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Illinois: Free government cell phones & Internet from Lifeline and ACP

On one hand, Illinois is an economic powerhouse, On the other hand, the state is in dire financial condition despite its size. For too many years, the Land of Lincoln has spent far beyond its means which has caused even greater problems for its residents as the national economy has slowed.

The state has attempted to solve its budget deficit by raising corporate taxes, which has caused companies to leave the state, making the unemployment situation even worse.

Luckily, the Lifeline phone service program is here to help the unemployed and other financially disadvantaged people to get a free cell phone from the government. When you have a free cell phone and free minutes, it makes it a lot easier to contact prospective employers and land the job you need.

Lifeline and ACP free government cell phone service providers in Illinois

Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Illinois. They all offer different plans with different numbers of minutes, different refill options, and serve different geographic areas. The plans also include internet. So click through them all and find the plan that’s best for you.

Lifeline Discount Companies in Illinois

If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, but since California is such a big state, you may find that none of the companies offer free government cell phones where you live. But no need to despair, since 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 Illinois:

How to qualify for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Illinois

You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Illinois:

  • 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)

You may also qualify in Illinois if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See our handy chart below that shows those levels at the 135% rate already calculated for you:

Income Based Eligibility for Illinois
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 Illinois

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.

What are you waiting for? Choose your favorite service provider and favorite plan and the future is, well, almost unlimited.

Latest News for Illinois:

Companies dropping out: Trouble in the free government cell phone program? - Two of the top 20 LifeLine Assistance free government cell phone companies have now dropped out of the business. And two others have merged into a single company.

If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.

Comments

  2. Debra D. says

    I have my new cell phone and have had nothing but problems trying to make calls, text or use my data (streaming). My phone is T-Mobile and I am covered by Assurance. My problem is I am very hard of hearing so calling the customer service number is out of the question because the customer service is either in the country of India or Pakistan and I have an extremely hard time understanding anyone with an accent, someone who talks soft, or fast or has some form of weird voice. I have been trying to figure out what was wrong with my phone and found out through another cell phone service provider (US cellular) that my phone is not unlocked so therefore I CANNOT GET SERVICE IN MY AREA. I live in rural area (very small town away from city) and only service they get here is US cellular. What do I do now? This is the phone that I was sent through Assurance (the T-Mobile phone with service through T-Mobile) and this service does not work in my area as I said I need US Cellular for service in my area. I am very disabled, an elderly lady who lives alone with no family in the state of Illinois so I need a working cellular site so I can make calls to take me to doctors office, shopping and so forth (daily living needs). I really need my phone unlocked but only had it since March 2022 but like I said this is the phone they sent me through Assurance. Please help.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      U.S. Cellular partners with Verizon (and uses its network) in many parts of the country. Find a Lifeline provider that uses the Verizon network and enroll with them. That should solve your problem. But you should also get a friend to help you through the enrollment process just to avoid any hearing problems. Good luck, Debra.

    • Henry says

      U.S. Cellular offers Lifeline service, but there is a monthly charge involved. See their website for details. Assurance sent you a phone that uses the T-Mobile network. The SIM card provided is also tied to a specific network. Even if you got the phone unlocked, you would still need another SIM card from another provider such as US Cellular, but they do not offer free Lifeline service. Safelink which is operated by Tracfone was recently taken over by Verizon, so you may want to look into signing up with Safelink.
      Or you can sign up with US Cellular Lifeline with their offer.

      LIFELINE: POSTPAID NON-TRIBAL
      Nationwide Unlimited Voice, Messaging and 20GB Data
      Voice Mail, Call Waiting, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Three-Way Calling
      $34.25 per month. (additional savings if you sign up with ACP program).

  3. Free Government Cell Phones says

    We doubt that you will find any service providers that still offer the old-style flip phones, Leonard. However, virtually all free government cell phone service providers offer BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) plans. That would allow you to purchase a flip phone from some other source (eBay, Amazon, Walmart, etc) and use it as your free government cell phone. PLEASE NOTE: Before you purchase any phone, make sure that the phone you want is compatible with the network used by the services provider. Speak to customer service to confirm IN ADVANCE that the phone you want to purchase will work with the service provider’s network.

  4. Jamie Lynn Poshard says

    I qualify. I’m disabled I have tried to use Qlink and Assurance. Qlink sent new sims cards but I can’t get my phone unlocked until March. Assurance can’t get me a phone because of the shipping problems, & will not offer me a different phone. I live in BFE (New Haven, Illinois) where cell phone service is hit and miss. I really need to get a phone that will work in my area asap. I can no longer afford to put minutes on my ST phone.

