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

Frequently Asked Questions for the Lifeline Program and Cell Phones (686)
- The representatives are correct. Your eligibility is good until you re-certificatio n date. But we commend you on your honesty and eagerness to do what’s right. – [click to read]
- Hi, I have contacted both California Lifeline and Safelink but I need your expert opinion and knowledge: My gross income for the year has exceeded the limit for 1 person, and I don't know what ... – [click to read]

How to get a job handing out free cell phones (327)
- The link for Assurance Wireless doesn't work and I have been trying to contact them about their program but the seem to have stopped doing affiliate marketing because I couldn't find any info about it ... – [click to read]

How to file a Lifeline Service Complaint (307)
- I have a Lifeline phone and there are so many ads when I unlock my phone I cannot always get through them to answer the call. These are generated by Google and since I had ... – [click to read]
- Good to know that switching service providers was so successful for you, Dani. – [click to read]

Safelink Wireless Free Cell Phones (1300)
- You can check the status of your application and enrollment on Safelink’s website, Candice. The company actually offers one of the better “check my status” functions in the industry. Give it a try. – [click to read]
- I Candice Gunnels signed up a while back . I have to yet to receive my free phone with this company i have provided all the necessary documents requested for this program. my address is ... – [click to read]

The 2016 List of Leaders: Who's who in the free government cell phone business (275)
- This comment moderator uses a small-screen smartphone. It does everything I need a phone to do. Yeah, people laugh at me because my phone is so small, but I don’t see a need for a ... – [click to read]
- So why does the government give out the smallest size smartphones ever. I am grateful I can get a free smartphone, however I need a smartphone with a 7 inch screen or bigger. The smartphones ... – [click to read]

Which free government cell phone companies offer smartphones? (683)
- It’s free. – [click to read]

Free government cell phones program expanding into internet smartphones (1023)
- Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Tiffany. They’ll be able to discuss your options. – [click to read]

Missouri Free Government Cell Phone Providers (105)
- If you are having this much trouble dealing with one company, we’d suggest switching to a different Lifeline company. There’s more than one way to get a free government cell phone, Lateaca. – [click to read]

New Mexico: Cell Phones from the Government (68)
- Because you left a comment on our New Mexico page, we assume you live in New Mexico. Check out all the companies and plans listed on this page and enroll in the plans that fits ... – [click to read]

California goes crazy: Unlimited talk and unlimited text going mainstream (22)
- You won’t get one by leaving a comment on this website, Icasimo. You need to enroll with a company offering plans in your state. Click around this website to find out all the information you ... – [click to read]

Question of the day: Is there a website with all the dates and times of places where you can get a free government cell phone? (901)
- Read our many answers to many similar questions below to find out why we urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events. – [click to read]
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