<< All Free Cell Phone Providers
If we’re being completely honest, we can’t call Lifeline Assistance the “free” government cell phone program in Alaska. For some reason, all cell phone companies that offer government cell phones in Alaska are required to charge customers at least $1 per month for air time. For the purposes of this discussion, let’s call it the “$1 government cell phone program.” But we must admit that you get a lot for your one dollar bill.
GCI says:
We’re committed to keeping Alaska connected. Qualify for GCI Lifeline Wireless and get:
- Unlimited Network wide talk and Nationwide text for only $1 a month
- 500 minutes long distance calling
- 1 GB of included data and 1 GB of TurboZone data
- Savings over 30% for the year when you pay up front
- One Lifeline-eligible mobile phone per year
General Communication Inc. (GCI) is a telecommunications corporation operating in Alaska. Through its own facilities and agreements with other providers, GCI provides cable television service, Internet access, and Wireline (networking) and cellular telephone service.
You qualify for a Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone if you are on any of these programs:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
- Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
- Adult Public Assistance (which includes aid to the aged, blind and disabled)
- BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) General Assistance
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Head Start (meeting qualifying income standards)
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch program
- Denali KidCare
- WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children Care Program)
- Pioneer Home Payment Assistance
- Alaska State Housing Corporation Programs
- Public Housing
- Interest Rate Reduction for Low Income Borrowers
- Home Investment Partnership
- Low Incumbent Housing Tax Credit Program
- State of Alaska Heating Assistance Program
- Veterans Administration Disability Pension
- Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund
- State of Alaska Senior Benefits Program
- Childcare Assistance Program, Pass I, II and III
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for Alaska, which we’ve calculated for you in the table below:
| Income Based Eligibility for Alaska | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual income | |
| 1 member | $20,493 | |
| 2 members | $27,783 | |
| 3 members | $35,073 | |
| 4 members | $42,363 | |
| 5 members | $49,653 | |
| 6 members | $56,943 | |
| 7 members | $64,233 | |
| 8 members | $71,523 | |
| For each additional member add $7,290 annually | ||
Here’s a complete list of Alaskan communities in which Alaska DigiTel/GCI offers its $1 per month Lifeline service: Adak, Akiak, Akiachak, Akutan, Alakanuk, Aleknagik, Ambler, Aniak, Anaktuvuk Pass, Anchor Point, Anchorage, Anderson, Angoon, Anvik, Atmautluak, Atqasuk, Barrow, Bethel, Big Lake, Brevig Mission, Buckland, Butte, Cantwell, Chefornak, Chenega Bay, Chevak, Chignik, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Lake, Chitina, Chuathbaluk, Chugiak, Clark’s Point, Clear, Coffman Cove, Cold Bay, Cooper Landing, Copper Center, Cordova, Craig, Cube Cove, Deering, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Diomede, Dot Lake, Douglas, Eagle River-Chugiak, Eek, Egegik, Ekuk, Eielson AFB, Eklutna, Ekwok, Elfin Cove, Elim, Emmonak, Ester, Fairbanks, False Pass, Fort Greely, Fort Wainwright, Fort Yukon, Galena, Gambell, Girdwood, Glennallen, Golovin, Goodnews Bay, Grayling, Gustavus, Halibut Cove, Haines, Healy, Hollis, Holycross, Homer, Hoonah, Hooper Bay, Hope, Houston, Hydaburg, Igiugig, Iliamna, Juneau, Kake, Kaktovik, Kasigluk, Kasilof, Kasaan, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kiana, King Cove, King Salmon, Kipnuk, Kivalina, Klawock, Kobuk, Kodiak, Kokhanok, Koliganek, Kongiganak, Kotlik, Kotzebue, Koyuk, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Levelock, Little Diomede, Lower Kalskag, Manokotak, Marshall,McGrath, Mekoryuk, Mentasta Lake, Metlakatla, Meyers Chuck, Moose Pass, Mountain Village, Naknek, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Naukati, Nelson Lagoon, Nenana, New Stuyahok, Newtok, Nightmute, Nikiski, Ninilchik, Noatak, Nome, Nondalton, Noorvik, North Pole, Nuiqsut, Nunam Iqua, Nunapitchuk, Oscarville, Ouzinkie, Palmer, Pedro Bay, Pelican, Perryville, Petersberg, Pilot Point, Pilot Station, Platinum, Point Baker, Point Hope, Point Lay, Port Alsworth, Port Heiden, Port Lions, Port Graham, Prudhoe Bay, Quinhagak, Ruby, Russian Mission, Saint Mary’s, Saint Michael, Saint Paul, Salcha, Sand Point, Savage, Savoonga, Saxman, Scammon Bay, Selawik, Seldovia, Seward, Shageluk, Shaktoolik, Sheldon Point, Shishmaref, Shungnak, Sitka, Skagway, Soldotna, Stebbins, Sterling, Sutton-Alpine, Talkeetna, Tanana, Tatitlek, Teller, Thorne Bay, Togiak, Tok, Toksook Bay, Trapper Creek, Tuluksak, Tuntutuliak, Tununak, Twin Hills, Tyonek, Unalaska, Unalakleet, Upper Kalskag, Valdez, Wainwright, Wales, Wasilla, Whale Pass, White Mountain, Whittier, Willow, Wrangell
Contact:
GCI
GCI.com
Customer Service
2550 Denali Street
Suite 1000
Anchorage, AK 99503
Website: GCI Lifeline page
Phone: 265-5400 (Anchorage); 1-800-800-4800 (Statewide)
Latest News on CGI:
David King says
How do I get started in gettting a phone? I tried to stop by the office but I was unable to locate the physical address, 2550 Denali St. Suite 1000. Is this address still correct?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’ve provided website and phone number contact info in the article, David.
Rebecca says
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Does Alaska Digi Tel/GCI Lifeline Program provide coverage in my area?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not that we know of. Go to the Utah page:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states/utah-government-cell-phone-providers