  5. Robin E Bowersock says

    I am moving to Illinois and it is way out in the country I need to know if the area will be covered the address is 18756 dabs North Road Jerseyville Illinois 26052

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Are you already enrolled with a free government cell phone plan? If so, contact that company’s customer service team by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. They should be able to tell you. Are you moving from one area of Illinois to a new area or from another state? If you are moving from another state, your phone may work for a while, but you will need to enroll with a new provider ASAP.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You have two choices: Either borrow someone else’s phone or enroll online.

  7. Joseph Reed says

    Hello, I need assistance in getting help with a phone. My counselor tried and gave me this link, I do qualify. Any help would be great, thank you.

  8. Barbara Johnson says

    I live in Illinois and qualify for a free government phone because I receive Link.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Find the plan on this page that fits your needs best, then enroll with that company using the contact info we provide for each service provider.

  9. Kendra says

    I read that one of the three cell phone companies also had hotspot which company is that?

  10. Ricky Collins says

    So how or who has the best service or coverage for my area with the area code 618 or where can I find coverage maps to see for myself please and thank you for your time and help

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Each company has their own coverage maps, Ricky. But it’s impossible for us to answer your question because there are so many variables. The best company for the guy who lives across the street may not work out as well for you on your side of the street.

  11. Scott Logue says

    I am currently a customer of SafeLink make at least one call a month but when I tried calling today it says it’s not active

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      No way for us to know what the problem is, Scott, because it could be a thousand different things. You need to contact Safelink customer service to find out what the issue is.

  12. Helen McCoy says

    My husband passed away in january, which was big a income assistance to me, I can no longer handle all the bill by no means, I’m trying to find a way, I’m on meal on wheels,
    I’m 68 years old, I’ve been receiving SSA disability from the age of fifty, I live alone,I have one child, living afar and unable to assist. unemployed status. I can no longer pay a phone bill, with otherbills, like home mort. other utilities, etc, etc,etc, and being disable
    needing the emergency assist when or if,

    Helen McCoy
    (708) 547-****

  13. christina A Ochoa says

    THis miss christina Ochoa I order a phone from you Right now I live at (deleted). my other family home is at (deleted). there was something wrong with the phone and phone number that your company sent me about 5 years ago i would need a new one thanks. or i tried doing a new application.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We are not your service provider, Christina. We are no one’s service provider. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team.

  14. mayra casasola says

    why i have to pay almost 60.00 dollars to change a phone that is not working i,m retire i don;t have the money to pay i only have what i received from social security that is only 1,000.00 a month

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Unfortunately, Mayra, it’s the free government cell phone (singular) program, not the free government cell phones (plural) program. The program requires the companies to offer customers one free phone, but not replacement phones.

  15. Marge Arnold says

    I’m in FL and my 72 year old cousin is in Springfield. She’s dealing with her mom’s estate, the return of her cancer and she lives alone. She is overwhelmed and struggling right now and has no cell phone which worries me in case she should fall, be out in the car going to treatments and it breaks down, etc. If I apply for her, since the stress is affecting her ability to think clearly, what information do I need to get from her and what questions am I likely to be asked, so I am prepared to answer them? Also, what questions should I be asking ?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It is illegal for you to enroll for her, Marge. If you are sitting next to hear she can probably tell the agent that she’s turning the phone over to you and we assume that would be acceptable. But you cannot apply for her.

  16. Kathy says

    I applied through Truconnect.com for my dad who lives in an Independent Living Facility. They sent email saying not approved 3X. 1st denial- birthdates didnt match. 2nd denial- picture of doc not clear. 3rd reason for denial-was because someone with dad’s address had a phone. Seems odd that a senior with limited income can’t get a free phone service through the gov. because someone else in his facility has one! IS THERE A PROGRAM OUT THERE THAT TRUELY CAN HELP? Ex

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Sorry to hear about your problems, Kathy. Have all your attempts been with TruConnect? Have you spoken to its customer service team? That’s what we’d suggest. It is true that there is a “one per household” limit, but the service providers are required to make exceptions for residents of group homes like your dad. Speak to customer service and explain his living situation. You might also want to enroll with one of the other companies listed on this page.

  17. Dorene Jackson says

    i applied for a free government phone and service with safelink wireless and they told me Illinois no longer offer government phone. I would have to buy a phone or bring one that’s compatible. I cancel my service with Assurance Wireless because they kept sending me the defected phone that would not work properly for more than 6 months. And they told me i would have to buy another phone or wait until the year expiration.I have been submitting documents and usac question with safelink just to be told that. Is it true? That Illinois no longer offer government cell phones?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Have you checked the Safelink website? Here’s the information it provides for residents of Illinois:

      _________

      Let’s talk about handsets

      If you qualify, you have the following option/s to choose from.

