<< All Free Cell Phone Providers
NOTICE: Thanks to the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you can now get Unlimited Data AND a free government cell phone at the same time. For more info, click here
SafeLink Wireless is the largest, oldest and best known of the companies that offer free cell phones through the government’s Lifeline Assistance program. Millions of needy Americans in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are already talking and texting on Safelink cell phones.
Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
SafeLink Wireless gives you the choice of enjoying free cell service on your own phone. Or you can apply to receive a new cell phone AND free service.
The Safelink Lifeline and ACP Plans
Here are the Safelink Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Plans that you can choose from:
Lifeline + ACP
-
Free smartphone or BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone)
Unlimited talk
Unlimited text
Calls to Canada and Mexico
25GB high speed data
Up to 5GB of hotspot data
Lifeline Plan
-
Free SIM card
350 voice minutes
Unlimited texts
4.5GB data
ACP Plan
-
Free SIM card
Unlimited talk
Unlimited text
Calls to Canada and Mexico
10GB data
(Includes 5GB of hotspot data)
How to Qualify for Lifeline
Are you eligible for a new Safelink Wireless phone number? Be aware that guidelines vary by state but you’ll probably qualify if you participate in a public assistance program such as any of the following:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans Pension and Survivor's Benefit.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
If you don’t receive any of these public assistance benefits, you may also qualify if your total household gross monthly income is low enough.
How to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The rules for ACP eligibility are the same in every state. A household qualifies if:
- A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Participates in any of the following assistance programs: SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Participates in any of the following Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Tribal Head Start (income based);
- Participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income internet program.
Compare Safelink Wireless with Other Lifeline Companies in Your State
There are many other free phone service providers you your state. This is just one. In every state there are many options, often over a dozen companies to choose from. Plans and phone choices often vary substantially between providers and you owe it to yourself to look at them all. To compare plans, begin with our state-by-state free phone service page and click on your state to see what’s available.
Contact Safelink Wireless:
Website: www.SafelinkWireless.com
Phone: 1-800-Safelink (723-3546)
Further Reading on Safelink Wireless
Rickey walker says
Lost phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Read article:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Wayne Byron Peterson says
Like or need help to get elder parents on a program. in a nursing home now. 95 /93.
Health issuses. I have a land line for them. They are bothered by robo calls . Half hour will get 10-15 calls.
Retired Full cornel veteran.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Everything you need to know about the Lifeline free government cell phone company can be found right here on this website, Wayne. Just click around for a few minutes.
As an alternative, though, have you considered just changing their phone number?
TAMMIE Hensley says
I pay for internet I don’t stay on my phone I’ve seen people play games all day and night nothing never get said to them .I use my phone mostly for looking up stuff.I think that’s one of the reasons they were gave to us to help people.Learn and help family’s. They shouldn’t be allowed to just take my data This isn’t the first time I’m not a child.TMobile has no right my dad has cancer and if you don’t like your job find another one.ya it defaulted after I factory reset it.Im using my house wifi this is crazy If I could Afford a phone it wouldn’t be T-Mobile.
Free Government Cell Phones says
T-Mobile does not participate in the Lifeline free government cell phone program, Tammie.
Kim Do says
I am receiving disability benefit, i apply 3 weeks ago, but i did not received benefit , it is pending…pending ( SAFELINK WIRELESS )
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you spoken to your service provider’s customer service team?
Caitlyn says
I received the information saying I had a tracking number through FedEx for a safe link phone. I went to track it and FedEx said invalid. I don’t understand if it’s coming or not..
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team to ask for an explanation.
Donna Summers says
My phone has been stolen can’t get in touch with safelink
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you visited its website? Or tired borrowing a friend’s phone?
Jack says
How long does it take for safelink application to process it keeps saying pending for me
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most companies say it will take a couple weeks. Our readers have often said it took three or four weeks or even longer. How long has it been for you? Have you contacted your service provider’s customer service team to ask “How long?”
Pamela Check says
I am a Lifeline customer that recently tried SafeLink and had a terrible experience. Without a working phone, I can’t call anywhere, and that is the only way to contact SafeLink; no email or FB Messenger. They have a Facebook page, but you can’t message them through it. When I left a comment to this effect for them on their SafeLink Facebook page, they left the link to their website that tells you to call them. When I applied with them, my status said Verified, but they didn’t send an email or letter acknowledging me. Worse yet, I NEVER RECEIVED A PHONE FROM THEM. They did, however, send an email threatening me if I did not activate my phone, which did not accept replies. I find their company fraudulent.
Victoria Read says
I have been with SafeLink for years and Never a problem!
They offer free, great customer service as well as good connections when using your phone.
I can’t say the same for CC.
I always used my SafeLink phone for emergencies, a second phone but I am gonna transfer my phone from CC to SL and be done with a monthly charge for service that doesn’t work most of the time.
You will be Happy with SafeLink so hurry up and get your free phone and service today!! Be happy!!
Sandra says
The Safelink company was bought by Verizon and is migrating to a CDMA phone system shortly. Anyone with a GSM phone is being informed that their service will end, and solicited to receive a new cell phone free or discounted.
According to their website at https://extras.safelinkwireless.com/en/network-changes customers can also get a new SIM card. However, their customer service does not know this, nor am I able to purchase the SIM card from their online store, once I enter my Lifeline phone number. No one can help me and I have spent 3 hours so far trying to get through to someone. Perhaps spoke with 8 people. I keep getting transferred around to different departments including technical support.
I contacted TracFone (the parent company) and they are sending me a SIM card.I hope it works. However another rep I spoke with said that if I got a Tracfone SIM card I would have to purchase a new plan, and not remain in the Lifeline program. We’ll see what happens.
I am posting this so others who need a new SIM card from Safelink can see what I have been through. If anybody did something different that works please post it. Or alternately if anyone knows how to get in touch with someone at Safelink who isn’t just reading scripts, post that too.
Sandra says
Sandra here with an update. I received the SIM card that Tracfone sent, and it was the wrong kind of card. Oh well!
The next way I tried to get Safelink new network’s SIM card is to speak with the “Sales” department at Safelink, and order one for 99 cents. Supposedly it is on the way to me. I will update as to whether it works upon arrival.
This is important for people who have a CDMA phone and want to get a SIM card to update to Safelink’s new Verizon-based network.
(They are trying to force everyone to get a new phone instead of a SIM card for some reason.)
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thanks for the update, Sandra. Our readers will be interested in the next chapter of your saga.
Cassandra says
I don’t have an address how can I find a representative to get a SafeLink phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Cassandra, you must have a street address to qualify for the Lifeline program.
Charlie says
I want to get a free phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’ve come to the right place, Charlie. Just click around on this website (especially on the navigation bar at the top of the page) for a few minutes and you’ll learn everything you need to know.
Jettishka Butler says
I would like a new pH n
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not your service provider, Jettishka. You need to contact them.
george freeman says
company suks spent 3 days trying to activate a phone that they want to send verifacation to that isnt activated which will not go to a phone not activated what moroons.
Sherri says
I want to refer a friend to SafeLink
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not sure why you’re telling us that, Sherri, but we’re always happy to hear from a satisfied customer.
Pamela Ann Beard says
safelink is a nightmare, they were bought out by verizon. my byop not does not work, they refuse to send me the free one
Free Government Cell Phones says
Please remember that any Lifeline customer can switch service providers at any time. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch from one provider to another:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
You can find all the providers and plans available in your state here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Tara Rigby says
Do you guys have tables
Free Government Cell Phones says
We strongly urge our readers not to enroll at a street event. They have been the scenes of far too much fraud and abuse. Instead we urge you to enroll by phone or online.
Jeff Hobbs says
Why did my local boost telle he knew nothing about the acp and hadn’t even read the pamphlet on his counter and wasn’t interested in even talking about it, Jeff
Richmond,in 47374
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have no way of knowing why any rep tells you anything.
michael west says
these gov phone are a bunch of bull shit 4 of my friends and myself got one and they suck first every one of them company purpose hire foregioners so you cant understand a word they say then it took me over a hour to get threw to punks then three times they said phone will work that was a week ago my family friends and people have had enuff of your phoney bullshit take your sim card and shove it up your ass
michael west says
f**k you you useless bitches and your shitty phone hope to see you at wal mart i willk stomp your useless bitch ass
Free Government Cell Phones says
Three words for you, Michael: Anger management class.
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is an independent informational website and is NOT affiliated with any Lifeline free government cell phone service provider. That being said, we really regret that you are not our customer because you sound like a real charmer, Michael.
Latreina Rankin says
How do I get a cell phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Read this website.
Allen salazar says
My name is Allen Salazar I need all government phones under my name closed asap someone using my information thank u that’s all numbers
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your problem, Allen, but we cannot do anything to help you. This is an independent informational website and is NOT affiliated with any Lifeline free government cell phone service provider. You can reach your service provider’s customer service team by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.
Riley Ellis says
Did not get it .
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact the company you enrolled with, Riley.
Robert E Lewis says
SafeLink upgraded my free phone …I had a flip phone..they sent me a new phone which I received Friday July 8,2022….
I have been hung up on a minimum of 12 times while trying to reach technical support….I have spent 3 days trying to get phone service….I am beyond frustrated…All I want is my phone number assigned to my new phone…someone in your service disconnected my old phone…now I have No phone to use…..
Is there anyone capable of helping me???????..
Free Government Cell Phones says
First, Robert, understand that we are not Safelink. This is an independent informational website and is NOT affiliated with any Lifeline free government cell phone service provider.
Any Lifeline customer can switch service providers at any time. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch from one provider to another:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Which provider and plan to choose? You can find all the providers and plans available in your state here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Mark says
Why does Safelink shut off my phone every month for the last three months for five days or more?
I am qualified to get the service, and have been with them for years. I filed another compliant against them with the BBB. I’m still waiting.
Free Government Cell Phones says
No way for us to know what’s going on with your account, Mark. But have you called 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to speak to customer service about the problem?
Latisha Johnson says
I need a free cellphone today.. mail it to latisha Johnson at (ADDRESS DELETED).
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s not the way it works, Latisha. You need to find out if you qualify (see the navigation bar at the top of this page) and then enroll with a specific company. Here’s where you can find all those companies and the various free plans:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Cory Ivey says
It said I was approved and it would be sent in the mail is there a time frame how long it takes and why didn’t I get an email or anything confirming that’s all I need to know thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
Timeframes are fluid things in the Lifeline world. Some companies say it will take two weeks, others say three or four weeks. A number of readers have said it took far longer to get their phones delivered. Good luck, Cory.
Kelly Pope says
Which free governmental phones does safe link provide in NC?
Free Government Cell Phones says
There’s no way to answer that question, Kelly, because the phones are sent out randomly. The person who enrolls immediately before you may get one kind of phone, you may get another, and the person who enrolls immediately after you may get a third kind.
Sondra Wulfsen says
I often go to Walgreens to buy home appliances, the prices here are quite reasonable and every time I come here I often use the discount code on the DazzDeals website, last week I saved 20 bucks
Lakeshia Lewis says
How do I become an employee distribution
Free Government Cell Phones says
Every company is different, Lakeshia. You need to contact the company directly to find out how they handle enrollment and if they are currently hiring.
quinton jackson says
I would like a cell phone so i can keep in contact for i am trying to look for a job.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can find all the providers and plans available in your state here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Chris yonko says
Hey my name is Chris I’m with safelink street team members & we are hiring while we run multiple programs if your local in the bay area we have a bunch of job opportunities for everyone while some say we are the best to deal with
Email:(DELETED)
Please contact if interested in a life changing opportunities
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Chris, but we cannot post your email address because we have no way to verify the details.
Jenna Coffell says
I had my girlfriend sign me up and she put in my wrong s.s.#.Now i have to show paperwork that’s gonna take months for me to get a phone and i need a phone a.s.a.p. because i have health issues.I have C.O.P.D. and need to make sure i can call 911 when needed.
Free Government Cell Phones says
One solution would be to switch to a different service provider. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Linda m says
I’ve been on phone 3hours with safelink. I’ve had my free phone for few years. With unlimited talk and text. They shut me off today no warning. Said I have 1000 minutes none left. No I have unlimited. I got the run around put codes in told me fixed, transfer me to others then disconnected on 3rd transfer same call. My 10th call I got young lady who had to ask her manager for minutrs(what,).hung up shut oh off 10 mins like told to I had no faith this time. 🙏 I have it working but I have till 1st and she said I have minutes for few on calls. What happened to my unlimited minutes. I’m grateful she turned it on. I have kid my only ph. Nightmare this has been.
john strophy says
To solve this issue for once and for all Linda contact the FCC .They did this type of behavior to me too gave me the run around less then 1 month the problem was taking care off . They bill the government for services they do not provide.
Walter J Hopkins says
A representative of Safe Link came to door last evening and offered a free cell phone. She asked me show ID and an SSI receipt of this past year. I accepted the phone and signed for it. Do I now have absolutely free use of this phone, accept within calling time limits?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We hope the man really worked for Safelink, but you won’t know until you find out if your phone works. In the future, PLEASE don’t give any personal information to anyone who comes to your door claiming to represent a company. Call Safelink customer service to find out if you are really one of their customers.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You don’t have any phone with us, Roger. This is an independent informational website, NOT a service provider.
Dainhen Butler says
How do I become a provider? How can I get paid to give these phones away?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Each company has different distribution methods, Dainhen. You need to contact each company’s corporate sales team.
James Sydensricker says
My cell phone was lost.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check out this article:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Lewis Taylor says
My SafeLink phone gets no video or ebay!?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to speak to Safelink customer service, Lewis. You can reach them by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.
Crystal Trejo says
My phone is not working properly, I can call but I can’t hear anything on my phone and I’m hearing impaired and my phone will not charge at all. So what do I do?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team by borrowing a friend’s phone.
V says
Ok I enroll with lifeline SafeLink year ago and got SIM card and used my phone ,now my phone is broken and they refused to give me new phone what I have to do? If I disconnected the service with them could I reapply to get new phone with service under the lifeline again or I will refused
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your best bet is the option you described. Here’s an article that tells you exactly what steps to take:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Wayne Ralston says
Phone not work anymore
Free Government Cell Phones says
You have a couple choices. First, you can contact your service provider to see if it will give you a free replacement phone. Some companies will replace a phone as often as annually, others will not replace them at all. Second, switch to a different service provider and because you are a new customer to that company, you will be given a new smart phone.
Leyda Manso says
Hi. One of your representative told me that my phone is not compatible with the new technology and that I have until Feb.22/22 to get a new one. That’s why I’m asking for a new one.
Free Government Cell Phones says
“We” don’t have representatives, Leyda. This is an independent informational website that has absolutely no connection to Safelink. You need to speak to Safelink’s customer service team.
robert says
my girlfriends cell phone through qlink was stolen, she paid for a replacement and wiated for 2 months but in the meantime she needed a cell phone for dayto day use and direct deposit updates so she applied with a differents lifeline provider and was approved and recieved a new phone with new provider. 2 weeks later her replacement phone arrived in the mail from qlink so now she has two cell phones. What should she do?
Free Government Cell Phones says
She needs to cancel that Q Link phone and account IMMEDIATELY. She never should have been approved by the second company because her name should have been picked up in the Lifeline data base. Only one phone is permitted per household.
Sylvia. Boggs says
I think it’s good that someone othe= is looking out. 4. People. On low. Income. Way 2. Go. Good. People. Amen. God. Bless. Sylvia. Boggs
james says
can I use safelink and a lifeline phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not quite sure what your question means, James. Can you clarify?
Nancy B. says
Need to enrolled to get a new phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Go for it, Nancy.
Kelly Barnhill says
I need a cell phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
We provided the contact info you need up above in the article.
Graciela DE LA Rosa says
I need a cell phone please thank you understanding gracedelarosa
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Safelink, Graciela. This is an independent informational website. You can contact Safelink with the contact info provided in the article above.
Catherine Washington says
Me too badly
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what this website is all about. Just click around a bit to learn more about the program and then you’ll know exactly who to enroll with and how.
Mark Gargis says
I’m a resident in Washington state and would like to enroll in a SafeLink wireless phone plan.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Safelink, Mark, but we’ve provided all that company’s contact info above.
Cynthia L. Baker says
I need a new cell phone my was broken I am with Safelink Wireless My address is (ADDRESS DELETED). I have a court hearing coming up and I need a new replacement phone right away. Sincerely Cynthia L. Baker.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Whoa! Never leave all your personal info at a public website like this, Cynthia. You’re just begging to have your identity stolen. Now in regard to your question, this is an independent informational website that is NOT affiliated with Safelink nor with any other Lifeline service provider. You need to contact Safelink customer service directly.
Vanessa says
I would like to have a cell phone .please
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Safelink, Vanessa. You need to reach out to that company using the contact info we provide in the middle of the article.
Y says
I have lifeline from Qlink but want to change lifeline provider and get new phone. Can I keep my current number…On the lifeline program of do have to take what I can get?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not sure what you mean when you say “Do I have to take what I can get.”
May Galloway says
Do any of them (the companies offering free service) have unlimited data?
Free Government Cell Phones says
All the plans available in your state are listed at this link. You can check them all out:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Johnny osborne says
My phone just Quit working I have no service do I need to sign back up you can call me on my home phone if need to 606 673 **** thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
First thing you need to do it contact your service provider’s customer service team. You should be fine as long as your phone has worked within the last 30 days.
Renee jones says
Does SafeLink provide a free replacement phone if stolen
Free Government Cell Phones says
They will not replace a phone because it was “stolen,” but if you have been a customer long enough they may replace it. Contact Safelink customer service to get the latest, most up to date answer.
Sheryl G. Lambert says
Hello – I am wondering if my agency could get some phones to give to the homeless men and women we work with in order to provide them with a means of communicating with the service providers in their areas?
Thank you ~ Sheryl
Free Government Cell Phones says
Each applicant must enroll as an individual, Sheryl. The other problem with your concept is that homeless are not eligible unless they are living in some sort of shelter. Yes, we know that sounds crazy, but it’s one of the rules.
Patsy Hayden says
fI need a free phone please
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what this website is all about, Patsy. Click around, read a bit, and you’ll figure out exactly what to do. We can’t summarize 5000 pages of content here in the comment section.
Michael J. Bailey says
I had Safelink lifeline phone service, which was approved in May 2021, however, it was canceled in August 2021. When I asked for the reason for the cancelation I was lied to, they say, because I was trying to get another service, which I had not. After being on the phone for about 1/2 hour or more, The Safelink representative, kept starting the application over and over because I answered in the affirmative “Yeah”, Safelink Is really a bad choice at the end, where people have a legit complaint, they make excuses or simply make up excuses for their conduct. I will go to court on this one. I am sick of excuses for depriving me of lifeline service when I have the right to it by multiple proofs. I will have to go to court to get an injunction and damages caused by these incompetent liars.
Ronda Fletcher says
SafeLink did not change my no smart phone to a smart phone so I changed companies, they only offer a smart phone to new customers. When I left to another company for a year I checked back to see if they would give me a smartphone to use with the free gigabyte data minutes they gave me, not useable on the little not smart phone they had sent, they would not give me a smart phone still where I could actually use the free data. They said I would have to go back to the non smart phone, if I had it, which I didn’t. I left them so I could actually get on the internet, there phone was not able to do that while giving me free data, but no way to use it.
Kirby Taylor says
I am looking forward to getting free unlimited minutes from SafeLink wireless this month in October 2021 and free data and talk and texting.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Please let us (and our readers) know how it goes, Kirby.
Henry says
The EBB program benefits are temporary and will end either when the money runs out or in 6 months after Health and Human Services declares that the pandemic is over. When that occurs, all EBB subscribers will be returned back to the original Lifeline benefit level. So for some unlimited talk and data will end (except for those residing in states that provide extra benefits for their residents because they provide subsidies to the Lifeline program).
James barton says
Trying to track my phone you were sending me ticket number 124170****
Serial number of my phone 32018595****
Imei number 8653560358****
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, James. Contact them directly using the contact info we provided in the article above.
BILL GILLESPIE says
You LIER! I know who you are Stephen and you can’t keep getting away with it, MY NAME IS BILL GILLESPIE AND IVE BEEN LIVING IN SPARTA for 42 YEARS!
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is what we have to deal with every single damn day of the year.
Shaina Curl says
I gave the one I had to my son I can’t afford two phones can I get another one
Free Government Cell Phones says
Only one Lifeline account is permitted per home.
Phyllis Mazza says
Use a different address.
Free Government Cell Phones says
That would be … oh, what’s the phrase we’re looking for … highly illegal.
ELVIRA RAMIREZ says
I got approved on Sept. 1 but have not received the phone up to now.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Safelink’s website offers a “Check Your Status” button. Check it out and see what info you can find.
alberto antonio loubriel says
why havent i recieved my phone yet?
Free Government Cell Phones says
How long has it been?
Todd Smith says
I left my drivers license and EBT card with two of your manager representatives on University Avenue yesterdayMy name is Todd Smith my phone number is 951-462-**** please call
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not connected to Safelink (nor any other Lifeline company), Todd. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact Safelink and hope like hell the people you left your info with are actually connected to that company. That’s why we urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events.
We hope you get it all worked out because you come from California’s Inland Empire area, this comment moderator’s old stompin’ grounds.
BiteMe says
SAFELINK/TRACFONE IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST COMPANY TO DEAL WITH, AND THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT!!!!!
