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How do Budget Wireless customers find a new free government cell phone company?

Budget Wireless just announced that it is leaving the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone business, leaving approximately 800,000 customers out on a limb.

That’s right, 800,000 customers 35 states and territories — Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Texas, West Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming — need to quickly find a new free government cell phone provider.

The decision to leave the business obviously happened suddenly, because Budget hasn’t even updated the “Where We Operate” map on its website. In fact, that map emphasizes the suddenness of the company’s Lifeline departure, because it still shows plans to expand into ten additional states (Alabama, Delaware, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia).

Why isn’t Budget helping its customers?

If you’re one of those 800,000 Budget Wireless customers, what should you do next? How do you find another Lifeline company to replace Budget?

Unfortunately, Budget isn’t giving you much advice. It has reduced its website to a barebones minimum that’s long apology, but short on information. If you happen to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on your state, you may find yourself taken to your local Public Utility Commission or you may be taken to the USAC’s website.

All of these sites simply list all the Lifeline companies in your state. All the large national companies offering free government cell phones are mixed together with tiny local companies that only offer discounted service in small geographic areas. You still need to research all those companies to find out which ones serve your area, which ones offer free phones instead of discounted ones, and which ones offer plans that fit your needs.

In other words, those links are virtually useless.

FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net to the rescue

If you’re one of those Budget customers who’s been left adrift in a sea of confusion, rest easy. FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is riding to the rescue. Here’s how easy we make it to find a new Lifeline company.

  1. Visit our “States” page. (CLICK HERE)
  2. Click on the name of your state.
  3. We’ve listed all the “free” plans in one section and all the “discounted” plans in another.
  4. Click on each of the free companies listed to find the plan that fits your needs best.
  5. Use the contact information we’ve listed on each service provider’s page to enroll online or by phone.
  6. Explain to them that you are Budget Wireless customer who needs a replacement service provider.

Voila! You’ll find yourself enrolled with a new free government cell phone quickly. And simply.

All thanks to FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net

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Comments

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team, David. You may be required to pay a small fee for the replacement phone, but you may get lucky and get it free, depending on which service provider you have and how long you’ve had your account.

      Reply

  2. I have been looking for these free phone providers that I can get a SIM card instead of using their phones. The problem I ran into is my phone lock up and customer service in most of these places suck. (sorry, it’s the way I feel). I wouldn’t be going through “getting free anything” if any of these so call Big Corp employees would hire someone like me. It seems you hit the age 50 & now you being put into the pasture already. (sorry, very frustrated here)

    Reply

    • Well said. It’s so annoying that, while asking a question, you explain what you have already done with no results. After telling them the obvious troubleshooting trials, they begin to give you the “answer to the problem.” Beginning with what you JUST TOLD THEM. They continue giving you the SAME SO CALLED ANSWER.
      Who hires these idiots & how much do they make? I could sit all day & be a dumbass.

      Reply

  3. My lifeline phone is breaking. what can I do? I live in charleston, SC my number is 843 330 ****

    Reply

    • Well, you cannot get a replacement phone from Budget because it is no longer in the free government cell phone program. Your account has undoubtedly been transferred to a different cell phone company. If your phone is still working enough to make a call, call 6-1-1 and you will be connected directly to your new service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

      • If I call the 611 number can I get a replacement phone my husband is with Budget and his phone is broken he needs it badly he drives 200 miles to VA hospital and back can you help despret. Thanks

        Reply

        • There are a couple problems with your situation, Linda. First, Budget no longer participates in the free government cell phone program. You have probably been transferred to a different Lifeline company. Call 6-1-1 just to find out who your new service provider is. Second, ask that service rep if they will replace your phone for free. Probably not, but it can’t hurt to ask.

          Reply

  4. why do free phone service like assurance provider , have lots of ads, not able to answer phone on time . or delete it.

    Reply

  5. I HOPE TO FIND THE BEST FREE PHONE, AS IN A SMARTPHONE, BECAUSE QLINK WIRELESS HAD GIVEN ME A DUMB PHONE! IT HAS A WET SPOT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN AND DOESN’T DOWNLOAD ANY PICS OR OPEN ANY WEBSITES. AND AS OF THREE MONTHS AGO, THE MEMORY IS SO FULL THAT IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TEXT BACK FRIENDS NOR FAMILY. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AT THE GET GO, BUT HAVE BEEN IGNORED OVER AND OVER. NOW, I HAVE A STALKER, AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 5 DOLLARS TO CHANGE MY NUMBER. I REALLY REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SWITCH SERVICES: A SMARTPHONE THAT I COULD ADD gb TO AT A DISCOUNTED RATE WOULD BE THE BEST FIT FOR ME! ANY SUGGESTIONS?????