      What kind of phone would you like to use once you are qualified for the discount?

      • Get a free phone on Walmart Family Mobile or pick a new smartphone from the list of latest devices.
      Walmart Family Mobile offers no-contract plans and the latest phone models at affordable prices. Apply your monthly discount and get an unlimited plan on the T-Mobile network starting at $14.88/month.

      • I Want to Keep My Own Smartphone (Receive a Free SIM Card*)

      __________

      In other words, there’s a conflict between what you were told and what the website says.If we were you we’d call in again.

  18. Ebonie Thomas says

    I am in dire need of a cell phone. I am not currently working due to the fact that I do not have a cell phone. In orer to interview or keep a permanent position, cell phone access is essential. Please contact me via email ********@gmail.com

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We cannot contact you individually due to the sheer number of comments and questions we receive every day, Ebonie. But you can contact any of the companies list on this page in order to enroll in the free government cell phone program.

  19. Ricky Glover says

    I applied for government services online but did not receive a response. I do not understand how to apply for a phone. I did everything I can and provided all of my personal information and still cant get any help. Is this a scam?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      No scam, Ricky. Millions of people have free government cell phones. It sounds as if you tried to enroll online. Try it again by calling your chosen service provider’s customer service team. They should be able to walk you through the process.

  20. Janean says

    I’m on ssi and I have a government phone .one child on disability that all so has type one diabetes . I also have another child that has type one diabetes to they’re 15,and 9 both have insulin pumps that require phone service so I can monitor there sugars and through WiFi I can make adjustments for there medical need will I be able to get them a phone to?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You haven’t given us enough information to make that determination, Janean. The free government cell phone eligibility is based on income or participation in certain federal assistance programs, and you haven’t told us that they participate in those programs. However, you also have not given us enough information to say for sure if you don’t qualify. Your best bet would be to read the following article, which will give you all the info you need to determine if your sons qualify:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify

  21. PI says

    What actual figures or income elements are used to establish one’s bottom line ‘annual income’? Is it one’s AGI, or only certain incomes like wages, dividends, and retirement with capital losses and perhaps other figures not allowed? Does it vary from state to state? Or is it each free gov’t cellphone provider that determines that for themself?

    Thanks PI

      • PI says

        Thanks for the quick response, but I was already familiar with that page before asking the above question. I’m still not clear as to what “income” is officially. Is it one’s adjusted gross income or one’s taxable income? Are there any subtractions allowed, such as capital losses or others, on the income? I’m guessing that in fact one has to comply with what each phone company lays out on their application.

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          Right in the article is says,”Household income includes all incomes received by everyone in your household, whether taxable or non-taxable, including, but not limited to: wages, salaries, interest, dividends, spousal support and child support, grants, gifts, inheritances, allowances, stipends, public-assistance payments, social security and pensions, rental income, lottery winnings, income from self-employment and cash payments from other sources, and all employment-related, non-cash income. The only exceptions are student financial aid, military housing and cost-of-living allowances, irregular income from occasional small jobs such as baby-sitting or lawn mowing, and the like.”

          • PI says

            You’re so right. Sorry that I missed it. Some hi’s it didn’t register.
            Thanks PI

  22. Dolores Duncan says

    I’m trying to help my brother. He lost his government issued cell phone years ago. He keeps saying he can’t remember who the carrier was, what the number was and that he can never reach a live person in IL to help him. He’s on disability and has been paying for a cell phone. I’d like to try to help him, save him $ that he can use on other bills. What advice can you give?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If those phone was lost two years ago, it has surely been inactivated by now. That means he is free to enroll with any Lifeline company offering free government cell phones in your state. Click on each of the company names on this page to find the plan that fits his needs best, then he can enroll with that company. Easy peasy.

    • Jodi P says

      I know this is a couple years late, but……….when you do not use your lifeline cellphone at least once every month, your service gets shut off and you have to start over with getting a new account, number, etc.

      So because your brother lost his phone ages ago, he can just get in touch with any lifeline provider in his state, and get a new free cell phone and phone number.

  23. Robert Sidwell says

    I have a cell phone that is threw the government and it got stolen and I can’t remember which one I got it from

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      There are only five service providers in Illinois. It should be a relatively simple matter to contact each of them to find out if your phone number identifies you as a customer.

