With any Lifeline application, whether a landline or a cell phone, whether from SafelinK Wireless, Assurance Wireless, ReachOut Wireless, or any of the smaller players, you will need to submit to proof that you are eligible for the free phone and service under the requirements for each state.
If you are claiming state or federal program-based eligibility, such as Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP) or housing assistance, you will need self-certify, under penalty of perjury, your participation in one of the programs listed for your specific state. Depending upon your state and the cell phone company you’re working with, you may have to provide documentation proving your participation in the program.
If you are claiming income-based eligibility, you must self-certify, under penalty of perjury, your total household income and the number of people in your household. In addition and in all cases, customers must present documentation of income. You can use any of the following:
- a paycheck stub or your current income statement from an employer
- last year’s state, federal, or tribal tax return
- an Unemployment/Workmen’s Compensation statement of benefits
- federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- a divorce decree, child support, or other official document
- a Social Security statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- retirement/pension statement of benefits
Learn more about how to qualify for a lifeline cell phone.
Jen says
What if I have no job at all last year and don’t file taxes. Or any other of the ones listed
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’ve stumbled upon one of the glitches in the Lifeline system. If you have no way to prove your income (or lack of income), you cannot qualify.
Henry says
Are you enrolled in any social service program? If someone else is providing for your daily living expenses such as a relative or live-in lover, then you likely will not be able to qualify.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Oooh, let’s hear more about this live-in lover. We need to spice up this website just a bit.
LCB says
I anticipate my SS will be above the income limits next year. How do I keep my phone and phone number if I need to transfer to a regular Tracfone account?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Tell your new service provider that you want to “port over my current phone number.”
Kristy L Logan says
I live in a homeless shelter. When I try to order a phone, it tells me it can’t send it here because numerous ones have come to this address. How can I get a free phone? I get SNAP. I am in the process of trying to get SSI. I don’t have an income. I’m waiting on housing, but not sure how long that will take.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to speak to a customer service rep and tell them your situation. You definitely qualify for an exemption (and therefore qualify for a phone) under the group home rule. If the service rep doesn’t understand that, ask to speak to a supervisor. And be persistent. If the first company won’t help you, call another one. Here’s where you can find all the companies offering free government cell phone plans in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Ricky Agnew says
I logged on the qlinkwireless.com site and uploaded my proof of eligibility ,as my lone star(food stamp card,my medicare card and my proof of disabiliy income (yearly statement by the SSA. my monthly income is $1,230….all the documentation and cards are readable ..do i qualify according to their requirements?
Rudi D says
I am unemployed. I don’t have any source of income. I don’t have insurance. I don’t have any participation with any government program. How do I provide proof to qualify for this service?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, you fall through the major crack in the Lifeline free government cell phone program. Even the USAC admits that there is no way to prove zero income, but the best they can tell us is that “they are working on it.”
Since you qualify for many of the programs that make you eligible, why don’t you enroll in one of them?
Shelby says
Which programs would we be eligible for if we have no income?
Free Government Cell Phones says
All of them. All the free government cell phone plans are income-based. So, no income makes you eligible for all of them.
Sandra burt says
What if you don’t earn enough to pay income tax, ? Is this considered below poverty level? We don’t file we’re 77 in bad health . Do not file income tax, what is the amount allowed for 2 people we do get fuel assistance,
Free Government Cell Phones says
Do you participate in any of the programs that will make you eligible, Sandra? Here’s where you can find all the non-income based ways to qualify:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
Christian Blount says
So I started the application on line for the free cell phone from Q Link Wireless through the Federal Lifeline Benefits Program, and I am having trouble with the proof of income or proof of participation in a government program.
Last year I was incarcerated and couldn’t work or make any money so I don’t have any pay stubs, w2, or even a tax return. I am currently at a halfway house for a couple more months and I do not have food stamps, Medicaid, or any other government program. How do i show proof of having no income
Please help me figure this out.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Christian, you have stumbled upon one of the biggest flaws in the free government cell phone program. We’ve discussed this with the USAC and its only answer is, “We are aware of this problem and we’re working on it.” We can only hope that they come up with an answer for this problem very soon.
Ronnie collins says
I don’t have no income I receive food stamps and uploaded my proof of foodstamp my id and my social security card so now what do i do
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is a real problem with the free government cell phone program, Ronnie. There is no way to prove your income is low enough if you have no income. This won’t do you any good, but the USAC says it is aware of this flaw in the program and they are “working on it.”
Robert L. Turner says
I am a veteran, and I qualify salary wise, but I am not sure where to start????? What do I do first?