    Reply

    • Unfortunately, Rhonda, Montana barely participates in the free government cell phone program. There are only a few plans available and they are directed toward native Americans. We’ve spoken to several of the major Lifeline companies to ask why they do not offer plans in Montana and we never get any logical feedback. So your guess is as good as ours.

      Reply

    • Budget went out of business months ago and most of their customers were taken on by enTouch Wireless. Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to be connected to customer service to find out if that’s the case with your account and what the deal is with your minutes.

      Reply

  8. I had Lifeline service with Bluejay Wireless. On September 1st I reported my phone stolen and requested another SIM to be sent to me. Instead they cancelled me for non-usage on the 29th. I have requested help from them but they refuse. They say I have to pay for a replacement.They cancelled me but won’t remove me from the government list so that I can go through another company. So I’m stuck with no phone service. Please let your readers know not to do business with Bluejay Wireless. I have had problems from day one. Even the simplest thing like changing an address is like pulling teeth. Can’t get into online account. Changes PIN with no notification. Customer service is like talking to a cartoon. I need to know how to get my name removed from this list so that I can go to another company. Please help!

    Reply

    • You can’t blame Blue Jay for your problems, Robin. They are following the rules set up by the Federal Communications Commission. They would be violating the law if they did as you ask.

      Reply

  9. I have a Samsung s7 phone, that I would like to be able to use with a free cell phone plan, I live in Illinois, does anyone know who or what company can do this for me. I was told that the company that i use my phone through must have a band width of between 2 and 20 , i believe. anyone know???? I really want to be able to use my phone, and get the best plan too, J.G. In Illinois

    Reply

    • THAT’S A GREAT IDEA, JALENE! i TOO, HAVE WANTED TO LINK MY CURRENT PHONE OVER TO MY FREE SERVICE (QLINK-WHICH IS GREAT ABOUT ADDING AN EXTRA 100 MINS. WHEN THEY SEE YOU ARE GETTING LOW, SOMETIMES). I HAD CALLED 611 ON THE PHONE I CURRENTLY HAVE LINKED, AND FOLLOWED THE PROMPTS TO SEE IF I COULD MERGE MY SMARTPHONE INTO QLINK (THEY ASKED ME TO ADD THE IMEI NUMBER FOUND IN SETTINGS IN GENERAL AND IN ABOUT PHONE). THIS MIGHT ‘MIGHT’ WORK FOR YOUR EXISTING FREE PHONE SERVICE IF U HAVE ONE, IF NOT I WOULD SUGGEST GOOGLING THE SERVICES IN YOUR AREA AND THEN ASKING EACH ONE IN THEIR CONTACT PAGE, IT MIGHT EVEN HELP IF YOU ADD YOUR IMEI TO THE INFO WHEN YOU FIRST CONTACT THEM. GOOD LUCK AND LET US KNOW! 🙂

      Reply

    • Who is your new service provider, DeAnna? Was your service transferred to enTouch Wireless like most of other Budget customers?

      Reply

  11. I tired to get a new company but it’s says I am already have government phone but I was with Budget moblie now I don’t know what to do

    Reply

    • You can contact the USAC at USAC.org to find out which company you are supposedly enrolled with. It may be that someone else is fraudulently enrolled under your name or at your address. The USAC can help clear it up.

      Reply

  13. I was a with Budget Mobile. I didn’t have to do anything. In March 2017 I got a text saying I was transferred to SafeLink Wireless. Before that text I got one saying I was transferred to Net10. Doesn’t matter, they are the same as Tracfone and a dozen other VMNO’s that are part of this large VMNO (https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/is-safelink-wireless-owned-by-mexican-carlos-slim-worlds-richest-man).

    Still have GSM service via T-Mobile, same as Budget. Still using the Budget SIM. Same #. Only thing changed is the phone now says HOME as the carrier. The SIM works in any unlocked GSM phone I’ve tried it in. I have feeling it would work in any locked GSM phone from a VMNO that gets minutes from T-Mobile. It works in T-Mobile phones. I’m sure it will work in any Verizon phone, as they are unlocked, if they can accept a SIM and therefore GSM capable.