      • Dr. H. Sawyer Jr says

        IT’s easier than that. Just put the NUMBER of the phone
        into the GOOGLE Search Box, and press, ” ENTER “.

        You’ll get results that will lead you to the proper
        provider. Try it.

        Thanks,
        HES
        Manhattan, NYC

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          We tried it and it’s not quite as simple as you said, Dr H. This comment moderator plugged his number into the Google search box and clicked and up came…(dramatic pause)…the service provider who originally gave me the number, Verizon. That was about twenty years ago and I’ve been with three or four different providers during that period of time. I’ve had that number with Sprint for the last two years and was with AT&T for a few years before that. I know there have been a couple others in the intervening years, but I don’t even remember who they are or if they still exist.

          Give it a try, readers, and tell us if it works. Since most of the free government cell phone companies operate on Sprint’s national network, will doing the Google search tell you that your service provider is Sprint or the company you enrolled with (such as SafeLink, Q Link, Assurance, etc).

          We’ll be interested in hearing the results.

  24. Ronald piper says

    I have filled out your on line form several times.nothing happens. I can not call. No phone. I qualify. Help sure be
    Nice

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It’s not “our” online form, Ron. This is an independent informational website that is NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies.

      • Joshua says

        Haha you guys are a special kind of self-aggrandizing amoral piece of S*** to sit here and claim to offer assistance to those in need, and as soon as someone actually needs help with the process you claim to promote, you simply wash your hands of any official involvement with some balderdash boilerplate nonsense.

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          You are a moron, Joshua. A complete moron. We do not “simply wash our hands of any official involvement” because we choose not to help. We wash our hands of any official involvement because WE HAVE NO OFFICIAL INVOLVEMENT.

          Believe it or not, moron, this is an independent informational website with ZERO affiliation with any free government cell phone companies nor with any affiliation with any of the Lifeline program’s governing bodies.

          With that being the case, how could we possibly help someone find out what their phone number is? Would you have us hire hackers to break into the Lifeline companies’ data bases to find out readers’ phone numbers?

          To reiterate. We are independent and informational. And you are a moron.

  25. Mike Manusharow says

    I have applied for long term disability through Social Security and I will not be able afford a cell plan. How can you help me out?
    Thank you

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We can give you all the info you need, Mike. Just check out all the plans on this page (assuming you live in Illinois) and chose the one that fits your needs best. Then enroll by using the contact info we provide for each service provider.

      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        We assume you live in Illinois, Ron, because you left your comment on our Illinois page. Just check out the companies and plans listed on this page to find the one that fits your needs best. Then contact that company by using the contact info we provide on the page. It’s really much simpler than you may think.

  26. Sally Phillips says

    Do you offer fee landline service? This would only be used for local phone calls, no data. It would be much preferred to a free cell phone or a discount service.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      First of all, “we” don’t offer anything. This is an independent informational website. But in answer to your question, there is no free landline. Only discounted landlines are available under the Lifeline program.

  27. jillian shull says

    i am enrolled in safelink but have already had a replacement phone ive lost the replacement but i have another phone just need a card to activate thru safelink what do i do

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Contact customer service or tech support by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to find out if the phone you have is compatible with the Safelink network.

      • P. Smith says

        Hard to do if she lost her SafeLink phone and needs a replacement Sim card. Jillian, call SafeLink, they will need information from the phone you plan on using the sim card in so they can provision the sim card to your phone.

        SafeLink Customer Service
        1-800-378-1684

  28. Boyd Payton says

    I was on a plan with boost mobile but can no longer afford it (couldn’t in the first place) and was wondering if I could use my phone and number with my boost mobile phone, My ssa income is only $1150 monthly, and medicaid number is 09845****. I had an account with safelink before, but since my address changed I want to start anew,

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Check out our “Do You Qualify?” in the navigation bar at the top of this page. Then, if you find that you qualify, you can find all the free government cell phone plans available in your state on the “States” page in the same nav bar.

  29. kimberly hercham says

    i applied with American assist for my disabled daughter whose income is seperate from ours. they received her medicaid card and ID. so when they went to enroll her they said something like third party came up what does that mean?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We have no idea what it means, Kimberly. Did you ask them what it means when it happened?

  30. Marta says

    to Tracy, I m soory that U have multiple Sclerosis.
    U say U are getting only 12 thousand dollars a year.
    do U know how lucky U are to be getting any money at all?
    my son lost his medical in Febuary of 2010 because of his age.

    We found out he has an eye disease in May of 2009. The government
    did not seem to care enough to let him keep his medical shortly after
    he lost his dental right before his sixth month dental check up.

