When you sing “America the Beautiful” and you get to the line about “amber waves of grain,” it’s a reference to the vast fields of wheat that stretch for miles across the heart of Kansas.
But despite that beautiful image, the state is facing economic cutbacks just like all the other states.
The simple fact is, more residents of Kansas than ever before are struggling and having trouble making ends meet. The state’s official unemployment rate has fallen since the Great Recession, but things are still tough for the financially disadvantaged.
That’s why we’re happy to announce that the Lifeline phone service program is available for needy folks in Kansas who need a cell phone. If you qualify, you can get a cell phone from the government plus as many as 250 free minutes per month.
Free Cell Phone Providers in Kansas
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Kansas. They all offer different plans with different numbers of minutes, different refill options, and serve different geographic areas. So click through them all and find the plan that’s best for you.
- Access Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- EnTouch Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- Safelink Wireless
- Standup Wireless
- Tempo Communications
- Truconnect
Lifeline Discount Companies in Kansas
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 Kansas:
How to Qualify for a Free or Discounted Lifeline Phone in Kansas
You automatically qualify for a free government cell phone, through the Lifeline program, if you participate in any of the following government assistance 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)
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for Kansas, which we’ve calculated for you in the table below:
| Income Based Eligibility for Kansas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual 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 Kansas:
If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.
RWebster says
Do either (a) the FCC regulations provide for LifeLine customers to be able to keep (port) a phone number, or (b) if the ability to port a number is carrier dependent, which carriers provide that option? It seems obvious that someone who has had a landline for decades but has fallen on hard times and need to take advantage of the LifeLine Assistance program would want to keep the long-held telephone number.
Thanks.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you should be able to keep your current phone number when you switch to a Lifeline plan.
RWebster says
Thank you for the reply.
Free Government Cell Phones says
One other thing, RWeb: Make sure you use the words “I want to port over my current phone number” when you speak to customer service. Repeat it several times during your conversation. Then, at the end of the call, make sure you confirm that your current phone number is going to be ported over. Better safe than sorry.
Renae Hindle says
I already have a Safelink phone, but it is not working right. I need to go to a location… an actual business to get it fixed or get a new phone or something. When we got the phone, the safelink rep came to us. So I have never been to a business or office. Please help.
I heard there was a location in Coffeyville, Kansas. I am in Neodesha, Kansas.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sounds like you got your phone at a street event, Ranae. We strongly urge you NOT to deal with street events because they have been the source of so many fraud and abuse issues. Here’s an article that will tell you how to get your broken phone replaced:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Tara Rucker says
I live at Salvation Army and there are multiple families at the address because it is a transitional housing program where multiple families live on site. I have not had an issue with my Lifeline phone in the 10 months I have been there until recently when my phone was turned off. TAG Mobile said it was turned off by “the government” and to contact Kansas Lifeline. There will always be multiple applications with the same address in Living Programs as is required by most of the programs that help with housing.
Free Government Cell Phones says
When your service provider said “the government turned it off” we assume they meant that your address showed up multiple times on the Federal Communications Commission’s national data base of free government cell phone customers. If so, they should not have done shut it off.
Here’s a link to one of our articles detailing the new government regulations that permit multiple Lifeline Assistance accounts at homeless shelters, etc.:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-phones-for-the-homeless
And here’s another article dispelling incorrect information about free government cell phones for residents of homeless shelters, etc:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/temporary-address-for-a-free-government-cell-phone
Ashley Davis says
I have safelink service now but ean to switch. To Lifeline please I am single. Parent of two girls. I would like to get free internet to help with my kids school. Work please .please thanks.
ciera says
I want a free cell ☎
Jane J Willis says
For call for helping me. I’m 63, got cancer, got to have a phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
So sorry to hear about your health problems, Jane. Now that you have this list of Kansas free government cell phone service providers, you’ll need to contact them to apply. You can do it without leaving your home, too. Just visit their websites and apply online or by phone.
Tom R. Barnes II says
Looking for a cellular phone plan free of charge for a conservatee over whose estate I have been named conservatee. He currently lives in Hays, Kansas and his annual income falls well below the $1,471 per month. Year to date his monthly income has averaged $643.00 per month. We would like to obtain for him reliable cellular phone coverage for Hays, Kansas and the surrounding area. Any guidance you could provide would be most appreciated..
Deborah Jones says
I already have a free phone but i moved and the only towers out here belong to ATT so now i need to switch to a different carrier. who has the att towers in the kansas area? and how do i switch, if i just apply they will say i already have a cell service. tell me how to switch and to whom?? thanks…debi
Kim Olson says
I received a text message on my phone saying I need to annual recertify my Lifeline phone to keep it active. The message came with a web site to visit to recertify my phone. But the site had nothing to do with recertifing my my phone, it was a site to get Google apps.What’s going on? How do I recertify my phone?
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Contact your provider to see how. Most likely you can do it on their website.
Amy Burton says
how do i sign up for a safelink phone just in cause of emergencies and if power goes out and need to call for help.Im on SSI and have Medicaid…I have daily migraines that cause blackout spells and fall down alot from the migraines along with other medical problems
i read the stuff on “how do i get a cell phone?” but i have a hard time understanding what it all means i have learning disabilities so its hard to understand and when your home phone buzzes i can’t call no one for them to explain
E.Jones says
Your website states that Knology will provide free internet service to those who qualify for Lifeline. But Knology no longer exists. It turned into WOW! which serves Lawrence, Kansas.
Amanda Blasko says
Trying to sign up for a free cell phone. need a cell phone. and I have seizures. i am on foodstamps, ssi disability and medical
J Daily says
how do I find out which carrier my phone is through, I have lost my receipt and other info.
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is no way we know of other than dialing 611 and seeing what company answers.
jane mumpower says
I would like to have a cell phone but can’t really afford it. I am on social security disability and medicare plus medicaid. Could you help me into looking for a phone, i really would appreciate it if you would, thanks
Emily Gilbert says
There are a couple companies that provide a free phone with the limited free service. Assurance Wireless, Reachout Wireless, and Safelink are 3 that I know of.
Free Government Cell Phones says
There are way more than three companies. They are all listed on our Free Cell Phones Providers page. If you are talking about Kansas in particular, there are as of this writing, 12 companies, and they are all listed above in the article.
Bernadette Kovac says
How do I contact KCKS Wyandotte co. free cell phone program when a cell phone does not work?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Borrow a phone, use a phone booth, or get on the internet.
Deborah Jones says
go to the library and use their internet for free…there are no more phone booths…