Second time in a year I’ve had to get a new phone (that I pay for) and twice had them tell me what I bought was not an ATT phone, and only ATT is available for the service in my area. Most recently, bought specifically an ATT phone FROM THEM ON THEIR SITE. I finally get the thing, try to get it set up, only to find…I HAVE ANOTHER ALLEGEDLY VERIZON PHONE!!!!! Regardless of who screwed up (THEM, but they’re trying to blame it on me, even though my order forms SAYS ATT!!!!), what is their answer to correct their own f-up? “Buy another phone”. It’s a programme for low-income people, it was difficult enough to buy this phone, which, BTW, they sold me for TWICE THE CURRENT MARKET PRICE!!!!! but sure, let me just keep spending money I don’t have for phone after phone while you sit comfy in your ignorance, hoping you can get it right eventually. I’m sure this site won’t let me call these people what I really think of them, but Steve Small, at the very least, needs to hit an unemployment line.
Plum says
Safelink keeps your records on their website. if you search with your enrollment number even after cancelling the service it still shows your address, name and social security. A print out of your sign up form is still acessible despite cancelling the account after 2 years.
Carol says
Why can’t I get a free phone I get Medicaid my name is carol luna (address deleted).
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you officially been denied service? Have you spoken to customer service?
Henry says
It sometimes depend on where you live or what you enrolled in to get a free phone. In my state, Safelink does not offer a free phone unless I opt into the EBB program. CA often provides a higher subsidy amount in the program for its residents, so CA residents often are offered a free phone, but not other states.
Henry says
I just got an email from Safelink about my recent application which was not completed. It says that a FREE phone is provided (with an asterisk to a footnote). The footnote says that a FREE phone is only provided to CA residents and tribal lands residents. Even though CA may be among the most populous states in this country, the footnote means that most US residents are NOT eligible for a FREE phone.
OK everyone, time to move to CA!
Lee Cox says
CAROL LUNA, U “CAN” GET A FREE MONTHLY LIFELINE PHONE BUNDLE, IF U GET MEDICAID, FOOD STAMPS, HUD HOUSING HELP, IF UR KID GETS SCHOOL LUNCH, IF U GET SSI DISABILITY, VETS BENEFITS, OR IF U MAKE UNDER 135% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL. THATS ABOUT 14 HUNDREDS AND 70 DOLLARS IN INDIANA FOR 1 PERSON, I THINK.
EVEN SOMEONE WHO MADE 90 THOUSAND DOLLARS LAST YEAR CAN, IF THEY MADE A LOT LESS IN LAST YEAR.
CAROL. U CAN GET 2 DIFFERENT BENEFITS.
1 FOR MONTHLY FREE LIFELINE SERVICE. And right now that may be only 4.5 GB of data in most states, or 6 GB for California.
Lifeline phone companies are supposed to give a minimum of 350 minutes I believe. It is already a thousand minutes I believe but SafeLink wireless must not know about this because they’re still giving 350 minutes.
Those companies give at least 350 minutes of talk per month, and unlimited texting and 4.5 GB of data for internet access.
THERE ARE MAYBE 10 OR 15 PROVIDERS who cover many states. Each state should have at least six or eight providers who give a good monthly bundle for the lifeline program.
Companies like STAYING UP WIRELESS, TRUECONNECT, LIFE WIRELESS, ACCESS WIRELESS, ENTOUCH WIRELESS, TERRACOM WIRELESS, AMERICAN ASSISTANCE, Q LINK WIRELESS…
DECEMBER, 2021 I THINK LIFELINE PROVIDERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BEGIN GIVING EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR LIFELINE 18 gigabytes OF DATA for internet access.
AND 1,000 MINUTES OF TALK PER MONTH, up from 4.5 GB and 350 minutes.
I’ve not read anything about texting so keep an eye out if providers will begin counting texts as data or minutes. Because if they do a person will quickly go through their data or minutes.
—————————————
DECEMBER 2021 LIFELINE BEGINS GIVING 18 GB OF DATA AND 1,000 MINUTES OF TALK:
(LINKS DELETED)
—————————————
FIND COMPANIES WHO PARTICIPATE IN LIFELINE OR EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM IN YOUR STATE OR YOUR ZIP CODE. These links will tell whether a provider offers fixed data which you can use only at home, or mobile data which you can use on a phone or a tablet while on the go.
Check marks by a company’s name means that company is supposed to offer you a tablet or a computer and you pay a copay of over $10 but under $50. Because ebb will pay a $100 subsidy copay for you to get a tablet or a computer. All tablets I have research are new. All computers I researched our refurbished and certify with a one-year warranty. But be sure to ask. So you can know what kind of case to buy for it. Ask if the tablet will be unlocked after ebb is over or what you have to do to get it unlocked.
The best tablet offers I’ve seen are terracom wireless who gives out a Galaxy tab a 8.4 inch tablet for a copay of $10 and one penny, no more ever, and no shipping and handling costs.
Stand up wireless does not give much data but they give out a decent tablet. A sky t8 elite 8-in OCTA tablet. It has dual SIM capacity which means you can have two different providers on the same device at the same time. Two different plans. They also give out tablets called NUU 8 or VORTEX 8. End of wireless gives out only 10 GB a month even if you have lifeline and ebb with them together. I don’t know but maybe someone could buy the tablet and switch to another company who offers more data. But before you do that you should make certain that the tablet would be unlocked before you switch to a new company. Stand up charges about $6 for extra fees.
To connect wireless gives out a cloud mobile Sunshine t1 tablet. It’s not nearly as good as the sky tablet which stand up wireless kids out or the Galaxy tab a tablet with terracom wireless gives out. But it does have 4G connectivity option just like those two tablets do. And it cost $20 copay. I don’t know if there are any other fees.
Q Link wireless gives out an 8-in scepter tablet. American assistance gets out an 8-in tablet made by FOXX DEVELOPMENT, who makes a phone called Miro. I believe these two companies make you out tablets which are Wi-Fi only connectable. Because they mandate that you sign up with them for lifeline if you sign up for their ebb offer to get a tablet. American assistance gives 20 gigabytes of data a month I believe. And q Link make you unlimited data.
DAILYTE US INTERNET & CATHECT COMMUNICATIONS say they give out tablets without a copay. Q Link wireless does the same.
ENTOUCH WIRELESS, SELECTEL WIRELESS, AND EXCESS TELECOM also are listed with check marks meaning days are supposed to give out tablets. I don’t know what kind. I don’t know how much data they offer for their tablets. And I don’t know if they mandate that you sign up with lifeline also if you want their EBB offer.
TERRACOM, STANDUP, & TRUCONNECT have standalone ebb offers. This means that you can sign up with them for ebb for their tablet and data offer and you can choose to sign up with another company for lifeline. But stand-up wireless and truconnect are supposed to give out a thousand minutes a monthly talk along with the 4.5 GB which many lifeline companies give. Terracom wireless offers 500 minutes a monthly talk in my state of Indiana. They also have another offer which is unlimited talk and text but no data.
AFTER THE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM ENDS THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE ANOTHER PROGRAM WHICH IS LONG-TERM AND GIVE YOU $30 PER MONTH FOR INTERNET ASSISTANCE.
MEC is utility company in Michigan which covers some of Ohio Indiana and Michigan and Illinois and they offer a 10-in Amazon fire tablet for $49.99. that’s the highest copay allowable for a company to charge for a tablet or a computer. But it’s worth it. It is a Wi-Fi only tablet. Me can be used only at home or with the Wi-Fi signal. They also have a clan which is covered by the $50 per month which EBD pays for you. the plan is 50 megabytes per second of data. And it may be unlimited data. But you would have to ask to be sure ahead of time. You should always call and email and ask.
In New Jersey and New York a company named XCHANGE TELECOM offers a ZTE 8-in tablet for 49.99. I don’t know what their data plan is. But they also offer a fairly decent smartphone which is better than the cheap cell phones giving out for the lifeline program.
NEWPHONE WIRELESS is a company who gives out fairly decent smartphones including the iPhone 6 and other phones as part of their EBB offer. I don’t know if they’re EB offer is in more States than louisiana. But their lifeline offer maybe only louisiana. It was only louisiana. But many things with the lifeline and ebb companies change. They do not have enough time or workers to update these changes so you have to ask and see if my phone wireless has spread their lifeline offer to State other than louisiana. And also ask if their offer for the ebb program includes States other than louisiana. New phone wireless is the only company I’ve seen who offers unlimited minutes for their lifeline program even standalone lifeline. They
New phone wireless like mini companies will give you a free first time lifeline phone if you’ve not had one.
I’ve seen someone I know get a replacement phone a second time from terracom wireless and someone else I know got a replacement phone from assurance wireless. But these people got there first free lifeline phone a few or several years ago. Tara come wireless and assurance wireless give out the best free lifeline phones that I’ve seen. I have seen the assurance wireless phone. It is a unimax 693cl. The previous lifeline phone they gave out was a unimax model may just before the 693. It had some spyware from Chinese factories in it. But this new one does not. I’ve known people who had them over a year with no problems. I have not seen the terracom wireless phone but a friend of mine was given a maxwest nitro 55 q phone and specs sounded good online.
It will be wise to ask any life my company you’re going with if they’re going to follow the lifeline mandatory minimum service standards in december. Meaning you should ask them if they will give you a thousand minutes of talk and 18 GB of data starting in December every month.
IF YOU DO NOT NEED A TABLET OR A COMPUTER THE BEST EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT OFFERS I’VE SEEN FOR MOBILE DATA PLANS ARE AS FOLLOWS. All these companies I believe give unlimited talk and text with their mobile data plans. A person were to get a tablet from a company like standup wireless who does not get out much data they may be able to switch to one of these companies if their tablet is unlocked which they would need to know ahead of time.
WALMART FAMILY MOBILE he gives out for the emergency broadband benefit program truly unlimited data with 30 gigabytes of hotspot data to run other phones, tablets, computers, or smart TVs.
STRAIGHT TALK kids truly unlimited data with 15 GB of hotspot data.
Boost wireless gives unlimited data with 35 GB being high speed in the rest being slower. Boost gives out 12 GB of hotspot data to run other devices.
ASSURANCE WIRELESS may give unlimited data. It may be high speed for the first 35 gb. It may have 10 gigabytes of hotspot data.
SAFELINK WIRELESS unlimited data or 20 GB of data with 10 GB of hotspot data.
ACCESS WIRELESS may give 25 GB of high-speed data. I don’t know about hotspot data.
LIFE WIRELESS may give 30 GB of high speed data. I don’t know about hotspot data.
NEWPHONE WIRELESS says to give out unloaded talk text and data. I don’t know if the data slows after a certain amount of high speed data has been used.
————————————-
HUMAN-I-T and PCs for PEOPLE companies who sell refurbished certified computers with a one-year warranty. If their computers are listed at $145 it means you pay $45 copay because ebb pays a $100 one time subsidy copay for you to get a tablet or a computer. Both companies also sell unlimited monthly data for $15 per month, no contract. The speed may be 18 mbps.
WISPER, COX, & WATCH COMM are other companies who may sell refurbished computers.
Some of these companies may make you buy a hotspot device. If you buy a mobile hotspot device be sure to make a key chain or necklace out of it so you don’t lose it. Or the first two companies one cost $80 or $90. But you would get $35 knocked off of that because the so-called change from the $50 per month which EBP pays would be $35 after the $15 per month which human it and PCs for people charge for monthly data plans. EBB rules state can’t pocket is so cold change but you can apply it toward the cost of a mobile hotspot device or the rental of a modem.
Some of these companies have low cost internet plans even without the EPB program. So I don’t know but some people may want to consider getting a tablet and mobile data plan from a certain company and then maybe using one of these companies for a fixed home internet plan if you can. This may be a consideration something they want to do after they get there 18 GB and 1,000 minutes in December for lifeline and you should also have a second benefit assistance of the $30 per month from the long-term affordable connectivity fund. That is the name possibly of the program which will be long-term for internet assistance after the ebb program is over.
LINKS DELETED
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
THE BEST EBB OFFER BY FAR IS TERRACOM WIRELESS.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
You must fill out too quick online applications.
First fill out the application for the USAC website:
LINK DELETED
Next fill out the application for terracom wireless:
LINK DELETED
You should have a picture of your ID and a picture of a food stamp or Medicaid card. Or a letter proving that you qualify for HUD housing assistance, social security disability SSI income. Or $135% or less of a poverty level. Or school lunch. Or vets benefits. Or you need to look up a list of the requirements. Be sure you can clearly read all words on your ID and card or letter. Take a picture with all four corners showing. You may also need to give you the last four digits of your social security number. Don’t worry no one can do anything with that.
LINK DELETED
Free Government Cell Phones says
We appreciate all your hard work, Lee, but our policy does not allow us to include the links in your comment.
Carlos Slim says
Newphone’s sister company may give service but if the initial process when they approve you and your phone is activated this company and it’s sister Cintex Wireless hardly wants to communicate with you. They will give you a phone but it’s used and may not be for your area which prolongs the process of them getting it right, if they do ever do so! I was with them 5 weeks and told them up front what phone and LTE band 71 i only could use in my area and they cut me off because Safelink Wireless, a Mexican company barged in and stole my account from them. Our government is crooked! Do you know it took me 90 hours for them to finally approve my account for getting onto just Lifeline! Who knows if i will get EBB!
All these Lifeline EBB companies are not giving the time of day in communication to their customers. They have even found a way to kick you out of the loop even if you are their customer! They are milking the government on these contracts, giving the sorriest of phones refurbished barely working if they work as part of the allowance that you are supposed to get a free $100.00 phone which at best most phones given aren’t worth $15.00!!! These providers of Lifeline/EBB are racking up the money!!!!
Henry says
I checked the Cintex and New Phone wireless phone offers. All of the free and upgrade phone models are refurbished. So unlike the Access, Safelink, and Truconnect phone stores where you can sometimes choose between new or used models, the Cintex and New Phone service does not offer brand new phones. The prices on the Cintex and New Phone stores are much lower than on the other phone stores. When you get a refurbished phone at a free or low price, sometimes you get what you pay for.
Henry says
HUMAN-I-T and PCS FOR PEOPLE are connected organizations. You can only get the EBB benefit from either company, but not both. The computers that are part of the EBB program are often Chromebooks and older Intel CPU based desktops and laptops (usually 4th generation CPUs), Microsoft just announced the release of Windows 11 in a few days. They do not intend to distribute the free upgrade to computers with Intel CPUs less than the 8th generation. Windows 10 support will end on October 14, 2025. So your EBB computer will be supported for about four years from today.
When Windows 10 was released in 2015, they said it would be the last major update to Windows. They lied.
Benjamin j McCrimon says
Why don’t safe link wireless give out free tablet’s like all the other companies? Is there some reason why they don’t? This make’s a customer want to leave safe link and sign up with another provider because they offer more. I will be waiting on your answer before I decide to make that change.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Hard as this may be to believe, none of the Lifeline companies choose to consult with us before making their corporate decisions. Yeah, that’s a puzzler, but it’s true. Second, if you read the comments on this website, many customers do not want tablets nor even smart phones.
Henry says
The tablet or computer offer is connected to the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program that began back in May 2021. Note that the devices are NOT free for this program. You must pay at least over $10 and less than $50 for the device. The provider will get a $100 subsidy payment from the Government for each EBB participant. Each company does not have to offer EBB benefits. If they do, they will have to contract out with some supplier for the devices. These providers do not have the device inventory in their warehouse to provide them to the customers. Note that there is NO requirement that a participant enroll in the EBB and Lifeline programs with the same company. So you do not have to leave a company that you have Lifeline service and can enroll in the EBB program independently with another company.
Remember that the EBB program is temporary. It is subject to end when the program funding runs out or after six months when the Government declares an end to the pandemic. When the program ends, you return back to the regular Lifeline program guidelines that is specific to the company that you are enrolled with.
Also note that the EBB and Lifeline program requirements are not exactly the same. You can apply for each program separately. You do need to properly make that distinction to the service provider and the USAC.ORG website application. Many providers are combining both programs into one application process. You have to make it clear if you only want to enroll in only one program with a specific company.
without my cwll says
MY LIFELINE cell phone is now USELESS BECAUSE I DELETED AN OLD GMAIL ACCOUNT YERAS AGO ONLY TO FIND OUT AFTER A RESET I CAN NO LONGER USE MY LIFELINE PHONE. WHY??
BECAUSE I DO NOT (at the age ) n deleting the gmail I DID NOT EVER USE DO NOT REMEMBER THE USER n PASSWORD I HAD TO SET YEARS AGO THAT GOOGLE WILL NOT LET ME PAST THE GOOGLE VERIFY. I m in poor health n use this phone for TELEMED with my doctors. I M not attached at the hip like most cell users. MY girls made me get the free gov. phone for EMERGANCY USE n MY MEDICAL.
NOT! I have called n asked pnly to hear NO GOOGLE ACOUNT INFO ! NOT CELL PHONE FOR U!!!
I #$%^$T HATE GOOGLE! I M NOW LEFT WITHOUT A CELL TO USE or TAKE WITH ME IF I GO OUT. WHY!!!!!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not sure what Google has to do with it, Without. Re-enroll with any company offering free plans in your state. Here’s where you can find them:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Yello Phoenix says
Last year I bought an LG phone from Walmart.com. The screen at start up says Tracfone. I didn’t know it had a MyFamilyMobile contract. I believe it required 12 months of activation.
I couldn’t afford that, so I tried activating it through Lifeline, which worked with SafeLink Wireless. Maybe because TracFone owns SafeLink. MyFamMob is related to both.
Around January I tried to switch to Q Link. My IMEI number fit their BYOP page. The SIM card they sent didn’t work, so I wrongly became upset.
Ive used Lifeline via SafeLink Wireless about 8 to 10 months of the last 10 to 12 months.
I WONDER IF MY TIME ON SAFELINK CAN COUNT TOWARD..? IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS I APPRECIATE TIPS. I have had baffling contradictory statements from operator. A while back a my family mobile operator told me it was their contract, and then a different my family mobile operator said it was TracFone’s contract. A TracFone operator told me it was tracfones, and then different TracFone operator said it was not TracFone but was my family mobile’s contract. One SafeLink operator told me it was unlocked. Another told me I have no time credit toward unlocking. And I recall a TracFone operator told me a couple of months ago I had 60 some days toward unlocking. I accept it was my mistake I’m simply wondering if anyone knows.
A terracom operator was offering to switch me over and I think she’s thinking I’m saying I’m locked into a Lifeline contract, but I’m saying my phone is locked and I can’t afford another one although Terracom is awesome and they’re EBB offer is unreal awesome. Although I got their EBV offer with my ABB voucher alone I still want to reward them by switching over and they have a good Lifeline contract anyway. And they’re operators are all local easier to understand.
ANYONE WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE EBV PROGRAM SHOULD CHECK OUT TERRACOM WIRELESS WHO SELLS A $200 PLUS GALAXY TAB A 8.4 FOR $10 AND ONE PENNY.
OR CHECK OUT KYTY COMMUNICATIONS ALSO KNOWN AS CLEO COMMUNICATIONS WHO SELLS A NICE TABLET WITH A 1-YEAR WARRANTY FOR $14. THEY ALSO SELL A LAPTOP UNDER $50 WITH A WARRANTY.
AMERICAN ASSISTANCE SELLS A TABLET WITH 20 GIGS OF MONTHLY DATA I BELIEVE. I DON’T KNOW WHAT BRAND IT IS. BUT YOU MUST HIDE AMERICAN ASSISTANCE EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT. YOU CAN’T TYPE THE TWO WORDS AMERICAN ASSISTANCE ALONE OR IT WON’T TAKE YOU TO THEIR EBB OFFER.
Other companies who offer tablets include team Midwest but they currently say they offer only a very limited area in Indiana but if you’re in Michigan Illinois maybe they will serve you there. I am speaking of companies who cover indiana.
Two other great companies are PCs for PEOPLE and HUMAN-I-T. Both these companies sell unlimited monthly data for $15. No contract and you can stay after ebbs. That’s an unreal deal. You will pay about $100 out of pocket to get a desktop or a laptop because you must pay for a connect device too. But that is yours permanently once you do and you should make a necklace out of it to not lose it. It’s still a great deal because they have some awesome Chromebooks and celerons and one of the companies also sells tablets. Kyty Communications also sells laptops with connection devices.
G luck.
Henry says
KYTY Communications (also known as Cleo Communications) has many complaints posted from people who submitted orders. Kyle Traxler is the owner and has previous legal problems.
“Ordered a laptop for $49 on 6/29/2021 as of 7/26/2021 still shows processing. They will not respond to emails or requests for a refund. When I emailed them and told them I found out who owns the website. The next day they changed ownership. It belongs to two younger guys in Ohio that have been in legal trouble before.”
“I paid for a laptop to be able to continue my online schooling for Mid America Christian University. I was accepted to use the Emergency broadband program through the US government. So I sent the required documents and paid the $50 for the company on June 25, 2021 and it is now July 24th, 2021. It says it still processing but I’ve sent several emails asking what the hold up is but no reply. I’ve since then failed out of school due to not having a laptop in because they haven’t done anything yet. I’m very upset not to mention I now owe the school over $2,000. As of today still no answer or reply from the company.”
“Per EBB requirement you can get a tablet or computer that is $100, if it’s over $100, you pay the difference, I have ordered a tablet with Internet from this company with the EBB benefits and I have yet to receive it I paid for it on July the 9 on July ON the 19th they stated it has finishes processing stage, and they should be shipped, which mean I should receive in within 10 days to receive it on July the 28th, they said it will be shipping on that week as of now it’s August, the 15th I have not received nothing, but nothing but rudeness from them, because I’m going by there, standards, they said, it’s 72 hours business hours processing time and after that 10 days for you to receive it, I paid for it on July the nineteenth, and here we are, August 15 and I have not received anything from them. the only correspondence that I do get from them is when I correspond with them other than that, if I don’t send them a email, they won’t send me an email, but yet they took my money, also my mother’s money, and they have not send us anything, and I don’t believe that’s fair, and I’m pretty sure they collected the money from the EBB benefits as well. I also asked 3 times for a refund and they refused”
“I have purchased a laptop from this company and never received it. It was through the EBB Program. Below is a copy of the email I was sent. I have tried to send follow up emails and they are returned to my email as undeliverable.
