When most people think of Connecticut, they think of ocean front homes occupied by wealthy Wall Street commuters and deep-pocketed insurance executives. It may be the last place in the United States you’d foresee a need for a program like Lifeline.
But the simple fact is, there are more than 300,000 residents of the Constitution State who qualify for free cell phones from the government. Shocking. 300,000 people in one of our wealthiest states.
Like many states, Connecticut has spent too much and brought in too little. The governor and state legislature are now cutting back and the only solutions are to cut all government employee salaries or to lay off some state employees so the rest can maintain their current salaries.
In other words, the situation is going to be worse before it gets better and even more people will soon be eligible for the LifeLine and ACP programs.
Lifeline and ACP free government cell phone service providers in Connecticut
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Connecticut. 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 Connecticut
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 Connecticut:
How to qualify for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Connecticut
You may qualify for the free cell phone if you receive benefits from any of the following 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 programs, until the new federal laws make them ineligible win 2017:
- Care for Kids
- Connecticut Energy Assistance Program
- CONNPACE
- Contingency Heating Assistance Program
- Personal Care Assistance
- Refugee Program
- Rental Assistance
- State Administered General Assistance
- State Supplement to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See chart below, which are already calculated to the 135% levels:
| Income Based Eligibility for Connecticut | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 Connecticut
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.
The American economy (and the world’s, for that matter) is falling off a cliff. Huge corporate layoffs are increasing, inflation is rearing its ugly head, and times are tough. So why wait any longer. If you qualify, click around FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net and find a free government cell phone/ACP plan that fits your needs best. Enroll today.
Latest Lifeline and ACP News for Connecticut:
If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.
CHRISTOPHER BURNEY says
I’ve been approved by the national verifier and have enrolled ito SafeLink. I’m a Tech oriented kinda guy but on a flip phone budget. I’m in New Haven, CT. Do you know what phones SafeLink is giving?…Or can you point me in the direction of a provider that’s giving up the highest quality phone. Personally I’m a Samsung guy, but and nice phone will do..thank you in advance
Free Government Cell Phones says
The question comes up every once in a while. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what make and model of phone you receive. Service providers buy phones in bulk, but you may get one make and model, while the person immediately before you gets a different make and model, and the person after you may get a third make and model.
Linda Gryskiewicz says
Can my stepson get a phone if he is going in a rehab program?
Free Government Cell Phones says
If he meets one of the qualifying requirements, it does not matter where he lives.
James Hennegan says
This is so complicated and frustrating. Damaged phone is being replaced. Was on telephone with person guiding me through this process. He approved and it is in the mail. He asked that I send back via UPS the damaged phone. He sent email with forms for return. It has tracking #, ticket #, etc. etc. Form says “FREE Standard UPS shipping:, but form does NOT have a bar-code, etc. AFTER THREE trips to UPS outlets (all 20 miles out of town – GRRR), no way to return. So I go back to your website hopefully to find that phone number so I can get this straightened out, BUT CANNOT find that phone number of the website. Website is an endless rabbit hole that I have spent the last hour searching for that phone number with no luck. I need to speak with a live human person so badly. Please help. Need a phone number. Jim
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you tried to make contact via your service provider’s website?
rose laviero says
need free flip phone and service
Free Government Cell Phones says
Everyone now offers smart phones, not old fashioned flip phones, Rose. We doubt that you could find a service provider who still offers flip phones.
Peggy Dolan says
I want to apply for free cell phone service in Connecticut I have Husky and EBT card in Connecticut
Free Government Cell Phones says
All the plans in Connecticut are listed right here on this page, Peggy. Check each of them carefully to find the plan that fits your needs best, then use the contact info we provide to enroll with that company’s customer service team.
Priscilla Garten says
I live in Hartford CT
Many times I have seen live people “Getting people to sign up. Do you know their location? I would prefer to use a face to face person
Free Government Cell Phones says
Don’t do it, Priscilla. Street events have been the scenes of far too much fraud and abuse. You are much safer enrolling online or by phone.