    I know I used many abbreviations. To clarify, there are 4 large MNO’s (Mobile Network Operator) and over 300 VMNO’s (V is Virtual) in the USA. The VMNO’s buy blocks of minutes wholesale from either AT&T, T-Mobile (GSM MNO’s) or Verizon (CDMA MNO) and Sprint (Special CDMA, requiring specialized handsets) Nearly every phone outside the USA is in a GSM network, and the older CDMA technology is a USA deal. I prefer GSM carriers now, and VMNO’s that use minutes from the two big companies, as they both will unlock their phones, so if you get one that’s better than the Lifeline equipment, you can use it, and Verizon SIM capable phones will also work worldwide.

    AT&T just offered $5 or $10 a month high speed Internet (www.att.com/shop/internet/access/) to most that qualify for Lifeline, so I’m sure they will add Lifeline cellular to their already existing landline Lifeline program soon.

    Reply

    • Not sure what you’re asking, Kasey. We think maybe you mean “Access” instead of “Accessory,” but we’re not sure.

      Reply

    • Most Budget customers were automatically switched over to enTouch Wireless, Sachs. Were you not transferred?

      Reply

  16. Why is it so hard to apply for a phone, can you please tell me if there’s a store close by where I live. I live in manor Texas which is close to Austin tx

    Reply

    • The process is really very simple, Freddie. Maybe the problem is that you’re trying to enroll with Budget, which is no longer in the free government cell phone business.

      Reply

  17. I have a phone , but need a new 1 cause my screen cracked it has 2 be on a charger 2 u if i unplug it will shut off . I have T-Mobile service can switch 2 another provider

    Reply

    • T-Mobile is not part of the Lifeline free government cell phone program. It offers discounted phones, but not free ones. If you have a discounted T-Mobile plan, you need to check to find out if you are restricted to one change every twelve months. Call 6-1-1 on your phone to reach customer service.

      Reply

  18. I just contacted Q Link Wireless as I would like them to be my replacement provider. It also happens to be time for my yearly recertification, so the timing couldn’t be better.
    It took an act of God Jyst to get a REAL PERSON on the phone. Bless him for trying to help me! Nevertheless, they were not aware that Budget Mobile is exciting Lifeline. Also, they were NOT able to switch me to their plan, so my stating that they had to wait until December of 2017. That makes no sense for two reasons: (1) My annual recertification is occurring right now, and (2) Aren’t I allowed to switch providers once a year anyway?

    Very kind people, but absolutely NO HELP. 😠

    Reply

    • You are permitted to switch once every 12 months, so if you’ve been with Budget for 12 months or longer you should be able to switch. But what the heck, Katie, if Q Link can’t/won’t help you, we’re sure that one of the other Lifeline companies in your state would love to have your business. You can find all those companies in your state at this link:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  19. I live in Beresford, SD. I was notified that my lifeline mobile phone will be cut off in June 2017. Where can I transfer my phone to continue free service?

    Reply

    • Budget has been the only free government cell phone offering service in South Dakota. Now that Budget is going out of business, many of its customers have been picked up by enTouch. We don’t know if that is true in South Dakota.

      Reply

  20. I was on Q Link. I had cell phone from them for several years. Then they changed to Smart Phones in April 2016. I got my smart phone. 3 weeks later, it stopped working. I called Q Link, they told me to mail it back and they would send another smart phone NOW. I didn’t get my 2nd one until July. It did NOT work. Same thing, I sent it back and expected another smart phone soon. I received it in Oct 16. It did NOT work. I received my 3rd smart phone in Jan 17, It did NOT work. I sent it back with a nasty note saying, “If you can’t send a smart phone that works, FORGET ABOUT IT!!! I switched to Budget. 1st smart phone did not work. 2nd smart phone did not work. 3rd smart phone did not work!!!!! I decided to go back to Q Link. I was told by a lady over one month ago that “Your new smart phone is in the mail.” I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT!!! I’ve been over 13 months without a working smart phone. I need one that works from which ever company can send it to me.

    Reply

    • That is, perhaps, the worst story we’ve ever heard. The problem you have now is that according to new regulations, you are now stuck with your current service provider for 12 months.

      Reply
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