Think of Arizona and you think of natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest and those giant Saguaro cactus (or is it cacti?). Add in the sunshine and warm weather and the last thing you’d think of is poverty. But much to our surprise, the Census Bureau says Arizona has the 15th highest poverty level of all 50 states.
Dig these statistics: Fourteen is a key number because more than 14% of Arizona residents live below the official poverty level. And only 14 other states have poverty rates that are higher.
Let’s get specific: According to the U.S. Census Bureau just under 1,000,000 Arizonans live in households that earn less than the federal poverty level.
Please allow us to inject a note of hope into this grim discussion: The LifeLine and Affordable Connectivity Programs are available in Arizona and can be a huge help in allowing you to get in touch with potential employers.
Lifeline and ACP free government cell phone service providers in Arizona
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Arizona. 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.
- Access Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- EnTouch Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- Safelink Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Tag Mobile
- Terracom
- Truconnect
Lifeline Discount Companies in Arizona
If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, but you find that none of the companies 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 Arizona:
How to qualify for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Arizona
You are eligible for the government phone in Arizona if you receive benefits from any of these programs:
- 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 programsif they are still in effect:
- State Child Health Insurance Plan/KIDCARE
- Medicaid/AHCCCS
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. We’ve calculated those numbers and placed them in the following table for you:
| Income Based Eligibility for Arizona | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual income | |
| 1 member | $18,347 | |
| 2 members | $24,719 | |
| 3 members | $31,091 | |
| 4 members | $37,463 | |
| 5 members | $43,835 | |
| 6 members | $50,207 | |
| 7 members | $56,579 | |
| 8 members | $62,951 | |
| For each additional member add $6,372 annually | ||
How to qualify for an ACP free government phone and unlimited service in Arizona
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.
Check out the service providers. Check out the plans. Choose one. Enroll. Before you know if you’ll be talking, texting and using the internet on your free government smart phone.
Thanks to Lifeline and thanks to ACP.
Latest Government Cell Phone News for Arizona:
Star says
How come these phone are supposed to be free there some people who work at the stands charging for tablets and for upgrade phones like I thought these are FREE AND THEY ARE MAKING MONEY ON THE SIDE OFF PHONES WE SHOULD BE GETTING FOR FREE
Free Government Cell Phones says
There are a lot of fraudulent schemes out there, Star. That’s why we strongly urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events. Enroll by phone or online.
James Dionne says
What provider if any Actully offers truely unlimited data, if any? Or what is the un”limited” deal? My carrier claims unlimited but offers 0 data at 12.5. Which is only .5 over what they offered prior to the whole new unlimited fiasco.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Virtually every service provider’s “unlimited” plan includes a specified number of gigs at high speed plus truly unlimited internet at a slower, throttled down speed. You’ll need to check each service provider to find out what it offers in your area because deals vary geographically.
Sara says
How can I get a replacement phone for free?;.I tried to call the number provided but they were unable to find my account and when I tried to reapply online it says I already have one. I need a replacement phone as soon as possible please let me know what steps to take
Free Government Cell Phones says
Does your free government cell phone still work? If so, use it to call 6-1-1. That will connect you to your service provider’s customer service team. Maybe you can get a different answer from them. Some Lifeline companies will offer a free replacement phone as often as once per year, but others offer nothing.
If your provider won’t offer a free replacement phone, you are allowed to switch service providers at any time. Since yu will be a new customer for that company, they will give you a new phone for free. 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
Barbara Michaeline Macy says
I live very rural and have hard time finding place to get signal. Using satellite internet and laptop for all communications.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You are not alone, Barbara. It’s a common issue for lots of rural residents and there is no simple/inexpensive solution.
Petra Estrada says
How do I get a free government phone if I’m homeless?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We hate this question because we hate being the bearers of bad news. You have stumbled across one of the primary flaws in the free government cell phone program. You are ineligible for a free phone unless you have a street address. This means homeless people, perhaps the people who need the cell phones the most, cannot get them UNLESS they can get permanent residence in a shelter.
Joe Trap says
Wrong. I have a post office box which is a loophole because P.O. Boxes also have a street address. It arrived in the P.O. Box with no issue. Thanks Obama
Cat says
I have assurance now how do I switch to SafeLink
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’san 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
Luna Gomez says
I dont have a phone to call and i did the only aplication. but i havent heard from anyone. I am best to get ahold of on email. I want to go to a near by tent to get a phone. i live in tucson in 85706.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We strongly urge you not to enroll at a street event, Luna. They have been the scenes of too much identity fraud and abuse. Try enrolling online.
