated. How can I get it turned back on? Or can I?

    Reply

    • We assume your account has been cancelled because that’s what the regulations require. You can always enroll with a different company (assuming you have had your account long enough to qualify). Here’s where you can find a list of all the Lifeline companies and plans available in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  128. Ok here’s my problem and I’m pretty irritated the phone I have now is junk the back of the phone gets hot comes on when it wants to …I was at a save lots and saw safe linkwireless workers doing the free phone give away I asked them can I transfer my account to a new phone that Thier given away they said no I had to call safe link ask for one but then I’d be charged for it I told them they could have the old phone to prove that it didn’t work they said just call in tell them u lost it .uh that’s lying nouther women told me they up graded her phone with old account

    Reply

  129. My phone was broken by someone else and I cancelled the service. They say I won’t be eligible for another free phone and I will be routed to the same company and have to pay $25 for a replacement phone which I am unemployed and have no way of having the money to replace it. I think that they should give one free replacement phone then start charging after that.

    Reply

    • That’s not the way the program works, Heather. What’s to keep someone from losing two or three or more phones and saying, “I think that they should give four free replacement phones then start charging after that?”

      Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team, William. Under the circumstances, they should offer you a replacement phone for free.

      Reply

  131. Safelink will also just terminate you randomly, despite following all the rules and the website saying you’re enrolled.
    And you can’t reactivate it without a phone, but you can’t use the phone.
    Do not ever apply for Safelink, unless you live with people who have their own phones… You will be dropped and not have your phone when you need it.

    Reply

  133. Did paperwork after receiving application mailed back with proof of income and I’d to assurance has been 18 days and haven’t received word still all…what now?

    Reply

    • Most companies say it will take two weeks. Most of our readers say it takes three or four weeks or even longer. Have you check your company’s website to see if it offers an “Application Status” function?

      Reply

  134. Tracfone switched my safelink to a smartphone. No problem there, but when minutes were added this month, they put minutes on the upgraded phone, and the old one too. What in the world do I do?

    Reply

    • Are you saying both phones are still active and you got double minutes? Have you used minutes on one phone to see if they were subtracted from both phones?

      Reply

  135. My brother who lives with me is enrolled in the free phone. My question is, i am eligible for the free phone BUT i cant get it because of my brother living in the household so is there a way i can recieve one or would he have to terminate his?

    Reply

    • If you live independently you can both qualify. In other words, if he rents a room from you rather than sharing expenses, you would be eligible.

      Reply

        • You should be able to enroll. The USAC says, “Contact your company and ask for a ‘household worksheet’ to show that more than one “economic household” lives at your address.”

          Reply

  136. I received a letter that says i need to make a phone call to activate my phone and i have already made the call the day i got the phone but now i cant make calls it says i am unable to make a call. I can recieve calls but not make any.

    Reply

    • We can’t be certain because we’re not your service provider, but it sounds as if your phone is broken. Contact your free government cell phone company’s customer service or tech support team to find out for sure.

      Reply

  137. I’m stuck in a pretty hard position because I actually let my son borrow my phone for using it as a clock on he was in the hospital for open heart surgery the clock in his room was not working so I figured I trust him and get it back afterwards. I have moved from Seattle to Lacey Washington but every time I come back to Seattle to get the phone he has an excuse and doesn’t give it to me because he either lost it or something. well I know that’s not true and I given him enough chances so I would like to have it turned off please ASAP and then I would write to reapply for my own this has been an ongoing battle and it has been very frustrating to the point where I have to take action

    Reply

  138. Yeah I read the seven ways to get your phone shut off here’s number 8 sign up with SafeLink Wireless unbeknownst to me on two occasions now I’ve been dropped from service with absolutely no warning I just suddenly don’t have minutes on my phone when I finally can work my way through the Maze of push this button and push that number to talk to a real person I end up getting several different stories about why I no longer have service today was another example it went from they found out I have more than one Lifeline phone which is not true and by the way was the reason they dropped me without warning a year ago left me without any communication or any means of contacting family out of state going back to today I was told that I have more than one SafeLink phone I was sent to a supervisor who was going to send me on above him and the phone went dead I contacted another rep who somehow in the meantime oh your phone is and your service is active I still can’t get on the internet but the funny thing was I had turned my phone off and on like they suggest and my date was set back to December 31st of 2014 I accuse them of doing something remotely to my phone as it was funny to me that within probably half an hour I went from having to recertify to being in good status and all this after I was disconnected and then finding my phone has gone back to December 31st of 2014 when I didn’t even own this phone to take this a step further the rep I was talking to shirred me that nobody could access my phone and I knew that was not true they can access your phone remotely they do it all the time if you call for Technical Support I’m not dumb anyway I got so frustrated with him he told me that I get my minutes on the 1st and I just had to wait till August 1st to get more data and that was that and I told him I’m going to cook me and I’ll call the police and report this cuz somebody’s messing with my phone and it hasn’t gone anywhere I’ve been home all day and it’s been right beside me and nobody else has been around plus I rechecked on my phone the information he had told me and it shows that my service doesn’t expire until August 23rd and that’s when I get my data so I call back and this time I’m told oh yes there’s something wrong with your program so this guy it takes 30 minutes and I hear nothing except an occasional okay just give me three more minutes okay ma’am three more minutes finally I’m like are you are you there what’s going on I just need 3 more minutes I said I’ve got to go then he assured me that everything is fine I should turn off my phone for 10 or 15 minutes turn it back on and I will have data and everything will be restored wrong I’m with everybody else that’s question how SafeLink continues to be touted as the number one Lifeline service I think it’s very dangerous to just shut somebody off cold without giving any advanced warning it’s called a Lifeline program for a reason their customer service is rude nobody seems to know what they’re doing and it’s not just SafeLink it’s across the parent company and the sister and brother you know I have had my fill with TracFone SafeLink and Straight Talk I’m done I’m just going to have to bite the bullet and see what else I can find because I will not will not give any more of my time or precious finances to this company

