Free Government Cell Phones

Lifeline phone service provides free cell phones to America's financially disadvantaged

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Assist Wireless Government Cell Phones

All Free Cell Phone Providers

Get 500 Voice Minutes and 500 texts
In Oklahoma: 1,000 minutes, Unlimited texts, plus 500MB of data.

Assist Wireless is a recent entry into the Lifeline Assistance free cell phone marketplace. They’ve begun by offering service in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri and Oklahoma. The lifeline phones are completely free in Arkansas and Maryland, and as is similar to other vendors in the state, the phone and service costs as little as $1 a month in Oklahoma.

Assist Wireless Plans in Arkansas, Maryland and Missouri

The plan for Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri will provide you with 500 minutes of talk time and 500 texts per month. There is no data usage allowed in this plan. There are options to purchase data, a la carte, but they are pricey.

Assist Wireless Plans in Oklahoma

Oklahoma (Non-Tribal) Plan

Those living in Oklahoma, but who are not on tribal lands, get the same free plan as those in other states. However, they have the benefit of upgrading their plan with more voice minutes, number of texts and adding data. Here are all the plans:

Free: 500 minutes, 500 texts, no data
$1: 500 minutes, 1500 texts, zero data
$5: 500 minutes, unlimited texts, zero data
$25: 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, 500 mb data
$26: Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 500 mb data
$30: Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 1Gb
$40: Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 2 Gb

Oklahoma (Tribal) Plan

Those living on tribal lands in Oklahoma get a considerably better choice of plans. The base, free plan provides 1,000 minutes of talk time, unlimited texting, plus 500 MB of data per month. That is a great deal. And, you can upgrade for even more service for a few dollars a month. Here are all the tribal plans for Oklahoma:

Free: 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB data
$1: Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB data
$5: Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB data
$15: Unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 2GB data

How to Qualify for Assist Wireless

You probably qualify if:

(1) You already participate in another State or Federal assistance program such as food stamps, public housing, or Medicaid (and others). Each state page on our site has the eligibility criteria.

OR

(2) Your household income is at or below 135% to 150% of the poverty level according to your state and/or the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

* See Federal Poverty Guidelines

Contact:
Assist Wireless
Sign Up For Service: 1-855-EZ-ASSIST (1-855-392-7747)
Support: 1-855-392-7747

Latest News on Assist Wireless Wireless:

Which companies offer the best free texting plans? And which ones offer the worst?- Now that the FCC's new Lifeline rules have gone into effect, we though it might be interesting to see which companies are offering the best texting plans. And which ones are offering the worst plans.
Which free government cell phones offer special devices for the hearing, vision and speech-impaired?- Over the years readers have asked if any Lifeline Assistance companies offer special devices for customers who are hearing, vision or speech-impaired. We decided to find out.
The 2016 List of Leaders: Who’s who in the free government cell phone business- conducts a comprehensive analysis of the latest USAC numbers to come up with the an accurate look at the who’s who and what’s what in the Lifeline Assistance industry.
The first shoe to drop? Assist Wireless ends $1 for 1000 minutes or 1000 texts plan in Oklahoma- Assist Wireless just became the first company to announce that it is cutting its Oklahoma Tribal Lifeline Assistance plan, from 1000 minutes or texts per month to just 250 minutes and 250 texts per month.
Which free government cell phone companies offer smartphones?- So many readers ask us which companies offer smartphones that we decided it was time to survey all the top-ranking Lifeline Assistance companies.
Which free government cell phone companies allow you to make international calls?- So we put on our researcher hats and set out to find the international call policy of each Lifeline Assistance company.
What to do if your free government cell phone is lost, stolen or damaged- We get so many questions and comments about lost or stolen free government cell phones that we thought our readers would appreciate a complete rundown of replacement policies for each of the leading service providers.
California goes crazy: Unlimited talk and unlimited text going mainstream- All of a sudden a slew of companies are offering unlimited talk and unlimited text in the Golden State. And the companies that don't offer unlimited programs are offering 1000 or more free minutes, which blows away the plans offered in most other states.
Top 10 deals in free government cell phones- Most people think free is free and that's as good as it gets. But when it comes to free government cell phones, some free plans are better than others.
How many free government cell phones are out there? Who are the biggest providers?- How many free government cell phones are out there? Ten million, twenty million? Who are the biggest Lifeline phone providers?

