NOTE: This article is outdated, as all providers now give more than 250 minutes of free voice minutes. Please return to the FAQ page to find other questions and answers that might answer your questions.
At the time of this writing, 250 free voice minutes are automatically added to your account each month. If you run out of minutes before the end of the month, you can buy additional minutes to get you through the month. You can also pay for any extra services not included such as texting or international calls. You can pay for those services at a variety of locations (depending on your service provider) using credit, debit or PayPal.
Inversely, some companies offer rollover plans so that if you do not use all of your allotted minutes, you can roll them over to the next month. I you really don’t have much spare cash to buy more minutes, and need the the phone for emergencies, make sure to remember this phone is a lifeline service so don’t rely on it for social conversations.
William Lofland says
If I have a lifeline free phone with 250 free minutes a month why can’t I apply for the upgrade and get the free unlimited plans
Free Government Cell Phones says
You haven’t provided us with enough information to answer your question, William.
Ken says
Is there an allowed more than 250 minutes during this Covid-19 virus when folks need support and connection?
Please kindly advise…
thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have not yet heard of any plans being expanded, but it’s a great idea, Ken. We’ll update our readers as soon as we hear news.
Cat Mama says
I had read an earlier post here stating that by the end of 2018 all LifeLine phone plans would provide a minimum of 1,000 monthly minutes. Basic information regarding LifeLine phones is not found on anywhere on the FCC website; what is found relates primarily to the provision of landlines at a steep discount. Before I contact my new carrier would you please clarify this? Thanks!
Free Government Cell Phones says
We do not know which article you are referring to.
Cat Mama says
Posted July 5, 2016 under the heading “FCC gift for LifeLine Assistance customers. Post states monthly minutes to increase to 500/month by December 1, 2016 and then increase again to 1,000/month by the end of 2018.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Cat, the FCC later reversed those regulations.
Cat Mama says
Oh my, how unfortunate. Thank you.
Lynda sanchez says
Im out of min on my phone. They are due each month on the 17. When do I. Will I get them today
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team.
Cynthiasantos says
Somebody took sd card from my metro phone and put their obama sd card in my phone now my sd card says its corupted. Will they beable to get my person data now on thierphone i made them give me my sd card bavk in my phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Somebody?
Alicia says
My mother has a free government phone service provided by Entouch wireless but for the las two weeks it has not worked. Every time she calls costumer service they say the service will be restored later the same day but it has not happened. Cellular date is failing very often even if the phone is working for calls.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Maybe you should switch to a different service provider if your current one cannot provider better service, Alicia. Here’s where you can find a complete list of all the free government cell phone plans available in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Nicole Washington says
When do the new minutes start over each month? Thank you in advance.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If your plan began on the 10th of the month, your minutes will load on the tenth of every month. Same with every other day.
Valerie Pippens says
How do I check my minutes
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s something only your user manual and your customer service team can answer, Valerie.
cynthia taylor says
what happens when you need your phone for work and do not have the money for more minutes?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Cynthia, but you are pretty much out of luck. These Lifeline plans were never intended for that sort of usage, so they are probably far too limited for your needs.
Mike says
Just got this free cell, but wasn’t told how many min’s per month, texts nothing. Just got week ago. Please get back to me, THANKS IN ADVANCE
Free Government Cell Phones says
No way for us to answer that question, Mike. We don’t know who your provider is nor what plan you signed up for. Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. That will connect you directly to customer service and they should be able to answer your question.
Joni says
When will my min renew and how can I check them because I can’t make or receive calls
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your minutes should be added on the same day every month.
Bill Clanton says
Why did I work when people even get free cell phones for being lazy.
government phone says
I have government phone how I can get unlimited minutes.
thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unlimited plans are only available in California, Oklahoma and some parts of Alaska.
wendy says
eveymonth what time get free time.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You should get your minutes on the same day each month. For example, if you enrolled on July 5, you should receive your minutes on the fifth of every month.
Damils says
Hi, if I bought additional minutes at mid month, will this affect my reload minutes next month? Will I still receive my minutes at the beggining of the month? Thank you in advance!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you will still receive your free minutes each month.
Shadrick Holman says
When will I receive my minutes
Free Government Cell Phones says
How would we possibly know, Shadrick? We’re not your service provider.
cynthia taylor says
I used money I did not hove to buy unlimited minutes. the 1st of the month the minutes were taken because the company does not have roll over minutes. NOT FAIR!!!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re pretty sure they would tell you that the terms and conditions were all spelled out when you purchased the minutes.
David wose says
How do I find out how much minutes I have left on my government phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
No way for us to know without knowing the make and model of your phone and your service provider. The easiest thing for you to do is contact your service provider’s customer service team.