    Luckly we were able to get the eye doctor who diagnosed him with the eye
    disease to see him at least 3 times free of charge because my son
    had no income at all.
    And this particular eye doctor had seem him back in 2004.

    But because of my son’s type of eye condition the doctor that
    diagnosed him in 2009 had a friend that is also an eye doctor
    who strarted seeing my after that.

    In 2013 i finanly got the curage to fight for my son to be able
    to get medical again & trust it was not easy to do to battle with dshs.
    and then not log after former President Obama fought for those who
    did not have medical at all get medical.

    I also have health problems but towards the end of 2016 I lost my ssi.
    And i was only getting $737.00 give or take. And I have not had any income
    since then.
    The reason fo me losing my ssi was because aparently i was better of
    budgeting then i though so social security took my benifits away they thougt i did not
    need my ssi any more. will they were dead wrong i did need my ssi.
    when is was getting it barely cover the rent & utilities at all.

    So i have had no income since september of 2016.
    And i am battling a huge debt & immigration problem.
    I have been in the us since i was minor.

    And yesterday we get more bad news my son’s little benifits got lowered from $197.00 to $120.00
    All because i recieve housing help & my housing pays the whole rent for the current hell hole we are
    in right now. U see apperently if U don’t pay any rent then the dshs takes money away from U & they call it helpping U which is bull crap
    I can’t any part of the rent because i have no income at all.

    It would be nice if for those of Us who need a land line& cell phone if could be allowed to have both
    on the lifeline program espicaily if we have no means to keep on paying phones bills.
    don’t laugh yeah i still use a landline i have had landline way before i ever had a cell phone.

    WILL THIS RULE WHERE U CAN ONLY HAVE ONE PHONE ON THE LIFELINE PROGRAM
    REALLY SUCKS BIG TIME. I MEAN U WORK YOUR ASS OF & U PAY YOUR TAXES FOR WHAT
    SO ASSHOLES LIKE THE CURRENT ONE CAN HAVE EXPENSIVE THINGS ? THIS IS BULL SHIT!!!!!

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You may not like the rules, Marta, but they have always been the same. If you have a cell phone, why do you also need a landline?

  31. MelodyJ says

    I’ve been waiting to hear something from Assurance Wireless regarding my application status, they say it’s in “review mode”….SINCE DECEMBER???!!! I’m at my breaking point, I have no phone and nobody’s helping me. Which is the best company somebody?

      • Marta says

        WHAT IF SHE CANCELS HER ENROLLMENT WITH THE COMPANY
        THAT IS SCEWRING HER OVER. AND SIGN’S UP WITH A NEW ONE?
        IN ADDITION TO FILLING A COMPLAIN?

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          There are very strict rules about when you can switch from one service provider to another, Marta. If you have voice and text service only, you must wait 60 days before switching. If you also have data as part of your plan, you can only switch after one full year.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Unfortunately, you never know what kind of phone you’re going to get. Each free government cell phone company offers different makes and models of phones, and those phones are handed out at random. Check your preferred service provider’s website to see what kind of phones they currently offer. You may be able to bring the phone you want to your account as part of a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program.

  33. Tracey l Bailey says

    I am on social security disability for multiple Sclerosis and I need a phone but i am living with my mother her is 77 and it is says that our income together can not be more than 21 thousand AND i ONLY get around 12 thousand a year . SO this mean I can not get a phone ?

  34. Valerie Stewart says

    How could an entity or organization get a contract to become a distributor/administrator of a government phone program?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Each Lifeline company uses different ways to reach customers and distribute phones, Valeria. Our suggestion would be to contact each of the companies in your state to find out about their sales and distribution methods and need for help.

      You can find all the companies in your state at this link:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

  35. LINDA ROSE STAHL says

    Why does Safelink continue to be allowed to contract with lifeline because their customer Svc if u can call it that sucks and they know it and you know it and the moronic career politicians know it and none of you really gives a rats’ass how low income folks are being used

    • Ida Simpson says

      Yes you are so right a SafeLink rep just cancelled out my free government phone that I qualifyed for without provocation she gave me the impression SafeLink Wireless distributor Sucks and is a ratass company and doesn’t give a damn about their customers