Hi Marisa,
Just to let you know — we’ve received your order #***, and it is now being processed:
[Order #***] (June 24, 2021)
Product Quantity Price
EBB Laptop 1 $50
Subtotal: $50
Shipping: Free shipping
Payment method: Credit card
Total: $50
Note: EBB Application ID: Q77011-*****
These complaints were posted in the past two months.
Also note that charging $50 for the EBB device violates the program’s guidelines which state that the purchaser’s device cost will be LESS THAN $50 (and more than $10).
So if you decide to “bite” on their offers, caveat emptor.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not familiar with KYTY Communications (aka Cleo Communications).
Judy Turner says
I received a byop from SafeLink. But I need the phone too.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Which one did you sign up for?
Mr Lynn M Jones says
My. Mr. Lynn M Jones sending. A. Message. To. You. Asking. For. Free
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can’t enroll just by sending an email, Lynn. Click around on this website and you’ll learn everything you need to know.
Martine Sevik says
I applied online to Safelink on 06/04/21. What happens next? What do I do?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can check on the Safelink website to find out your “Status.”
Donald Haley says
Where is it can you tell me
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, we can’t, Donald. We are not your service provider.
tiffany overmyer says
My mintues are gone I dont no why and I filled out for the extra min never got
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team.
Radie LittleJohn says
I added minutes from my PayPal account to the number 731-438-**** the money was deducted from my PayPal account however my sister still hasn’t got her minutes it should be free unlimited for one month talk and Text and I believe some gigabytes of Internet however she still has not received any of the minutes text or gigabytes so what do I do to resolve this my sister’s name is Janice McPherson once again that phone number 731-438-**** I paid for it myself so she would have minutes she keeps running out she lives by her self she’s not in shape to get around and she can’t be having her phone run out of minutes Once again the money was deducted she should have minutes on that phone one month free talk text unlimited and some gigabytes of data I would like to get this taken care of or I would like to get my money put back on my card however you wanna do it !!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
No way for us to know what the problem is, Radie, because we are not your service provider. Contact that company’s customer service team.
David says
I can’t believe the amount of people here asking stupid questions or making stupid comments!!!
Henry says
I think what is happening is that people read articles on this site and then “jump over” to another website to enroll in the Lifeline program. When they have issues, they return to the original website that provided the referral to the other website. Think of it like a salesman who recommends that you buy a used car. If the car turns out to be a lemon, most people will go directly to the salesman and not necessarily to the used car company first.
Kenneth Griffith says
What email address do I use to contact your provider company about becoming an agent for phone distribution under the “Lifeline” plan in Alabama?
Free Government Cell Phones says
This website has no affiliation to Safelink. You need to contact the company directly to get the info you want, Kenneth.
Donna Duffield says
I need a free government cell phone not a plan how do l get it
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can’t get the phone without a plan. They come together.
CHRISTIAN ENCINAS says
I really need this phone I can’t keep paying my cricket one too much money
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you enrolled yet? Are you sure that Safelink offers the best plan for your needs? Check out all the plans available in your state at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Capristcleveland says
Where is my new phone I had order from safelink wireless off my son phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, so we have no idea, Caprist. Have you tried the “Check Your Status” section of the Safelink website?
brandon myers says
did not revive it in mail (ADDRESS DELETED). must got lost in mail
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not your service provider, Brandon. You need to contact that company’s customer service team.
Marcie Terrill says
Hello there. My name is Marcie and I work at an assisted living facility and I have a resident who needs to get an Obama phone? Please let me know. Thank you!1
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what this website is all about, Marcie. We can’t summarize 5000 pages here in the comment section, so just click around and you’ll find all the info you need.
Karen says
I need my puc code
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that addresses your issue:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it
marcia sherrard says
I have been waiting for my phone for over a month. Housekeeping threw away my enrollment numbers. Can something be done for me?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Safelink, Marcia. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact Safelink’s customer service team.
sandra medley says
i try for 45 minutes and got NOWHERE ,I WAS SENT TO THE SAME PAGE FOR EVERYONE. this was a waste of my time. shame on all of you! if u won’t post an application why bother? try it yourself n see where it takes you, GOOD LUCK.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t know how many times we have to say this, Sandra, but we are NOT a Lifeline service provider. This is an independent informational website. We do not have the authority or permission to post other companies enrollment applications. But for god’s sake, woman, we also give you a customer service phone number for each and every service provider. GOOD LUCK, indeed.
Bonnie brady says
how do i apply for a free cell phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
We provide all the contact info you need right here on this page, Bonnie.
Nicholas Sharplin says
How come I haven’t gotten just free phone yet
Free Government Cell Phones says
Why ask us? Ask your provider’s customer service team.
Jose says
Can i move to Lifeline (from Metropcs) and stay with my currently phone number?
Free Government Cell Phones says
MetroPCS does not offer the Lifeline free government cell phone plan.
Keegan Lea Shoemate says
I need help
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what this website is all about, Keegan. Click around and you’ll learn everything you need to know.
Mary HOLLIES says
retired social security only income need a phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
All the info you need is right here on this page, Mary. But you need to enroll using the contact info we provided.
Lillie Barnes says
Please update my email address I put in wrong number in my email can I get an update on my application?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Lillie, so we don’t have your application. You need to contact that company’s customer service team.
Timberly yelton says
I am wanting to switch from safelink to assurance. Am I able to do that?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can switch from one company to another at any time as long as your account has been active for 60 days or longer. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
michael ali says
ALERTEE ALERTEE Safe Link Wireless has cut off my Emergency phone service which is ‘paid’ thru 04/01/2021 after giving a guarantee that service would not be disrupted . This is a service given to me by act of congress in order to guarantee ability to contact medical care and have ability to contact emergency services etc. This should be considered to be a federal crime on their part. For the second time in last 3 hours they have disconnected the phone call to them for which the last one had me on hold for over an hour total, last part of which claimed to be manager in corporate offices checking on what has been going on. Is the ‘devil’ running the United States of America.
That “last manager” sent me a text ON SAME PHONE saying I have 49,000 + minutes left on my phone . While claiming phone won’t work because can’t receive signal. But phone saying I have no minutes as why call not completed . ” it knows I’m making a call do not complete it ,gives message I have no minutes. Call 611 if I think that is incorrect ” And if do starts another hour of lies by whoever is there at”SafeLink Wireless”
ANY pro bono lawyers out there?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not touching this one with a ten-foot pole, but are there “any pro bono lawyers out there” who’d like to take on Michael’s case?
nicky stevens says
How do I go about getting a list of compatible phones that will work with virginia’s safelink program
Free Government Cell Phones says
Speak to Safelink customer service and ask if such a list exists.
Ashes McCormick says
How do i recieve my extra data due to covid 19?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to get that question answered.
Missy says
I AM DISABLED BLIND. I CANT go on computer. I have 3 kids I need aply on phone. EMERGENCY I need call Dr. Each week. No pay phones heeee we live FARWAY from any stores. I’m scared I need phone imhabe medical PROBLEMS.
You should POST A PHONE To apply. Easily. FOR PWOPLE WHO ARE blind and Disabled. I don’t have computer library closed. IT’S a EPIDEMIC. I have no family no car. No job. My parents died 😢💔 help
ples email me.
So I can apply over phone NOW
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Missy, but this is an independent informational website. We are not affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. You’ll need to contact them directly. Best of luck.
Ivy Altieri says
I have a trac phone and safelink service. How do I be sure it continues to be a service to me? I am on SNAP also. Plan 2 is my usual plan.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Just make sure you recertify your account each year.
Gessel J Hall says
How do I report a lost or stolen phone ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team. Info above.
Debbie says
I have a number of residents who are in need of a free government phone. These residents live in a Nursing Home and do not get much on their monthly funds and could use some help with getting a phone to help keep in contact with their families outside the facility, even more so with all this Covid-19 going on.
Free Government Cell Phones says
They are probably eligible, Debbie, but it would help if you could coordinate all the accounts with a customer service rep at whatever company you choose. In a group home situation like yours you’ll need to ask for a group home exemption (the usually rule says only one cell phone per household, but Residents of group homes like yours qualify).
Here’s where you can find all the companies and plans offered in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Frank Padilla says
I currently have assurance wireless Obama phone and service. But unhappy with service, tech support and especially the phone itself. I would like to try a new, your plan.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s not our plan, Frank, because we are NOT Safelink. This is an independent informational website. Here’s where yo can find ALL the Lifeline free government cell phone plans in your state. Check them all out to make sure you get the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Ari says
Hi. I am trying to find out if there is a way to figure out which one of these I got my phone from. I have had the plan for going on 3 years. I am on disability and at the time I got the phone I was suffering from mild short term memory problems (due to the stress from my illness). I have forgotten the name of the company and lost the original information that came with the phone. I have not received any paperwork to reverify my qualifications (I do qualify) so I don’t know who they are. I can still make and receive calls but I am not receiving texts.
In addition, I want to find find out about getting a new phone as this one keeps overheating and I have safety concerns.
Thank you in advance for any help. It will be greatly appreciated.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thanks for giving us a simple question, Ari. You said your phone is still working. So all you need to do is call 6-1-1 on the phone and your service provider’s customer service team will answer.
Patrick says
I have a safelink free government phone plan in Alabama. Can I purchase additional data? If so, what’s the best way?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check the Safelink website for their latest offers.
Tasha Barrett says
Please send me application from safelink wireless to me.
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is an independent informational website, Tasha, so we don’t have the authority to send you applications for Safelink. Visit the company’s website or call customer service.
Melody v. says
I have lost my life line cell phone a long time ago so i dont remember my phone number or the provider who is maintaining my account, I am interested in completely deactivating my account because i am not the person who is utilizing my government phone and i can not afford to buy a replacement phone. I feel there is no clear process layed out for clients who are in the same situation as meself. I am trying to be responsible in disabling my lost and stolen benefits however i cant seem to find a route that can override the entire system that is set up with the service providers by disabling any device and account that is not possessed by the client. The communications that have been granted to many of us who can not afford to maintain an such devices are very thankful for this service. It is those of us who have been robbed of our ability to utilize our own service and because the service providers dont care who is actuslly using the service will not assist in deactivating our hijacked phones giving many the opportunity to control accounts that are not theres with no fear of their continued actions that are at least to be considered illegal and should be handled with a screen shot of the person using anydevice that has been flagged by the verified owner making those who attemp any kind of action will have a facial verification sent to the provider and which will be expected to assist in a criminal process. This will steer many of these criminals away from their current aggressive behavior in terms of taking over many americans accounts. Help us take back or elliminate the continued access to hyjacked accounts from a higher position then the current process that does not truely provide real relief. If tou cant understand what i am trying to express, feel free to contact me by phone. Text me and i will privately be in contact with anyone who is truely interested and concerned with helping those who are in the same predicament as myself to take back a part of our identity that has been hyjacked. Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
All you need to do is use your free government cell phone to call 6-1-1. That will connect you to your service provider’s customer service team.
gina d. says
Melody- I’m not sure what state you live in, but I would look up each providers name and phone number (for the plans that are offered in the states you live in) That info is listed on this webpage. You can call each of them and explain your situation, I am sure there are alternative ways to look up your account with maybe a social security number instead of the phone number. Depending how long it has been since you lost your phone, it may have
been disabled for failure to reverification each year.
Free Gov Cell Phone’s replay shows they did not read what you wrote because you can’t dial 6-1-1 if you don’t have that phone!
S.s. says
Worst service ever!
Kayelee Miller-Craig says
Is Safelink providing clients with free government cellphones unlimited minutes during the Covid-19 pandemic so they can receive telemedicine and services like care coordination through the Health Home program?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have not received any notifications that any of the Lifeline companies have increased their free minutes. If any of our readers receive notification, please let us know so we can pass it on to our readers.
Elizabeth Giorgenti says
interested in service
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Elizabeth. This is an independent informational website.
Anthony Pippin says
Why the hell do yall make it so difficult to sign up for this
Free Government Cell Phones says
Why the he’ll do y’all mistakenly assume this website is operated by a service provider?
Smarter Thanuare says
We don’t expect you to beg though it would be nice. We are simply trying to find an intelligent person that actually gives a damn about the questions people are asking your smart ass!! It’s assholes like you that make people feel like they are stupid, when in Fact you are merely covering YOUR LACK OF INTELLIGENCE that causes you to treat decent, honest human beings the way you do. I bet you have YET TO MEET Karma!!!!.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We answer hundreds of reader questions every day. If you considered the previous answer to be rude, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Your screen name pretty much says it all about you, doesn’t it? We operate the most successful website in this industry. You leave ignorant comments on it. Who’s intelligent now, Einstein?
Ángel Acevedo says
Ángel Acevedo needs a new phone because the one that he has is broken how can he get one
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact Angel Acevedo’s service provider’s customer service team.
Darren B Foster says
Hello,
This is for my mother who meets the low income and needs a phone. She need a loud phone for she has a hearing problem. Email **********@gmail.com
Thank you,
Darren Foster 714-482-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Darren. You’ll need to contact a service provider directly. We provide the contact info you need right here on this page.
Mimi Le says
My phone broke last month. Can I get a new phone please?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not from us, Mimi. We’re not your service provider. You need to contact Safelink’s customer service team ASAP because your account will be cancelled if your phone goes unused for 30 days or longer.
Robert Blackwell says
Can I get a flip phone and not a Smart Phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Probably not. Lifeline companies are required by law to provide smart phones to their customers.
George says
Where do I go to prove eligibility for a phone and service?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Depends on how you qualify, George. Here’s an article that tells you all about the various ways:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
deboah douglas says
hello. I already own a LG ARISTO MJ210 cell phone.
May I use this phone, instead of getting another one?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact Safelink customer service to get that question answered, Deborah.
Candice Gunnels says
I Candice Gunnels signed up a while back . I have to yet to receive my free phone with this company i have provided all the necessary documents requested for this program. my address is (DELETED), Missouri 64132. I do not have a contact number otherwise i would’ve contacted customer service sooner if you all could please contact me by email at ********@yahoo.com regarding this matter that would be wonderful. Thanks!
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can check the status of your application and enrollment on Safelink’s website, Candice. The company actually offers one of the better “check my status” functions in the industry. Give it a try.
Christopher j Paiz says
I have service with u all but no phone. I need a phone or can i use a different one?? I need one really bad and urgent
Free Government Cell Phones says
You don’t have service with us because we’re not Safelink. Contact Safelink customer service by phone or online.
Karen Mathers says
I am trying to get some help for my 90 year old mother-in-law. She is visually impaired and hearing impaired so she needs a special phone with bigger numbers.
She lives on $1000 a month SSI, so she is low income. Getting her a smart phone is a waste of time as she cannot see to do anything on something so small.
She does not text but she does love talking on the phone. Half the time she does not hear and understand what we are saying, but we play along anyway.
Any suggestions where we can start looking for help for her?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The good news is that virtually all the Lifeline free government cell phone companies offer special phones for hearing and vision impaired customers. That includes special phones or add-on devices that make life simpler for them.
Here’s how we’d start: Take a look at all the companies offer Lifeline plans in your state to find the ones that offer plans that fit your mother-in-law best. You can find all those plans here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
There are not functions that most of the companies make a big deal about. You can call each companies’ customer service team to ask about the hearing/vision impaired programs, but the customer service reps are usually foreigners with limited English skills. So you may be better off going to each company’s website and doing a search for “impairment” or “Vision impairment” or something similar. If you can find that info buried on the compay’s website, you may be able to enroll online. If you are required to speak to a customer service rep, well, at least you’ll be prepared with knowledge of what that company’s impaired program offers and to what your mom-in-law is entitled.
Good luck. We’ll all be there soon enough.
lilkunta says
Hello. I have been a safelink customer for 5 years but am leaving for qlinks.
I have a touch phone not smartphone lg306G. I asked them for an upgrade as I have had the phone for 5 years, they said no. But new customers get new smartphones! They said I could buy a new phone, or if some 1 gives me a phone i have to BUY a sim card. Not good!
Free Government Cell Phones says
You have made the right decision, Lilkunta. That’s exactly what we generally tell customers in your situation to do. It’s crazy that the free government cell phone companies don’t see the shortsightedness of not upgrading long-time customers for free.
Dennis peyton says
I need free smartphone too like everybody else
Free Government Cell Phones says
Everyone who enrolls in the Lifeline free government cell phone program receives a smart phone (or smart phone SIM card).
Scottie Leonard, Jr. says
Safelink Wireless Plans for all States other than California
Use your own Phone*, get Bonus Free Service
Plan #1 – Get a free smartphone PLUS 1,000 Voice Minutes ** PLUS unlimited texts, PLUS 1GB of Data** each month.
Also includes:
Voicemail/Caller ID/3-way Calling
911 Access
411 Directory Assistance at No Additional Cost
Nationwide Coverage on America’s Best Networks
new phone IMEI: 01529300387**** Sim card number: 8914800000511439****
Please setup plan one for me. 210-723-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Safelink, Scottie. You need to contact that company directly to enroll.
Martell Brothern says
Is there a contact email or phone number for states other than California?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The numbers we provide in the article work in all states in which Safelink is available.
Mary stoddard says
What does unlock phone mean? What does 2gb and 50 mb mean? I’m 72 and not up on what everything means. Thanks. I’m trying to find a free phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
The simplest thing to do, Mary, is to Google the words “What does unlocking mean” and “cell phone.” That should find you a simple answer.
S says
Safelink sucks and obviously does not want me to have the phone with my non validated address even though I sent proof of it or I dunno just google it prob been here 100yrs you can find it no problem,the fact I never had an issue with my address till them makes me wonder if they don’t want to give me the phone or because I can’t prove my address but don’t have what they want,bills are not in my name so I can send in credit card,I can send in my health insurance and Dr stuff,I sent in original,you can see the envelope,the dates,it’s legit,I don’t know what else I could send because even though I explained my brain is messed up and have physical issues and don’t understand what else to send as proof and I can send it more proof but not what they want and please let me know in simple terms I get the same thing again for the things I told them I do not have and why,I feel horrible for people who have nobody and a brain that doesn’t function right because you really truly are just stuck and fu****
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your problems, S. Sounds like you should consider enrolling with a different company. Here’s where you can find all the companies offering plans in your state. Make sure you check them all out to find the one that fits your needs best:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
James M Stacchi says
I qualified and had a Safelink phone up to 2016. Had Stoke this Sept 2018 and would feel much safer to be able to carry a Safelink phone with all my emergency numbers 100% of the time.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’ll need to re-enroll, James, using the contact info we provide on the page above.
Kristen Rivera says
We need a phone for medical, doctor appointments. My husband has rare birth defect called Polymicrogyria (PMG) it’s in his brain! Thank you!
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact Safelink customer service by using the contact info provided in the article above, Kristen. Best of luck.
Amanda Murphy says
Cant do captcha text keeps saying it’s wrong even when it reads it off it’s crazy need to update your page SafeLink can’t never login or do anything been having alot of problems please email me at me @ *********gmail.com TIA ITS IMPORTANT I NEED TO RE-ENROLL FOR MY CELL # benefits.. I’VE DONE IT JUST LAST MONTH.. now woman I chat with said I haven’t and I know I did a few months back someone stole my phone and just got it back in april..I CHAT with person online cause I didn’t get my mins the 5th and it’s been A month since I bought card she said everything was added and it wasn’t then ask to help me login my email didn’t work a d she said I wasn’t enrolled so don’t make sense if so how she tell me it was added lol so yeah I’m needing questions and when I get re enrolled I need the 350 mins and 2.5gb data i go through more data than mins and text.. please help me if can! ?.. 🙏🙏🙏❣️
Free Government Cell Phones says
We can’t help because we are not your service provider, Amanda. You need to contact that company’s customer service team.
Sarah says
If you start out with one plan (1000 minutes | 1 gb data) and decide you need more data, are you able to switch to the (350 minutes | 2 gb data) plan?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You should be able to make that switch, but PLEASE confirm it with Safelink customer service before making any such switch.
Shawn says
Why did there show a problem???
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not your service provider, so how could we possibly know, Shawn?
Claude Schliengert says
Hello,
I will be flying to the States in mid September for 10 days. My friend’s Phone has fallen several times due to his disorder and is now broken, he is only able to use it to txt-message. From what he discribed me, he has an UMX with with safelink. My question is, if I get him a new phone in September, will he be able to use the sim out of his current phone in order to have a functional phone again ? Since I have no Idea where to get one and what to get, maybe you can also give me some ideas of a good retailer or a refurbished retailer ?I would appriciate a quick responce so i can have a good surprise when i will arrive. Oh by the way, he lives in Connecticut in the New Haven area.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Ask us a question about the free government cell phone program and we can answer it, Claude. Ask us a question about SIM cards and cell phone operation and we will refer you to your service provider’s customer service team. Sorry.
Makayla Darr says
it keeps saying i need my ow smartphone how do i go about that i dont have on?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Well, Makayla, we have no problem admitting that we don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. What keeps saying you need your own smartphone?