    Reply

    • This is just an update I called SafeLink back around 9 tonight because I still was not able to access the internet and this time I was told own you have any data left that I had already gone through the 500 megabytes that I’m allowedntI explained that I had spent half an hour on the phone this afternoon with another rep who said he was fixing something that was wrong in my connections the rep that I was speaking to at 9 was not even aware of that I should be in the notes I asked him what he did he said there is nothing documented about that phone call I said so I spent 30 minutes on the phone and there’s no record of what they did to my phone and he said again no there was nothing in the documentation about that I also ask the rep that I spoke with last tonight around 9 why when I text usage to 61161 one I get a return response saying that my cycle expires on the 23rd of August when they’ve been telling me all day today when they’re not telling me that I’m canceled they’re telling me I just have to wait until August 1st to get more data he said made up some other excuse and said no that’s not accurate you’ll get your your data on the first and if you don’t after that call us I’ve been without data I explain that to him again I have not used my my data since July 4th I have not been able to access anything he and I he said when I asked why would I go through all of that data and three days his response was well you must have turned something on and left it on that’s ridiculous even when I question that he just kept sticking to that story that I left something turned on it makes no sense to me other than these guys getting something for all the hassle they’re putting myself and other people through and I’d like to know what it is and why the government continues to contract with these people who are taking advantage it’s fraud and ifif I was doing that on my benefits either been in jail by now And/or I’d have a large pay back to somebody what what can be done about all of this I’m at my wit’s end thank you Ops the rep I spoke with tonight also tried to say that well my benefits had been canceled because I was paying for other services and I called him out on that and said now you guys specifically tell us customers to buy to purchase extra from TracFone if we need it oh yeah well that’s right he said I mean I’ve never spoken to so many people that just seemed too they seem to lie as often theycan getaway wih because I’ve started calling them out on their BS and they will backpedal but they don’t know what to say they scramble and blurred-out nonsense it’s ridiculous I sit on the phone and I wonder if it’s for real I’m so fed up any feedback would be greatly appreciated

      Reply

      • It appears to be time for you to switch to another Lifeline company, Wendy. Are you eligible to do that? If you have phone-only service, you can switch after 60 days. But it sounds like you have phone and data service, so you can only switch after one full year with your current service provider. When you are eligible to switch, here’s an article that tells you how to do it:

        https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers

        And here’s where you can find full information on all the companies offering Lifeline free government cell phones in your state:

        https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

        And maybe most important, here’s an article that tells you how to file a complaint and who to file it with:

        https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/file-official-complaint-about-your-lifeline-service

        Reply

        • Thank you I agree with you as far as changing providers but can you explain to me what makes a difference if I have data or just talk and text I mean especially if they are going to just terminate my service at random and thank you too for the link I will file a report prior to my disability I spent 20 years doing Human Service work and I administrated programs that were funded or subsidized through the federal government and so having the knowledge I have of how that worked it appalls me more that this company is getting away with this and so blatantly I mean they’re basically thumbing their nose at the consumers and the federal government I can’t stress enough how much it blows my mind that the government has it put a stop to this every time I have to deal with these people I’m on guard and I don’t trust what they’re going to do or what they’re going to say and I was especially disturbed by whatever was going on with my phone yesterday when the date reverted Back to December 31st of 2014 and it was trying to download a text message I had received from from my family on that day I didn’t even own my phone or this phone then I did have service through SafeLink but I did not have this phone and they denied doing anything remotely said they couldn’t do anything remotely and I know that’s not true so what else are they doing I realize just even sharing that may make me look paranoid and crazy but it happened

          Reply

          • The FCC introduced new rules that govern the free government cell phone program back on December 2, 2016. One of those rules says you can switch providers every 60 days if you have a plan that includes data, and that your plan includes data, you can only switch once every year.

            So this is not just a rule made up willynilly by your service provider. It’s an edict handed down by the governmental organization that governs the free government cell phone industry.

    • A month is not unusual, but it is getting to the point that you might want to check the website of the company with which you enrolled to see if it offers a “Check Your Status” function. Many of them do. If yours doesn’t, contact customer service.

      Reply

  142. Just found out the newest way to lose your phone….receiving SSDI! I just tried to recertify my Safelink phone that I’ve had for years and was told that I no longer qualify. I have searched the internet to find the law for this, but no luck. If I were on SSI then I would qualify,but not SSDI.