  36. Laura Allen says

    I have been waiting for cell phone from Illinois/Safe Link for almost a year now and they are just screwing me every time I get through they say my application is approved and nothing comes after also waiting for 2 hours minimum and they are a night mare. I have filled out all the information in September 2016 and I was told in January I have been approved for the free cell phone service. After multiple calls and told the cell is in the mail and waiting on hold for an average 2 hours each time, Then in MAY after another 2 hour wait,I was told cell phone is in the mail. Its now July 2016 and I am at my breaking point I am disabled and in chronic pain. I have not tried to get SNAP now since getting hit buy a drunk driver and loosing my salary and carrier wasn’t enough, every criminal and scam artist I know has gotten free medication,medicare clothes,shelter and although I paid into this SSI for 30 years I seem to get any help from anyone and their stories depending on who I get on phone I qualify and then I try to use whatever service I can to be asked who did you talk to you aren’t eligible for that. I have paid every medical bill in the to over $200,000 I had for my retirement. My income is only $1,1067.37 my medical bills and pharmacy bills alone are over $4000 I have been on a negative income for 17 years now after being disabled for 17 years now my retirement is gone I worked from 15 years old to 45 I would still be working if someone had not hit me while I was driving in an 89 Toyota Celia so no air bag and I have another back or neck surgery every month. I finally get through to these Idiots at Safe Link and they wanted proof of my wages after I had been told I was approved for over 7 months. I drove up to SS and got my wages and sent them these jerks at Safe link my wages copy.in May, Its now July and still NO PHONE! NOTHING but more pain, stress and TEARS! This causing so much stress in my life every penny I worked for went to hospital bills and now I am still paying $3,000. a month for my prescriptions which would have gone to have a nice house but for 1 uninsured motorist. . I have payed $285,000. in medical and pharmacy bills. I was told I wasn’t able to get medicare or food stamps because legally I am still married to someone I haven’t seen and dont know were he’s at over 20 years ago. I just talked to a different agent and he said I was eligible the whole time. I cant shed any more tears can someone please help me so I can any job where I dont have to lift or scrub and I can sit or stand when I need to i CANT TAKE 5 MORE MINUTES OF BEING UNEMPLOYED I WORKED FROM A YOUNG AGE i HATE BEING HOME ALL DAY! Thank you,Laura Allen temporary phone number is 630 663 **** PLEAS HELP! Burner phone 331 625 **** my e-mail is ********@comcast.net

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Horrible story, Laura. We’re frankly amazed that you’ve hung in with Safelink this long. How about if you call another free government cell phone company. Ask to speak to a customer service supervisor and explain your story. Ask that supervisor for help in finding out if you are actually listed on the National Lifeline Assistance Database (NLAD). If you are, ask them to help you transfer your service to their company. If you’re not listed, you should be able to sign up with the company of your choice. Here’s where you can find a complete list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone companies in your state, complete with their contact info:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

  38. Debbie Wilk says

    I have a phone that is breaking so I now need a free phone/ minutes. Safelink phones break alot- I helped someone where I live get new phones! The chargers are thin- not too good. So do you know which company has good phones and doesn’t charge you if the phone doesn’t work? At least Safelink was good at that- not charging for replacement phones! I qualify- Medicaid- but haven’t had success finding anything & I live in Illinois- Chicago- by the way! Unlimited free texting would be nice! Does anyone- besides Safelink-500 minutes for first 3 months, I believe- give more than 350 minutes? Thank you. Debbie Wilk

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You can find all that information right here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net by just clicking around and reading the info we offer.

  39. Lorianne Brown says

    I applied for one of the phone and they said that it would come in the mail within 5 days and I have not yet received anything on the phone as of yet

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Five days? We’ve never heard of any company offering one that quickly. Don’t get us wrong, Lorianne, because we’re NOT doubting you at all. Most companies say it will take two weeks, but many readers have reported that it took three or even four weeks.

      • Michelle Jones says

        Tempo Wireless has phones on the spot. So look for a tempo rep and you get your phone the same day.

        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          We do NOT recommend enrolling with a street vendor at a street booth. They have been the scene of far too much fraud and abuse. It’s much safer to enroll by phone or online.

  40. Fay says

    i have a landline phone with lifeline but i want a cell phone should i cancel my landline
    and reapply for the free phone and how long do i have to wait before i do
    i hear att is shuting down all the landline phones soon
    please help if you can ,thank you

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We haven’t heard that AT&T is ending its landline business and it sounds pretty far fetched. But even if it did happen, there are plenty of other landline companies that offer Lifeline discounts. You are correct that you can only have one Lifeline discount — either cell phone or landline. So, yes, you must cancel your landline discount in order to enroll in a cell phone program.

      How long you need to wait is a good question. Most free government cell phone companies say their cell phones will be delivered in two weeks. But our readers consistently report that it takes three or four weeks or even longer.