Gale Ralston says
This is the worst customer service I have ever had. Rude, not helpful at all. It is a bother for them to answer a call. DO NOT RECOMMEND
Tracy ruffin says
I need another phone because i lost my phone 3 months ago
Free Government Cell Phones says
The rules of the Lifeline program required your former service provider to cancel your account if it goes unused for 30 days or longer. In other words, you need to enroll again with any one of the free government cell phone companies offering plans in your state. Here’s where you can find a complete list of those companies and plans:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Amanda Antonelli says
I want to trade phones I have a Motorola cricket phone and I put my SIM from lifeline thru safelink and it asks me for the network SIM code how can I obtain this code. Thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
Put your phone back the way it was originally and use it to call 6-1-1. That will connect you to customer service.
Leslie Schomer says
How would I Port my number over to safelink
Free Government Cell Phones says
We think you’re actually asking how to switch your service to Safelink from some other company. Is that correct? If so, here’s an article that tells you exactly now to do it:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Betty Colvin says
Does Safelink Wireless have coverage in my area? Arkansas, 71671
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check with Safelink using the contact info we provide on this page.
Janet Tant says
Is it possible to get a plain flip phone instead of a smart phone? I have had a lot of issues in the past and just have a hard time using them!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell hone to ask customer service if they offer flip phones. If not, ask if they have a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program. If so, you can purchase your own inexpensive flip phone and use it as your free government cell phone.
Yadira Cabral says
Hi. My name is Yadira Cabral how can get a free government phone for me and my daughter? Can we both qualify for a phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Only one phone per household, Yadira. Click around this website and you’ll find all the information you need to enroll.
elle says
Hello! I found your website while searching phone assistance for an elderly friend. Your information service is very useful and appreciated. I have also enjoyed reading some of the comments posted, it’s comical. Thank you for the courtesy and hard work.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Courtesy? You think we’re courteous? (To tell the truth, we think we’re remarkably patient and courteous, but we admit that we sometimes snap.) Thanks for the compliment.
William Reilly 71050 says
Between 11:30 and 11:50 AM Central time I applied by phone for a lifeline cell phone. I asked the man taking the application several times to check and see if your carrier provides coverage in my physical zip code of 71050 and he kept brushing it off. Finally when he completed the application I insisted he check but then he gave me some excuse about not having the information for the new phone yet and that when they get that then we can deal with it. I told him NO, we will deal with it NOW. I am not going to wait 7-10 business days for you to send me a phone with no coverage and then have to send it back and wait 15 -30 days for you to cancel my gvmnt contract so that I can re-apply with someone that does provide coverage in my area. Again he told me that he does not have that info which makes me think he KNOWS they don’t provide coverage here but just wanted to make a sale. I asked him to let me speak to a supervisor which he declined to do. I then told him to either let me speak to a supervisor or cancel my application. At that point he said he would cancel the app, however I want to make sure he did. Since he incorrectly told me he did not have access to the info to see if you cover this area and refused to let me speak to a supervisor, I have a suspicion that he did NOT cancel my application so that he could have a sale on his record with no regards to it stopping me from being able to apply with someone that can in fact service my zip code. If this is the case please cancel my app immediately and take proper action against your employee. If it turns out this app is not canceled then I will use the weeks wasted and not being able to get a phone from someone else by complaining to every gvmnt agency I can find AND the BBB and posting on social media.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s not OUR employee, Williams. We are an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone company.
Tammy larace says
I have a assurance wireless phone ,the first one i got wouldn’t stay charged ,so i send it back for a replacement. .assurance sent mean another one ,this one was heavy and it still didn’t stay charged and the guy on the phone promised i wouldn’t have any issues with it ,i only can use it in dire emergencies ,so i was thinking on going back to safe link wireless which i did have years ago ,because assurance wireless does not have good phone…blank,thanks for listening
Free Government Cell Phones says
Happy to listen, Tammy. We’d recommend that you take a look at ALL the companies and plans available in your state BEFORE you decide to go back to Safelink. Who knows — you might find another plan that fits your needs even better. Here’s where you can find that list:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Laura says
Thank you for this very helpful website.
I am inquiring on behalf of my brother who lives in Connecticut. Due to his disability, he has great difficulty using a SmartPhone or any type of touch-screen device, which is all his current provider (Assurance) will provide. Do you know if it is possible with Safelink for him to either get from them a free “flip phone” or at least allow him to buy his own flip phone and still get the free minutes?
Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We doubt if any of the free government cell phone service providers still offer old-fashioned flip phones. However, you can check to see which companies offer “Bring Your Own Phone” programs and then purchase a flip phone from a phone retailer to use as your free government cell phone. One warning: Make sure the phone you purchase is compatible with whichever service provider you select.
Alan W says
I am disabled and have had a safelink phone since 2012,In 2019 they asked me to show proof ,In which i did thru e-mails and thru internet.Showed them proof then they cut off my phone,1st of all i think its a disgrace to hire illegal workers who cannot speak english,Knowing ive had my identity stolen by illegals yet our gov hires these illegals who ask you for your SSN???? Then they dont know at all what they are doing,I QUALIFY!,I get SSI and Medicaid yet they cancel my service,I need my phone in case of Emergency.I dont know if they are trying to make Donald Trump look bad or ????? Is it because im white????? I will file with the BBB ,Att General /Federal Trade Commission ETC! This is BULL!!! Im definitely not a fraud yet they claim too much fraud! WTF?Ive got a feeling lawsuits are building day by day for DISCRIMINATION!
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’re probably attributing bad results to nefarious reasons rather than incompetence, which is what we would attribute it to. But if you want to follow through with those complaints, here’s an article that tells you the most effective ways to make them:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/file-official-complaint-about-your-lifeline-service
Tommy Pietzsch says
I had a lhone through assurance wireless and got it wet and i had no way of telling them. I tried to register for a new one but they wont send it because they say that i have one. Any suggestions?
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s kind of a nutty response from customer service, Tommy, because they issue replacement phones all the time. Call in again and try once more. It’s doubtful that they’ll issue you a free replacement phone, but they will undoubtedly offer you one for a reasonably small fee.
Sandra leaver says
My phone is not working. I have had it for a number of years. I requested a replacement about 2weeks ago but have not been answered. Could you please email as to when I can expect a phone. I am 82 years old and have had some health problems. I live alone and the phone is my lifeline.thanks
Sandra Leaver
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not your service provider, Sandra. However, we provide the contact info you need in the article above. Use it to contact Safelink’s customer service team.
Karen says
Thank you for the wealth of information provided here. I was able to resolve all of my issues with my dead government phone, including choosing and switching to a different carrier, with the information and toll free number supplied on your site. You are very much appreciated. Karen 🙂
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thanks, Karen. It’s always nice to hear from readers who appreciate all the hard work that goes into this website on a daily basis.
Terry G. Watkins says
Hello to All, I’m Terry G. Watkins’s. I live in Clarkston, Michigan, 48346. Because it is my own reasion I have lost my phone (not using it as much as I should), I was asking for your help to get be back. I had a head injury and there are time’s I don’t do thing right. I could go on and on but all I’m asking is why can I not have my phone back to working? If not, would you please let me know so I’m sure I won’t let that happen again. If not I understand. I just need to know. Thank You, Terry G. Watkins
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, so we can’t answer your question with any sort of detail, Terry. You need to contact that company’s customer service team.
April M Detwiler says
Phone will not hold a charge.. lucky if a full
charge last an hour. Need a new battery, but it isn’t removable . Think I need a replacement phone .
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to be connected to your service provider’s customer service team. They can explain their own particular processes.
Matt says
When I’m applying for BYOP theough safelink it told me to text BYOP to 611611 and then gave me this message… (Txt a number below to pick a company: 1=Straight Talk 2=Simple Mobile 3=Net10 4=Walmart Family Mobile 5=Go Smart Mobile 6=TracFone 7=Total Wireless 8=Telcel)
I don’t kniw the differwnxe between each company and dont know which one i should choose… With the 1000 minutes.. 1.5 gb data and unlimited text, It will be the same with any company i choose correct? I tried researching some of the companies but i dont know what information i am looking for other than coverage statistics maybe? Idk do you have any input on the situation?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It appears that they are giving you companies that are alternatives to the free government cell phone plan. So we don’t understand it, either, unless they are rejecting your application.
It’s impossible for us to recommend one other another because there are so many variables.
Sorry that we’re unable to give you any real advice in this situation.
Travis says
You should text number 6 back, because Safelink is just Tracfone.
Bill says
All of the companies listed in the text message you received are Tracfone subsidiaries, as is SafeLink. You said you are trying to sign up for SafeLink’s BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) service. The text message you received doesn’t explain it very well, but I think they are either:
1 – Asking you with which of those companies you wish to BYOP.
…or:
2 – Asking you with which of those companies the phone you wish to use (with SafeLink) was originally branded.
I suggest that you call SafeLink to ask about this.
Liliana Asli says
I need a free cellphone for myself to use different aps so I can train my brain to be alerted all the times. How soon can I get a free android phone from you.
Thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can wait forever without getting a phone from us because we are NOT a free government cell phone company. This is an independent informational website.
Glenda Backman says
Do you offer phones that are usable by a blind person?
Free Government Cell Phones says
“We” don’t offer any phones. This is an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone company website. But we just happen to have an article that will give you all the info you need:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/government-cell-phones-hearing-vision-speech-impaired
Janet Delk says
I am on SSI and have Medicaid and getting food stamps, it would be easier for me to have a government program cell phone and can’t afford to buy a cell phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sounds like you qualify, Janet, so we agree that you should enroll. Here’s where you can find a list of all the service providers offering plans in your state. Check them all out to find the plan that fits your needs best:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Garry Russell says
i have call 3 times!!!i i do not know how to get a free phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Who did you call, Garry? Have you attempted to enroll online?
Allan Griffith says
I would like to use my own phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check Safelink’s website for more information about its BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program. If your phone is compatible with Safelink’s national cell network, it should be doable.
Richard W. Mills III says
I am unemployed due to medical conditions and currently are on (SNAP) food stamp assistance. I have a Social
Security hearing pending. I have A iPhone but I don’t have any provider and can’t use it because I have no income. I need a phone to contact my Doctors, My Lawyers, Social Security and foe emergencies and family. Please can you help me. If its not possible to activate my iPhone for this service please send me if you can a phone that I can use.
Thank you,
Rick
Free Government Cell Phones says
If Safelink is the company you want to sign up with, you need to contact its customer service team in order to enroll, Richard. We provide the contact info on this page. Good luck.
PC says
I have a 39 year old daughter who we have helped on and off for a number of years. She has mental health issues and is at a point where she no longer works and is paralyzed with fears and anxieties. She doesn’t seem to have the ability to follow thru and get the help she needs so that she has the basic needs. Is soon to lose her apartment that the VA has helped provide for several 6 month time frames but they will not be able to help again so she is soon to be homeless. Need to find out how to get her a free phone plan. We bought her a Samsung at Walmart several months ago, but can no longer continue to pay her plan. Can you help me to do all I can to get some answers to direct her. Thank you. PC
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your daughter’s problems, PC. All the information you need is right here on this website. It’s dedicated to the subject of free government cell phones. Just click on our name at the top of this page to be taken to our home page, where everything you need is clearly laid out.
Yvonne Allen says
How do I find out if SafeLink has service in my area
Free Government Cell Phones says
You call Safelink customer service and give them your home address.
Nancy watson says
How do I get the sim card for my phone? I would like to get service. I recently had entouh but lost my phone and they dont do replacement phone. I got one, now I just need to get minutes on it.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Before you do anything else, you need to speak to Safelink’s customer service team to make sure that the make and model of your phone is compatible with Safelink’s network.
Isabella York says
I need something i know how to operate.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, you do not get to request a particular make and model of phoned, Isabella. You get the phone they send out at random from those they have on hand. One option might be the Bring Your Own Phone program. You can purchase and use any phone that’s compatible with your service provider’s network and it will work. However, you need to confirm with customer service that your make and model is truly compatible BEFORE you purchase it.
Wanda Carlock says
how soon could I get phone,i am bedridden and need a phone despertly.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Good question, Wanda. Most companies say delivery will take two weeks, but our readers tell us it often takes three or four weeks or even longer. But the sooner you enroll, the sooner you’ll get your free government cell phone.
Cynthia says
Can I switch from Assurance Wireless free phone to SafeLink or another phone ? Assurance is “Terrible” had 5 phones in less than 2 months! Works every other day if lucky. Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you can switch at any time as long as you’ve had service with the same company for at least 60 days. Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to do it:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Em says
Yes, just switched from a reliable flip phone of four years to some unknown name piece of junk android that gets extremely hot right away and is always freezing up. Assurance Wireless has turned out to be deceptive, shady and extemely worthless and untrustworthy.
Susan says
I have tried for quite some time now to get my son a gvt wireless phone. I applied through Safelink and ended up very disgruntled. I have filed 5 applications and when I called to follow up I’d get transferred, told there was no application on file or my application was in verification process. When I called the verification center they said there was no application. Decided to take my business to Assurance.
Katherine Spalding says
Hello I am inquiring about the cell phone assistance in Tennessee. If you could give me some insight into this program I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time,
Katherine Spalding
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can find all the info on every company offering free government cell phones in Tennessee at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Michael says
I have an old flip phone, and it is hard for me to text anymore. Can my few pics be transferred to a smart phone even if I have to buy one. Can’t believe they have not upgraded that old phone. Well I guess I can’t bitch, it’s free, and only use it for emergencies. Soon to be 66, so maybe I don’t need one anyway! lol
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you were to switch to a different free government cell phone, your new service provider would give you a free smartphone, which would be a huge upgrade for you. But before you do that, it seems like it would be a good idea to speak to your current provider’s customer service team. You’ve been a long-time customer and if you’re very lucky, they may offer you an upgrade for free.
Em says
Its not free, they make you pay a huge shipping fee and send you a mediocre phone that gets very hot right away and constantly freezes up. Assurance wireless is bad and leaves out providing important information, dismisses your questions and hangs up the phone on you. Its also okay and fraudulent for them to be recording and monitoring their conversations with you, but not okay for you to record (which they’re already doing too) and then catch them constantly lying and leaving out that information. They tell you one thing and do another.
Free Government Cell Phones says
More than 40,000 people have left comments on this website, but you are the first person to ever claim that a free government cell phone company makes customers pay any shipping fees, much less huge shipping fees. If your assertion is true, we’re pretty sure other readers will be able to confirm. Readers?
Lisa Umina says
Assurance wireless required a $5 shipping charge from me. I’m experiencing similar problems as others have mentioned. The android phone they provide simply does not function reliably ( or at all). The customer service representatives all play dumb, as if they aren’t hearing about the same problems from everyone. I’m on my third replacement. They all had the same problems. I gave up and just did a factory reset every few weeks until it crashed for good after 6 months. Their ONLY solution is to purchase a phone. The whole thing feels fraudulent because everyone would have to purchase a phone that should have been free! I’d like to hear from other Assurance wireless subscribers.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thanks for your comment because you clarify something we hadn’t thought of in a very interesting way: It’s obvious that the customer service agents are playing dumb because, as you say, the phones suck and they obviously receive countless complaints about them day after day after day. Just look at our comments section and the same thing is true.
It’s true that most companies charge for replacement phones and then send out phones that are equally unreliable.
Your only real option here is to switch Lifeline companies. So here’’s an article that will tell you how to do it as painlessly as possible:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Mary S. Scott says
I Filled out an App 3 Mounts Ago To Get a Free Safe Link Cell Phone About Two Or Three Mounts Ago And I Haven’t Gotten It Yet I Was Suppose To Receive In 6 to 8 Weeks But I Still Haven’t Gotten It Yet When I Sent The App Off I Did Send A Copy Of My Award Letter n My SSI # With It And a Letter From My Landlord Staten That I Live Alone At The Address I Put On The App So What’s Taken So Long For Me To Get It? I Need For Emergency’s Can You Send It Soon? I Get Unlimited Texting And Internet Wi Fir How Many GBs? Will It Have a Camera On It?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Since we are not Safelink, we cannot tell you why it’s taking so long. But if one company won’t offer you a free government cell phone, try enrolling with a different company. You can find a complete list of the companies offering plans in your state at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Bruce Griffin says
I no longer qualify for service through Safelink because I cancelled my food stamps. How do I now use my Safelink phone with Tracfone minutes? I want to keep using this phone and my current phone number for work.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact Safelink customer service. The two companies have the same owner and it should be a simple process.
S.Lopez says
Happy New Year!!!
I have a comment for the employees who read and respond to the questions posted on this site. After reading through the about 25 questions posted here, I would like to say GOD BLESS YOU GUYS!!!!!!!! It is actually unbelievable that rather than read the information posted on this site to assist people, most apparently don’t read!!! I understand that there are a lot of people who may not understand thoroughly but wow…..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Nice way to begin the new year, S. Thanks.
Joe giovengo says
I currently have qlink. The phone is terrible. Shutdown a lot and overheats. I want to change my carrier. How can I do this. I have the free government phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s simple. Here’s an article that tells you how:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Janedoe says
Safe link is so not a good company.I’ve been with them for almost 3 years,my screen went out so I called for some type of replacement phone and they told me they didn’t give replacement phone yet my sister has one she received a few days ago.
Samantha Hartwig. gSa says
I need a phone. I’m disabled.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check out all the companies and plans available in your state and apply with the one that fits your needs best. Then enroll with that company online or by phone.
Kathy Ridgeway says
Is recertifying the same as enrolling all over again???…
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, you just need to tell them that you are still eligible. You may be required to show documentation proving that you have a home address or that you still participate in one of the qualifying Federal programs but it should be that simple.
SJ Alford says
I need a flip phone because I am very hearing impaired. A smart phone will not work for me. Can I continue to use my Samsung u360?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell phone networks, SJ. So you should contact your service provider’s customer service and/or tech support team to find out the answer to your question.
Debra says
Obviously I’m not the smartest star in the world, but you need to dum it down for some of us. I clicked on how to get a phone, with no explanation at all.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Really, Debra? Our “How to get one” page breaks it down into three simple steps. We don’t know how to make it any clearer.
Sue says
FGCP-why do you have to be so condescending to some of these folks?! Not everyone understands how this system works and it is a lot of info for oldler, non techies to absorb.
Please show some patience with these people…kindness means a lot.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We think we show incredible patience and explain the same things over and over and over again. Is it too much to expect people to read the information provided before they leave a comment asking how to do exactly what was described in the article above their comments?
Karen says
You are doing a wonderful job, and helping so many underprivileged people.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thanks. It’s nice to be appreciated.
BRIAN says
Lots ‘a stoopid people out there. Look at who they voted President
Carl says
lol Yeah here you are looking for free gimmies. Let me guess you like Bernie?
Norma I castro says
How do I upgraded
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check the Safelink website, Norma. It provides info on upgrading plans and upgrading phones.
Syed I Hossain says
I am in need of a govt. cell phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Then you need to apply for a free government cell phone.
Debra says
How do I upgrade my application?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not quite sure what that means, Debra. Can you explain?
WAI says
I’ve been hitting a wall with the provider Safelink Wireless. They disconnected my service, and when I reapplied they declined. I asked what reason, and they said that the SNAP card I sent is not in their catalog. It’s obvious they don’t know what a SNAP card is, but I can’t get a US person to identify with me. How do I report these guys for fraud. I think they are doing this intentionally and pocket the government funding.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not sure you’re dealing with fraud as much as incompetence, WAI. We’d suggest that you take this rejection as an opportunity to switch to a different service provider. Here’s where you can find all those providers in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Kimberly Gassaway says
How will o know the phone will work @ my house? Last free state phone I received didn’t work @ my home so I would need 2 drive almost 30miles in order 2 use it.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Ask your neighbors which cell phone company they use and if they get good signal. Then find a free government cell phone company that uses the same cell network. Here’s where you can find out which cell networks each free government cell phone company uses:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network
Michael Hamby says
Or someone there please contact me at 302-593-****. I have been trying for 11 months to verify my phone and now they tell me I have to reapply and I’ve done that several times all together I have sent paperwork over a dozen times would somebody please contact me and help me get my phone back online. I am disabled live alone that is the only phone that I can use have to you and have had to do without for close to 11 months now again my phone number is 302-593-****. it is a borrowed phone please do not send advertisement or anything to that phone thank you very much Michael L Hamby
Free Government Cell Phones says
We can’t send you anything, Michael, because we are not a free government cell phone service provider. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact the service provider directly.
Donna G says
Thanks you child molesters in helping people, another rich people helping others, a straight SCAM.
Free Government Cell Phones says
How’s the weather there in CrazyVille today, Donna?
Auggie says
Lol. what is wrong with you??? Donna-
Seek counselling, please! You are not thinking in a reasonable manner, at all.
I hope you get some help to deal with these things you imagine.
Ann says
Am I able to keep my phone number that I already have if I receive one of these phones?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, but you need to tell the customer service agent that “I want to port over my current phone number.”
Leon Stewart says
How do I find out what type of free smartphone I’ll get prior to enrolling? Ie, name, model, dimensions.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Impossible, Leon. Each company offers a number of different makes and models of cell phones, and they are handed out randomly.
Billie says
I can’t find the enrollment form been looking for hours
Free Government Cell Phones says
Can cannot offer enrollment forms because this is an independent informational website that’s NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. You must visit the website of the company of your choice in order to enroll.