Sus says
Is there a way to go somewhere in person to apply for one of these cell phones (lifeline program)
Free Government Cell Phones says
No.
Jan says
I’ve been with Qlink Wireless for 4 years. when I signed I lived in Holbrook, AZ, but moved to Winslow soon thereafter (35 miles west of Holbrook), and changed my address on their website. Had not one single problem with the service. Today, 4 years later I get a message on my cell phone that my “service is restricted due to no coverage in my area”.
I called Qlink and was told that my zip code 86047 is for Dilkon, Az located on the reservation, therefore not covered, I tried to explain that 86047 is Winslow and that I’ve been on Qlink lifeline service for the last 4 years at this same address.He said, sorry, he can only go by what his system tells him.
This is what I found out;
My zip code 86047 is for Winslow, Az. It is also the zip code for Dilkon, Az, located on the reservation. Assurance, Access and Qlink wireless will not allow my zip code on their lifeline program because their system says I’m located on reservation land. I tried to explain that Winslow is also 86047 and not on reservation land, that if he would check he’d see that Winslow is in a direct line between Holbrook 86025 and Flagstaff 86001, which both zip codes are accepted for the lifeline service.
I talked to a supervisor at Assurance, who basically called me a liar, refusing to check my zip code out, instead chose to lecture me on how lying will only expel me from all lifeline services, I was so mad that I hung up on him.
What can I do about this, those are the only 3 services for Northern Arizona.
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s a strange one that we’ve never heard before, Jan. Really strange. There must be other people in your zip code who are customers of the Lifeline free government cell phone plan. We’d suggest that you get in touch with USAC.org, the company that governs the free government cell phone plan. It will take some clicking around the site to find the right area, but they offer help in situations like this. Don’t give up. USAC may be your only hope.
Jan says
I know it is very strange, and there are a lot of people in my small town who has gone thru the same thing. Some were accepted some were not, just owing what town comes up when qlink/lifeline verifies the address.
Another strange thing that happened is, I received another text that said “you have zero minutes and your service has been restricted. To make a payment call *3, to review your plan call *2”, so I called
*2 and got T-mobile/Sprint operator who finally advised me they have no record of my number.
Well duh! I called Qlink today, and was told when I ordered a new phone this last January, I put in a shipping address that is out of our service area. I told her that’s the same address that’s been on my profile for the last 4-5 years. I explained the two different towns with the same zip code, she said, “then apparently when lifeline did a recent system check, the last address you gave us showed up
out of our service area, which threw up a red flag and they cancelled your service” She said “in order to retain service you need to re-apply with qlink, BUT… make sure your address is within our service area or your application may be denied”.
Wow!! Four and a half years and all is fine, I pay $25. for a new phone shipped to the same address that’s on my profile, activated that phone on the qlink website with no problem, than 8 months later lifeline decides I’m out of their service area. Wow, don’t ya just love these government plans?!?!
I have checked other sites, There are 3 that has my area, and they all return my zip code being Dilkon, AZ 86047 on the reservation, non came back as Winslow AZ 86047. I did send an email to USAC, haven’t heard anything back.
So I guess I’ll do what the other have done who were denied service. I’ll move in with my sister in Holbrook, that IS within their service area and re-apply. Problem solved!
Thanks for being as baffled as I am, wish me luck.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Good luck, Jan. We’d love to hear further developments in this strange story.
jack s gallant says
can my friend in downtown pheonix get a free phone ,he has super low no income.
where does he go thank you jack
Free Government Cell Phones says
We provide all the contact info he’ll need for each of the service providers in your state. Just click on the service provider and you’ll be taken to its specific page which shows all its plans and it’s contact info. He can enroll online or by phone.
Jose says
How to get a cellphone
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s what this website is all about, Jose. Check out all the companies and plans on this page, find the plan that fits your needs best, then enroll online or by phone with that company. We provide all the contact info you need.
shannon LEE CHARLTON says
I live in ARIZONA & HAVE A permanent address .
Free Government Cell Phones says
And…?
christopher smith says
Where can i find a location in arizona that has the phones?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We strongly urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events. They have been the scenes of far too much fraud and abuse.
SHANNON LEE CHARLTON says
I’M trying to get a free government cell phone but all I’m having is problems getting one .I’m qualified for one but can’t seem to get anywhere .I need some help to sign up for one .
Free Government Cell Phones says
Explain what the problem is, Shannon. What have they told you?
Leann Villeneuve says
I live in California but will be in az for a couple months. Can I sign up and have my phone shipped to az?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No. The phone must be sent to your permanent home address.