      • Diane says

        Im pretty sure AT&T is trying to get rid of their landlines. I had one till I moved 4 years ago and they said I had to get a VOIP phone or nothing. Like I had no choice in the matter.

  41. Victor says

    My name is Victor and I havnt used a government phone in ovet a year but when I’ve tried to apply recently I didn’t get approved becuase they said I’m with anpther government phone company when in all actuality I’m not . So how do i solve this problem

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      There’s a screw-up somewhere, Victor. Assuming it’s correct that you have not used your phone in a year, the rules of the program say your account should have been cancelled (after 30 days of non-use). But this kind of screw-up happens all the time.

      You should speak to customer service at the company you originally got your phone from. Find out if you’ve been cancelled. If the answer is yes, then you should be free to enroll with any other company in your state. If the answer if no, you should be able to activate or re-enroll with the same company.

      You can find a list of all those companies offering free government cell phones in your state here:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

  42. Rick says

    Your enrollment procedure will not take my address that is correct as ive lived here for 40 plus years ! So id like to know the problem with your enrollment! I know where i live and so does the department of public aid and social security as they send me letters at this address so how is it not valid ?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      You need to understand that it’s not “our” enrollment procedure, Rick. We’re an independent website, not a Lifeline free government cell phone company. You need to contact your preferred Lifeline company’s customer service team.

  43. Brandie says

    I have a government phone through BLU. my phone was stolen. I don’t know to reach the company to get it replaced.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      BLU is a phone manufacturer, Brandie, so you may have a cell phone it built, but that is not your free government cell phone company. The only way to track down your service provider is to contact every service provider in Illinois. Luckily, there are only five providers in the state, so the phone calls shouldn’t take long. Here’s where you can find that list of Illinois companies and their contact info:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team. They’re the only ones who can help you.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Toby. You can do that by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.

  48. Jill Slater says

    I keep going to how do I get a phone and hit go here but it doesn’t give me anything to fill out

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      There is nothing to fill out because we are not the phone company. We provide the names, websites and phone numbers of companies that provide Lifeline cell phone service in your state. Just look for the information on the pages you are visiting.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      That is correct. We’ve featured that news in several articles. We’ll update it on our Illinois listing.

  53. Arthur Dorsey says

    i have been trying to apply for a free phone with Q- Link but now they are telling me there is no service in my area. and by the way i do get very small government assistance . question is do i qualify for this program. at 71 years of age.

  56. Laura says

    How do I help find a cell phone for my 90 year old grama. She absolutely needs one for emergency cases. Thank you, Laura

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Qualification is based on income or participation in another government assistance program. Check the “Do Your Qualify” link at the top of this page. If granny qualifies, click on our “States” link at the top of the page to see which companies participate in your state.

  57. Ralph Green says

    I received a text stating that care wireless would be shutting down as the 31st of January, so what do I need to do to keep my phone operable ? should i request another phone or join another phone co.?

  58. Francisco Giron says

    Reply with the basic information for a third age couple that needs help from the government

  60. Carewireless Customer says

    Got a text from Care Wireless today. They are shutting down as of January 31st 2016. Called and verified.

  62. Chris says

    I’m unable to work because of an injury and have a 6 month old son. In case of emergency I need to get ahold of my mom or grandma because my vehicle is broke down. My girlfriend n I live together but all she is getting is part-time hours which is maybe 25 hours n make like 8.00 n hr we barely make our rent, power. N water.

  64. Daryl Higgs says

    Need a phone for my 85 yo mother, must have big numbers and loud ring. Can she keep her current number that she has had since 1969?

  67. Dale Edward Chester says

    I am a senior citizen that is disabled and receive Social Security Disability. I live in a rural area out side of Vienna Illinois in Johnson County Illinois. I have no residential phone because I can’t afford another monthly payment. I need one but can’t afford one and can’t find one that is local service only. Can someone help me please. I would also like to get a thing called internet service but can’t afford it either…

  72. Alex says

    I’ve had my number for about 5 years and recently I’ve been getting calls and texts for someone else who apparently received on of these government phones with the same phone number as mine. I would like this to stop as I’m actually paying for my number and cannot change it as it is listed for all things related to my autistic son. Is there any way this issue can be fixed?

  73. Christi Ginter says

    I had qualified for a free phone and it was going to be delivered in 4-5 days. I went in the hospital for 9 days soon after qualifying. I think they tried to deliver it but no one was here. Can it be sent again?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We do not know which cell phone company you applied to. The best way for you to get the answer to your question is to contact that company directly.