    Reply

    • Is that the policy of getting your cell phone taken away when you get SSDI written down somewhere I’ve never seen that it just seems to me that maybe that’s one more of their excuses for poor service because I’ve been told I don’t qualify because somebody else in my household that has one I live in an efficiency apartment everything was cool 6 months ago and they did it to me again just this month they shut me off cold about a year ago as well it’s simply ridiculous good luck

      Reply

      • A lot of people lose their accounts because another free government cell phone customer is inaccurately listed as living at their address. If you want to solve this problem, contact the USAC to ask about an error on the National Lifeline Assistance Database. We have found that the USAC is usually very responsive and willing to help.

        Reply

      • The free government cell phone program has never explained why customers are eligible because they participate in some programs, but not eligible by participating in others.

        Reply

  143. I am homeless without an address where I can have a phone mailed to me. How can I get a phone without an address. I can’t get a job without a phone

    Reply

    • The only way to solve your problem, David, is for you to take up residence at a shelter that will allow you to use its address.

      Reply

    • I always remembered to call one a month so could keep my phone on but then found out one time when tried to make the one call my phone didn’t work, Why was my phone turned off?

      Reply

      • We have no way of knowing why your service was suspended, Anjanette. This is an independent informational website, NOT your free government cell phone service provider.

        Reply

  145. Have turned my stolen cell number to y’all to be turned off and I know it hasn’t been turned off please turn it off 214 476 **** how I know its still on is because Donald G***** has my phone and still using the same number that’s how I know its not turned off now will u not let him use it turn it off ok

    Reply

    • Always happy to hear from our Northern Texas readers, Mary. BUT we cannot turn off your cell phone because this is not your free government cell phone service provider. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team to get your phone turned off.

      Reply

  146. believe or not the application you sent me was kinda hard for me to understand but I stilled got to fill it out the best way I knew how.try to. make the form more easyier to fill out and understand .thank you.

    Reply

    • Not us, Ivan. This is an independent informational website. We don’t know which Lifeline free government cell phone company sent you an application, but it wasn’t us.

      Reply

  147. My phone has been discontinued although I made a call on11/04/2016.Eversince I am not getting through by phone.Please help

    Reply

    • We’re not a free government cell phone company, so there’s nothing we can do to help you, Winston. If you haven’t made a phone call since last year, your account should have been cancelled by now. If that’s the case, you can sign up with any other Lifeline company offering plans in your state. Here’s where you can find a complete list of those service providers:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  148. I moved and my safe link wireless phone is not working right at my new location I called safe link and the problem still occurs. Is it cause safe link don’t respond in my area.wes

    Reply

    • We have no way of knowing if Safelink has poor coverage in your area, Wes, but that is certainly a reasonable assumption. If you’ve had your account for more than a year, you are eligible to switch to a different free government cell phone company. Here’s where you can find a complete list of the companies and plans available in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  149. I need help with my brother phone services ,the SERVICE has been stop since APR I HAVE SENT PAPER WORK IN ABOUT TIME TO SAFELINK,THEY SAYING HE HAS TWO ADDRESS,i TRIED ASSURANCE THEY ONE TOLD ME I NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH GUY I NEED HELP GETTING HIS SERVICE BACK

    Reply

    • If the service has been off since April, your account should have been cancelled now, because the new rules of the Lifeline program require that an account that is inactive for 30 days or longer must be automatically terminated.

      You need to contact Safelink customer service. Ask to speak to a supervisor and tell them what the problem is. Tell them that you need to have them clear up a problem in the National Lifeline Assistance Database (NLAD). The regulations say that this should be a relatively easy fix.

      Reply

    • There’s no way we can analyze what’s wrong, Dwight. Contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  151. The Safelink company advertises that I can upgrade to unlimited talk time for $15 per month, but the company does not say if i would lose my status by doing so. I called them but go round and round on the phone system and never get that question answered; and online i cannot get that question answered properly.

    What i need to know: if i upgrade to $15 month fee for unlimited talk time, am i still a lifeline free gov phone status? If i upgrade to that unlimited program for $15 monthly charge and later i choose to drop back to the 500 free minutes… will i be able to do so? Will i have to reapply if i do so?

    and what about people who upgrade to smart phones (which i do not want because the site does not say how much it will cost per month).

    The website explains nearly nothing, and the experiences i have had with their phone representatives is that those representatives often do not know what they are doing, some are even rude. I cannot get proper answers half the time to any question.

    Reply

    • I did not know that you were going to post my name on this site. I though that I was writing a personal message (did not scroll down). Yikes. I would never have posted publicly.

      This site is not a government site is it?

      Reply

      • Nope. No government involvement whatsoever, Linda. Would you like us to go back and remove your last name?

        Reply

  152. My brother had a free phone until April 2017 Safe link stop the service,my brother receive SSI,FOOD STAMP,MEDICAID,and live alone as at his address ,I have been talking with safe link it a long story,since APR 2017,fax,e -mail -mail thing 3 times,now they saying brother not eligible,I need help I ask safelink could they help me check and see who has the services can they stop the service at that using my brother they said they cant help, II need help .

    Reply

  153. will they literally come to your house and take your phone from your hands
    or just cut off the service to it?

    Reply

    • If your free government cell phone service is cancelled, you are allowed to keep the cell phone. They will simply terminate your service.