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Before you post your comment...

  1. If you are going to ask "how do I get a cell phone?" go here instead.
  2. If you are going to ask "how do I get a replacement phone," go here instead
  3. We are not your cell phone company. All technical questions should be asked of your vendor.
  4. Your comments are moderated, and we will manually approve those worth publishing within 24 hours.

Comments

  1. I Hope Access Wireless Is In Ohio Because I Want A Chance To Get A Free Cell With A Large Enough Screen Like A Samsung Galaxy Cell Phone,The Reason Is I Have Trouble Seeing What Is On The Screen.

    Reply

    • Most companies offer special phone and services for vision/hearing/vocally-impaired customers, Diana.

      Reply

  2. Can I have a att prepaid phone transferred to my phone…I …was given one… since my inbreeding screen broke when I touched it…

    Reply

    • Not quite sure what an inbreeding screen is, but you’ll need to contact Assist customer service to find out if the specific make and model of your phone is compatible with the Assist cell network.

      Reply

  3. I’m with Dart right now, but don’t care for there service. Would like to change to Assist is that possible? I’ve been with them over 2 months.

    Reply

    • Yes, you can switch. The rules of the Lifeline program state that you are eligible to switch from one service provider to another every 60 days.

      Reply

    • All you need to do is contact one of the free government cell phone companies and enroll, Deron.

      Reply

  6. Somebody who has a government phone through one of the companies in OK has got ahold of my CC & authorized some charges. I know who it is but need to link EVERY way I can to them. What do I do & who do I call?

    Reply

    • Call your local police department, B. This really isn’t a free government cell phone issue.

      Reply

    • You need to contact Assist by using the contact info we provide in the article above, Sandra.

      Reply

  9. i have account with assit wireless but my phone got broke and havent used it in months how do i find out if the account has been delted or what i need to do

    Reply

    • According to the rules of the program, your account should have been terminated when you didn’t make a call for 30 days. You can confirm that it has been cancelled by speaking to your former service provider’s customer service team. If you have been cancelled, and if you are still eligible for the Lifeline free government cell phone program, you should be able to enroll with any company offering the service in your state. Here’s where you can find all those companies and their plans:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  10. I live in Avant OK, Osage County. I’m a Choctaw Indian, with a CDIB CARD. Can I get service at my address in Avant OK. If so what are my service areas.

    Reply

    • Only Assist customer service can answer that question, Anthony. Contact them using the contact info we provide in this article.

      Reply

    • We strongly urge our readers NOT to enroll at a street tent. There have been far too many cases of fraud and abuse at these locations. You’re much safer if you enroll online or by phone from the comfort of your home.

      Reply

  13. I live in Texas and am eligible for a free phone. I’ve already spent way too much time reading your online material. Are there any human beings employed by your company? If yes, how do I actually get the phone? All I’m getting now is endless red tape.

    Reply

    • We think that when you say “your online material” and “your company,” you are referring to Assist Wireless. We hope you’re not referring to us, Shelley, because we’ve done everything imaginable to make this site informative and user-friendly.

      If you can’t get through to Assist Wireless, stop trying. There are plenty of other free government cell phone companies in Texas. Here’s where you can find a list of those companies, their plans, and their contact info:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

    • All Lifeline companies are now required to offer data packages, Stephanie. All you need to do is contact Access customer service.

      Reply

  16. I just got my phone yesterday and was told I didn’t have to pay anything till the first bill. my data shut off. it will not connect no matter what I do. it didn’t even work a full day. I got the 1 gig plan.

    Reply

    • Explain further, Matthew. Why are you paying for a free government cell phone plan? Is it because you added an extra data plan?

      Reply

  19. Why am I making payments? I have been trying to send texts. Every time I do I get a message stating ( and I quote from a message sent to me by my carrier )” You are not allowed to send text messages. Msg 2120 “

    Reply

  20. I live on mo. Of I get this is there other cell plans that I can up grade to more minutes at a lower cost then most cell companies thank you dianna

    Reply

    • Despite the fact that you asked so nicely, Jacyee, we are an independent website, not a free government cell phone service provider. You will need to contact Assist Wireless or any other service provider directly by phone or online to apply. Good luck.