Joe Silvestri says
What if last year’s W-2 is alot of money but you had a drastic life event and no homeless , jobless in a state that’s not home staying with a friend .please help
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Joe, you have stumbled upon one of the worst stumbling blocks for Lifeline applicants. We’ve discussed this issue with the USAC and they admit that they have no way for an applicant to prove zero income. However, you can be eligible for a free government cell phone in lots of different ways other than income. Do you participate in any federal government assistance programs? You may be eligible. Here’s where you can find all those eligibility rules:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
mary j. pridgeon says
where do I send my proof of qualification…copy of Medicaid card,snap card,proof of address,ss card and drivers license?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Look up the service provider you are enrolling with on our “Providers” page. We provide contact info on each service provider’s page. Here’s a link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers
Jessica scott says
What if you have no job for 2 years and not gotten gov assistance in over a year and have no income period what can you do to qualify then
Free Government Cell Phones says
Then it’s going to be tough to prove that you’re eligible, even though it certainly sounds as if you are. You should contact one of the service provider’s customer service teams to discuss your very unusual situation. Please come back and let us (and our readers) know what they had to say.
Jarrah Mays says
Can you get a free phone with no income?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes. But you’ll need to be able to prove that you have no income.
Brie says
How do you prove that you have no income?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We get this question every once in a while and we are not sure what the answer is, Brie. Have you filed taxes in the last few years?
susan young says
Where do I fax or mail my proof of eligibility for recertification?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check your service provider’s page. Contact info can be found there:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers
Wansa O Puckett says
Have been trying to get a safe link phone since May. The proof of income requirements say a social security benefit statement will work. But they won’t except mune because it’s a yearly statement instead of monthly. I draw 13,056.00 a year. How hard is it to figure out my monthly income. I don’t get monthly statements just yearly. So I can’t get a phone. I’m 82 years old and I can’t get help for a phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You have lots of options if Safelink isn’t working out for you, Wansa. Here is a link to our “States” page. Click on it and then click on your state. You’ll find a list of all the companies offering free government cell phones in your area. No reason to continue banging your head against the wall with Safelink when you have so many other choices:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
jimmy white says
I’m retired with net monthly income of $1700.00. After paying child support of $420.00, rent of $430.00, electric and gas bill of about $ 80.00, gas for my truck and food of about around $400.00 and auto mobile home insurance of about $42.00. I don’t have much left if my truck need service or to provide maintenance for my mobile home. Will I meet the standards to get a free cell phone. I live in Georgia and retired from the military after serving for more than 21 years.
Maira says
How can I show prove or where do I send prove that o get foodstamps
Dan says
I have been out of work for 10 yrs now. I briefly took care of and elderly couple but other than that I have been without a job. I am 51 and have been unemployable because I have a criminal record. I am not on government assistance . I haven’t worked so I have no pay stubs . So my question is how do I show these cell phone companies proof of income?
iamlee says
I have the same issue, I do not receive unemployment benefits and currently live with friends/family. Can anyone tell me how I can prove this?
Deepak says
Many people abuse the free phone deal, but some of us did not abuse it. I had a deiscion to make. If I chose the free cell phone I couldn’t continue with the assistance with my local phone bill. That would mean I wouldn’t have help with costs if i would to move to another residence. thanks for mentioning the Senior service from Tracfone. I do wonder what level of income you yourself have. I get $1108 a month. And there are many seniors out there like me. What about those who aren’t one of the most ?When we were made to choose between help with our landline assistance and the free cell phone we were told in the mailing we would be allowed to keep the minutes on our phone, and then could pay for more minutes. Well, they put our time balance to 0 (I had hrs.) and there were no customer service folks we could ask about this. Our government chose to use people in India to handle the calls and there was no room to discus anything, just the message that was instilled in them. I only used about 15 minutes a month, to call for a return trip by a van service when going to doctor’s appointments. I have many appointments and find van services very undependable, and have had to wait as long as 4 hours for a return ride. Having the cell phone allowed me to be proactive and keep checking on the ride. Don’t include those of us on very fixed incomes in those taking advantage of the government, or of being freeloaders
RHONDA says
Just moved here I have a government phone from another state, but i want to get one here and let that one go. The only prove of income i have right now is that my unemployment has been denied. Can i still get a phone here
teresa slaughter says
help we get food stamps and we qualify for free phone and and assistance on our heating bill
dennis cotugno says
How do i certify for my low-income cell phone. I got the phone and i got the text message informing me that i have to certify and i go to http://www.cintexwireless.com/certify but thats as far as i can go, i need the exact link so i can type in my phone #
Dawn Arvik says
Dawn Arvik NO LONGER gets food stamps but still gets this free phone so WHYY is she allowed to continue getting it. She earns ALOT on her job so public aid stopped her food stamps. You can verify this as she lives in Grandridge, Illinois. Thank you