Tomas R Mireles says
Lost my phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Tracie says
If you are already a tracfone customer can you transfer your phone and keep your same
number to safelink?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/can-i-keep-my-current-phone-number-when-i-enroll-transfer-in-the-lifeline-program
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Hank in Tennessee says
Finally had it with Safelink. Problem started 4 weeks ago when my phone disconnected during a call. Checked my minutes and it said zero. I know for a fact I did NOT use all of my free minutes during the month. I even looked back at previous call history for proof. Having no funds in the bank (I sometimes buy the $10 load up cards for Safelink directly from their website if I run out of 350 minutes) I had to run to CVS and use cash. The only Safelink cards sold there are the $15 cards for unlimited 30 day plan. I bought and activated the card. The last day of the plan was yesterday September 27. Now today, my Lifeline minutes have kicked in, 350 minutes, unlimited texts, And it says over 3 GB data. However, since I woke up this morning the data does not work. Spent almost my entire 350 minutes today talking to idiotic foreigners who just read the same script and protocols telling me to do the same thing over and over. Have you tried turning your mobile data on/off? YES Have you tried rebooting phone? YES. Have you tried removing battery? BATTERY DOES NOT COME OUT OF THIS PHONE. Have you tried calling *22890? YES. We need you to call from a different phone: DID THAT ALREADY. DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. NOT BORROWING MY NEIGHBORS PHONE AGAIN!! Asked them if there was someone I could speak to because I am sure it is NOT a coincidence that my data is not working the same day my previous plan stopped. No one seems to get that in their pea sized brain!! “Oh sir but we assure you it is not a problem, you see your data is there it says you have over 3 gigabytes”. SERIOUSLY? I KNOW THIS ALREADY. You would think maybe they would look beyond this and maybe find that something happened when my plan ended today?! I have to have a phone with data to report the jobs I do. Without data I will lose my jobs. I’m done with Stupidlink. Talking to these morons is like banging my head against a brick wall.
Hank in Tennessee says
UPDATE: I had an idea..I bought another Unlimited Minutes/ Unlimited Texts/ 1 GB DATA card for $15 + tax. This is the same card that once it ran out, my data problems began. Guess what? Now I have data again. So it took buying a $15 card to fix it. Which means from now on if I want data I will have to pay! I don’t know if this is some kinda glitch or if Safelink is doing this on purpose to get money from their Lifeline customers. So with that I will say BEWARE to anyone who’s phone runs out of minutes. DO NOT buy the $15 unlimited card or you will be stuck with it if you want to use your data!! The smaller $10 cards I did not have any problems with, though.
Very dissatisfied says
Safelink wireless is the absolute Worst of all of the lifeline providers! Sounds like youve went through alot of wjat i did only mine went on for 2entire years! Never being able to get the problems resolved was way too stressful for me! I decided to call on my local community,my sign read “Can you hear me now? Have Safelink Wireless?
join us this Friday at 6pm & Saturday at 2pm for a consumer discussion Right Here (because I certainly cannot CALL you)”
The response was overwhelming
& led to standing room only. I was shocked at the turn out especially considering I live in a smaller town. Although the issues were uniquely its own, by days end we all agreed 99% of the problems/issues lie soley with Safelink wireless’ CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS/REPRESENTATIVES & 1% cheap cellular phone quality!!
99%!! Thats when we decided to contact the b.b.b & we began writing reviews to try & help others with our experiences having dealt with thw extreme stress of simply trying to use a service that President Obama made available low income citizens in which each attending consumer Qualified for but months & years later STILL cannot successfully use this service for longer than a few minths until a problem arises & we’re forced to call customer service/support which more times than not results in the service being completely Cancelled by a ticked off Safelink Wireless CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT. There IS NO ladder to the ones in charge that you can seek help with because when you ask for them the agent transfers you to a coworker 3 seats over or so im told. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to file a complaint about poor Customer Service or an obnoxious agent. So dont atempt it or you may end up with SERVICE CANCELLED without warning nor reason & we All know how many months it takes to reapply. I wrote a review of safelink on this site too but funny, its mot on here!! my opinion the words No Customer Service or supoort would be no different as well as save the government tons of money for paying these people for a job in which they do not / can not perform. Woohoo this was a stress relief for me 🙂
Danny says
Does Safelinkstill offer only 350 free calling minutes? Checking because other providers offer 500 minutes and 1G of data
Free Government Cell Phones says
Please see the very top of the page for the minutes. In California, they give a free Android phone, unlimited minutes & texting, 500 MB data; in other states you give a free phone, 350 minutes and unlimited texts and 500 MB data.
Audrea Laney says
I need a replacement sim card for a HTC 10 evo
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Audrea. This is an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone cell phone company. In other words, we can’t help you, but your service provider can.
Melissa Reid says
What the best phone to get in TN,For SafeLink Sim card They sent me an At&t sim card but I have Verizon so help
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to speak to your service provider’s customer service team, Melissa.
Zbyszek says
From time to time my phone gets disconnected. No calls in, o outs, no texting. How do I find out when it will get restarted?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. Or by calling the phone number shown in the article above.
vivian says
how do i get a free smart phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Seriously, Vivian? How about if you take a few minutes to click around this website, because it tells you everything you need to know.
mary god says
my phone is not working well can I tranfer to an old Tracfone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Probably, but you need to check with Safelink customer service to make sure the make and model are still compatible.
rebecca weir says
I am trying to find out how i put safelink minutes on my new phone .i need my enrollment id too.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to connect to customer service. They should be able to help you out.
Michael Keenan says
What happens when I run out of minutes?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Two choices: You can either stop using the phone for the rest of the month, or you can purchase additional minutes.
Giong Nguyen says
My phone 856 246 **** has validated for 257 days to use but I have only 7 minutes to call. What should I recover my monthly minutes. I am in life-line program. Thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not quite sure what your problem is, Giong, but you should contact Safelink customer service. You can do that by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone, but you would exhaust your few remaining minutes before you got your problem resolved. Try visiting the Safelink website to see if you can solve your problem online. If not, see if you can borrow a friend’s phone to contact customer service.
Pang says
For California, is Safelink the only company to offer a GSM sim for bring your own phone?
Are there any other companies that offer gsm SIM?
How does safelink voice and data quality compare to the other companies?
Also, Safelink offers 2gb a month data for California, not 500mb, or am I getting it wrong?
Free Government Cell Phones says
The answers to all your questions are pretty much the same, Pang: It depends on what part of the state you live in.
But here’s an article that tells you more about which companies use each national cell network:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network
Amy DiCamillo says
Need customer service to call this number 203 502-**** and help me Re activate my phone. I did not use my phone and it was shut off, but cannot activate per message I receive on my phone for weeks now. Customer service needs to call me.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Amy, but this is an independent informational website. We can’t deactivate your phone. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team.
Stacy D. says
Why does the government permit such dreadful service from its Lifeline providers? Even this site had difficulty getting an answer from Safelink and I have wasted countless hours trying to restore service that was term terminated in error by the company. I assume the insurance is paying for this service, why does it have to be so inferior (at least in the area of virtually non-existant customer service) to that of other more established cell phone service providers?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Our readers probably agree with your assessment by a score of about 999 to 1, Stacy. One correction though. It’s not paid for with insurance. Every paid phone bill in America has a line-item called “Universal Service Plan” which adds a few cents to a few dollars per month to everyone’s bill. It is paid for with all those pennies and dollars.
Brittney Hodges says
How do I order a new phone from safelink wireless when my doesn’t work anymore
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact the company’s customer service team, Brittney.
Elaine Garfield says
Safe Link is just awful. Their customer service has always been bad but I ma at my wits end with them now. I sent back the paper work they sent me in in plenty of time to re-certify. Next thing I was told is that the account was cancelled. I have tried for over 6 weeks to deal with them and every time it goes bad. One rep reapplied and still I am told the account is cancelled. I called again this morning and, rather that wait on hold, I gave them my number, as requested by them and was I would get a call back in 15 to 22 minutes. It is now 1 hour and 15 minutes later and no callback. This company is the absolute worst and I am glad to be rid of them. They are making a lot of money for such terrible service and they are taking advantage of people like me who are cash strapped and cannot afford to just get a phone. It is hard enough to survive without dealing with a company who has no respect for you.
J.Striebel says
Very stright forward and informational great job
David says
Do any of the programs in New York offer a smart watch?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, but none of the programs in any state offer smart watches.
marvin dodson says
im looking to get a phone i just need information on a location to get it or how i go about getting one.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can enroll by phone or online and they will send the phone to your home, Marvin.
Yidi Jiang says
Yidi Jiang. Columbia. MD. 21045 USA. I want free cell.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to enroll with the company, Yidi. This is an independent informational website (and we provide the contact info in the heart of the article on this page).
lauri piper says
its very nice to help people out with things like phones for their every day life.
Brittney N Hodges says
What do the phones look like?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Lots of different makes and models are available, Brittney. Check out a few of the service providers’ websites to see what they are currently offering.
Terry Witt says
It said to use my own device I don’t have a phone at all
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact customer service (contact info provided on this page) to clear up the confusion.
Frederick Davidson says
When are these companies going to quit outsourcing all their customer service calls over seas? You can not understand a word they are saying!!!!!!!!!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
C’mon, Frederick, it’s not just these companies. Damn near every company in every industry does the same thing.
amita d gandhi says
last 15 days ago i enrolled my phone in altlanticicity library office.four &six business day you will get your home address in mailbox..still idont get my wife phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Check the Safelink website, Amita. It has a function that allows you to “Check Your Status.”
Erica says
My husband was injured and is out of work because he needs surgery. He was our only income and now we are on SNAP. My question is: I have a small Lg smartphone that I can use and don’t need another one, I just need minutes. I just ran out this month because we can’t afford more minutes. Can I use it and could I possibly keep the number that is already assigned to it?
Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
Theoretically, you can use the phone and keep the number. We’ll address each of those questions separately.
Regarding the phone: You can use a phone that is compatible with your service provider’s national cell network. Here’s an article that will tell you more:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network
Contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team to find out if the specific make and model of cell phone you have will be compatible with your service provider’s network.
Regarding keeping your current phone number: Yes, again. You can keep the number. If the phone you own is compatible with your service provider’s cell network, they will tell you how to transfer it over.
Brenda says
I would like to sign up for this phone service, so I can apply for jobs. I have an iPhone which can take a SIM card. I do not currently have phone service, only email. The link to the website comes up to,a blank page when I try to contact it. Can you help?
I am on MediCal and Snap.
Thank you,
Brenda
Free Government Cell Phones says
The link works for us, Brenda. Try it again.
john l rice says
i need sign up for a phone. i have proof i get medicaid.it wont let my info go thru
Free Government Cell Phones says
Try calling Safelink customer service, John.
Linda Saxon says
I have been with Safelink for at least 3 years now up until the 1st of June I did not receive my minutes. I can text all I want, but cannot call or receive calls. But I can call Safelimk I wish I could talk to a customer representative I get put on hold then after being on hold for up to 30 minutes I get cut off, Ileft them a text message about not receiving my minutes and have no response. My phone with them is my only means of communication and I desperately need my phone. I live by myself, in the country, I am retired medically disabled
.Is there anyway I for your phone service or advise of a phone company that can help
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you attempted to speak to customer service via email?
emiliano ocasio says
need a new phone and tryin to redo my old but wont let me
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not sure what you mean by “tryin to redo my old.”
Steven Wakimoto says
I need a free phone. I’m a medicaid and food stamp recipient. I’m disabled senior.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can enroll with any of the free government cell phone companies offering plans in your state, Steven. Here’s where you can find them:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
George says
We have had issues with this provider every month with their service not reloading the phone. We have spent hours each month with your customer service from India not understanding how to fix the problem. We have had it with your service and will be moving on.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your problems, George, but this is an independent informational website that is NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies.
Roy Eugene Gilmore says
To whom iy may concern. My nane s Roy Eugene Gilmore I am a SSI reciver of phones. I recently lost My cell phone Number 856-353-****. I live in Camden NJ. I lost my last phone. I want it to be cut off and I want A replacement phone because somebody’s using my phone and my free minutes. It’s not fair. I receive SSI and I need my cell phone very very much. This will be my second time to receive a phone. Can a manager assist me with this? I hope I Receive A replacement phone. I don’t want somebody who stole my phone to use my minutes. I need them very bad. ********@gmail.com is my email. I have to use email because you know somebody’s got mine. Plaese send me a replacement phone. I dont want to change my provider. I just want a phone. Thank you. Roy Gilmore. I’m 61 years old and I live alone. please tell how to get a replacement ASAP. Thank you. Have a nice day.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team directly, Roy. This is an independent informational website, NOT a Lifeline free government cell phone company.
We assume you will be required to pay a small fee to get a second replacement phone. But who knows? Maybe you’ll get the friendliest customer service agent in the world and get another one for free.
daenna montoya says
beentrying to re-certify my renewal but can not find where to do it…i did the 800 # but says i can not do it by touch phone…can anyone help me?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you tried the company’s website, Deanna?
Emily says
Just to give you an update, I called customer service and the lady said I’m not eligible because i cant prove I’m making less than the limit, yet, I’m making nothing! What about the unemployed who don’t get benefits?! This is b#&$&@ and they need to fix that. Anyway, thanks for helping 🙂
Free Government Cell Phones says
Wish we could have done more than give you scanty information.
Emily says
I wouldn’t call it scanty, you provide more than enough information on this website. If you listed it somewhere, I probably just didn’t see it. If not, you told me by calling it a black hole. I was just making sure I understood everything correctly. So, that being said, don’t think that I thought this information was insufficient. It is VERY helpful. So, thanks again, and I feel like I should say bye cause we’ve been talking through comments for so long 🙂 so, bye 🙂
Free Government Cell Phones says
Just for clarification purposes, Emily, we were referring to the information from the USAC as scanty, not our response to you.
Emily says
Oh okay! That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.
Emily says
Hello, I am writing because I recently enrolled to get a cell phone, I have been unemployed for over a year now and do not have proof of income for this reason. I do not get any other benefits. I received an email asking for income proof, and I replied to tell them but they sent me an email back right after saying arror message because I don’t have any attachments of proof. Can you please help me.
Emily says
replied to tell them *this* error* not arror
Emily says
After browsing through many previous comments for hours, because of your clever replies.. I have realized that my best bet is to probably contact safelink customer service. I’m sorry that you have to deal with morons assuming you are their service provider. But, at least you’re the one who replies to the idiots, rather than being one of them! 😉
Free Government Cell Phones says
You have officially been awarded “Comment of the Day,” Emily.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We wish we could, Emily, but you have unfortunately fallen into one of the black holes of the free government cell phone program. The USAC has told us that they are aware that it’s impossible to prove no income and that they are “working on a solution,” but the do not seem to have solved it.
Emily says
Haha thanks 🙂 and did they say that they’ll still approve ones without income?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Nope. That’s why we called it a black hole.
Tyler says
Erimm you are hilarious.
NN says
– How can I figure out which company has better coverage in my state/area ? I am currently with Verizon.
– Which company has an option to port my current phone number, and for how much?
– How often do I have to re-certify for the free phone eligibility? I have Medicaid right now, but am not sure for how long.
Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
There’s really not a scientific way to figure out who has the best coverage in your area. The only thing you can do is ask neighbors which company they are with and who has the best signal strength and then enroll with a Lifeline company that uses the cell network of the company that gets the best reviews from those neighbors.
Yes, you can always keep your current phone number. No charge. Just make sure that when you enroll you tell the customer service agent that “I want to port over my current phone number.” Say it at the beginning of the call, repeat it several times during the call, and at the end of the call confirm that it has been done. (We just have very little confidence in most of the customer service agents, hence the repetition.)
You need to recertify annually.
mary lee says
Can I have life line discount fees on my land line AND government free cell phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Nope. Sorry, Mary Lee, but only one Lifeline discount is permitted per household.
Theresa maldonado says
I don’t know who my carrier is for this phone ? Wat do I do ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone and the call will be answered by your service provider’s customer service team.
Jesse says
How do I get my phone reactivated since I haven’t used it in a month?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’ll need to contact customer service and ask if it can be reactivated. Be prepared, because they may say you’re out of luck.
James Stratton says
Why isn’t there a way to get a replacement phone when the original phone was stolen and You have No way of Identifying Your Enrollment number or phone number ? from Safelink wireless ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you contact Safelink customer service, they should be able to identify you based on name, address, etc.
Ms. C says
Safelink has a way to get into your account without knowing your enrollment number. Once in, copy down your number.
Deanna Boldin says
I had a Safelink phone once but went to Qlink because they offered a Smart phone and now I regret it. I’ve replaced it once and now I’m having issues with the new one after sending it in for repairs and when I got it back nothing changed same issues with a few more I’m ready to throw it against the wall; anyway my question is am I able to get a phone through Safelink again? I’m still on Medicaid and receive SNAP benefits. Please respond back ASAP Thank you
P.S. you should have all my information from when I applied before and nothing has changed, so if I’m eligible please tell me how to reapply.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can switch service providers after 60 days if you have data and text only. Here’s an article that tells you much more:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Ms. C says
Wait until March 19, 2018, or afterwards!
Lora price says
Could someone please contact me
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Lora. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact the company directly.
sandy noyes says
i have a phone but it says the service runs out the end of this month january 2018 why does it say that dont mean to bother you but was wondering if i had to do something to activate again thanks sandy noyes
Free Government Cell Phones says
All free government cell phone customers must re-certify each year. That means they must prove that they are still eligible. Contact your service provider’s customer service team.
DidMyHomework says
Thanks to the resources on this sight I researched the available providers in California and decided on SafeLink SIM card due to the generous plan offered with unlimited talk and text and 2GB data/month, they use T-Mobile which works well in my area, availability of GSM phones and the plan upgrades are very competitive with, for example, unlimited data option only $27.60/month more. Received the SIM card ten days after signing up and it works fine so far in a $40 Verizon Moto E4 with $2 SIM unlock code from Ebay.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s always good to hear from a happy customer.
Bernadette Machnig says
How soon will I get my phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most of the free government cell phone companies say you’ll get your phone in about two weeks. Our readers tell us that if often takes three or four weeks and sometimes even longer.
Isadore Fields says
Hello my name is Isadore Fields my phone number is (845)293-****, I am a Safelink customer and have lost my phone here in a snow storm and can’t find it. I need a replacement phone ASAP! My address has changed…please help me! Thank You!
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not Safelink, Isadore. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact Safelink customer service using the contact info we provided in the article above.
DARREN CASCHERA/FTLAUD/FL says
CALLING THIS COMPANY DONT WORK SO I EMAILED THEM IT WORKED…IT JUST TOOK A DAY 2 HER BACK FROM THEM.. THE NUMBER ON THIS WEBSITE THEY GIVE U IS A HOAX IT DONT GIVE U A LIVE PERSON…WELL AT LEAST TO ME IT DIDNT…I COULDNT FIND A NUMBER TO CALL TO TALK TO A HUMAN BEING..WHAT A COMPANY HUH PEOPLE!! JUST LIKE ACCESS WIRELESS THEY TOTALLY SUCK 2!! ACTUALLY THERE WORSE..1866 902 5756 THERE FAX NUMBER.. MYSPOOF@SAFELINKMAIL.COM IM TRYING TO HELP OTHERS SAFELINK HOPE U DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.. ALL I HAVE PEOPLE HOPE IT HELPS…
CAROL ELKINS says
Speak much ENGLISH ??
yvonne ward says
ihave an illinois phone but if i move back to west virginia how to i get a wv phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your current phone should work until you need to re-certify after one full year of service. Then you will need to re-enroll in the program with one of the companies that serves your new state. Here’s where you can find out all about the companies and plans available in that state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Sharon says
Is there a way to have minutes automatically added if my elderly father runs out of minutes. I know how to do it online but would be great if it was automatic . That way he doesn’t worry that it is going to shut off. Or is there a way I could check his usage I live in another town and he is useing a flip phone.
Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are unaware of such a plan, but you should definitely contact Safelink customer service to find out. You can contact them by calling 6-1-1 on your father’s free government cell phone.
Dale says
Qlink wireless emails you now and then telling you how many minutes you have left and such so it might work in your favor with them if that is an option for you but you would have to set it to your e-mail address I suppose, hope that help a little.
Will Smith says
So fake, didn’t even get a new phone. Waste of my time.
Elizabeth Sparks says
It’s FREE. The sense of entitlement astounds me when reading these forums. Why don’t you teach them a lesson and have NO phone?
Christi says
I totally agree with you Elizabeth. It is a very generous thing that these companies are doing. I came on here to see if I may qualify since I am 100% disabled. If I am then I would be so grateful but I do not feel entitled to receive anything. Many of these posts sound like people feel like they are entitled to everything and that they have every right to get mad when there is an issue with their FREE phone and service. These companies are being more than generous! Data and texting are NOT a necessity!! If your not thankful for what is given to you for free then go pay for a plan elsewhere on your own.
lori Hamilton says
we can proceed no further on your website with enrollment I’d 34814653 because it keeps saying that we cannot complete the enrollment process until I provide ss for me and my daughter Emily. We were given a fax number to send you the copies to complete enrollment but the fax number doesn’t work and I need the phone before Christmas I applied in oct can you help us by giving us a fax number that actually works? thanks Lori Hamilton
Free Government Cell Phones says
Please be aware, Lori, that the comment above came directly to FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net, NOT to Safelink. To send something to Safelink, please check the article above for the company’s contact info.
DARREN CASCHERA/FTLAUD/FL says
HI..IM DARREN..WOW! IM READING ALL THESE POSTS..UNBELIEVABLE!! U NEED TO FAX THEM OR EMAIL THEM…1 866-902-5756 FAX OR EMAIL MYPROOF@SAFELINKMAIL.COM…THATS ALL I GOT.. I A CUSTOMER SAVE AM U..JUST TRYING TO HELP SUM PEOPLE ON HERE.. WELL ITS EITHER THIS SAFELINK OR ITS ACCESS WIRELESS AND FORGET IT!! VERY BAD!! GOOD LUCK…
Bryan says
Qlink suks
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thank you for the in-depth analysis, Bryan.