      Reply

  23. Saidly they use T-Mobile service which is but useless on west side of town where I live in Vinita, OK with 1 bar 80% or 2 bar 15% and making call with drop out that a pain and last 5% there was no signal most the time even know the tower is only 2 miles way same as AT&T tower at leases it works
    It dose work with AT&T GoPhone Lumia 640 LTE that was able to get unlock
    We never could get the data plan to work
    I end have to drop them

    Two good link help
    http://www.cellreception.com/towers/
    http://opensignal.com/

    Reply

    • If you were “:paid up,” we assume you do not have a free government cell phone account?

      Reply

  25. I personally have found that myeasywireless.com in Oklahoma has been the easiest provider for the lifeline program. Just as the name says EASY WIRELESS! They are beginning to get the more updated phones now and unlimited talk and text for $4.95/month. They also have data plans available. BUT if this is supposed to be a LIFELINE program that the government generously provides to the unfortunate the phones and service plans should be more than sufficient as long as they are working properly and the service is provided as promised.

    Reply

  26. Those phones aren’t worth a penny not alone 1dollar hell you couldn’t use if you had to there’s not one bit of service on them where I’m at

    Reply

  27. I ha e assist wireless they gave me a great phone when i signed up the screen quit they ha e me a phone i told them i didnt want much smaller than the original to get a similar phone would cost $98 or take the crappie one.seems when you sign up your great after that. your screwed they get the govs.money for at least 60 days couse your stuck and it sucks for both parties me and gov

    Reply

  28. Hi i am older customers right now is my phone no working I don’t known what happen please can help for me I am already paid yet for 5 month

    Reply

  31. I have used all my data already, do I have to wait till next month before I get anymore? Can I get unlimited data? If I get unlimited minutes, I can’t get text??? Why not? The sales guy explained absolutely nothing to me.

    Reply

  33. Is there somewhere in Bartlesville or Dewey, Okla where I can sign up for one of these?I am on SSI an d I think I qualify I also need to know what I need to do this so I don’t have to drive up more gas than 1 trip.Thank you.

    Reply

  34. Am a subscriber and my phone died before Thanksgiving and it still wont work! How do I go about getting a new phone, battery, or both? Thank You

    Reply

  35. I can’t make or receive any text messages. What do I need to do to change this? I can’t seem to get an answer.

    Reply

  36. i just got my phone last week im out of min thought i had unlimted, but was told they will put 100 more on @ a time till i get 500 back on next month, still dont have any min phones been off since noon yesterday,this is really messed up, dont need the stress, got to go back to cricket, i guess,

    Reply

  37. I’m fairly irritated. The store I enrolled at and bought my phone/plan from is understaffed/needs flow systems to handle the customers and an attitude adjustment.

    My phone has stopped using the network so that my weather app won’t load, etc. and I don’t get green for either bars, WiFi or network. I started trying to get this corrected 3 months ago. I’ve been back to the store too many times to admit to, and STILL without being able to stay long enough to have it seen to! Today, they are fortunate that I didn’t “sign in,” because if I had been there for another half hour, either of the times I was there, today, the fur might have flown. There were too many people waiting to imagine keeping my friend waiting.

    It’s wrong that trying to run in and pay my bill can take so long that I have to leave before seeing it done. Yes, I have resorted to paying online. Why should someone who just wants to pay have to wait for technical assistance savvy clerks?

    It’s wrong that I’m paying for and not able to use my data package. Being Disabled means I can’t drive and folks good enough to give me a ride shouldn’t have to make a day of my phone. I shouldn’t have to wait and wait in a lobby after being told to sign in, nothing else, and, it’s not ever my turn to ask how much longer I might have to wait.

    I’m really irritated. I’m almost ready to go through the mess to use another provider.

    The Assist Wireless store I’ve tried to use is at 1415 SW 59th St in OKC.

    Thank you,
    MK Hefner

    Reply

  38. I am not happy cuz I was told that I had unlimited talk and text when the lady came to myt house and I am gettinhg a text saying. I am almost out of min.

    Reply

      • I believe that there needs to be some definite clarification that your website is more of a informational website providing the basics on the government lifeline program and it is NOT the customer service/support site for these individual cell phone providers. I just glimpsed through most all of the comments posted on here. Wow!

        Reply

  41. I have lifeline cell in NYC, and I want to used the Android phone, can you provide me with the SIM card, anf Transfer my account too?

    Reply