We know it’s tempting to enroll with a street vendor when he says, “It’s free!” But the truth is that other companies probably offer other plans that are far better than the one that guy sitting in a booth is offering you.
All free government cell phone plans changed on December 2 thanks to new regulations issued by the Federal Communications Commission. It set minimum service levels that must be provided, but it didn’t set a maximum.
That means all sorts of plans are now available, so it’s more important than ever that you become an informed consumer. Check out all the plans available in your state to make sure you’re getting one that gives you the most, not the least.
So we’ve been updating everything here on FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net to make sure we’re giving you the latest, most up-to-date minutes/texts/data plans available. Our tech guru was recently reviewing plans in California and said:
One interesting thing with one of the companies I just reviewed, FeelSafe, is that California provides the worst data allowance (100 MB), where all the other states get 500 MB.
The plans vary so much that I think it’s fair to say that some companies’ plans are not up to par. Someone could really get stuck in a bad plan if they don’t check around. And I noticed that some companies only offer smartphones if you order online. Because of these two things, those people who get a phone from a street tent are locking themselves into what may be a very bad plan on a feature phone for a year.
It’s just another reason not to enroll for the program with a street vendor.
Our comments section is overflowing with questions from readers who want to enroll in the free government cell phone program with a vendor at a street tent or booth. Our answer is always the same:
Don’t do it. There have been too many cases of fraud and abuse originating at these locations.
But now our tech guru has given us another reason why you should shop for a Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone from the comfort of your home — it’s the only way you can compare and contrast different plans from different companies to make sure you’re getting the most minutes, texts and data.
Since our tech guru started this whole conversation while looking at plans available in California, let’s show you what we mean by taking a quick look at the basic plan from each Lifeline company offering plans in that state.
EDITOR’S NOTE: California offers freakishly good plans compared to other states, but the story is the same no matter which state you call home.
Assurance Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
Blue Jay Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts
Budget Mobile: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
EnTouch: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
FeelSafe Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 100MB data, plus 100 free international texts per month
Life Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
Safelink Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 500 MB data
SafetyNet Wireless: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, 100 MB data
Tag Mobile: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited text, unlimited data
Total Call Mobile: Smartphone, 250 minutes, 250 texts, 500 MB data
TruConnect: Smartphone, unlimited talk, unlimited text, 100 MB data, plus 200 minutes of calling to Mexico
Wow! See what we mean? Even within one state, there a huge difference between the plans offered by different free government cell phone companies.
In other words, the plan that sounds so good when a street vendor tells you “It’s free!” may not be so good when you compare it to other plans for which you’re eligible.
Of course, each of these companies allows you to purchase additional minutes, texts, and data. Most of them at relatively reasonable prices, but there are deals to be had when you purchase the extras, too. Each company offers different packages at different prices, so if you think you’ll need more minutes, text or data, you need to check out the cost of each company’s top-up packages to determine which company and plan is best for you.
Be an informed consumer. Do not enroll with a street vendor no matter how tempting it may sound. Get the best plan possible by doing your homework. Compare and contrast all the plans in your state right here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net.
You can find all the companies in your state if you CLICK HERE.
MACMAN JAY says
hows can i switch from assurance wireless to access wireless asap?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to do it:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Charles says
For safelink wirelles how many is eligible per household?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Only one free government cell phone is allowed per household, Charles.
Joshua C says
My aunt and uncle just signed up for their free phones at a booth inside of a Walmart, in NM. Is that considered a “street booth”?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Impossible to tell, Joshua. We’d tend to trust the people inside a Walmart more than the ones on the street, but there’s no way to tell if the people were representatives of the actual free government cell phone company or a subcontractor.
Have your aunt and uncle received their phone yet?
charles pruitt says
lost my phone. can I get a replacement without resending my medicare or section 8 proof I had assurance
Free Government Cell Phones says
Probably. But you need to contact your service provider’s customer service team directly, Charles.
SanLu says
Do you know which one of these companies provide SIM cards with their phones?
I ask because in the past I was enrolled with a company that provided very good services but the phone I received was damaged. I had an old T-Mobile phone slipped in the SIM and was good to go.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You got lucky on that one, SanLu. Not all phones are compatible with all cell phone networks, so for a SIM card to work, the phone itself must be compatible.
Missy says
Life wireless has sim card you just have to have a phone that’s unlock, in other words you must have bought that phone from a dealer in the phone belongs to you.
carlos says
i wish i could find where those tents are. i know that there are many free gov. phone co. i have this gut feeling that LIFE wireless is for me. but unfortunately they don’t accept online application in CALIFORNIA . still in search where to sign up and still having difficulty contacting them. i will give it one try and go from there.
Fay says
How do I get a manual for the Lifeline phone Android Cool Pad with Access Wireless ? I signed up at Kroger Payless store and was told I could use both phones: The Access Wireless Android and my current phone with Assurance Wireless since 2008. This was wrong info given to me; my phone was shut off with Assurance Wireless. I am struggling with how o use the Android. Can I get the old number 765-278-9042 with local area code back? Now have 317 # Please help by answering both questions or directing me to whom can help me.