Tia says
Hi! I have been researching which has the best coverage in my area (Monroeville/Frisco City, Alabama) And either I just can’t seem to understand the phone companies coverage map or they just aren’t easy to understand (I like to think it’s the latter but deep down know it’s not lol). Is there an easier way to see which ones actually have better coverage in my area? Thanks in advance
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, but it’s far from scientific. Ask your friends and neighbors which company they use and how their reception is.
Patricia J Shell says
My name is Patricia Shell and I was admitted into the hospital for a few days. I left my phone on the table by my bed and went to the bathroom, when I got back the phone was gone. I need a replacement phone as soon as I an get one. How do I go about getting a replacement? My number is (202) 560-3144. Thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article you should read, Patricia:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Eugene Swartout says
I need to recertify. How is that done?
Eugene Swartout [swartoutgene@yahoo.com]
Free Government Cell Phones says
Go to the Safelink website. Click on “Account” and then click on “Re-Certify.”
George says
I live in Washington state and I’ve had the service for 7 months now and its been fine. There are areas where the free phone didn’t get a signal as well as the phone did crash allot. I replaced it with a discounted phone from their site and that phone works allot better. I noticed recently that they offer unlimited texts and 1gb of data which is cool. I always have only used around 1-200mb most months. it used to be that all you had to do was to make one call and now you have to still make one call and leave the phone on for 10 days. Still it works fine and I use it for one bus away allot of times.
Setup was a little confusing for the new phone (sim card) because you have to talk to machine but if you fail a real person helps you. I used my old phone to call and the helper told me I need to use a another phone since they turn off the service on the old phone/sim when they register the new sim card. I’m a bit of a novice mobile user and have only had my other prepay phone since 2005. I still use that phone but since it only has a few prepay minutes I don’t use it much. I could have used that phone for the service too but at the time I really wanted more data, didn’t want to lose that number and that’s why I kept my other.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Glad to hear things are working out well with you and your free government cell phone, George.
Joanne Rasmussen says
I requested a phone from SafeLink about 6 months ago. I haven’t received it yet!!! Surprise!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Did you ever receive notification that you were officially enrolled? Have you contacted customer service to find out what happened to your account.
alicia says
hello I had a free phone through you guys and you sent me the chip so I could just put it into my phone but my phone is broke and don’t work now I have no way to use it can you guys just send me a phone to put the chip in so it can work and ill have a phone to use?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Alicia. This is an independent informational website.
DARREN CASCHERA/FTLAUD/FL says
ALICIA…WOW PRETTY NAME!! IM DARREN EITHR TRY FAXING THEM OR EMAILING THEM…I TRIED CALLING BUT, I CANT GET THRU…SO U HAVE 2 B A LITTLE PATIENT..YIP ITS HARD 2 DO..LOL I KNOW..ANYHOW, FAX:866-902-5756 EMAIL: MYPROOF@SAFELINKMAIL.COM…ALL I GOT..IF IT WORK KUL.. GOOD LUCK
RACHELLE says
MY MINUTES DID NOT REPLENISH ON THE 1ST OF NOVEMBER, I EVEN FOLLOWED THE PROMPTS OF ADDING MY AIRTIME AND THE MESSAGE CODE KEPT SAYING SYSTEM IS UNAVAILABLE CAN YOU HELP…?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We cannot help you because we are an independent informational website, NOT your service provider, Rachelle. You’ll need to contact Safelink’s customer service team by phone or online.
Narendra bhatt says
I have free phone but need smartphone. How can I apply? Advise me
Free Government Cell Phones says
One option you may not have thought of is switching service providers, Danielle. That will make you a new customer of your new service provider and all new customers are entitled to smartphones. Here’s an article that tells you how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Rosemary McCormick says
When do I get my phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most companies say it takes about two weeks, Rosemary, but our readers say it often takes three or four weeks or even longer.
Pam moses says
How do I cancel or get replaced its been a couple of years since my phone was lost? Can I still apply
Free Government Cell Phones says
You old account was probably cancelled for non-usage after 30 days. It was certainly cancelled when you didn’t recertify at the end of your first year. You can now re-enroll with any company offering free government cell phones in your state. Here’s where you can find them all:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Vanessa says
I worked as a street agent but my manager and I had a disagreement that we both agreed we cannot work together. I have an employee code that he has been giving out to other street agents to use so business can be generated. I would like to know how and who I can contact so I can inform them that I am no longer connected to the company so no one who could not pass the background check and drug screening can ever use my code. I do not want to be responsible if someone uses my code and commits fraud
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here you go, Vanessa. Read this article:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/report-lifeline-assistance-fraud-abuse-waste
allen says
hello safe link!im in need of a phone and i would be honored if u sent me one.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Two things, Allen: (1) This is not Safelink. This is an independent, informational website not affiliated with any free government cell phone company. (2) You actually need to fill out forms and apply in order to get a phone. Very pleasant and polite emails are not enough.
Ra2na says
Where are the booths in Oxnard
Free Government Cell Phones says
Since we’re not Safelink, there’s no way for us to know, Ra. But please read our answers to hundreds of similar questions below.
Lois Mayer says
When will my cell phone arrive?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can check the Safelink website and it will tell you the status of your enrollment, Lois.
Chancie says
Why do I get a phone that is set up in Spanish ? When I read only English
Free Government Cell Phones says
Google the make and model of your phone and the words “user manual.” When you find the correct user manual, you should be able to switch it to English.
Lindsey Tortorello says
Very resourceful website, got a lot of good information about free government cellphones. Appreciate the tidbits and I am excited about exploring the various sources. Thanks, L. Tortorello
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s always good to know that our hard work is appreciated, Lindsey.
Aerial Fuqua says
I need someone from the Cooperate office to contact me about a very serious issue going on with a company that’s been issuing out Safelink phones under false pretenses my contact number is 256-263-**** number email ********@gmail.com
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can get the corporate phone number by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone, Aerial.
Welly says
Since June 2017, Safelink wireless collected all my details with the pretence to get me the free government phone. This is October running out, I didn’t see any phone. I guess they are a scam. I regret giving out my particulars to them
Free Government Cell Phones says
How did you enroll, Welly? By phone? Online? At a street tent?
Susan Santorii says
Need my PUK code
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you what to do, Susan:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it
Dillon Bishop says
I just moved to Mississippi about a month ago with my friend And i make about $700 a month do you think i can do this?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It definitely sounds as if you qualify, Dillon. Here’s where you can find all the free government cell phone companies and plans available in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers
lilk says
please update this page. i use tracfone’s safelink. they increased monthly minutes from 350 a month to 500 in november 2016. . the minutes do not carry over. they also give 500mb data every month free.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We assume you are a resident of California, Lilk, because residents of that state are the only ones who get 500 minutes per month. That’s what our article says AND that’s what the Safelink Wireless website says.
Grady says
Yes I just moved down to fla and staying with a friend im disable for a few years now I only get 919.00 monthly do you think I could do this
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, it certainly sounds as if you qualify, Grady. You need to check out all the plans available in your state to make sure you find the one that fits your needs best. Here’s where you can find all the plans available in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
KAY SCHULER says
I have been with SafeLink for several years and may be moving. Is this service transferable to Nebraska? If so, how do I go about doing that? I have also noted numerous comments about the phones. I have a standard old LG phone that has no fancy features. I can’t even get emoji’s to come through on texts and I see comments about everyone having Smart phones through this program. This is my second phone since the last one completely died and I never have had anything like a Smart phone. Are there other certifications to go through to get the upgrades or is there an additional cost for this?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your phone will probably work when you move to Nebraska, but when it comes time to recertify, your account will be terminated and you will need to re-enroll with Safelink or another company. If necessary, here’s an article that will tell you how to switch service providers:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Susan filiault says
How do i check my service plan and data usage?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.
Shirley Smith says
I re certified by phone, I was deactivated shortly afterwards and they said they had no record of the call. I filled out the info on the re certify application, sent it in. Again they said I didn’t qualify, they needed some papers that I sent in and all I get is a run around, often from someone I can’t understand. It has been very frustrating for more then a month, nearly two months now, after spending hours and hours on the phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You might want to consider filing a formal complaint, Shirley. Readers have told us their service providers get much more responsive when the words “formal complaint” are used. Here’s an article that will tell you more:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/file-official-complaint-about-your-lifeline-service
Donna Vigliotti says
I am interested in receiving a government issued cell phone. I am currently on Medicaid and unemployed due to medical problems
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s where you can find all the Lifeline free government cell phone companies in your state, Donna. Check them all out to find the plan that works best for your particular needs:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Susan Worden says
I have already applied. When will know if i am accepted. I have heard noyhing after appled,
Free Government Cell Phones says
Visit the Safelink website and look for the “Check Your Status” function. That will allow you to find out exactly where you are in its system.
Crystal says
I recently lost my phone and just now able to find the website I’ve tried calling and don’t know where to go from there what’s the customer service number
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s a list of all service providers, Crystal. Scroll down until you find your provider, click on it, and you’ll be taken to a page that includes the contact info you need.
nubwaxer says
i have truconnect now. i wish i had known this before: Don’t enroll at a street tent: Check around before you choose a free government cell phone company
Free Government Cell Phones says
Over and over and over again we urge our readers NOT to enroll at a street event. Sorry to hear about your problems, Nub, but thanks for reinforcing that idea.
cindy cherpes says
i need a replacement safelink phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Then maybe you should contact Safelink, Cindy.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact customer service, Cindy.
Michael Dowodzenka says
Whatever you do, DO NOT USE SAFELINK. They sure are not safe in any means. I have qualified since 07/17/17 and was going to use my own phone since it was newer android smartphone. They sent me the sim card needed which did not work. I call thjem and spend 3 hours on the phone for them to tell me that I needed a Verizon compatible sim card, So with this, I purchase 2 sim cards which dont work either. So I call again and spend nearly another 2 hours to find out that I was suppose to get a T-Mobile sim card, so I wait again to get it to find it doesnt work either and is the same sim card as the original one. So I call again for them to tell me that it is my phone and need to buy a new phone. Ok wait a minute, wasnt this suppose to be FREE???? So now since I was going to use my own phone, I now have to cancel their horrible unused service (since I dont have a working phone) and have to wait 60-90 days to apply somewhere else.
Wow what a rinky dink company that is suppose to be a bigger one to use??? I dont know what to do since I cant a english speaking customer service rep or supervisor that knows what they are doing.
Lynn George says
what ever you do don’t use Assurance.
Eadie says
What cell phone towers do they use? In my small town ATT is the only one that works.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you all about which national networks are used by each of the free government cell phone companies:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network
Delma Gaither says
Please advise status I>D>3277****
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is not Safelink, Delma. This is an independent informational website. You need to speak to Safelink customer service or check its website’s “Check Your Status” function.
todd wiseman says
try to avoid them , all the customer service calls go straight to INDIA and I can never understand them due to how fast they talk, I have nothing against people from india, but they are VERY HARD to deal with on the phone , it is just a different culture and they talk a mile a minute
Todd
ohio st univ
Linda French says
I want to cancel my service please thank you
Linda French
Free Government Cell Phones says
We can’t cancel it because we’re not your service provider, Linda. Contact Safelink customer service directly.
Larry says
I just received a recertification form from Safelink Wireless.
Both SNAP and Medicaid are scratched out with a line through them so I guess may no longer be qualifications for lifeline benefits.
I called Safelink and they said it’s not yet in their system so I continue to qualify but they don’t know for how long.
Wow! cutbacks are a reality.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you which programs now make you eligible, Larry:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
Frank Angelo says
I enrolled at a street tent yesterday. I received no information as to who to call for information, etc., etc. The phone has been registered but I have NEVER used it. How do I go about cancelling my service? Do I have an account??
Free Government Cell Phones says
Does the phone work? If so, you can call 6-1-1 to cancel your service. If it hasn’t been used, put it in airplane mode or turn it off and don’t use it for the next 30 days. Your account should then be terminated automatically.
Crystal vanwagner says
I lost my phone how do I get another one?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Read this article, Crystal:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Will says
Have had Lifeline land line via AT&T for couple years, pay about $4.30 month for very restricted calling plan. My apartment building has security system using only landline phones, which is why I got this setup, to let delivery people get access for deliveries.
Can I get a new smart phone and your plan, or would I have to cancel my existing Lifeline landline? I live in Federal subsidized housing and get food stamps. Thanks for your help!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you would be required to cancel your Lifeline landline. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household.
Scott says
How do I go about receiving a free sim card as stated under All states other than California for the BYOP Plan?
Thank you for your time.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact Safelink customer service.
Scott says
I did but was told to go to a retailer and purchase a sim card. I am curious as to why it states free sim card.
Thanks again.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not a clue, Scott. That is very odd. Please call them back and ask them to explain the discrepancy between what they advertise and what they told you, and please report back. We’d love to hear the explanation.
Scott says
never mind ended up purchasing at local retailer and now up and running. Thank you for your time and help. 🙂
STUART HASSEL says
Life Wireless has IPASS with VPN. What is VPN? Does it have something to do with speed and do all providers have it or is this something special that Life Wireless has? (I am trying to avoid giving effusive praise but it’s tough.) Thank you again.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We didn’t know what a VPN is because it doesn’t really have anything to do with the Lifeline free government cell phone plan. Here’s what we found:
“A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks, like WiFi Hotspots and the Internet. VPNs are most often used by corporations to protect sensitive data.”
We could ask our tech guru what that all means, but it’s really beyond the scope of our mission statement here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net.
STUART HASSEL says
So would your response be similar regarding IPASS (as stated previously)?
Also, does your tech guru take/answer any inquiries? Or can you direct me to someone or a similar resource?
Once again, thank you very much for looking into VPN for me
Free Government Cell Phones says
Tech guru will barely answer our questions. He says he’s busy doing tech things that we wouldn’t understand. He’s probably right.
Nicolas says
Need to get a replacement phone from safelink just need to talk to someone the # on their site has nothing for a replacement and no one live person to talk to is there some other way we can get a replacement
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you switch to a different Lifeline free government cell phone company, you will get an upgrade to a smartphone. Here’s where you can find all the companies and plans in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
STUART HASSEL says
Tell me if I’m off about this: Would a newer company/provider to the ‘game’ be more likely to offer more than the older established ones in order to drum up business? And could that be trusted or would I need to be hesitant and suspicious? What would the drawbacks be? Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Interesting theory, Stuart, but we don’t see any correlation between more minutes/texts and how long a company has been in the Lifeline business.
STUART HASSEL says
Tell me if I’m off about this: Would a newer company/provider to the ‘game’ be more likely to offer more than the older established ones in order to drum up business? And could that be trusted or would I need to be hesitant and suspicious? What would the drawbacks be? Thank you.
First of all, thank you very much for responding. What I’m saying is that if the older more established providers are offering free unlimited minutes, free unlimited text and 500 MB, maybe a newer provider might offer unlimited data in order to compete, no?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Nope. No one is offering unlimited data. Not the older, more established companies nor the newer companies. It’s especially true these days, because a number of older Lifeline companies have gone out of business. That leaves plenty of customers for the remaining companies and very little reason to innovate or offer more.
STUART HASSEL says
I want to thank you for going through the trouble and doing all of this work. Previously I was frustrated that all of the info I was reading was really too general for waht I was looking for. So far this looks like what I was looking for; I’ll read on to see if it is. Again, thank you very much.
Stuart Hassel
Free Government Cell Phones says
All your compliments are making us blush, Stuart. Thanks.
STUART HASSEL says
Really? Why’s that?
STUART HASSEL says
And while we’re on a roll here, would you mind if I asked a couple of other things?
What about the ‘G’ business (Internet? Broadband?) Is it assumed that all of these deals are going to be 3G? (I guess 4G would be assuming too much?)
Tag Mobile offers unlimited 2G/3G data. What kind of deal is that? Would I be better off getting 500 MB 3G data?
And finally, at least for now, Life Wireless mentions VPN (IPASS). It seems this is good to have but that quality varies. Do all of the other providers have VPN? (I assume IPASS is exclusive to Life Wireless?) Would you mind explaining this to me? (There’s so much to consider, isn’t there?)
Once again, thank you very much!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
The plans that offer “unlimited” data generally offer a little bit of high-speed data, but after that limit is reached, all further data is “throttled,” making it too slow to be really effective for a lot of things people want unlimited data for (such as gaming or downloading films from Netflix). So although they are correct when they say they offer “unlimited” data, much of it is not high-speed.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re just modest and have difficulty accepting effusive praise.
Elizabeth Sparks says
Finally, a touch of gratitude! I was also pleased to find this site as it has a wealth of relevant info. The complaints/rudeness demonstrated by recipients is staggering and disheartening. I get that people are frustrated (I am too) but is really unfair. Equally thrown by every other comment being a request for account specific questions. The staff on this site calmly reiterate “We are not a provider, we’re an information site”. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It seems no one takes a second to READ the plethora of guidance provided. Oh well… had to vent and agree with this comment on the great service you provide. Thanks!
Free Government Cell Phones says
From you lips to God’s ear, Elizabeth.
Vera says
The thing is the person I want to apply for does not have a job, so there is no pay stub, and she also does not have any income, so there is no tax return file. I want to know what other documents I should upload to support.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Does this person participate in any government assistance programs? If so, that paperwork should suffice.
Vera says
No, she does not participate in the programs. Is there any other paperwork?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We give up. Contact customer service at any of the free government cell phone companies offering service in your state and customer service should be able to help you out.
Vera says
If I want to get a safelink wireless sim card through low-income way, what documents do I need to provide for the income?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Start with pay stubs or income tax returns.
Vera says
What if for a senior who is above 65 years old? The person who does not have income?
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you have no income, you automatically qualify whether or not you’re a senior.
Vera says
In that case, I do not need to provide any documents?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, our prior answer was poorly worded. You still need to prove that you have no income with a tax return, a pay stub, proof that you participate in one of the government programs, etc.
Dan Pham says
Thank you. I’ll try to call that number.
Dan Pham
Dan Pham says
I am a lifeline safelink customer living in California. I have 500 MB
of data, I want to buy more data and I checked your website. It said I can buy more data ( something like 1000+500=1500) for $10.00 per 30 days. I don’t have credit card, I want to pay cash, where can I pay.
My zip code CA 91733.
Thank for your help.
Dan Pham
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s a question only your service provider can answer, Dan. Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to reach customer service.
GaryA says
How can I forward my calls until I get my phone back?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Back from where?
Frederick Allen says
Can I get me a government cell phone touchscreen Im trying for the first time.
Free Government Cell Phones says
All new customers are supposed to be given smartphones, Frederick.
Catherine Hines says
My sister is currently with Safelink. The phone is too complicated for her to use. Can she get a flip phone in lieu of this smart phone. Her phone number is 850 319-****. Her name is Mary ******.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Possibly. You’ll need to discuss it with Safelink customer service. You can contact them by calling 6-1-1 on her free government cell phone.
Lydia says
I have been on the phone for two hours trying to find out why my phone has been deactivated . Of course I’m beyond frustrated here and having to repeat my info three or four times . And on top of that the rep whom only gives out first name ( last name not allowed to give ) cursed at me . I requested to speak to a supervisor and was transferred and complained about the rep whom cursed at me and his words were ( only a first name basis given to me ) ( their last name is not allowed to give out ) you here what you want to here and he could not do anything about it . This is where I became furious . What kind of staff do they employ there . ?
Robert Young says
My gov phone was stolen couple months ago and I don’t no my enrollment I’d or number I have memory loss from having seizures . Would u Please help u can reach me at 515-421-**** this is the best way to contact me or email me at ********@gmail.com thanks for u time Robert Young
Free Government Cell Phones says
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is an independent informational website, Robert. We are NOT affiliated with Safelink nor any other Lifeline Assistance company. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team directly.
Rita says
I just got a message from safelink saying I could now use my phone for the internet without using any minutes but I don’t know how to do that. It said go to home and click on WEB but I can’t find that.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Do a Google search for your make and model of phone and the words “user manual,” Rita. You’ll quickly find the user manual and you can look up exactly the info you need.
Hector says
You give me a list of providers then you list them (some) of not that good or going under. It worries me sometime down the road the provider goes belly up-then what. I realize you can’t say, but who would be the best provider?
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is just no way to answer that question because there are so many variables, Hector.
Claude says
Why is it I have dealt with your Agents for almost a month & keep getting told different thing’s to do & application never gets accepted? & to have the last agent so RUDELY > Disconnect from our conversation when telling her I wanted to try financial way as so far nothing else your agents have told me works!!!!
Free Government Cell Phones says
“Our” agents haven’t told you anything, Claude, because we are an independent informational website, not a free government cell phone company.
Claude says
With all due respect if your not safe link then your correct you did not say anything!
But safe link “Their” lying through teeth as each time I have contacted “Safe Link”/ the agent on phone or the agent on web site has instructed me to do certain action Like sending incorrect documents in & to come to find out through a manager @ safe link none of them knew what they were talking about// & I quote “” as cannot get the service with SSDI”” using as your income .
If they knew what they were talking about it would of been 2 application’s & not 3 going on 4! w/ screw-up from assurance their sister Co.
It should of only been one App.
Now why can’t one get help with a free cell phone being on SSDI? It don’t make sense ! not just for me but for a lot of other’s on fixed income who cannot work like on SSI Who can!! & still collect !
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, we don’t make the rules, Claude. If we did, you’d be able to get a free government cell phone.
Sandra Falagan says
I lost my safe link cell phone yesterday. The cell phone number is 941-275-****. I need a replacement phone. I have a medicaid card. I am using a computer which belongs to a friend.
Free Government Cell Phones says
First read this article, Sandra, then contact customer service.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Bob Rwmr says
Are Safelink wireless Currently offering free government cell phpnes to those who Qualify ?
If so…they are sending out Android cel phones ?