Debbie Ohl says
Where in Peoria arizona, can I take my phone in to get fixed??? Something happened to my phone and keeps asking for privacy protection password that I don’t have and my phone got shut off because of not being able to unlock phone. I have american assistance. I have pictures in phone I don’t want to lose.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team ASAP.
Marie Brewer says
I have an my mail on hold from previous address and my family & I no longer live there can I get a phone still or would the street vendors be a better choice
Free Government Cell Phones says
The street vendors are NEVER a good choice, Marie. Too much fraud and abuse originates in those tents. However, you cannot get a phone at your old address. Why wouldn’t you just enroll using your current address?
Kellogg says
Is there anyway you can post a memo on locations to obtain an goverment issued phone, ex. DES, churchs, events, etc. Would save travel time. Thank you😊
Free Government Cell Phones says
We no longer recommend enrolling at street events, Kellogg. They have been the scenes of far too much fraud and abuse. We strongly urge you to enroll online or by phone to keep yourself far safer.
Phone user says
The website response is ridiculous and unacceptable. Where a poor can get a second phone or internet connection? I had a miracle got telephone, had replacement, and this worthless junk is beyond civilized language. There is infinitely more to it.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry to hear about your problems, User. Keep trying.
Gerald says
I think the program is a rip off I worked 32 years for Quaker oats Co I worked till was 71years old had to quit I draw socal security and my wife dose also I have a retirement penson from Quakers my total yearly income exceeds your limit but I don’t qualify but some people that don’t work and don’t want to do
Melissa says
I’ve done the whole online application it will not accept my physical address. I live in elfrida Arizona and only have PO box for mailing. It says not USPS address e en when I put physical address.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your chosen service provider’s customer service team to figure out if there’s a way around your predicament. For what it’s worth, you are not alone. Thousands of other wannabe applicants run into the same problem.
Wee lady says
I can usually get around this by listing my PO as a unit etc, but I have the same problem with qlink. Am going to try the po address with my box number to see if that works.
BarbiB. says
Are there any Briggs and Mortar facilities to obtain the gov’t phone? If not,…would you happen to know what happened to Assurance Wireless corner tent setups? Whereas a potential recipeint could apply to an actual person and the phones are readily kept at these tent sites? In Phoenix or Glendale, Arizona?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We strongly urge you NOT to enroll at street events, Barbi. They have been the scene of far too much fraud and abuse. Enroll online or by phone instead.
Shawnna M Lawrence says
I just want to say that I love your responses to theses comments that you so kindly take from these dimwits. Yes, most of you are morons, and you prove that in all the boxes below. I am looking for one, intelligent comment or question and I have yet to see one. However, this is not a complaint. This is pure hysterical entertainment. Great reads! And bless you freegovernmentcellphones.net for all of the wonderful and useful information you provide about this lifeline program.
I would like to give a shout out to Safelink wireless, for being the most awful company in the world. I hope your village in India catches fire! -If you leave that part out, I understand.
No name says
Ms. Lawrence: I totally agree with your message. Safelink is the worst company to deal with. I had to deal with the Phillipines and those people are worst. They had illegally terminated my phone service with false allegations, claiming that I had never filled out ten pages of recertification, when I had mailed, faxed, etc, on 6 different occasions. Ten pages each time. They played games and joked about it with me on the phone. I had filed a complaint with the FCC and it went down the drain. What a waste.
Janet says
I have so much trouble with recertificaton with Safelink. Is there a recomendation for a better provider in Phoenix Arizona?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s impossible for us to recommend any one service provider because there are literally thousands of different variables.
LAYNE says
I live in Parker, AZ. I’m inquiring about a free government cell phone for my elderly Father who now lives in Lake Havasu City, AZ at a nursing facility due to Dementia.
He is on AZ Long term care.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not a Lifeline free government cell phone service provider, Layne. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact the companies listed on this page in order to enroll.
Gloria White says
I am inquiring about persons who are homebound and unable to go to your outlets to apply for phones. How can they get someone to process their application at their homes, or do you even provide this service for disabled persons?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You don’t need to take your friends (or clients or whatever your relationship is) anywhere. You can enroll by phone or online, Gloria. Just check out all the service providers on this page to find the plan that fits their needs best, then enroll with that company.
Robert Berger says
Who o I contact if my phone is not working?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Your service provider. Assuming that you live in Arizona since you left this comment on our Arizona page, you can click on your service provider’s listing on this page. That will take you to that provider’s page where you will find the contact info you need.