Cynthia Santos says
I didn’t want them to do that to my phone I don’t want nothing to do with government phone I can pay my bill I’m asking why would they do that can they get any personal data off my phone switching my SD card from a Metro phone to their Obama phone now my phone says corrupted so what did they what do they benefit from doing that to my phone besides corrupting it I don’t want nothing to do with the Obama phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Why did you switch your card from a paid account with one company to a free Lifeline account phone? There’s no way for us to analyze what the problem is, but we don’t think you have anything to worry about in regard to your data.
Felicia ponder says
When does my minutes come on my phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your minutes should be added to your account each month on the same day. In other words, if you enrolled on January 3, you’ll get minutes added on the third of every month.
Theodore says
If i run out of data will i still have access to the internet???
Free Government Cell Phones says
No.
scott shields says
the screen is froze on,enter PUK. I dont know what this is. how can i get rid of this so i can use my phone again???????
Free Government Cell Phones says
Read this article, Scott, and do as it says:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it
Edwin Rodriguez says
How do I find out my minutes on my coolpad phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Google the words “Coolpad” and “user manual” and you’ll find the user manual online. You can look up the answer to your question.
Yvonne says
How do I check my minutes remaining?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have no idea, Yvonne. It depends on the make and model of your phone and your service provider. You might try visiting your service provider’s website (you didn’t mention who it is) to see if it has a “Check Your Minutes” function.
korin johnson says
I CAN STILL TEXT BUT CALLER GETS VOICEMAIL NOT SETUP BEFORE I GET OPTION TO ANSWER CALLS
I CAN NO LONGER CALL OUT
Free Government Cell Phones says
Those are bad problems, Korin. You need to contact your service provider’s tech support team to get them resolved.
Monique says
Where can I purchased minutes for the compad phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check with your service provider, Monique. You didn’t say which company you are enrolled with, but check its website. Most Lifeline Assistance companies’ websites have a page that tells how to buy extra minutes.
Marissa says
How do I check how many minutes I have left on my cookies phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
That depends on the phone and the company, Marissa. You’ll need to call your service provider’s customer service team.
Marylynn says
I have a coolpad phone where can I go buy extra minutes at? I live in Cleveland TN.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It depends on who your service provider is, Marylynn. The first thing you should do is visit its website to see if you can buy them online.
PAMELA THOMAS says
I HAVE A COOLPAD PHONE WHERE DO I GO TO GET MORE MINTUES….EMAIL ADDRESS *****@GMAIL.COM
Free Government Cell Phones says
You didn’t say which service provider you are enrolled with, Pamela, but whoever it is, you need to call its customer service team.
Jacquelyn Berliner says
I just got a Coolpad Arise 5560 as a government phone. How do I check the minutes used on this phone? I read the manual 3 x and still can’t figure it out. Can you help me? It is a lifeline phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call customer service, Jacquelyn.
Pearlie crowell says
What’s the number I call to add minutes to my Verizon government phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Verizon does not have a free government cell phone program, Pearlie. The best they offer is a discounted program, so we’d suggest that you take a look at all the programs on this article:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers
You also need to know which of those providers offer free government cell phones in your state. You can find that here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Kristina says
If I watch YouTube or use the Internet will that use up my calling and texting minutes?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No. Data plans on smartphones are completely different. But please be aware that your data usage is very limited in most plans and you can eat them up pretty quickly watching those videos.
britt says
What number to dial to checks minutes
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s completely dependent on the individual free government cell phone service provider and the make and model of your phone. Call your provider’s customer service team to get the answer.
Desert says
On Coolpad phones, dial 6-1-1, follow the prompts.
Randy says
How do you check how many minutes you have on your coolpad phone ? There is no account search available on the phone , and I
AlWays get offers on adding additional minutes when I buy a phone card , but there’s no way to add any without access to my account. ! What’s up ? How do I check my minutes ???
Free Government Cell Phones says
You are asking a technical question whose answer varies depending on the model of phone and your service provider. You must contact your service provider directly.
Jerry Kates says
How do I check the minutes on this coopad phon?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Do an online search for your make and model of phone and “user manual.” The user manual should tell you how to check your minutes. You can also check with customer service at your service provider.
shyanna says
But how do i check how many minutes i have left
Free Government Cell Phones says
There’s no way for us to answer that question. It depends on which phone you have and which company your account is with.
Susan Finn says
Can I add minutes using my checking account?
Nancy says
I have the Coolpad phone. How do I check to see how many mins I have left or have used?
Leslie says
How can I purchase additional minutes for my access wireless government free phone without pin
Ronny says
How and when are my obama phone minutes used ?
Ophelia golden says
I wanted know how get monthly minutes back on my phone.
Patty Loy-Grady says
I am on the 30 unlimited account but for some reason they only took $5 out of my account this month. I want to stay on my unlimited account. But now I am down to 17 minutes on my phone which will not last me until the end of the month. I bought a virgin mobile card to add $10 but I do not know how to use it. Can you tell me how to add minutes to my account. Thank you in advance for your help.
lia says
How do you check your minutes
Nafisa zaman says
Please how do I know how minutes do I have.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Depends on the make and model of your phone and the system set up by your service provider, Nafisa. You’ll need to contact your service provider’s customer service team to get your question answered.
todd smolinski says
I put 5 dollars on my account for more minutes on my phone it says cash balance not minutes what do I do
tabby says
if i dont use all 250 talk/text minutes will they carry over to next month?