Fay says
Do not want my phone number showing – delete the # shown in last message. Did not know it was going public.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’d love to do that for you, Fay, but we can’t. Because we’re not your service provider. We’re an independent website. Contact your service provider’s customer service team.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Google the make and model of your phone along with the words “user manual.” You’ll find it easily.
MRS VALARIE B HALL says
Can I switch my life line provider.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can switch only if you’ve been with your current service provider for at least 12 months, Valarie. Here’s an article that tells you how to switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Dianna says
So my battery died last night. Then it asked for the PUK code which we couldnt remember what it was until it was too late. Now I am locked out and Budget mobile does not recongnize my account. Do I just try to get a new provider?Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
What do you mean when you say, “Budget mobile does not recognize my account?”
todd says
well thats not always the case
when u want to switch from a truly horrible company its very hard to wait six weeks for the mailman, i got tired of that dumb game and got a new free phone from the burger king tent people today , instant service ON and no waiting six weeks , it should take no longer than one week to process and mail a phone to someone
thats why the tents work !!
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re glad it worked for you, Todd, but you should sit where we do and read all the readers’ comments about problems they’ve had with the tents.
Anna Johnson says
I’ve tried everything to get a phone please help I have no money and I have kids
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you contacted all the Lifeline free government cell phone companies in your state? The application process is really pretty simple. Here’s where you can find a list of those companies in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
nobody says
locked in a plan for a year? is that a new thing? i never signed any sort of contract for any period of time, and i’ve switched providers before too. i was under the impression you could go from company to company as you wished, the only possible problem being the same company might not send you a free phone
nobody says
oh, i think i just found my answer in the comments, lol sorry
Free Government Cell Phones says
For those who don’t scroll down to find the answer, yes, it’s a new thing. As of December 2, 2016 you can only switch service providers after you have been with your service provider for one year or longer.
Steve says
Dear FGCP and company,
That’s sound advice – “Be an informed consumer. Do not enroll with a street vendor no matter how tempting it may sound !”
One reason is that street vendor is most likely contracted to do just that job and has no other affiliation with that Lifeline company, is not a full/part time employee and other than by a contract to that Lifeline Company – to possibly misrepresent any statement to a would-be Lifeline consumer, in all the pro’s and con’s of the Lifeline Company they represent by a contract.
(aka – fly by night person (1099 contracted) who has your personal information – would be something else altogether if they were required to be bonded, to work as a contractor in representing a Lifeline company.)
Next reason is that – this contractor is probably making more from signing someone up with that Lifeline company – then that phone handed out to you – costs the Lifeline Company in the first place.
Steve
Steve says
Dear All,
Something’s also to know-
FACTs:
These additional facts are to everyone currently enrolled or thinking of signing up with a Lifeline provider company.
There was a small grace period window to opt-out of broadband being added to your Life Wireless plan (one week from Dec. 2-2016), although not confirmed – I believe any New sign-ups could benefit from that same opt-out time frame of a week, which is then a Opt-In to a VOICE ONLY plan with Lifeline provider company.
If you don’t want broadband on your Lifeline benefits plan and then the required 12 month port freeze that comes with it – you must Opt-In to a VOICE ONLY Lifeline plan within a given time frame or possibly by starting out that way in clearly stating it when you sign up.
[Keep records of a ticket number if generated and/or who you’ve spoken to about this (name-time-date) – understanding what’s possible before a remittance of your application – and in recertifying too]. Ask for any information in writing by an email sent to your Lifeline providers customer service team is really good too…
LIFELINE PROVIDERS PLANS with-
Voice Only = 60 days – port freeze
Broadband added and standard now = 12 months – port freeze
Mobile Broadband = 500MB usage on cell networks
Port Freeze = Locking in your Lifeline Benefits for a time period to a current Lifeline service provider, before your benefits can be moved to another Lifeline service provider, via a Lifeline Benefits transfer.
Port Freeze is in the meaning of your Lifeline Benefits as a Whole moving from one Lifeline provider to another Lifeline provider.
What this means if your not happy with Lifeline provider anymore in 60 days (2-Months) with a VOICE Only plan, you can change to another Lifeline Service Provider instead of waiting a whole year then while being on the broadband plan with them.
Once you do serve your locked-in Port freeze time period (60day-12month), your then on a month-to-month basis with them the (Lifeline service provider) and can transfer your Lifeline Benefits at anytime.
After this first port freeze time period with your current Lifeline provider, in which ever case of your prior port freeze was the 60 days or 12 months period you can transfer your Lifeline benefits over to another Lifeline provider of your choosing that offers Lifeline in your State of residence.
Of course this will mean a new time period for a locking of the “Port Freeze” term and having to expire first again before being in a status of a month-to-month is reached again. So a VOICE ONLY plan is advisable to even know if your able to make and receive calls from the new Lifeline provider.
Hope this helps at least a few understand their options and has
been of a service to them.
Steve
Sarah a taylor says
I love to have that phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’d love to have you apply for that phone.
Maria A King says
i have had such a bad issue getting the phone delivered because they dont send to po box. can you help me? i need a phone so bad with all the fires and now storms. i have no way of getting help ty
Free Government Cell Phones says
The free government cell phone will not allow you to enroll if you only have a PO Box, Maria. Is it impossible for you to provide a street address?
IW Wireless says
You can apply with a street address and have the “mailing address” utilize the P O Box number which will work.