      Reply

  154. i received my phone last week and i could make calls for a couple days, now it says no connection. Please help

    Reply

    • We’re not your service provider, Debra, so we can’t help you except to tell you to contact your service provider’s customer service team ASAP.

      Reply

  155. i cannot have any anwers to my questensof how ican get to recertify befor i lose my phone,i cant get it recertified so i will lose it

    Reply

  156. Every time I try to make a call I’m unable to, text blocking is active as well. Nothing has changed in my benefits. Unsure what happened. Worked earlier in the day just fine.

    Reply

    • You need to contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team to determine what’s going on, Brian.

      Reply

  157. I lost my government phone and just found it after 2 months. Now it is shut off. How do i get it back on?

    Reply

    • You need to re-enroll. It sounds as if your account was cancelled because it went unused for 30 days or more. You owe it to yourself to check out all the plans available in your state before you choose one. You may find a plan that offers you more minutes, more texts, more data and a better smartphone. Here’s a link to that page:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  158. I just got a new job and it pays enough so I’m no longer eligible for SNAP food assistance or Medicaid. I have been informed by my state that my SNAP and Medicaid benefits will end at the end of the month. When I called my cell phone provider and told them this, the guy stated I shouldn’t worry and my free cell phone can still be used until early next year (several months from now). The person I spoke to was in a foreign land and I don’t think he understood what I was trying to tell him. It appears I WON’T be eligible after the end of this month, but how I do end the service if the company can’t understand I’m not eligible or just won’t shut it off. The provider is one of the largest cell companies providing free cell phone service.

    Reply

    • First of all, congratulations on the new job!

      What the customer service rep was probably saying is that although you are no longer eligible, no one will know until you would need to re-certify. But we congratulate you on speaking up and attempting to cancel your service. Here’s another option — just turn your phone off and it will be automatically cancelled if it goes unused for 30 days.

      Reply

  159. My name is Heather Jacobs, and i havent been able to get a free government phone in almost 2 years now cause ive come to the realization that somebody at my old address on **** marple street, phila, pa. 19136 has been using my identity to receive a free phone. My new address is **** ****** street, Philadelphia, pa. 19149 . I hope someone contacts me soon in reference to this matter.

    Reply

    • How long have you been at the new address, Heather? We can’t solve your problem because we’re an independent informational website, not a free government cell phone company. But you should be able to clear this up pretty easily if you speak to customer service at your chosen service provider. If you don’t have success with the first customer service rep you speak to, ask to speak to a supervisor. They should be able to clear up the confusion in the National Lifeline Assistance Database.

      Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Kelly. How long ago did you apply?

      Reply

  161. Help! I lost my assurance wireless cell phone service due to trying to switch over to Safelink. I made the application for safelink and then they rejected me cause I had an assurance wireless phone. My intention was to disconnect the assurance one once I received the safelink one. I applied to safelink cause they offered a smartphone and at the time assurance wireless didn’t. I wanted to see how the smartphone worked before switching over…well, now safelink rejected me cause I was on assurance and now assurance got word I applied to safelink so they cut me off. So now I am a low income senior without any cell phone service. I told assurance safelink rejected me so I don’t have a safelink phone. Now I am rejected from all the government cell phone services because of this mix up. I’m very upset. I use that as my lifeline cause I can’t afford the lifeline thing around your neck when you fall.

    Reply

    • Unfortunately, Bunny, you committed the cardinal sin of the free government cell phone system — two phones from different companies. You should be eligible with one company now since you don’t have any phone. Try calling customer service, ask for a supervisor, and explain what happened. Maybe you’ll get lucky and someone will see that you didn’t intentionally attempt to defraud the system. It’s worth a try.

      Reply

  162. I have a free government phone through Access Wireless. I live in NYS and I receive SNAP benefits. I haven’t used my phone since January because, I forgot to use it.

    Reply

    • Uh-oh, Samaria. You may have a problem. The rules of the program say that your account will be terminated if your phone is unused for 30 days. Our readers report that the companies often slip up and do not terminated the accounts, but that’s what should have happened. Have you had your phone for more than a year? If so, and if you have been terminated, there’s nothing to stop you from re-enrolling with any company that offers Lifeline services in your state. Here’s where you can find a list of those companies and their plans:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Check out each of the plans carefully, because you want to find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone, etc).

      Reply

  163. I have ordered a safelink phone online and its been pending for about a week now , is that normal? and once its approved I was just wondering how long will it be until I receive my phone in the mail?

    Reply

    • “How long will it take” is a very common question here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net. So we’ll give you our standard answer: Most Lifeline companies say it will take two weeks, but three or four is not uncommon. One poor reader told us it took six months to receive his phone. Check the Safelink website to find out the status of your phone.

      Reply

  164. March 17 /2017 my free cell phone completely die no any light and no voice.battery is full charge. What you recommend me to do???

    Reply

    • We would suggest that you contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team. If your phone has died permanently, you will need to get a replacement phone. Depending on how long you’ve been a customer, you may get one for free or you may need to pay a reasonably small fee.