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
It depends upon the company and the plan.
Cassandra McMorris says
Is it possible to get an upgrade phone with a camera & larger numbers.
kristy says
how do I see how many minutes I have left
Deborah says
Does the minutes reload at the beginning of each month or due they reload on the date that you received your phone? What if a person can’t remember the date that they received their phone, how will they find out?
Jo Ann Wariner says
what carrier is my phone running off? what day do I get my minutes?
ted frampton says
Lost my phone and saddling replaced it with a “similar”phone from what I had. So grateful – BUT I called the toll free number last evening to activate. All seemed to go ok but minutes will not load? I will call your tech support line for help.
Jo Ann Wariner says
what stores can I use forgetting minutes for my phone. Alcatel one touch.
blazeaglory says
I need more texts through Telscape wireless and they tell me I cant add any texts. I am on the CA lifeline program and yes I am poor but I do have some small money. I want to give that money to Telscape to add more text. 200 text per month isnt enough. Do you here me Telscape, I want to give you money for more text but you dont want my money. Either change the plan, or offer a different plan with less minutes and more text. I dont need 1000 minutes per month, I need more texts per month.
Claudette Webb says
Safelink sent me a message saying that i would recieve 200 additional minutes as a thank you for choosing safelink on June 21,2014 but i did’nt recieve them, can i still get them now
diane rose says
how do I check to see how many minuts I have left, Thank you
gary rivers says
how do I check minutes left on a Verizon government phone
BRENDAFAYEWOODS says
WHAT DAY DO WE GET MINUTS
leonita devera says
I want to buy minutes for my reach out minutes. What shall I do. I want a calling number.
Jessica rodriguez says
I need to know what carrier is my phone running off of
eloise gielen says
Usually I have my mintes by now dont rem3mber my carrier and about out of minutes ehen do I get my 200 minutes for march
damaris martinez says
I has a safe link and has not received any minutes for at least two months why is that two monthand no minute
hongloan dinh says
i want applicaton for fee cell phone. but the aplication won’t let me.
mario jimenez says
I just bought an assurance wireless phone card for $10.00 and I am trying to enter in the phone to add the minutes, but it is been imposible could you please tell me the steps I can follow through the internet. thanks
Patricia Miller says
i recently put 2/$5 top up minutes on my phone but am being charged 10 cents a minute, i dont get it i paid $11.70 for 1,000 minutes and got 250 i would like my 750 voice minutes..how can i get them all numbers are programmed.
Ayana Johnson says
I have a government phone and I haven’t used the miutes for this month, But When I just tried to use it, I wasn’t able to. How do I reach customer service and what is their number?
Loraine Steagall says
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SIGN UP FOR A FREE CELL PHONE BUT THE APPLICATION WON’T LET ME. I AM AN ELDERLY LADY THAT FALLS A LOT AND I CAN’T AFFORD A CELL PHONE TO GET HELP WHEN I HAVE FALLING AND AM HURT AND NEED HELP. A FEW MONTHS AGO I FELL DOWN OUT BASEMENT STEPS OF WHICH THERE ARE 12 AND AT THE END CEMENT. LUCKLY MY LEG GOT CAUGHT AND I WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN. MY ANKLES HAVE BEEN SPRANG BOTH AT ONCE AND I COULDN’T GET HELP. PLEASE DO U THINK U CAN HELP ME.
LORAINE STEAGALL
740-599-2678
anthony samuels says
I would like 2 know how do I check on my account @ anytime? Do lifeline wireless have rollover mins? Thanks, & I’ll b awaiting ur reply? From Anthony Samuels
Linda Alverado says
my mother in law has a safe link and she has not received any minutes for at least two months why is that
carl newell says
How do I check my minutes on my goverment phone
angela young says
When do my minutes get put on the phone each month
edgar says
when you first started useing the phone in that same day……..then next month they are going to give you minutes in the same day as the last month
ruth says
R U SURE EDGAR
E.Luna says
My gets put in on the first of the month cuz I just ran out of my minutes today and I have to wait for the first of the month to get my minutes back on my phone.
sandra petersen says
i am e mailing to check on balance of mins on 2 of my grandchildrens cell phones because they dont have computers
sandra petersen says
I already e mailed you on my 2 grandsons balance on mins for both of their cell phones. my grandsons names are james petersen at 219 james st hagerstown md last 4 digits of social is 2203 and my other grandsons name is brandon petersen at 936 pope ave. hagerstown md last 4 digits of social is 8037. need mins and also need to know if any remaining mins left on both phones roll over to this month of august.