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Lifeline phone service provides free cell phones to America's financially disadvantaged

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Illinois: Free Cell Phones from the Government

On one hand, Illinois is an economic powerhouse: Its 2010 total gross state product was fifth in the nation. The 2010 per capita income was $41,411.

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.

And you have two main choices from which to get your Lifeline phone. We’re still waiting for the third major company in this space, Assurance Wireless, to enter the market; they will eventually. And you’ll also see that their is a smaller companies that offers the cell phones as well.

Free Cell Phone 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. 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:

Lifeline Cell Phone Eligibility 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 HouseholdAnnual income
1 member$16,389
2 members$22,221
3 members$28,053
4 members$33,885
5 members$39,717
6 members$45,549
7 members$51,381
8 members$57,213
For each additional member add $5,832 annually


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.

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Before you post your comment...

  1. If you are going to ask "how do I get a cell phone?" go here instead.
  2. If you are going to ask "how do I get a replacement phone," go here instead
  3. We are not your cell phone company. All technical questions should be asked of your vendor.
  4. Your comments are moderated, and we will manually approve those worth publishing within 24 hours.

Comments

  1. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  3. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

      • 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.

        Reply

  4. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  5. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  6. 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,

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  7. 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?

    Reply

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

      Reply

  8. 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!!!!!

    Reply

    • 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?

      Reply

  9. 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?

    Reply

      • 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?

        Reply

        • 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.

          Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  11. 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 ?

    Reply

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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  13. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  14. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  16. 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

    Reply

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

      Reply

  17. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

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

        Reply

        • 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.

          Reply

  18. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

      • 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.

        Reply

  19. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  20. 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 ?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • 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

      Reply

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

      Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

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

      Reply

  31. 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.

    Reply

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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  35. 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.?

    Reply

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

    Reply

  40. 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.

    Reply

  42. 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?

    Reply

  45. 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…

    Reply

  50. 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?

    Reply

  51. 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?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

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

    Reply

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

    Reply

  57. 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.

    Reply

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

      Reply

  58. 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

    Reply

  62. 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.

    Reply

  63. 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?

    Reply

  64. 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.

    Reply

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

    Reply

  67. 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

    Reply

  68. 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

    Reply

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

      Reply

  69. 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????

    Reply

  70. 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?

    Reply

  72. 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.

    Reply