      Reply

  165. I found out the free cell phone is a trick funded by the government for the police to arrest you. first a police report is done on you to check for Warrants, child support, to see if you’re a illegal alien. if they find any of that police will be at your door before 10 days to arrest you. I know becuse It. Happen to. A. Lot. Of. Us next. That phone. Is. Taped your being. Recordit. So. Any. Stupid. Thing. You. Say. That they .find. ilegal they will lock. You up. And..you. Been. Recordit. I. No. Becuse. It happen. To. A. Lot. Of. Us. I. Onley. Found. This page. While. Looking. For. How. Can. They. Do. This. ilegal. Stuff. Its. Not. Listed. I. Hope. ive helped. You. Save. Your. Life. The. Gouerment. Is. Not. Your. Frend any. Thing. Free. Is. A. Trick. To. Arest. You. For. More. Money. They. Will. Still. From. You. And. The. Tax. Payers. Use. Your brain.

    Reply

  167. My assurance phone battery gets so hot I have to turn it off. It only charges usually about 50 to 60 % allnight. I am afraid it is going to explode. Please help me.

    Reply

  169. I just have a question….., i signed up for a free obama phone by mail… They took the mail maybe 2 months shouldnt i be getting a free phone soon?

    Reply

    • Yes, under normal circumstances you should have received your free government cell phone by now. Look up the company you enrolled with here:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers

      Find the contact info provided for your service provider. Go to its website and see if it offers a “Check Your Status” function. If it does, plug in your information. If not, use the phone number shown to contact customer service.

      Reply

  170. I HAVE A HOME PHONE BUT MY PROVIDER IS NOT A PART OF THIS PROGRAM. AM I DISQUALIFIED FROM A FREE PHONE. I AM A LOW INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN.

    Reply

    • You’re only disqualified from a free government cell phone if your home phone is also part of the Lifeline program. If not, you can enroll.

      Reply

    • No, Wanda, the program is not ending today. It’s going to go on forever and continue helping millions of down-on-their-luck Americans.

      Reply

  173. I have assurance wireless, this morning my texts is not sending its saying network busy try again later, and when I make calls its dropping

    Reply

    • Contact customer service or tech support to find out if it’s caused by a general outage or if there’s a problem with your phone.

      Reply

  174. Please I did not understand that i had to recertify annually, Today,,my phone made a horrible loud sound and it now says:” Emergency calls only” ,,What can I do,,Please help???

    Reply

    • You may be able to reestablish service with your former service provider by re-applying. However, you may also want to take this opportunity to check out all the free internet service providers and plans to find a better deal (more minutes, more texts, more data). You can check out all those plans in your state at this link:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  175. How can I deactivate my free cell phone if my ex girlfriend won’t give it back…it is still active because it goes to voice mail still

    Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Jeff. And consider yourself better off without that girlfriend.

      Reply

  176. I got my service cancelled for no reason. I have complied with the contract agreement. I did have a qilink phone, informed both qlink, as well as safelink. I asked both parties what I needed to do, and both said nothing. I have not used my old phone,and have received emails for not making any required per phone call a month. I asked did I need to mail it in, or reuse it. I was told no.
    There was a client error on my SNAP benefits, but this problem has been resolved, and I didn’t loose any benefits. So, could some one please help me. 803-***-**** SIM NUMBER: 890 141 032 790 *** *** ** response when I go through the 555 process
    There are no pending updates for your phone at this time. Thank you. We had a lot of trouble activating this phone from the beginning. I believe it was 4 SIM CARDS. If a CSR could please call my house phone with doesn’t have life line on it either. 803-324-****. I will write down my Enrollment Number as wel., and have it ready.
    Thanks,
    Clancy Collins
    803-324-****

    Reply

    • We wish we could help you, Clancy, but we’re neither Q Link nor Safelink. We’re an indepedent, unaffiliated website. You’ll need to contact customer service at either company by phone or online. Good luck clearing up this problem.

      Reply

      • Hey Goddamned it you never answered me. you deleted my comment. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU END UP HOMELESS NO INCOME AND NO BENEFITS? I JUST WANT TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN ANSWER. I NEED TO KNOW THAT WAY MY MIND IS AT EASE. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN I’D HAVE A WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH MY FAMILY AND MY ONLY SISTER. NOW ANSWER MY QUESTION INSTEAD OF YOU’RE WE WISH WE COULD HELP BS. TELL SOMETHING. THAT WAY I HAVE A WHAT IF PLAN. I HATE TRUMP. GOD I’M F***** SCARED.

        Reply

        • We don’t delete comments unless they use over-the-top foul language (and even then we usually just ***** out the foul words) or unless they are so unintelligible that we can’t figure out what they mean. That being said, we do not remember deleting a comment from you, Dustin, but considering the language you used in this comment, if we deleted an earlier comment from you we suspect it may have been the first option.

          It’s possible for homeless to get a phone, but they need to be a resident of a homeless shelter because you can’t get a phone without a valid street address. Here’s an article that will tell you more:

          https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-phones-for-the-homeless

          We can feel the anguish and fear in your comment and hope things get better for you soon.

          Reply

  177. I got my recertification letter in the mail, it has gotten lost, i don’t know my ID#. I have tried everything i know to get help online but nothing has worked, please help, i can’t lose my phone!!! :'(

    Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team online or by phone. They should be able to help you based on your address, name, social security number, phone number, etc.

