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

Lifeline Free Phone Providers in North Carolina (109)
- The government compensates the various Lifeline companies at the rate of $9.25 per month per customer. The free government cell phone companies use that $9.25 as their total compensation, so the phones end up being ... – [click to read]
- what discount? – [click to read]
- We do not include T-Mobile in our free government cell phone listings because their phones are discounted, but NOT free. – [click to read]

Which free government cell phones offer special devices for the hearing, vision and speech-impaired? (107)
- There are lots of other Lifeline companies with far more generous policies for the hearing/vision/ speech-impaired customers. Check them out in the article above and consider switching your account. – [click to read]
- I have had Assurance Wireless for a few years now and very unhappy with them. I happen to be legally blind and they sent the 'standard' little one and a half inch screen cell phone ... – [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? (797)
- Read our answers to many similar questions below to find out why we strongly urge our readers not to enroll at street events. – [click to read]
- Where is a safelink wirless. Tent set up in oceano ca,or santa maria ca, – [click to read]

Unlimited talk and text expands in California: SafetyNet Wireless enters the state (81)
- We’re not quite sure from your comment whether or not you have a free government cell phone. If you do, you should contact your service provider’s customer service team. If not, you should apply ASAP ... – [click to read]

FreedomPop announces free cell phone service that works with your own phone (71)
- Impossible for us to answer, Dennis, because we don’t know where you live. Try Googling your phone’s make and model number, the word “repair,” and your zip code. – [click to read]

25 more ways to qualify for a free government cell phone (39)
- Here’s an article that gives you a lot of information about that subject, Michelle: https://www.fre egovernmentcell phones.net/gove rnment-cell-pho nes-hearing-vis ion-speech-impa ired – [click to read]

Is any phone compatible with my free phone network? (651)
- Only Safelink can answer that question for you, Lance. – [click to read]

How do I do the annual recertification of my phone? (477)
- We didn’t send you a SIM card, Donna. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team. – [click to read]

The 2016 List of Leaders: Who's who in the free government cell phone business (218)
- True. Oklahoma and California, for reasons discussed elsewhere on this site, give unlimited minutes in some plans. – [click to read]
- Different states give more talk minutes than other states. True or not – [click to read]

Iowa: Government Cell Phones (30)
- You can find all the contact info you need by clicking on any of the companies listed on this page. Good luck, Thomas. – [click to read]
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