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

Assurance Wireless Free Cell Phones (1916)
- Making the switch is pretty easy, Virginia. Here’s an article that tells you how to do it: https://www.fre egovernmentcell phones.net/faq/ how-do-i-switch -lifeline-provi ders Assurance will give you a smart phone because you are a new customer. – [click to read]
- I want to switch from safelink to assurance. How do I go about doing that?? I also need another phone with assurance. The one I have from safelink is bad and I don't like safelink ... – [click to read]
- Jeez, we’re getting tired to giving this answer. The Assurance website requires you to plug in your zip code to find out how many minutes, texts and how much data is provided. It varies by ... – [click to read]

Frequently Asked Questions for the Lifeline Program and Cell Phones (662)
- We’re not your service provider, so we have absolutely no idea, Suzana. Most companies say it will take two weeks or so, but many of our readers have told us that it takes three or ... – [click to read]
- Want to Kno y I haven't received my fone yet – [click to read]

Tempo Communications Offers Free Cell Phones, Minutes and Data (121)
- Got a SUNGSAM phone today via 2 day FEDEX , a galaxy class modeL but with no sim card sent with it, will have to call about this but u can get a human to ... – [click to read]

7 ways you can lose your free government cell phone (445)
- Yes. You can receive data as part of your Lifeline free government cell phone plan and also enroll in one of the low-income internet plans. Check out our other website, which specializes in those low-income ... – [click to read]
- I qualified for a free Safelink phone, which I received a few weeks ago....my question is, can I still apply for the Lifeline internet discount, without breaking any rules, set by Safelink... so I would ... – [click to read]

Free cell phones from Verizon for victims of domestic abuse (79)
- Landlines are becoming so rare that the Lifeline program is eliminating the discounts they’ve always offered in the past. But here’s something most people don’t know: If you have a working cell phone, you can ... – [click to read]
- thank you.. seems like free cell phones all around but no luck with a home landline. do you know of anything i can buy just to be able to call 911? – [click to read]

The 2016 List of Leaders: Who's who in the free government cell phone business (271)
- Each company offers a different selection of cell phone makes and models, Chelle. You’ll need to check out what’s available from each of the companies offering free government cell phone plans in your state. Here’s ... – [click to read]
- Are there any plans to get free iphones – [click to read]

Q Link Wireless -- Free Government Subsidized Cell Phones (1831)
- Good luck finding someone who speaks clear English at any call center for any company. Seems to be something that’s almost impossible to find these days. – [click to read]

Access Wireless Free Government Cell Phones (1486)
- Need to contact your service provider. – [click to read]

Safelink Wireless Customer Support (731)
- You need to contact Safelink customer service, not us. This is an independent informational website, not your service provider. – [click to read]
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