      Reply

    • I would call. Recertify,and I bet you’ll here back, or at least some acknowledgementioned. Have you logged into your Safelink Account? Igo my user name, or password and it was pretty simple for me to get in.

      Reply

  178. Safelink has deactivated/suspended my free phone while I am with california lifeline for 6 more months. They sent me a defective phone, the next one sent to me took 3 weeks to activate after numerous calls to them. There is absolutely no reason for this phone to be deactivated. Starting to look like a scam to me.

    Reply

  179. I never got a letter demanding I recertify yearly, also if i don’t use my phone for 60+ do i get de-enrolled? Will that affect me trying to sign up for another provider?

    Reply

    • Let’s answer your questions in order, Tasfia.
      You are required to recertify annually even if you do not receive notification from your service provider. The bottom line is that it’s your responsibility to make sure you get recertified.
      Yes, you will get cancelled if you do not use your phone for 60+ days. Some companies will cancel you after just 30 days of not using your phone.
      Finally, no, that will not stop you from enrolling with another service provider.

      Reply

  180. hello, i have a safelink phone and it was cancelled because the database said i have 2 phones which i don`t. i asked for the data base phone number to find out what other company has my info and the number they gave me is out of service, the number they gave me is 1-866-923-4859, i just had major surgery and am totally disabled and now i am left without a back up ph in case i lose power, i cannot reapply until after christmas,so who do i contact to find out what other company has my info so i can cancel them to get my safelink back,thank you for your time

    Reply

    • Call the same company again and ask for a supervisor. Explain your issue and see what that person can do for you. It’s always better to move up the chain of command.

      Reply

  182. My mom had a Safelink phone and used it a lot, but during the summer (late August) we got a letter from USAC telling us that they believe more than one person has a lifeline phone with our address. This wasn’t true and we were confused as to why we got the letter, so we ignored it because we thought it would blow over (losing the letter in the process). Well she’s been cancelled since August 21st and her status is “Pending NLAD De-enroll” on the safelink site. I called multiple times last month asking how to re-certify her but I instead went through a nightmare-ish process of being put on hold and reconnected with a handful of customer service representatives. They either suggest I reapply online (but this results in an error message b/c my mom’s information is already in the system and so she can’t get another phone), or tell me to wait some number of days. It’s been a very painful process to get hold of someone who actually understands the situation. What can we do to get my mom her phone back??

    Reply

    • It is a painful process and we’re very sorry that you’re going through it, Mo. Unfortunately, the only thing we can suggest is that you contact your service provider’s customer service team again and ask to speak to a supervisor. We aren’t saying that will work, but it always helps to go up the ladder to someone with more knowledge and authority.

      Reply

  183. Hello. I have a few questions today. I received my phone. Activated it just fine. But for months now…. everyday the service is no longer active. Sim card not registered. Etc….
    I found out if I call it from another # for … usually a couple hours, it will eventually work again. Today I’ve spent many, many hours & still doesn’t work. I can’t find my paperwork & I’m not sure who my provider is. Please help 🙁

    Reply

    • Have you contacted customer service, Amy? That should be your first step. Even if you don’t know which service provider you use, you can find out by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. That will take you directly to your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

      • I cant get the thing turn active. It keeps saying….. call failed.
        Emergency calls only. It rang 1 time today. Directly I answered it. Everything was find. Hung up & tried to make a call…
        I can only call 911 from it. Soooo no customer service.

        Reply

        • This is why we always tell our readers to write down the name and contact info for their service provider. You’re pretty much out of options, Amy. There’s only one thing you can try: Contact the service provider you want to switch to. That company may be able to find you in the National Lifeline Assistance Database. Good luck.

          Reply

  184. My friend is very low income on food stamp and was refused a phone Q-link because someone else is renting in the same house and has a gov’t phone. there are 4-5 renters in this same home non-related each pay their own rent

    Reply

  185. I had a life wireless cell phone that was cancelled the number was 312-622-**** now when I try to get a government phone they can’t find me in the system any more what is the problem I still get food stamps why can’t I get a phone

    Reply

    • Are you trying to re-enroll with Life Wireless again, Jerry? If so, maybe you should try enrolling with a different company. Who knows, you might even find a plan that offers more minutes and more texts. Here’s an article that tells you about all the Lifeline free government cell phone companies in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  186. How can I find out if I have more than one lifeline number in the database. I keep being denied lifeline service.

    Reply

    • The people who deny your service should be able to check the national database and tell you why you are being rejected.
      Beyond that, if you had a phone and didn’t use it for 60 days, your account would be automatically cancelled. That may mean someone has a phone in your name and is using it. You should really check into this.

      Reply

  187. I am approved and received a phone but the phone will not work and they will not replace it.

    Please help!

    Reply

    • That’s unacceptable, Sharma. Which company is it? Have you called customer service and asked for a supervisor?

      Reply

  188. My brother has a phone from Assurance Wireless and he was approached outside a store and given a phone from Access wireless and he didn’t understand that he couldn’t have 2 phones. Now his Assurance phone has been cancelled and I can’t get through to Access Wireless to have them cancel it. Any help would be appreciated!!!