Julie K. Pavlich says
I need to be contacted about a free government cell phone the number to temporarily reach me at is 602-622-****. thank you
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s not how it works, Julie. You need to check out all the service providers listed in the article on this page and enroll with one of them. We provide all the contact info you’ll need.
Public Citizen says
I am using public computers and my time is very limited. I have one ancient laptop at home, which is not connected and all corrupted, but I copy lots of text from the Internet, including your website, and would read later. I do not use email any longer due to pathological spam and nazi spying. More over, no one ever mentioned that these days it is impossible to open email account without telephone. If everyone had telephones and/or were physically able to use it, than how would those lifeline companies would stay in business?
Although I did not read all of your website, I spent quote a bit of time here and noticed many different things:
You are sounding really nice and helpful, but extremely deceiving, incomplete and questionable. You even went as far is to block your own contact form and suggest to use most deplorable facebook, which essentially gives you away. I do not even shake hands with anyone who is potentially capable to use such atrocity like anti-social networks, less I would ever use them.
Budget Mobile, for example, belongs to a band of criminal thieves, T-Mobile, and to imply that FCC is a good place to complain is a spit into everyone’s face. Neither FCC (or any other governmental agency) nor any of the con artists posing as telecommunication companies ever respond to anything.
The program is paid by the government, which means fraud by default. How dumb anyone could be not to understand it? The Government pays the companies, they take money and the last thing they would ever do is to provide service. Is that too difficult to understand? The same, without a doubt, would be with free internet, which I predicted 20 years ago. The free part is only and exclusively about spying and in no event for anyone’s convenience. But that only a tip of the iceberg and I came here by accident due to a special event (while not commenting on 100 others)…
A year ago I got free phone from Assurance Wireless and was assured a by tent-employee that it comes with manual. She lied of course and I told her that I don’t know how to use many of those blatantly alien functions (with 3 diplomas, one of which is in radio electronics, but that was at time of dinosaurs). She also lied that it takes 10 minutes to physically stand on Phoenix’s sun, but it took her over an hour because she could not activate the junk and called twice to Philippines blaming them for not speaking good English. Technically speaking, it is torture because I should not stand (no chairs there) for an hour.
I kept my phone permanently off and I never talked to anyone live, only turning it on once in 2-3 weeks calling to automated service to keep it alive. Their rude rep hang up on me. No, manuals online do not exist in readable, human format and I do not have teenagers at home to ask. Free phones come with tiniest, invisible start-up guide totally unsuitable for humans and list only the basic, most important functions. Do YOU know which ones, at least by Budget Mobile? It is how to play games and how to download music. The cretins promptly forgot about elderly, disabled, poor and their phony “lifeline” term and concentrated on spying.
Recently I came across two black men in that tent and asked about one phone function. He did explain, but as soon as another one saw an old white man (me) talking, he started rudely interrupting me. When I wanted to ask another question, the rude bastard kept interrupting me by talking to his pal so I took my phone back not knowing that the first one put up some 9-circle puzzle in front of it completely preventing me from accessing it, even calling 611. Given that I live alone and there are no public telephones exist anymore, I cannot call the company, cannot contact it by email, which I do not use and will never prove that this scum of the earth deliberately did it demonstrating their hatred to whites (as the case on every corner anyway). This Assurance does not have physical stores, the most disgusting employees imaginable do not wear name tags, they are migrating from one corner to another at random and such despicable anti-business attitude should not exist in a first place, but it does (our Governor is a former AZ Corporation Commissioner, the place, which – of course – never responds to anything). Fortunately, I do not have any personal info on the phone, otherwise this is yet another example how one’s life could be instantly destroyed by PURELY SATANIC electronics every last one of you peddling so vehemently down into everyone’s throats…
Free Government Cell Phones says
Far be it from us to make any assumptions, Public, but you seem dissatisfied not just with your phone, but with life in general. There’s not much we can do to help other than to allow you to air your grievances.
Senior Advocate says
Wow.. that sums up your customer service?? How about misleading all these hearing and visually challenged folks who are begging for assistance with technology!! People..Please go to local chapters of sight and hearing centers for assistance. NOT lured by the words FREE by these pathetic vultures
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, this sums up our customer service: WE DON’T HAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE. This is an independent informational website NOT affiliated with any free government cell phone company.
But we do congratulate you on the use of the term “pathetic vultures.” We think it’s the best insult we’ve ever been given.
Patricia barnes says
I have an lg phone but need service. Can I get service to existing phone or must I get new phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Since we are not your service provider, we cannot speak for it, Patricia. But odds are that they will charge you a small fee for a replacement phone.