  74. JOSEPH JUNIOR AGGREY says

    PLEASE I NEED HELP TO COUNTING MY EDUCATION AND MY SCHOOL PLEASE I NEED THEY ARE HELP

  75. Armando Gutierrez says

    Please send me some information on your free phone service and how it works. Thank you and have a nice day.

  76. Carrie says

    All my minutes disappeared. And I had plenty. Who do I call for help with this. Thanks

  77. robert hathaway says

    what other cell phone plans are our there in the Chicago area for low income people other then saftlink

  79. Kris Hayden says

    I am an advocate working with a woman from my church. She had a public aid free cellphone and is trying to get another one for her son who is 14 and needs one to be able to call her. They do not have a landline phone where they are living.

    Can you please help me help her.

    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      Only one Lifeline phone or discount is allowed per household, so her son will not be able to receive a phone.

  80. Candice says

    I have been trying to get a phone for a couple of years now and the problem my husband and I are having is we only have a p o box, they don’t deliver mail to my home address and every time we try our physical address they say they can’t find it. What can we do? Thanks

  81. Gary brown says

    Homeless senior disabled who cannot get a phone or response in 4 days. Despicable. I’m at 708785****

    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      Please look straight up this page and you’ll see an article with a list of companies.

  84. Judy says

    The two of us draw social security, have about $100 more a month than the limit
    of income is.
    Guess you can’t help us out.
    Maybe should sign up for link card, at one time we could get $16 a month from it, which
    would make us elgible for the free government phone.

    But guess we can manage, such a hassle to sign up for government help, the workers at
    the government departments act as if the money is coming out of their pay.
    Maybe some day I will feel the $16 a month food stamps is necessary to survive, but not
    at this time.

  85. Esther M M Barnett & Lolita Castillo says

    We we at the Cook County Stroger Hospital back in Early November.

    man told us both that we qualified for a free phone after we gave him ID and informatin

    No repsonse yet. He did not give us any follow-up contact. We only agreed because we

    hae seen the table outside. But it was cold. he was in the waiting room at Fantus Clinic.

    HOW CAn WE Check?

    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      Unless you know the name of the company he represents, there is no way to check.

  86. monique sommer says

    Our family has only one cell phone, which we cant afford. However, we could be assured to have access to all of our medical professionals and community resources with a cell phone, like what you are offering.
    The kids are also limited in being able to complete school work due to lack of home computer access. All resources would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you.

  87. Hansen McFearson says

    Is a cell phone a necessary offered luxury to a low income user? Or should a home line be something more appropriate?

  88. Jess says

    Would you know which of the above companies is available for Forest Park IL!?? A lot of them say not available for 60130

  89. Smita P Desai says

    I am 60 years old person with disability since more than last 17 years. I am getting disability from social security. I have medicad I need a cell phone. Please let me know.phone 847 285 ****
    Thanks, Smita

  90. candace porter says

    need to find out to get a free government cell phone i have the medical card a child in school they go through 1 cheers i have snapchat which is awful.com linked in my address is **** north maple street centralia illinois 62801 if you could please send me an application so i can fill it out in get a phone i would greatly appreciate it thanks

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      We can’t send anything to you as we are not a phone company. You need to contact one of the providers listed above.

  91. paula says

    I have tried all of the companies and it keeps saying invalid address..i changed my address and am getting my mail and public aid notices…….whats wrong????

  92. Lesa says

    I’m a case manager in supportive housing. My client has been terminated from her free phone because they say she is on a list that says she is already getting service from another carrier. The phone companies are not telling us where the other account is so that we can cancel it so she can at least have one working phone. I have called at least one other carrier who says her account is cancelled already but this list for people who appear to have multiple carriers seems to live somewhere in the government.

    I wish to be connected to a central point where we can explain to one person that my client has NO service so how does she get this old warning list to phone companies straightened out with the correct information? Going forward I’m working with her to not pick up the “free” phones they offer outside of the Illinois Department of Human Services but since she’s mentally impaired it’s hard for her to understand. Why can’t she just be denied because she already has service and not be able to get new service until she cancel’s the other?

  93. Daisy Starks says

    I’d like a touch cell phone. Would that be possible? I’m #1 on the low income list.

  94. Wesley Bowen says

    I am trying to help my Dad sign up for a phone. He lives in Quincy, Il. Is there an application you could send me? My address is **** Washington St. Gary, In. 46408. Any help would be appreciated.

      • Diane White says

        I have tried every phone provider out there and they all say not aVAILABLE In IL.Please help .

        • Kay says

          Safelink is available on the internet.. If you don’t have internet, the local library usually does. I would apply with safelink~