What is Lifeline phone service?

< Back to all FAQ's

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

What is a PUK code? And how do you find it? (630)
- My iPhone says to enter PKU and locked sim but Qlink wireless says I don’t have a PKU and I’ve got to get a new phone?? ?? ?? – [click to read]
- Qlink says I don’t have a PKU ???? – [click to read]
- Read the article and then contact your service provider. – [click to read]

How do I switch Lifeline providers? (574)
- Contact your service provider’s customer service team. – [click to read]
- I need to change my shipping address on my lifeline phone so i can receive a sims card. – [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? (999)
- We have no way of knowing if you qualify for the Lifeline program, Rosetta. Here’s where you can find all the ways to be eligible: https://www.fre egovernmentcell phones.net/basi cs/qualify Now on to the next subject: We urge our ... – [click to read]
- Can I get a free phone and where is the place locate in Austin Texas – [click to read]

Frequently Asked Questions for the Lifeline Program and Cell Phones (706)
- We’re trying very hard to be nice here, Paul. There’s no way for us to tell anything about the make and model of phone you’ll get because every phone is different and they constantly change. – [click to read]
- I can't believe out of all those FAQ. Not one of them addresses what kind / make and model is the phone. Does it have a SIM card? – [click to read]

Is any phone compatible with my free phone network? (1119)
- That’s one question we never answer, Regina. Much better than you check with the Assurance Wireless customer service team. – [click to read]
- Can I use a LG Rebel 4 for my phone with Assurance Wireless – [click to read]
- I been with Q link about 3 years, now they merge with Sprint, never had a problem, until now, they gave me a ZTE phone, it works good, cracked glass, sent me a simcard for ... – [click to read]

Which free government cell phone companies offer smartphones? (711)
- Here’s where you can find all the free government cell phone plans available in California, Lisa. Check them all out carefully to find the one that fits your needs best. https://www.fre egovernmentcell phones.net/stat es – [click to read]
- Hello, my name is Lisa Miller and I am trying to obtain a free cell phone due to not making enough money from my job at this time to survive on. I have just been ... – [click to read]

TruConnect free phones, minutes and texts in California and Texas (226)
- Uh-oh. You can call your service provider’s customer service team to see if that number is still available, but the odds are against it. What you should have done when you were enrolling is tell ... – [click to read]
Older »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Comments