    Reply

    • Your brother is now officially caught in Lifeline hell, Linda. We’ve heard lots of complaints about how tough it is to reach customer service at a lot of Lifeline companies, but Assurance has a pretty good reputation. Go to our Assurance page and use the various means of contact we provide. Here’s that page just to make it easier for you:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers

      But your brother’s story reconfirms why we tell our readers to be very wary of applying for and getting free government cell phones from street tents and booths. There have just been too many problems reported. Always apply online or by phone if at all possible.

      Reply

  189. My ex girl friend turned on a phone in my name my ebt number. She gave it away i never seen it dont know the number. I need my phone please help

    Reply

  192. hello I have a question requarding a problem with my phone, it was originally turned off because I had to renew my food stamps so I did that & it was on for a couple weeks now its turned off again. the stand from which I got it from is no longer in its location (or anywhere in town or around town) & I haven’t landed a solid job yet & I cant even text on my phone. any Idea why this is? any information helps, thank you.

    Reply

  193. I received a message that I have not certified for service, but I never received anything at my address but your company never sent anything nor did lifeline. This mistake was made by the representative who signed me up. I pointed out that they had the wrong address, but they didn’t correct it. This service was almost disconnected a couple of months ago. Then another representative took the correct address, and that postponed it. I then received a new phone, without service, but still no follow-up request for information. What do I need to do. Please respond ASAP.

    Reply

    • What a mess. Sorry to hear that. We’re hot your phone company though, just an informational website. You’ll need to contact your phone company.

      Reply

    • It’s the best thing since sliced bread. The phone company here charges $20 for 200 calls, plus fees and taxes. I can’t remember a time I didn’t go over the limit. Then my friend informed me of reachoutwireless.com. I don’t recommend them any longer, but there are some fine one’s out there.

      Do yourself a favor first. Search free cell phone service in __________. (Your state)
      Stay away from safelink, also. extra minutes are priced ridiculously.

      Reply

  197. But some rules are real discriminate some peoples.I am a senior 67 retired and disable, my stepdaughther move in she not work and have a free telephone, but GOV cut me a free services and give to her, but she not paid here for nothing, rent, food utilities, live free and free telephone and attack senior who more need a help and suffer. A reality show what kind of criminals are Dems, create a lazy young and attack senior. I was right she must supposite loose a services because she are not real live in m y house and don’t paid nothing.

    Reply

  198. I recently reapplied for another safelink phone because I was unable to provide the renewal paperwork at the end of my contract in 2014. The reason being is I was in critical care in a coma for several weeks and remained in the hospital for four months. Several months ago I reapplied and have not recieved any explanation why I cannot be a participate. I would appreciate another oppertunity seeings I wasn’t at fault. Thank you sincerely Kim

    Reply

    • Consider yourself lucky to be off Safelink unless you never, ever, ever had to purchase any extra minutes. Rip Off.

      Reply

  199. I had assurance wireless for 4 years. Never had a problem. I moved June 2014. Assurance would not change my address in the system. I did it 6 times since June. The only reason I got the recertification papers was the mail carrier was the same as my last address. Otherwise, I would get no mail from them. Therefore, I have no control who moved into my old address, and I am being punished for it. I proved I don’t live at the old address. After I disproved this, I received 6 more different excuses from assurance. Every time I disproved their comment, a brand new one appeared. I had to add minutes at my cost. They would only accept 5 dollars of talk time. I have not been able to add minutes since. Now, I have no phone. I am disabled. This is insane. And what’s worse, on the phone, your talking to Bogata, Columbia. They read from a sheet of paper and have no idea how to reach any one in the US. Really! This is not how we treat one another, especially the disabled. Now what?

    Reply

    • Yes are insane, but much more insane are let Hate liberals have a political party, liberals hate senior and disable plus discriminate. I must support two lazy, one are 23 old girl no intention to work, no paid nothing living total free plus free phone, I live from small income fix SS and SSI, paid rent and utilities and GOV target senior. That must end and be will end, safe link provider owner are a most rich Mexican in a word and suck we money. But if cut a services must notified over a letter, who never doing. Dems are brutal criminals and that why was loose and loose next years.

      Reply

    • There are more than one plan available. At least in the lower 48 that I’ve check out just for the hell of it, so it’s become that much of a hassle, just pick another. Not reachoutwireless.com or safelink.com. I include safelink only if you need to purchase extra minutes. It’s a rip-off.

      Reply

    • ___Amen! Finally a post by someone who actually appreciates the service! I’ve read so many posts here about some of the most petty issues that could be easily resolved, but instead some people just expect everything to be perfect from the start.
      ___I have used Safelink as well as Assurance in my area and most of the time I haven’t had any issues. When something does happen to my service plan or to my phone, I’ve had very good customer service help with getting a replacement phone or calling customer service from a landline to resolve the issue with not getting the monthly minutes for example. Once or twice my minutes didn’t go on the day it was supposed to. I was instructed to go to “Add Airtime” menu and type 555 (I think this was the number) and in a few minutes I received the allotment. On rare occasions I’ve been instructed to go to the “Code Entry” menu and they told me strings of numbers to input & then turn the phone off and back on. This method was used for a couple of different problems and was an easy fix if a person would just remain calm & follow the instructions.
      ___That being said, I have had problems before and the person at customer service could barely speak English and didn’t have a clue what the hell I was talking about, much less having the ability to help with the problem. In this case I hung up the landline and called right back so I would get a different agent. This one did speak my language pretty well… well enough to solve the issue at least. Anyhow, the main thing is why complain so much when something goes a little wrong, it’s FREE! Sure something will go wrong occasionally but I’m with you, it’s a free service and free phone and I’m very happy to have it even if I do have to call them now & then or send for a replacement.
      ___I was told after filling out an application once that I would have to send in verification of my eligibility before they would send me a phone. Then I would have to activate it once it arrived. I had the papers ready to go and was about to put it in the mailbox when the FedEx truck pulled up and had the free phone for me. I opened it up and it said in the paperwork that it was pre-activated & there was no need to do anything further except make the 1st call from the phone to begin service! Maybe I’m just lucky???

