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

FCC rule change allows more than one free government cell phone per household (161)
- Only if they live independently in the house, meaning they purchase their own food, each contribute to the rent, etc. – [click to read]
- can 2 people in a household have a gov phone? – [click to read]

Is any phone compatible with my free phone network? (858)
- That’s a question for your service provider’s customer service team, Caleb. – [click to read]
- I have an old Samsung Galaxy 8 from AT&T and now I'm using a ZTE from Safelink. Can i just swap out the SIM cards since it appears they use the same network. I'm confused ... – [click to read]

How do I get a replacement for a lost, stolen or broken phone? (3315)
- Read the article and do as it says, Regina. – [click to read]

How to file a Lifeline Service Complaint (281)
- Follow the steps outlined in this article and you should be able to resolve the issues. – [click to read]

How do I switch Lifeline providers? (548)
- Here’s an updated article that tells you how to make the switch step-by-step. The steps are quoted directly from the USAC, the organization that governs the free government cell phone program. If you follow these ... – [click to read]

Q Link Wireless -- Free Government Subsidized Cell Phones (1853)
- No, we can’t, Robbie. This website is not affilated with any of the free government cell phone companies. This is an independent informational website. You need to get in touch with your service provider. – [click to read]

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- No, you cannot use the same phone. You will need to enroll all over again because your current account was undoubtedly cancelled long ago for non-usage. – [click to read]

Safelink Promo Codes (Tracfone Promo Codes) (666)
- Check the Safelink website to see what kind of data packages they offer. – [click to read]

Would you like an Obama Phone with your ObamaCare? (131)
- We don’t have locations because we’re not a service provider, Michael. But we strongly urge you to enroll by phone or online to protect yourself from the fraud that occurs so often at street events. – [click to read]

enTouch Wireless Free Cell Phones (593)
- You can apply through any service provider in your state and use the address of the nursing home. You will need to let the customer service agent know that you live in a group home ... – [click to read]

Rogue Agent of Assurance Wireless faked free cell phone applications (26)
- Are you saying that you need a phone to replace a free government cell phone you already have? – [click to read]

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- Did you read the article, Darren? – [click to read]

Free government cell phones program expanding into internet smartphones (993)
- That’s what this website is all about, Samuel. Just click around and you will find all the information you need to enroll. – [click to read]
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