Patty morris says
I had SafeLink for awhile.The service was horrible .I wrote complaints to everyone .Their main office in Florida and the BBB..I switched to Assurance which was a good improvement .The problem here is the China made phones are no good ..The phone freezes.Cannot use it .I have to reboot it all the time .frustrating .If I was not sick and could work I would never have this free service .not worth the hell it has put me thru
Virginia Irwin says
I need a cell phone. I can not afford Tracfone any longer. Their replacement phone is no good.
Can you help?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Any of the companies listed on this page can help. Click around and find the plan that fits your needs best, then enroll with that company.
Ken S. says
BIG QUESTION: I already have qualified for Lifeline service (and presently have it on my landline in CT with Frontier Communications.) I am planning on switching to Safelink. My question is about phones. I hear the free ones are not as reliable. I have read all the details on this web-site, and looked at reviews on phones, and want a reliable one, so am hoping to *buy* a Samsung Galaxy J3 Orbit, which is locked on the Verizon network. It looks like Safelink uses the Verizon network in CT. Safelink is selling these phones for $99 (with free shipping). But, I noticed that Amazon is selling the exact same model (for the Tracfone network, which I understand is the parent co. of Safelink) at about half that price.
HERE IS THE BIG QUESTION: If I buy this phone from Amazon for the Tracfone network, will I then be able to use it with Safelink, once I switch to that service?
Many thanks for any help on this!
Free Government Cell Phones says
Impossible for us to answer that question, Ken. Try contacting Safelink customer service.
Carlos says
Can two elderly people get a phone if they qualified in the same household in CT
Free Government Cell Phones says
If the two elderly people are married, they cannot get two phones. But they can get them if they can prove that they are independent (from each other) and both contribute to the household’s expenses.
EDWARD VETRE SR. says
I DO NOT HAVE A PRINTER AND CANNOT GET AN APLICATION ON THE INTERNET. IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY I COULD GET AN APLICATION? I AM ON STATE AID DISABLED AND EIGHTY SIX YEARS OLD. MY EMAIL IS **********@ATT.NET .THANK YOU
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you tried calling your chosen service provider’s customer service team, Edward? If not, that should be your next course of action.
Maria says
How do i get a replacement phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Read this article, Maria:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
David says
I need a phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
Apply for a phone.
Asad Ali says
Hello mr/ms. I hope you have a fantastic day. I need a cell phone for my mom because she doesn’t have a cell phone and she needs it. Thank you.
I hope you response me back.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re unable to respond to emails due to the sheer volume of questions and comments we receive every day, so we hope you get this response, Asad.
You’re on the right page to find the info you need. Check out each of these companies and plans very carefully to find the one that is the best fit for your mom (most minutes, most texts, most data, etc).
Gail Winters says
*******@bmailcom i am disabled since birth Blind
Free Government Cell Phones says
We hope you have some way to receive this response, Gail. We cannot help you because we are not a low-income internet service provider. Alas, we are merely the nation’s leading experts on the subject of free government cell phones. You need to contact a service provider directly.
And if you have some way of reading or having things read to you, here’s an article you should check out. It covers the subject of vision/hearing/speech-impaired policies of all the leading Lifeline companies:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/government-cell-phones-hearing-vision-speech-impaired
Joan says
My brother was approached by someone holding a tablet and offering free cell phone with 500 mins. a month. All he had to do was give his legal address and show his food stamp card. They put this info into the tablet and told him to expect his phone in 3 days. No phone yet. Is this a scam? What can they do with his legal address and food stamp ID #?
Free Government Cell Phones says
This is why we do not recommend signing up for the program from street vendors. There have been too many cases of fraud. Do you remember which company you signed up with? If so, call its customer service team to discuss your problem. We’re not saying it was fraud, but you should find out if it was legit as soon as possible.
We can’t say what a criminal is capable of doing with your address and food stamp ID because we’re not criminals and our minds don’t work that way.
http://www.garygrimmsellshouses.com/ says
so we are a victim of a fraud too, My cousin(blind since birth) was approached yesterday by 2 ladies asking for my cousin’s info… I remember reading the same post. My mistake..
