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.
- Visit our “States” page. (CLICK HERE)
- Click on the name of your state.
- We’ve listed all the “free” plans in one section and all the “discounted” plans in another.
- Click on each of the free companies listed to find the plan that fits your needs best.
- Use the contact information we’ve listed on each service provider’s page to enroll online or by phone.
- 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
Nunayo says
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.
Kasey Lee Frazier says
accessory wireless phone activated how do I activate it
Free Government Cell Phones says
Not sure what you’re asking, Kasey. We think maybe you mean “Access” instead of “Accessory,” but we’re not sure.
sacha mesteth says
need a new provider
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most Budget customers were automatically switched over to enTouch Wireless, Sachs. Were you not transferred?
Freddie says
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
Free Government Cell Phones says
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.
Frances says
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
Free Government Cell Phones says
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.
Katie Cossor says
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. 😠
Free Government Cell Phones says
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
N. L. Bryson says
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?
Free Government Cell Phones says
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.
Michele Carter says
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.
Free Government Cell Phones says
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.
fred says
not Maine
Free Government Cell Phones says
Budget announced that it is going out of business and its customers need to find new service providers. Here’s an article that tells you more:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/how-do-budget-wireless-customers-find-a-new-lifeline-phone-company
Patti says
There are no other providers in my state. What do I do? I can’t afford a phone bill and this has been !y lifeline to keep in touch with my grown children and grandkids. That all live in different states. I’m very concerned as i am still fighting for my disability and have absolutely exhausted all avenues of revenue.
Free Government Cell Phones says
What state do you live in, Patti. Far as we know, Montana is the only state unserved by any of the large free government cell phone companies.
Zeretta love says
How to get a free phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Click around this website, Zeretta. It tells you everything you need to know.