The service comes with 350 anytime voice minutes.. Plus unlimited tects..plus 500 mb of data monthly (1000 mb data a month for the first 3 months if the qualifing client obtains their own unlocked gsm cel phone ) ??
Thanks in advance
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can find a complete list of available phones on the Safelink website, Bob.
Rita says
Could I get a phone number so I can get a replacement phone for the one I lost..
Free Government Cell Phones says
The contact information you need is right there in the above article, Rita.
Denise says
I put in my zip code to apply for safelink, but its not offered in my area? I live in California. How do I find a company easily without going thru site after site?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We list ALL the low-income plans in your state at the following link, Denise. Check them all out. We provide all the eligibility requirements and contact info. Good luck.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Kaitlyn M, LSW says
If a phone got damaged, how do you get a replacement phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that answers that question, Kaitlyn:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Tristan says
I have a Safelink account.
I lost my phone and applied for a new phone. No problem. My new phone showed up at my door about two weeks later, but they sent me TWO PHONES. One phone has service, the other does not. Am I missing something? I tried calling Safelink, but they don’t seem to have any options for this.
Should I just harvest it for parts, or should I try to get it back to them?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Under normal circumstances, we’d tell you to return the phone, but we worry that if you return one phone they may misinterpret it and think you want to cancel your service. If we were you, we would call customer service to discuss with a supervisor. If you still can’t get any information, we’d recommend that you just hold on to the extra phone in case they ever contact you to return it. We doubt that they will, but you’d be wise to prepare for that eventuality. What a strange situation.
BAPI SARKAR says
If you kindly give me a phone so I can to use a phone.Because I do not job no income.
I have a dream that I will be use a smart phone.
This is dream no real.
and than as you wish.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Bali, but we are not Safelink. We’re an independent, informational website. You need to contact Safelink directly using the contact info we provide on this page. Good luck.
Jane Roe says
I recently received a phone and I’m very happy with it, however, when a call is made the previous owner of the number shows up on caller I.D., therefore, no one I knew was answering the calls. I spoke with someone at Safelink yesterday and after trying to explain my situation and he advised I just keep the previous owners name. I asked he could give me a different number and he finally did, but now it only shows my city and state, not my name. He said the phone service I am using doesn’t allow my name to appear in the caller I.D. I asked him how the previous owner of the numbers name was allowed and he said it was probably a large corporation, and I informed him it was a hair braiding salon. He said there was nothing more he could do. Is there a way that my name can be listed on my caller I.D. He said to also inform everyone I call that my name won’t show up when I call them…just the city and state.
Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Did they really tell you that, Jane. What a crazy answer. How about if you Google the make and model of your phone and the words “user manual.” Once you find your user manual, you should be able to find the information you need.
Gretel Graf says
will I be able to retain my currant cell phone number on your track phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you can, Gretel. However, you need to make sure you tell the customer service, “I want to port over my current phone number.” Make sure they note that you’ve said those words to assure that you keep the number you want.
WILLIAM BADER says
Safelink is the worst company to deal with. I submitted my documentation for re-certification 2 weeks before the end date (4/1/2017). However, it still states “waiting for approval”. So, my phone has no service at this point. I called on the weekend (borrow my friend’s phone) and worked with an agent for (approx.) one hour and 45 minutes without any result. She suggested me to call during the week. I called during the week and the 1st agent transferred me to the 2nd one. The 2nd agent transferred me to the 3rd one. The 3rd agent transferred me to the 4th one. The 4th one was supposed to transfer me to the 5th agent but the 5th agent did not come on the line. I waited for about an hour but the 5th agent had never shown up. If you want to deal with this kind of frustration, then go ahead get your phone from this company. I am going with a different company. There are about ten companies that provide this kind of services.
Nicholas Padget says
I just received a vortex phone from a Safelink vendor, but it says that there was no way that I could use wifi and I am having a hard time trying to find out my phone number on my phone. What do I need to do?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact Safelink customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.
paula hendrix says
I lost my safelink phone. here the number 1-573-202-**** and I saw that there a free government smart phone and I apply for it and I don’t know it the same as safelink phone I had. so please let me know if it is the same provider or not
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s impossible for us to know if Safelink is your provider, Paula. But if you contact Safelink customer service they will be able to tell you.
Robert says
I need to be recertify for service 484 280-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
Go to the Safelink website, click on “Account” and then on “Re-certify.”
kristina k. jones says
I have a safelink phone,,,but was told I need to get new provider. have minutes but phone is turned off. how do I get new provider and why do I need to in the first place.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Tell us more, Kristina. Who told you that a new provider was necessary? Safelink? You can find all the free government cell phone providers in your state at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Katerina says
How do you renew your Obama phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you the recertification process for each of the major Lifeline free government cell phones:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-do-the-annual-verification-of-my-phone
denise lackey says
I really need a cell phone because I’m a fairly new widow, am handicapped and a senior citizen. I have one now but am going to have to drop it because I can’t afford it any longer. I live off my social security check which is only $950.00. I’m barely getting by.
Please, please help me!
denise lackey
Free Government Cell Phones says
Happy to help, Denise. It sounds as if you qualify for a free government cell phone, so here’s where you find a list of all the companies offering plans in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Click on your state to get the list. Then check every company on the list in order to find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone, etc). Then use the contact info we provide on that service provider’s page to reach the company’s customer service team.
Denise says
Denise, i am in similar situation and really need a phone as well. Did you find a provider you liked yet?
Leota Shimabukuro says
Can we sign up for your connection service but purchase our own phone? Costco is selling Apple i7 with rebate which makes is free right now; just have to pay taxes. Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks, Leota. Contact Safelink customer service before you buy another phone to confirm that it will work with the Safelink cell network.
Becky says
My Elderly mother who is part of SafeLink purchased a smartphone, can she also access free Wi-Fi with the smart phone such as a library? Thank you very much for your help
Free Government Cell Phones says
She should be able to access the internet in tens of thousands of places with public wifi, Becky.
Gina Skarpholl says
Hi,
My name is Gina Skarphol. I have been looking for my safelink cell. I can’t find it. That’s the reason. I don’t know my safelink number. I can’t make a call coz it was misplace and deactivate. I was calling 611 but only machine no customer service. I need help. Pls text me. Thank you. Gina
Free Government Cell Phones says
Try calling this number, Gina.
1-800-378-1684
Steven D KROUSE says
have a govt issued trac phone 570 710 **** it expired jan 31 2017 ,i wanted to add airtime bit it asks for a promo code and a pin number ,I have no idea what the pin number would be nor do i have a proo code, how do i add minutes to this phone ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
If your account has been terminated there’s no way to add minutes, Steven.
Shannon says
…first off I would like to give a huge compliment to the individuals who reply to these comments ….your patience is astounding….i found your website to bee very informative and easy to navigate…thank u
Free Government Cell Phones says
Could you please call our wives to tell them how patient we are, Shannon? Be prepared for a lengthy argument.
joanne Mansfield says
I am on medicare and medicaid and would like to have a free cell phone. I don’t think it is as easy and 1-2-3 to order a phone We have one cell phone we pay for and my husband takes it with him when he is out of the house. When I am left home alone I really feel I could use another cell in case I fall again. Then I could call for help. Please help me
Free Government Cell Phones says
It really is pretty simple, Joanne. First of all, you qualify for a free government cell phone because you are on Medicaid. Now all you need to do is select a service provider. Here’s where you can find a complete list of all the companies and plans in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Check each of them out carefully to find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone, etc). Then all you need to do is enroll (it’s a pretty simple process) using the contact information we provide on each service provider’s page.
Laura Joan Chattley says
Everytime I try to apply it says already account active. Now a while back I applied and was approved. BT I never received a phone I always receive emails saying it’s has been shipped but nothing ever comes. So what’s going on
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have no way of knowing the specifics of your account because we’re not Safelink, Laura. You need to contact the company’s customer service team by phone or online as soon as possible. Ask to speak to a supervisor.
HM says
I want to use a smartphone instead of the basic free phone Safelink sent me. So I am trying to bring my own phone to Safelink. Nothing but headaches. I have a Verizon Moto G that I previously used on PagePlus. While on the Safelink site I click upgrade phone and I get taken to the Tracfone site. I click activate. I click the Verizon compatible phone box. I then enter the MEID. It then says “Invalid ESN Number”. I asked Safelink CS and they tell me “your MEID is good you just need to activate your phone”. I told him about the invalid ESN and he says “that’s because you’re phone is already registered. Just activate it now please”. HUH? Is there something I am missing here or does this make no sense at all? Just how do I activate it when it keeps saying Invalid ESN Number and does not let me move forward from that point? Any Safelink members having the same problem? It is a CDMA phone and far as I know that means I do not need to order a SIM activation kit, correct?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We try not to give technical advice, HM, because we don’t want to lead you astray. Unfortunately, you need to contact tech support to get your question answered accurately. Have you tried calling them at 1-800-378-1684?
HM says
Contacted CS again and fortunately this guy was more knowledgeable. It took almost 8 hours for the switch to complete but it is a success. Now the only problem is my plan has 500 Data 500 Min 500 Text. I thought I was supposed to have unlimited texts?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t know where you live, HM, but unlimited plans are only available in California and Oklahoma.
HM says
Thanks for clearing that up. I live in Tennessee and thought that I had read somewhere that I was supposed to get 500 MB data, 350 minutes talk, and unlimited texts.
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is more information than you asked for, HM, but the reason residents of Oklahoma and California get unlimited minutes is because the Lifeline companies are paid much more per customer than in other states.
Dravell Black says
The Best cell phone company thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
We think you’re complimenting Safelink, but we’re not quite sure.
Vasiliy Shtefanio says
Hello, I received a letter that Safelink in Oregon will end as of April 1, If I move to Vancouver WA, will I continue having free cellphone service? Is the service ending only in Oregon?
Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your phone will probably continue to be active and work, Vasilily. However, you’ll eventually need to re-enroll with the same company or a different one when it’s time for you to re-certify after one full year.
Gloria E Florence says
I was a safelink participant when I was in Florida. When I moved to Michigan, my phone no longer worked. Did I do something wrong?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Safelink offers service in both states, but you may be in an area that doesn’t get a Safelink signal. Or it could be a thousand other things that we could never guess. We’d suggest that you contact Safelink’s customer service team to track down the real problem.
Roy says
Do you have flip phones!? I’m to old to use a smartphone. I get 560 a mouth in SIS. I’m sure I would quaflie. I’m 71 yrs.old.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t have any phones, Roy. Because we’re not a Lifeline free government cell phone service provider. We’re an independent website. You need to contact one of the companies in your state. Here’s where you can find all those companies, their plans, and their contact info:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
New Jersey says
I purchased a Samsung S7 Edge unlocked for USA in late November 2016 (G935U) and was pleasantly surprised to see Safelink finally allows unlocked Android phones. I signed up online, chose the Bring Your Own Device option and quickly went through the six steps in about one minute and within a week had the SIM delivered. I followed the instructions and was up and running in around five minutes. Everything works. No added software dialers. Works just like any other big service provider on your phone. I think my service is T-Mobile here in New Jersey.
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s good to hear, New. We hope all our Safelink readers find it as simple as you did.
Carl Christy says
I have had the most excellent service with SafeLink for the past 18 months in Arizona, but the unlimited texts on the little free Alcatel phone were all but useless. Press the A key THREE TIMES to get a C? Rite. So a week ago I bought a used AT&T Android off eBay and began the BYOP switchover process. I ordered the AT&T SIM because my Droid was still LOCKED to AT&T. I worried about that, but it turned to be NO PROLLEM! My SafeLink plan was changed from the Alcatel’s T-Mobile to the Droid’s AT&T, perhaps by chance, or perhaps by the excellent TracFone staff knowing the situation??? The SIM would only be free for NEW members, but the $1 plus $6 shipping via Fedex was fine, as long as things worked… It got here in 4 days and I slapped it in and tried to follow the steps online to get it switched. I was a computer engineer for 29 years, and these steps were from TracFone, but they simply wound up in a loop. So I called TracFone support, identifying myself as an ecstatic SafeLink member. WOW, they answered two different calls right away on a weekday afternoon and bingo bango bongo, I had voice on my Droid in about 2 hours after my old Alcatel went down (in 2-3 minutes). Texts started working the next morning. I was able to get Data and MMS working myself with the texted instructions to set up an APN, pretty simple. My former minutes/texts/data were carried over as if I had bought them (although they were free), and my new monthly 350/unlim/500MB plan will ADD (without rollover) to those each month. I am happy as a clam with SafeLink, and I would do the BYOP again any time. Using UNLIMITED TEXT and MMS per month is so sweet I can taste it, since texting is 95% of my communications. Having 500MB of data per month is great for being out of the house. I’m staying with the oldest and biggest house: SafeLink.
Elizabeth Sparks says
You are my hero! Having had a very rough few years, including the loss of my job while caring for my terminally ill mom. =( The storm of adversity being relentless has made going back to work quite tough. Anyway, I’ve been without a cell phone for 4+ months and recently learned I’d qualify for this program. I’m a bit behind on such things as never needed them before. I’ve scoured online for hours trying to find the right company, but hearing from a fellow Arizonan was exactly what I needed to take the plunge! Also, it seems being able to get support locally or add minutes/data would be a huge bonus. Have you had any issues with reception? I’m in north Phoenix, so am not in the boonies or anything. Now, just praying my Verizon Galaxy 7 edge will work with them! I’m not exactly customer of the year with them, so am cautiously optimistic it won’t be locked. Anyway, THANKS for posting!
Elizabeth Overcash says
I am hoping you can shed some light on Q-Link. I’ve had their service (and original, cheap flip phone) since 2014. I have tried to contact them numerous times and no one ever answers the phone. When i email with problems I get a canned response that doesn’t help. Do they actually have living people working for them? I have tried to switch to another service but can’t since I’m already listed in the database. I’m sure if I told Q-Link I want to drop their service it wouldn’t make any difference, or they would shut it off before I get a new one. This is the only phone I have, what can I do?
Thanks,
Beth
Free Government Cell Phones says
We don’t know what else to tell you, Elizabeth. Maybe some of our readers can give you better advice. Readers?
Ombeni says
I have helped my friend apply for safe Link free phone over a year ago. They sent him envelope and a form to fill. We filled it out and sent all the docs, but until now he has never get either a phone nor any correspondence from them. We called and called until we got tired. We sometimes think that they might have stolen his identity because they requested we send them copy of I.D and of social security card.
Help please!
Free Government Cell Phones says
How about if you contact one of the other free government cell phone companies in your state. Explain the situation and ask if your name shows up on the NLAD (National Lifeline Assistance Database). If it does, then you need to contact Safelink to discuss the fact that you never received a phone. If it doesn’t, you are free, that means you do not have a Safelink account and are free to enroll with someone else. Here’s where you can find that list of companies and plans in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
J. Schusler says
I’m having the same problem with SafeLink for CA, I called Assurance Wireless, and was told I needed to contact the national lifeline. Number is 888-641-8722.
Hilda Heredia says
Deseo cancelar mi servicio telefonico ya q se me persio el celular. Como lo puedo hacer. Soy de Puerto Rico.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Póngase en contacto con el equipo de servicio al cliente de su proveedor de servicios. Podrán cancelar su cuenta.
carl glitsch says
i QUALIFY AND NEED A FREE PHONE I’M 72 and on social security with no other income
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an introductory article that tells you how to enroll and get a free government cell phone, Carl:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/how-do-i-get-a-free-phone
Larry B. says
Safelink is having problems with text messaging on smartphones not working properly. Not sure if it’s because of the new unlimited texting or what. But I’ve been trying to resolve this for two weeks now. I think they’re finally aware of the issue, I hope. Their customer service is awful. Makes you pull your hair out!.
J.T. says
I have a LG Tracphone that I pay $23 every three months to keep active. I am wanting to switch over to the Safelink free phone. Will I be able keep my same phone # if I make the switch? Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you can keep the same number. Just make sure you tell the service rep that you want to “port over my current phone number” in your initial call.
James D. Woodland says
I have a Android smartphone that is a Tracphone. How can I use/activate this device and use it. ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Are you already enrolled with Safelink, James?
Mark Edison says
Hi I’m poor and I’m on Medicare and I need a phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Then you need to find a company and a plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, smartphone, etc) and enroll with that company. Here’s where you can find al it’s of all the free government cell phone companies in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Thomas Snycerski says
IF YOU ARE SAYING YOU CANT GET FREE PHONE, THATS INCORRECT. IVE HAD ONE FOR 8 YRS. IM DIDABLED AND ON MEDICARE OR SSDI OR SSI, FOOD STAMPS. IF YOU HAVE ONE OR MORE YOU QUALIFY. CALLING IS HORRIBLE, I SUGGEST GETTING AN APPLICATION OR DO IT ON BROWSER. READY SAFELINK.COM. ITS A B I T H!!! YOU MUST USE MODERN BROWSERS OR IT DOESNT WORK, TOM S.
Mariyn jones says
Need a new phone lost my phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Read this article, Marilyn. It will tell you how to get your phone replaced (keep in mind, however, that you’ll probably have to pay a relatively small fee):
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Timothy Esco says
Trying to get a new phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Try applying.
Joe Leach says
Too bad they don’t offer it for those of us on Disability. I have low vision as well. I don’t get Medicaid, but I do get Medicare.
Deborah mcginnis says
I need to know how to see if my phone is on the way it has been about 2 or 3 weeks
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most companies say it will take two or three weeks for delivery, but many of our readers say it takes four weeks or een longer. The record is held by a reader who told us it took six months. But you can go to the Safelink website, click on “Account” and then click on “Check Enrollment Status” and that should give you the information you’re looking for.
Polly Ester Dolbier says
When I got out of prison in August of 2016 I applied for food stamps and got food stamps then went with Q Link and tried to get a free government phone they gave me the run around. They kept asking for verification which I sent of my SNAP benefits which I provided on three separate occasions their final answer was it was going to take 60 to 90 days for them to process my application I never heard back from them. I am currently homeless unemployed I get map which is the medical assistant program I only qualified for 3 months of food stamps so I go to food pantries to get food. If I had a phone maybe I could get a job so I could get a job that I could get an actual place to live.
I don’t know what if anything can be done to help me out but any assistance or information that you can provide me with would be much appreciated thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s outrageous that you should have gone that long without an answer. We’re going to guess that the problem revolves around the fact that you’re homeless and you must have a permanent address to qualify. Yeah, it’s a huge flaw in the Lifeline system because homeless people probably need a phone more than anyone else.
If you live in a homeless shelter, you can work around the permanent address issue. Here’s an article that explains how:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/qualify-in-group-home-shelter
Keep in mind that there are lots of other Lifeline free government cell phone companies and one of the others might offer you an even better plan than the one you applied for. You can find all those companies in your state at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
M.perez says
I’m trying to apply for this to help me. I do get other assistance such as SNAP and TANF for my daughters and myself but am having a bit of a hard time with having to pay for a phone as well. Trying to apply for this but getting nothing but a run around its very frustrating.
Free Government Cell Phones says
What kind of runaround are you getting, MPerez? If you’re having trouble enrolling with Safelink, there are lots of other service providers you can try. Here’s where you can find all the service providers in your state. Make sure you check them all out carefully, so you find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, etc).
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Marilynn J Ellison says
How do you report someone that is getting a phone but does not get any of the assistance.this is not right for people to get a cell phone and don’t get assistance that is fraud isn’t it
Free Government Cell Phones says
Good question, Marilyn. Turn the cheating son of a bitch in immediately. The money spent on that phone can be used to help someone who really needs it. Here’s an article that tells you how to report fraud:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/report-lifeline-assistance-fraud-abuse-waste
Jane says
They may be making more money than their family qualifies for for other benefits but less money than that required for a free phone. It is also income based even though they may not qualify for other benefits from the govt. So be very sure before you go reporting them for fraud.
J. Cast says
I have a small phone from your company. May I get a smartphone instead?
Guy Lutes says
Sent phone that does not get cellular data in this area. Called and was told nothing can be done, asked what to do with phone and no one had answer.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call in again and ask for a supervisor, Guy. The rep you spoke to gave you an unacceptable answer.
John says
For 9 MONTHS I have been trying to re-enroll in the Safelink program, but these ass-wipes are total clueless. I have sent all the info they have wanted 6 TIMES and they claim they have not received it, even tho the last one was signed for.
This company needs re-evaluated….
Free Government Cell Phones says
If that’s the case, John, you really should apply with one of the other free government cell phone companies in your state. Here’s where you can find a complete list of providers:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Peter says
Please upgrade my safelink phone to a smartphone . Please have safelink call me 360 670 **** thanks , pete
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Peter, but we are not Safelink so we cannot upgrade your phone. You need to contact the company online or by phone.
pam says
Can anybody tell me if minutes come off of my phone automatically even if I don’t use the phone? It seems the phone loses minutes when I am not even using it.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unless there’s something defective with your phone, minutes should not come off when the phone has not been used.
Steve says
Not that it would make a difference to most but, Who Is SAFELINK anyways. If you want a Made In The USA point of reference then.
Safelink aka Tracfone, Parent Company is América Móvil.
Safelink Wireless service is provided by Tracfone Wireless, Inc.
Tracfone is a subsidiary of Mexico’s largest telecommunications company América Móvil.