Free Government Cell Phones says
We hope other folks read the same article and comments and heed the warning.
DORIS AQUINO says
how do i get a free phone.? your website is NOT user friendly. i keep going back to the same page. i have food stamps and my unemployment is $95.00 a week. please send me the exact link.
Thank you
aquinodoris@*******.com
Free Government Cell Phones says
For god’s sake, Doris, we couldn’t make it any simpler if we were there in person to hold your hand and click the links for you. But let us try.
Click on the “States” link at the top of this page. Then scroll down and click on your state. That will give you a complete list of every free government cell phone company. Click through those companies to find the plan that’s best for you. Each listing has phone and Internet information for that company.
Hope this makes the process more user friendly for you.
Jason Malinowski says
I want to find out if im eligible for another phone having previously lost my other one
Free Government Cell Phones says
The law says that your free government cell phone account will be suspended if the phone is not used for 60 days.
Jane says
How do I get a phone disconnected if somebody is using it fraudulently
John keklik says
I want to find out if my wife has a state issued cell phone
Stanslaw Kowauskas says
I was denied a phone from safelink because I have no proof of income. I have been unemployed for 3 years in Connecticut, have no income and have not filed a tax return for the past 2 years. I am currently not enrolled in any of the government or state assistance programs. Safelink will not give me a phone without a copy of a recent tax return, pay stub or some kind of proof of income. How do I get a phone?
Katherine Soltani-Tabrizy says
I currently receive Medicaid, food stamps Husky Insurance and am interested in a free cell phone.
debbie vincenzo says
Trying to see if I qualify for free refurbished phone..I am on state help disability and food stamps..
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
The the page above and you’ll see that food stamps qualifies you. Disability does not.
Ashleigh says
I’ve had a government phone for awhile and I haven’t gotten my minutes this month on my phone and don’t know why.. Could you help me out?
Nagham Alkhazaali says
Need a phone our income is 450$ per two week for 5 person
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Of course you qualify by income, that’s low for a family of five.
Penny says
my client is blind would he be able to get a phone from safe link or assurance in Ct.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Penny, click through to Safelink or Assurance information, via the links in the article above.
Heather says
Looking in to finding out at phone plan. I’m currently on and have been on renters assistance.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Rental Assistance is a qualification for getting a phone in Connecticut.
Marcy says
I apologize as this will be 2 desperate questions about 2 different programs….I have seen online that some states and some private organizations help low income families by giving free laptops for students or for home/personal use…where would I begin to search for such a program in my area? I live in Connecticut.
2. I have assurance wireless and my friend has safelink….my brother gave me his old iPhone (she has obtained a droid razr) we cannot afford to activate these phones….do any of the providers offer an upgrade program using a different phone other than the one they provide you? E.g. Would it be possible to activate an iPhone or droid using the free government programs? Or maybe Ben upgrade to a more modern phone with qwerty keyboard etc? Thank you
Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Question 1: http://www.cheapinternet.com
Question 2: You’d really need to ask each phone supplier in your state to know for sure.
Doreen S. says
I am a conservatory of my brother who has mental health issues and someone stole his phone… what do I need to do to help him get another one…he’s not good with other phones.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You have to contact the provider who gave you the phone.
Sergeev Anatoly says
I lost my phone last month. My income for two person is $1080.00.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact the company you got the phone from and ask for another one. They may charge you.
torrian says
Need a phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’ve come to the right place.
Candy Shapiro says
We would like to buy a new phone for a person who is on the free program. Can they have a new phone and are there any restrictions. It is a thank you for all she is doing to help my mom who is in hospice.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes. They are all stated above in the article.
Marianne Kight says
I am trying to enroll in getting a free cell phone, as I see I do qualify as I am on Medicaid and Snap, food program, but I do not see a link to actually sign up for this Thank-You
Free Government Cell Phones says
Click on any of the companies in the list on the page above.
Joseph D. Costello says
I am poor. Also a Desert Storm Disabled Veteran. I receive Food Stamps and I would like to apply for a Free Cellphone. Please show me companies that participtate for Connecticut.