As Alaska residents know, their state is unlike the rest of the United States in a lot of ways.
For example, the cost of living is so high that it takes approximately 25% more income to rise above the poverty level here than anywhere else in the country. As a result, poverty statistics can be very misleading.
In reality, Alaska has more people who qualify for free government cell phones than the stats might indicate. Despite the glut of oil money pouring into Alaska, fully 10% of the state’s residents fall below the poverty line.
The poverty is concentrated on the state’s rural west coast and the Yukon-Koyukuk areas, but it also can be found in the state’s largest cities, too. (As you might expect poverty levels are very low in the North Shore oil producing areas.)
Our position is simple: If you need a free government cell phone but can’t afford one, it shouldn’t matter what part of the state you call home.
Lifeline and ACP free government cell phone service providers in Alaska
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Alaska. They all offer different plans with different numbers of minutes, different refill options, and serve different geographic areas. So click through them all and find the plan that’s best for you.
Lifeline Discount Companies in Alaska
If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, but you find that none of the companies above offer free government cell phones where you live, you have another option. The companies below, while not offering free cell phone plans, do offer substantial Lifeline discounts off their regular mobile phone plans in Alaska. Alaska’s free programs offer a sweet deal with unlimited talk and text, but if you just can get it in your location, try the companies below:
How to qualify for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Alaska
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Alaska:
- 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)
Plus, you may be eligible under these state programs:
- Alaska Temporary Assistance Program
- Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
- Adult Public Assistance (which includes aid to the aged, blind and disabled)
- BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) General Assistance
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Head Start (meeting qualifying income standards)
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch program
- Denali KidCare
- WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children Care Program)
- Pioneer Home Payment Assistance
- Alaska State Housing Corporation Programs
- Public Housing
- Interest Rate Reduction for Low Income Borrowers
- Home Investment Partnership
- Low Incumbent Housing Tax Credit Program
- State of Alaska Heating Assistance Program
- Veterans Administration Disability Pension
- Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund
- State of Alaska Senior Benefits Program
- Childcare Assistance Program, Pass I, II and III
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for Alaska, which we’ve calculated for you in the table below:
| Income Based Eligibility for Alaska | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual income | |
| 1 member | $22,973 | |
| 2 members | $30,902 | |
| 3 members | $38,867 | |
| 4 members | $46,832 | |
| 5 members | $54,797 | |
| 6 members | $62,762 | |
| 7 members | $70,727 | |
| 8 members | $78,692 | |
| For each additional member add $7,965 annually | ||
How to qualify for an ACP free government phone and unlimited service in Alaska
It’s even easier to qualify for ACP service than it is to qualify for Lifeline service. The USAC website spells it all out:
Consumers qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through participation in Lifeline or a Lifeline-qualifying program, having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, through participation in ACP-qualifying programs, such as the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program (including the Community Eligibility Provision), WIC, through award of a federal Pell Grant, or through participation in a participating service provider’s existing low-income program.
As they say in those TV informercials, “Call now. Operators are standing by.” Before you know if you’ll be talking, texting and using the internet on your free government smart phone.
Latest Government Cell Phone News for Alaska:
T says
Gci been charging us for a closed and deceased account. They have 1000 excuses for their fraud. They will steal any money they can and pass out bonus to the deceivers. I report and the only person to pay will be the consumer… sad unhonest people.
Debra J.Santoro says
I will be 60 years old in September of this year. I will also need Medicaid because I just moved from Alabama back to my original place of home is Alaska I am now presently living with my son and I need Medicaid assistance food assistance doctors assistance. Can I talk to can I talk to someone in Medicaid division my number is 907-244-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is no “Medicaid division,” Debra. You need to check out the plans available in Alaska and then call the companies that sound like they might work for you. Here’s where you can find all those Alaska service providers:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states