      Reply

  201. I got cut off because they say I have two lifeline phones. Except I don’t. I’ve had my phone with Safelink since 2011, and live by myself so obviously no one else in my household has a lifeline phone. I never got the letter that was supposed to be sent to me. And no one can give me any information on who has the second lifeline phone. I suspect identity theft, since nothing else makes any sense. But there doesn’t seem to be any way to get this straightened out or to find out who is using the second phone. And I’m the one now left without a phone.

    Reply

  202. I have .25 minutes (15 seconds) on my TracFone. I sent in my paperwork. I have end stage multiple sclerosis. There is no cure or improvement with this disease. Why have you not given me minutes?
    Leslie A/ *******
    **** E/ MacArthur Ave.
    Bloomington Il. 61701
    309829**** (land line) and 309585**** (cell)

    Reply

    • We’re sorry you have not been helped. But we are not the cell phone company, just an informational website.

      Reply

    • Try calling the company you have the “Lifeline”service with, such as Assurance Wireless or Safelink Wireless, or whoever your service is through. They missed giving my minutes once or twice and all I had to do was go to my “Add Airtime” menu and put in a few numbers (555 I think) and hit ok. Within a few minutes my time was added to the phone. It wasn’t hard you just have to contact them to find out your particular carriers instructions on how to retrieve your free airtime when it fails to go on automatically.
      Good luck!

      Reply

  204. LOOKED AT DIFFERENT PHONE CO THAT ARE SERVICING AND ACCORDING TO ONE THE PHONES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR THEN IF THEY DON’T WORK YOU HAVE TO BUY THE NEXT ONE AT A STORE. TRUE? AS THEY SAID . WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CONTACT ANYONE. IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED GETTING AN ANSWER FROM ONE COMPANY AND WANT TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER WHY IS IT SUCH A PROBLEM GETTING AHOLD OF A NEW ONE.

    Reply

    • I’m not sure what state you’re in… I live in TN and they only offer Assurance and Safelink here. I haven’t read many of the rules but I know I’ve had an Assurance phone for well over a year and it was damaged from dropping it I think… maybe even water damage (don’t remember exactly) and I just called and told them what happened and ask what address I needed to send my old phone to in order to get a replacement. They took my information and told me when the new phone comes there would be a self addressed return envelope for me to send my old phone back to them in. They requested me NOT to include the battery, only the phone, and said after the new phone arrived I had to send the old one back within 15 business days or they would cancel my service. Everything went smooth and I didn’t have to pay for anything, not even shipping for the old or new phone!
      As far as switching services… I’ve ran into similar situations about not being able to contact the correct department or being on hold for 2hrs. and still no answer. What I did was signed up for the new service I wanted to switch to. On the application it will ask if you have another “Lifeline” phone. It’s ok if you do because there was another question right after that you have to sign that allows them permission to disconnect the old service on your behalf if you still have active service.

      Reply

  207. I don’t have service any more. Why? I use-it all the time, I’m on Medicaid ,I have food stamp, and I have 818 service day left! What append? My phone # 352 777 ****
    Gyorgy

    Reply

  208. It is good to know what the exact guidelines are. I had a free government phone for about a year and then it no longer worked. I called the company to let them know this. I couldn’t get a live person on the phone! I tried at least 20 times over a two month period. When I came to the automated prompt for technical service you had to turn the phone on and follow the rest of the prompts. The problem was the phone would never turn on and it had been plugged in for 24 hours. I kept getting the option for a survey after going through the prompts. I told them several time in several surveys that I need to talk to a person for technical help and left my name and home phone number. After 3 months I just gave up!

    About a year later I reapplied starting all over again and now have a working phone. Thanks for offering this program for people like me. I have worked for 43 years and made a good income and supported myself and my family. At the age of 57 I ended up on disability and I am now raising my great nephew and niece, 6 and 12 years old.

    Reply

    • YES, WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, PHONE DOES NOT WILL NOT WORK AFTER A CERTAIN TIME TALKED WITH FINALLY A TECH AFTER 3 MTHS. BUT NOW WE HAVE TO SEND IN MONEY FOR A REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A 3RD PHONE THAT DOES NOT WORK, JUST WHAT KIND OF PHONES DO THEY SEND THAT THEY ONLY WORK FOR SO LONG. WE ARE SENIORS AND DO NOT ABUSE THEM IN FACT WE ONLY USE WHEN THEY WORK ONCE A MONTH TO SATISFY..

      Reply
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