If and only if there are any profits being a Lifeline Provider then where do the profits end up? Good question Steve but, leave it up for a Lifeline subscriber of Safelink to question it themselves…
Steve
Free Government Cell Phones says
Steve is correct. We addressed that question years ago as you can see here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/is-safelink-wireless-owned-by-mexican-carlos-slim-worlds-richest-man
tory says
how do I get a smart phone from safelink. I’ve already got a very small piece of crap phone I cant hardlytext on. I don’t have the money to buy a compatible phone
tory says
I’m at a friends house barrowing his computer an really need an answer very fast as I only have like 10 mins before I have to get back home
tory says
can someone please help me asap need help bad
Free Government Cell Phones says
What kind of help do you need, Tory?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry we could not get back to you in the 600 seconds you requested.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s all explained on this page, and their phone number and website link is at the bottom of the article on the page.
Sandra says
I,m a bit confused. I just signed up for my phone and there was a page for phone upgrades, but I thought everyone gets a smartphone after December 1, 2016?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Just because you get a smartphone doesn’t mean there are better, newer, more fully-featured smartphones available.
M. Jewett says
I tried to enroll online and my address was rejected as being invalid. I’ve been living her for 15 years and get mail delivered here daily. What’s up????
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s impossible for us to tell you exactly “what’s up,” M Jewett, but if we had to guess we’d say that someone else has used your address to enroll for a free government cell phone. There are several other possible answers, but that would be our guess. Contact Safelink again and ask them to explain why you were rejected.
Jose M Gomez says
Our granddaugther has Safelink phone but wants a smartphone cause the phone that she has is just to hard to send texts from!! We have a Samsung S3 from AT&T that she would like to have but we don’t know if it can be used with Safelink
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’ll need to contact Safelink’s customer service or tech support team to get an accurate answer to that question, Jose. Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell phone networks.
edward simon says
where can i get this phone in corona ca
Free Government Cell Phones says
Ahhhh, lovely Corona, California, the heart of the Inland Empire. We know it well.
We strongly recommend that you do NOT enroll for a free government cell phone at a street tent or booth, Edward. There have been too many cases of fraud and abuse coming from these places. Instead, we urge you to enroll by phone or online. Much safer that way.
sandy says
i tried to get the phone and they asked for my SS and date of birth and address ,is this the procedure ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, it is, Sandy. They need your social security number and birthday to identify you and make sure you are who you say you are. And they need your address to make sure no one else at that address already participates in the program. The Federal Communications Commission requires them to do these things to curb fraud and abuse.
Bruce Keith says
My phone won’t turn on. starts to then cuts off. please send a replacement.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not Safelink, Bruce. We’re an independent website. You’ll need to contact that company’s customer support or tech support team to solve your problem.
Julie Frazier says
When upgrading do you get to keep the same number?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you get to keep the same phone number when you upgrade. You can even keep the same phone number when you switch service providers IF you say, “I want to port over my current phone number.”
Debra Glenn says
i applied online but had trouble sending financial info. Please email me *******@gmail.com with so that I can e-mail versus texting.
Thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not your service provider, Debra. We’re a website with no affiliation to the free government cell phone companies. Try getting a hold of Safelink’s customer service team.
Josh Gates says
I think Safelink has altered their service. I got message stating that on November 1st I am upgraded to 500 minutes per month (up from 350) and now visiting the web site there is the option to upgrade the phone used, which before was not possible. http://shop.safelinkwireless.com/SafeLink-Smart-Phones
Free Government Cell Phones says
It was always possible to upgrade your Safelink phone, Josh. But it’s no wonder you missed it, because Safelink has a terrible website.
Corey says
where are the street booths in california? I dont know where the street booths are and the times.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Don’t do it, Corey. The street booths and tents are the source of too much fraud and abuse. Do yourself a favor and apply by phone or online. Here’s where you can find all the California free government cell phone companies:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Katie says
Hello, as a struggling single mother on SSDI and food stamps, I am thrilled to find this program!! Am I able to use the old iPhone I already own, or will I have to use a phone they issue out? Thanks for your time!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Maybe, maybe not. Not all phones are compatible with all cell networks, Katie. You’ll need to contact customer service or tech support to determine if your current phone will work. Of course, there are a number of companies offering the Lifeline program in every state, so you have choices. You can always call several companies until you find one that is compatible with your phone. Here’s where you can find all the companies in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Ruth Domer says
I had a safe link but my eyes are bad so now I need one I can see. that and mine got shut down so I got assurance phone that im having shut of fits to confusing.
Arion Wweatherford says
How do I see if someone else is using my name to receive a phone without my permission?
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is a National Lifeline Assistance Database that’s supposed to list everyone who receives the service. If you are rejected for service, you may be able to get the service provider to tell you if someone is using your name and social security number at a different address.
Stanley Pruett says
I qualified for the service and showed my SSDI and Disabled Veterans benefits form. After 2 weeks and no phone I found the agent and they need proof of my birth date. The ONLY form I have is a county probation ID and was told unacceptable. Really? I showed proof of my disabilities and a county govt. ID with DOB. Serial # 3100**** may help you. Could someone help me out with a phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Do you know what forms Safelink will accept as proof of your date of birth? Does it need to be a birth certificate or will other forms of ID work — such as drivers license or veteran’s documents?
Janice Stephenson says
Did you get my online application? I filled it out either Thursday or Friday last week. Janice l stephenson
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, Janice, we did NOT receive your application. There’s a simple reason for that — we’re not your service provider. We’re an independent website. You need to contact Safelink customer service to find out the status of your application. Good luck.
Mary says
Can’t make a call. I get the message “prepaid service disabled” How do I re-able my service? thanksi
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact your service provider’s customer service and/or tech support team.
Nellie says
Hi,
What’s the deal with Budget Mobile? I went to use my phone and it was deactivated even tho I used it within the required number days. I tried to login to my account and got this message.
“Sorry, there was an Problem retrieving your full account detail. We apologize for the inconvenience. If the problem persists, please Contact Us.
Problem Details
YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO SAFELINK.”
This happened with NO communication and no warning. Thank god I am not having an emergency. This is very shoddy treatment and is quite humiliating!
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re getting lots of reader comments indicating that something is going on with Budget. This should be big news, but so far there is no definitive answer.
charlette devaughn says
I have lost my phone. I need a replacement or upgrade. I been calling with no success.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If Safelink is neither answering nor solving your problem, maybe it’s time for you to switch to a new service provider. Here’s an article that tells you how easy it is to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
maria says
Hi. I’m a mother who’s trying to find my daughter. I opened up a line with an government phone for her recently.
She left out of town to work for a few days and said she will be back. My daughter never misses a day without letting me know she’s ok. But I received a call from her number and heard some strange noises on her end. And since then I havent heard from her. I’m very concerned. Is there any way I can get help to find my daughter’s location through the phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Maria, we’re really sorry to hear about your missing daughter. There’s nothing we can do to help you, and most likely Safelink will not be able to either. Best of luck to you.
VERONICA says
THE POLICE/DETECTIVES WOULD PROBABLY BE YOUR BEST BET. MY PRAYERS FOR YOUR DAUGHTER AND FOR YOU.
Nikele says
I thought I was going to receive a headset with my tracphone but I didn’t. Where can I buy one that works for the tracphone I was send yesterday October 4, 2016 if that means a different model for those in the know. Bless!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Amazon. EBay. Any store that sells Tracfones.
lisa m onto says
I would like to buy a replacement phone for a safelink phone that is lost.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you all about replacements for lost, broken or stolen phones:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Dorothy says
I have a safelink phone for my oldest son but can my other 2 boys get a phone they are at the age where I need to he able to get a hold of them. I get foodstamps, LEAP, state insurance, my kids get free breakfast and lunch at school. Any feedback would be great thank you for your time.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Dorothy, they cannot. The rules of the Lifeline program say you can only have one phone per household.
Joyce A Vespie says
I lost my phone and need a replacement phone please.?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you the replacement policy of all the major Lifeline free government cell phone companies (including Safelink):
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
marilia says
mi mama recive food stamps and medicare y llamamos hace meses para q ella recibiera el cellular de gobierno gratis y hasta hoy no ha recibido nada q se puede hacer al respecto porque ella es senior y necesita uno.
Free Government Cell Phones says
No hablamos español, Marilia.
Karen Ciota says
I don’t understand how to sign up for this. Your website is confusing. I need to get this phone for my mother who is on social security and Medicaid. I can’t even tell what type of phone is available. I cannot call from work so I was hoping to sign her up online. Where is the link? I have already compared plans and looked at the others. This is the one I want
Free Government Cell Phones says
You have stumbled upon one of the great mysteries of the Lifeline Assistance program, Karen. Each company stocks numerous brands and models of phones and they hand them out randomly. So you never know which phone you’ll get. We’ve provided links to each company (phone AND website) on the page dedicated to that company. Like on this page, for example, down toward the bottom of the article.
Dashiki says
I live in santa clara California. I just recieved a safelink phone. How many min and text messages and data do i get free per month?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have no way of knowing what plan you enrolled in, Dashiki. You’ll need to contact Safelink customer service to get your question answered.
Mary bervinkle says
My lifeline phone has no min
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team.
sandra worthington says
I did not receive my monthly minutes. Would like to know why.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not your service provider, Sandra. We’re an indepedent website. You’ll need to contact your service provider to get your missing minutes.
Jeffrey Breeding says
I didn’t get my 250 minutes this month
Free Government Cell Phones says
Only Safelink can help you with that problem. Contact its customer service team.
trina says
Where can I go to get a phone I live in selma ca that’s california
Free Government Cell Phones says
See the comments below, Trina, to see our opinion of the street tents and booths.
tina avery says
what location near the 40219 in louisville ky can i locate a tent vendor friday 8-19-16? thank you for the response.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s almost impossible to tell you where and when street tents or booths will be set up, Tina. The people working the booths are independent contractors which means that even the Lifeline companies themselves do not know where or when they will be set up. Your best bet — for numerous reasons — is to enroll online or by phone.
FELIX SERATE says
BUENOS DIAS QUISIERA SABER COMO PUEDO CAMBIAR MI TELEFONO SE ME CALLO Y SE ROMPIO LA PANTALLA NO PUEDO LLAMAR YA QUE SE VE LA MITAD DE LA PANTALLA ES DE SAFE LINK EL NUM ES 7875481254
Free Government Cell Phones says
According to Google Translate, Felix said, “Good morning. I would like to know how can I change my telephone and screen keep quiet broke because I cannot call half the screen in seven. Safelink is the number *********.”
Although that doesn’t make complete sense, it appears that Felix wants to know what to do about his broken Safelink phone. Read this article, Felix. It provides the information you need:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Juan Rosado Malavet says
How can I work as a rep in my area?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You must contact Safelink directly, Juan. We are not affiliated with Safelink nor any other free government cell phone company.
Donna Bolden says
My airtime was suspended. I made calls as instructed. Why?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not a clue, Donna. We’re not your service provider.
clare wilson says
Are minors (18 & younger) able to get a cell phone if they are in foster care?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No. Regulations state that you must be 18 or older.
Joan says
Do you offer smartphones or phones that allow me to complete job applications?
Thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
At this time Safelink offers smartphones only in California. But lots of other companies offer smartphones (even if some of them require you to pay a small upgrade fee). Here’s where you can find the smartphone policies of all the major Lifeline Assistance companies:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones
Russell Outlaw says
How I get unlimited text where it don’t take time off
Free Government Cell Phones says
Can you clarify what you mean when you say, “…it doesn’t take time off?”
Wanda arnold says
I love safelink, but I see ads on Facebook about safelink smartphones, I would love to have one of those, if I can’t get one through safelink, can I use a smartphone that was given to me , it was a boost mobile phone, os there any way that I can use my safelink sim card in it? That would be awesome
Free Government Cell Phones says
Safelink will not guarantee that you’ll get a smartphone, but you can always get a smartphone by paying a small upgrade fee.
In regard to the SIM card issue, it all depends on the make and model of your phone and the network on which your service provider operates. You’ll need to talk to customer service or tech support before buying another phone.
Stephanie says
What is the upgrade fee?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Upgrade fees vary from company to company and phone to phone, Stephanie. First thing you need to do is check your service provider’s website to see if the upgrade fee is revealed there. If not, contact its customer service team to get the answer.
David Dickerson says
Need a new phone for 276-229-**** please. Prefer touch screen smart phone. Other phone is getting to where it don’t want to charge.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you the upgrade policies of all the major Lifeline Assistance companies, David:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones
david villalon says
Im looking for galaxy s smartphone do you offer it
Free Government Cell Phones says
All we offer is news and information, David, because we are an independent website that’s not affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. To find out which phones are offered by Safelink, you must visit its website or call it customer service team.
For information on the smartphone upgrade policies of each of the major companies, read this article:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones
alice dingle says
I have a free cell phone and I want it turned off the number is 843-642-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact your service provider directly, Alice. This website is not affiliated with any Lifeline Assistance company.
You can find Safelink’s contact info toward the end of the article on this page.
Brittany Dyer says
I need a PUK code to unlock my phone. The number I call keeps hanging up on me. Please I need help.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you what to do:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/what-is-a-puk-code-and-how-do-you-find-it
Olena Lake on behalf of Galyna Militinska says
The service of Safelink is awful! I applied for my mom’s first in her life free cell phone, which she is eligible for. However, the Safelink requested the proof of her eligibility. I have her required documentation twice by all means of communications: 2 times I have attached the files and it was successfully attached. Two times I have emailed those documents following 2 different and confusing instruction about subject line and body of the email. Twice I have sent the documentation by mail. No results. The case is still on pending status by July 3 from May 27. And I keep receiving the letters with request of proof of her identity, which I have already dome 6 times.
It looks that those people just like to make a fun of my old mom, who desperately need this phone for her life safety.
This Company, Safelink, MUST be removed from this type of service and from the government’s advertising and promoting their business web site. They fail to provide this service!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unacceptable service, Olena. Perhaps you should cancel that application with Safelink and apply with on of the other Safelink companies doing business in your state. Here’s where you can find a list of those companies:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Vincent says
I just got let go from my job my wife still works. We have a 20 month old son and and we are expecting another within the month. Can I apply for a phone for the time I am looking for work and filing for unemployment in order to lower our household budget.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you can apply as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Here’s an article that tells you how to qualify:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
Audrey Gaskin says
I live in North Carolina and I am interested in becoming a distributor and signing people up that need this service. Are you hiring currently?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You will need to contact Safelink directly using the contact info provided on this page.
john w jones says
can i pick my own phone number? if so id like 412-372-••••. thanks .
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can only choose from available numbers, John. You should call Safelink customer service to discuss it.
Jose says
My phone is lock to help me pin number
PATRICIA BARRE says
where do I sent my expected Safelink cell IF i’m already on one of the government plans
PATRICIA BARRE says
i already have a free cell which i was unaware i already had one
how do i cancel my Safelink approval
Freddie Horsley says
I would like to say what I would do just to be able to go to work & always reply back is your crazy you have the life just sit home & wait for your check to deposit. Trust me it’s NOT A WALK IN THE PARK & YOU’RE NEVER PREPARED how much it affects your entire life & in ways you could never imagine. I’m very thankful for your company & being a great provider when I lost my last but of pride watching my wife each am leaving ewofk @ 4:00am 12-14 he shifts and coming home to assist me & I’m suppose to be there to take care and provide for her and then say you can finally become stay home mom & her health nearly took her from me & she lost her job by being terminated & that changed her mentally & then we would next be told were LOOSING house we bought 6 yes prior. I begged her to drop my iPhone service from her acct. & check into what info I was told about today & she did & chose your vimosby which being honest have overall been wonderful but to respect what you do for those in honest need I feel I need to make complaint about the women wk’s there which I’ve got a lot of respect for women in the working world especially if they are anything like my wife when I met her rshe was recently divorced raising 3 yr old son no support & her familtbhad lost their 17 yr old son bug depression anxiety etc was forced down while on the clock & she went above & beyond expected duties & her son doing great living like a king! Every time she has tried to help me do this request via phone every female that got our call was so rude & talked to her as if she was trash & I’d get so frustrated hearing that & her maintain professional manner until I’d beg her just cancel the call I’ll just continue to suffer & listen to Dr tell me with the disabilities affecting my hands that small type cell phone is only going to worsen your situation. So I’m being showed ads about possible opprto upgrade to a smartphone or larger type of phone. I’m willing to pay if price is as high as what we would have to pay thru at&t.Any guidance you xeoffer I thank you in advr& look forward to get your reply.
Thank YouFreddie Horsley
Free Government Cell Phones says
Hang in there, Freddie. Things will get better.
Here’s an article that answers all your questions about smartphones.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones
Gadgetmang says
Safelink is great they let you use an unlocked phone and can port your number over. I live in California so my plan is unlimited talk/text with 500mb of data, similar to the MetroPCS plan for $30 I was paying. Very happy with my BYOD phone and free plan (network is At&t in my area) so in my opinion Safelink Wireless is the best.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re always glad to hear from happy Lifeline customers, Gadgetmang.
Gadgetmang says
Safelink cancelled my service without warning after a month, they told me at first that Lifeline cancelled it (this was a lie) and to call them. When I called Lifeline they said they don’t have control over that and that Safelink never turned in the paperwork to Lifeline” I had no account with them at all” after talking with six different customer service people I found one to actually look at my account, he stated that I had another past Lifeline account (not true Lifeline said I never had an account with them) I think he just wanted me to get off the phone. Anyways way too much trouble to get service again so just going back to my $30 a month MetroPCS plan. I thought about filling a complaint but I really don’t want the service with anymore so why bother.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You should file the complaint just to keep Safelink on its toes and to help make sure future customers get better service. Here’s an article that tells you how to file the complaint:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/file-lifeline-service-complaint
Sybil Townsend says
Hello I would tp know if I can get a new safelink phone mailed out to me. My phone I have now doesnt work well. I can’t make calls only text messages. You can reach me at 302-363-**** Sybil T***** 817 ***** st wilmington, Delaware. Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If your phone doesn’t work you should contact Safelink’s customer service team by phone or online, Sybil. They are the only ones who can solve your problem.
Robert P. Stelle, Sr. says
How do I get an instruction manual for Safelink Tracfone Model A207BG Alcotel One Touch ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can find one online quickly and easily by Googling the make and model number and the words “user manual.”
tori says
That phone is garbage good luck
james ostrowski says
I am now a safelink customer with a new cell , the transition so far has been effortless thank you. I have come from the the now defunct Reach Out Wireless and their awful customer service and sham. I predicted one year ago that their time was limited as complaints flooded the FCC offices and the ICC and Illinois State Attorney General and the BBB. However in the last part of June of 2016 ROW would flood your phone with ads about their closing and service interruption to your area by zip code , mine was May 22 of 2016 and it would prevent you from calling , you could not use your phone each time you dialed a number it reverted to a safelink ad repeatedly that boast of 500 free mins for several months and a TOUCH SCREEN PHONE, NOT A SMART PHONE, A TOUCH SCREEN PHONE – I was very suspicious of this ad so I recorded it with a time date with safelink claiming that you would get this deal, and its on my camera as a video clip with audio and date and time. And to my surprise I received a tracfone without a sim card to port the old number into my new NON-TOUCHSCREEN phone from safelink and furthermore you offer no paid unlimited talk and text options like ROW did , and I picked you because of the false advertising you presented that repeatedly interrupted service on my row phone when I was entitled to service still for I paid for unlimited talk and text through May 29th 2016, so i had to contact row 4 times to turn my phone back on to full service as you continued to block my calls with a robo caller ad, So ROW ripped me off and now your company which is sending me a new sim card to port out my old number to a $9.95 phone that is not what you advertised , this is called bait and switch to sway choices to select your service and then you get the shaft – well im educated and this practice is its illegal in the State of Illinois and 48 other states – this practice is also actionable – so i believe you will not print this but be aware I had enough nonsense with row over the past 3 years and i contacted the FCC and ICC many times to forge a complaint that lead to the legal department of ROW and I am not going to go through this again , I want what you promised that made me choose you a TOUCHSCREEN phone and the 500 mins ( of which you have supplied but that only upholding 50% of your promise to potential clients. A advertisement constitutes a contract that should benefit both parties and this one does not by falsely advertising a touch screen phone safelink has misled the american public and unless this is corrected I will file with the FCC and send the clip of the ad where you promise services and equipment that you did not deliver or provide in any way shape or form. As I stated earlier ROW was awful and now this is not a good start with a new company and i am no one’s fool . So please do the right thing and keep your promise to provide what you claimed and deliver such. I am already looking for a class action attorney to take on ROW and their deceptive and fraudulent conduct. You don’t get shut down by the FEDS if you’re doing things right. I trust you will do the right thing, and please do not underestimate me because I have reached my saturation level with these so called lifeline providers and the sham that comes with the service and the broken promises, do the moral thing and make this right. James Ostrowski in chicago phone number 773.865.**** and or by email duffencory2012@*****.com, my enrolment ID is 2665**** today is May 5th 2016 and this dialog has been copied for further reference. Be well and good luck on your continued success. I remain, James Ostrowski
Free Government Cell Phones says
James Ostrowski is a man on a mission.
Lily says
Hi, Reachout is no longer servicing my area. Will I be able to keep my number with Safeline or Assurance? Also, when I apply it ask if I have a line already. When I put yes, it states I am not approved.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you should be able to keep your own number. Make sure you tell them you want to “port your phone number.”
Before you enroll with Safelink, are you sure Safelink is the best plan for you? We’d suggest that you check out all the companies in your state to see if you can find more minutes/texts/etc.
To do that, click on the “States” link at the top of this page. Then click on your state. You’ll find a complete list of free government cell phone providers. Click through them all to find the plan that best fits your needs. (You might even find one that allows you to speak to a live customer service rep.)
Jose aquino says
I had received a new tracfone without activation card in the package and need some help to activate this new one
By telephone I must wait more than 30 minutes and i expending to much minutes waiting.
Thanks for your attention.
Jose Aquino.
Free Government Cell Phones says
It r