What is Lifeline phone service?

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The Lifeline phone service is a government mandated and sponsored program that provides qualified consumers with discounted (often free) monthly telephone service. It can be either a home landline or a cell phone.

If you qualify for the Lifeline program, you can save a minimum of $10 on your monthly phone bills. Please note that your savings depends on which state you live in and which phone companies offer this service in your area. You can find out if additional discounts are available by contacting your state’s public utility commission.

As it relates to the free cell phone service from the companies you see on this website, this is the specific program that pays the cell phone companies like Safelink Wireless, Assurance Wireless and ReachOut Wireless to provide you with free monthly service on your phone. It’s the Link-Up program that pays the companies for the phones.

Comments

Joeann Ramey says
December 1, 2016 at 4:24 pm
How do i port out from NewPhone Wireless?
Reply
- Free Government Cell Phones says
  December 2, 2016 at 12:45 am
  It’s pretty easy to switch from one free government cell phone company to another, Joeann. Here’s an article that tells you now to do it:
  https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
  Reply
Amber Wellman says
August 11, 2015 at 11:50 pm
Can I get a discount on my Verizon Wireless phone? I live in Washington state and my family receives Indian Health and Assistance.
Reply
Lana says
March 28, 2015 at 7:33 pm
I had a safelink for almost 4 years and it was stopped Oct 2014..I dont know why as I CANNOT call Im deaf..I did get the yellowvenvelope and NOTHING changed..I am disabled with cerebal palsy,am getting food stamps.am on Section 8 low income housing..I did write to safelink in florida,NOBODY is living with me. I need a new phone as I dropped it on a sidewalk. Lana ***** **** Clark apt Sioux City Iowa 51104 Are you going to help me I have also written to tracfone,safelink,assuran c e,
Reply
Gary says
May 6, 2014 at 6:37 pm
To Jacky O. Go to menu. Then go to Settings & Tools. Scroll down to Phone Info and #1 is My Phone Number. Have you tried going to FAQ section for other possible answers?
Reply
jacqueline osborn says
April 16, 2013 at 4:56 am
How do I know when my minutes have been added. They are suppose to be added on the 16th of every month & as of yet, they have not been. Also, how do I find my phone number? I have other questions I need help with, but don’t know how to go about getting it!
Reply
jacqueline osborn says
April 16, 2013 at 4:53 am
How do I know when my minutes for the month have been applied? How do I find my phone numbers? I have other questions but don’t know how to get any help?
Reply
Hi My name is Barb Hoffpauir says
February 11, 2013 at 2:29 pm
Hi Sev My name is Barbara Hoffpauir I’m 49 and live in Springfield Mo, I don”t sign,I can bearly spell and will be moving to KC Mo soon God Bless
Reply
Severino Abuyen says
July 3, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Hi My name is Severino Abuyen. I here in Delano,California. I am deaf, 48, and American Sign Language.
I ask you. I go to doctor sometimes. I can’t hear and My mom with me at doctor spoke….. I want to interpeter in Video Phone this is laptop…… I can text/pic/video messages, chat online internet, and call i711.com interpeter to call hearing. Ps I am looking forward to hearing from you. 🙂
Thank you,
Sev Abuyen
Reply
Severino Abuyen says
July 3, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Hi My name is Severino Abuyen. I here in Delano,California. I am deaf, 48, and American Sign Language.
I ask you. I go to doctor sometimes. I can’t hear and My mom with me at doctor spoke….. I want to interpeter in Video Phone this is laptop…… I can text/pic/video messages, chat online internet, and call i711.com interpeter to call hearing. Ps I am looking forward to hearing from you. 🙂
Thank you,
Sev Abuyen Hi My name is Severino Abuyen. I here in Delano,California. I am deaf, 48, and American Sign Language.
I ask you. I go to doctor sometimes. I can’t hear and My mom with me at doctor spoke….. I want to interpeter in Video Phone this is laptop…… I can text/pic/video messages, chat online internet, and call i711.com interpeter. Ps I am looking forward to hearing from you. 🙂
Thank you,
Sev Abuyen
Reply
TOWANDA JOHNSON says
September 22, 2011 at 9:54 pm
i received a lifeline phone that is defect number is not working what should i do i need the phone but number 8 wil not work..
Reply
- David says
  August 27, 2014 at 3:07 pm
  how do i get internet on my G R cell phone
  Reply
  - Free Government Cell Phones says
    August 27, 2014 at 9:07 pm
    What is a G R cell phone?
    Reply

How do I get a replacement for a lost, stolen or broken phone? (3413)
- If only you could find an article with a title something like “How do I get a replacement for a lost, stolen or broken phone?” Someone should write an article like that. – [click to read]
- My phone has been stolen. How can i get another one? Thank You Terrance Scott – [click to read]

7 ways you can lose your free government cell phone (577)
- i dont know what your talking about ive had lifeline for 8 years, 8 years ago safelink sent me a free phone that looked like a blackberry and it worked just fine, people talking to ... – [click to read]

What are the three Safelink plans available? Some states up to 500 minutes & Unlimited Texts (444)
- It sounds as if the phone is still working. Is that correct? If so, use it to call 6-1-1. Customer service will be able to answer your question. – [click to read]
- My son dropped his phone shattering the screen making it not safe to use and I was wondering if he could use his sprint sim card from safelink in my old Samsung galaxy s7 sm-g930f – [click to read]

Get a low-income Internet plan and ditch your phone (50)
- We don’t offer any deals because we are not a service provider. This is an independent informational website. However, here’s where you can find a list of all the Lifeline plans available in your state. ... – [click to read]
- I'm on social security disability, and I currently have Verizon month to month that I pay $50. That is a lot for my income can you offer me a better deal. – [click to read]

92-year old vet battles Assurance Wireless for one year to get his free government cell phone turned on again (7)
- Your problem is a little easier to solve. It would be far cheaper for you to switch service providers. Since you’ll be a new customer for that new service provider, they will give you a ... – [click to read]
- Hi I'm in the same boat as the 92yr old gentleman and like him same thing but here's where mines a little different after your first cell if something should happen that you have to ... – [click to read]

Frequently Asked Questions for the Lifeline Program and Cell Phones (696)
- It’s not legal. Is there someway that both of you can get on the phone together with customer service? A conference call? – [click to read]
- Can I apply online for a free phone/service for my brother. He does not a phone of his own and we were told he qualifies for one. He does not have a computer, nor does ... – [click to read]

Florida Free Lifeline Cell Phones (154)
- Robert, did you find anything out? I'm in Cape Coral too – [click to read]

FCC rule change allows more than one free government cell phone per household (212)
- Here’s an article that tells you exactly what to do: https://www.fre egovernmentcell phones.net/faq/ i-lost-my-phone -how-do-i-get-a -replacement – [click to read]

New Jersey Cell Phones for the Poor (56)
- You would think that after five years her service provider would offer a free replacement phone, but most do not. She has two choices. (1) She can pay her current service provider for a replacement ... – [click to read]

Assurance Wireless gets aggressive: Introduces unlimited talk/unlimited text Lifeline plan in California (140)
- We’re not Assurance, Debra. You need to contact that company’s customer service team using the contact info we provide above. – [click to read]
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