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

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Free Cell Phones in Louisiana

Two words explain why so many citizens of the Bayou State qualify for a Lifeline phone, the government’s free cell phone program –- Hurricane Katrina.

The worst natural disaster in the history of the United States destroyed thousands of businesses and three tens of thousands out of work permanently. It’s been five years and the state and its people still haven’t recovered. Some experts say it never will recover despite the best efforts of the state’s good, hard working people.

It’s a situation like this that cries out for a program like Lifeline and we welcome our Louisiana friends to FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net and encourage them to take advantage of the popular, free government cell phones program.

Louisiana residents are in luck: All three of the major Lifeline free cell phone providers do business in Louisiana. Contact any of them to apply for Lifeline phone service, thanks to the government’s Lifeline program (Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund).

Free Cell Phone Providers in Louisiana:

Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Louisiana. 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
  • Conexion Wireless
  • EnTouch Wireless
  • Life Wireless
  • NewPhone Wireless
  • Q Link Wireless
  • Safelink Wireless
  • StandUp Wireless
  • Tag Mobile
  • Terracom

Lifeline Discount Companies in Louisiana

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 Louisiana:

  • ATT Mobility
  • T-Mobile

How to Qualify in Louisiana for a Free or Discounted Government Cell Phone

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

  • 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 Guidelines, which you can see calculated in the table below:

Income Based Eligibility for Louisiana
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 Louisiana:

How do Budget Wireless customers find a new free government cell phone company?- If you're one of those 800,000 abandoned Budget Wireless customers, what should you do next? How do you find another Lifeline company to replace Budget?
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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  1. If you are going to ask "how do I get a cell phone?" go here instead.
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  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. Ashley says

    August 21, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    Phone says no mobile service. What do i do? I have plenty of minutes.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 21, 2018 at 6:13 pm

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply
      • Penelope Madine says

        August 26, 2018 at 9:05 pm

        I have no info on my phone ,just the phone number he didn’t activate it is missing the sim cards

        Reply
        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          August 27, 2018 at 10:58 am

          We don’t know who “he” is, but whoever he may be, you need to contact your service provider’s customer service team to sort out this problem.

          Reply
  2. Sandra Jenkins says

    August 8, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    I would like to work and do the necessary step to help people get a phone. What do i need to do.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 9, 2018 at 4:52 am

      You need to contact each of the companies listed on this page to find out what their individual hiring practices are. Good luck, Sandra. We hope you land a job with one of them.

      Reply
  3. Ashley Dawson says

    July 20, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    I would like to inquire about being a field agent, a lifeline rep in Louisiana.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 20, 2018 at 11:35 pm

      You’ll need to speak directly to the company, Ashley. Try calling customer service to see if they can give you the correct contact info.

      Reply
  4. c s bezucha says

    July 10, 2018 at 11:42 am

    How do I replace my phone that was losst 2weeks ago the number was 318-507-****

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 10, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      Contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply
  5. Susan says

    July 4, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    How to check minute balance on non smartphones Vortex Hot spot 2

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 4, 2018 at 4:23 pm

      Contact customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.

      Reply
  6. Mortorquek Gaither says

    November 13, 2017 at 11:28 pm

    I have a free phone and i need to have it turned off how i go about this please

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      November 14, 2017 at 3:22 am

      Do you want to turn it off or do you want to terminate your account?

      Reply
      • Sharon trahan says

        January 22, 2018 at 7:34 am

        Want to find out who my wireless provider is

        Reply
        • Free Government Cell Phones says

          January 22, 2018 at 7:36 pm

          Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone, Sharon. Your service provider’s customer service team will answer.

          Reply
  7. Robert Weaver says

    November 3, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    I have had a Budget Mobile phone for 5years. Without any notification it quit working. I cannot find any phone number to talk to a live person to find out what to do. Is there any help that I can get and if so how and when????

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      November 4, 2017 at 6:58 pm

      Budget went out of business months ago, Robert. You should have received notification. Sorry to hear that you didn’t. Most of Budget’s customers were transferred over to enTouch Wireless. You should contact its customer service team to see if you are now one of its customers. You can find enTouch’s contact info at this link:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/free-cell-phone-providers

      Reply
  8. Judith says

    October 31, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    I do not recognize any of the listed providers for Louisiana.

    I can not afford a cell phone.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 31, 2017 at 7:01 pm

      What do you mean, Judith? You don’t need to know any of the companies in order for them to offer free government cell phones.

      Reply
  9. Carolyn Jones says

    September 20, 2017 at 3:02 pm

    Where do I apply for a free cell phone?? I cannot find this.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      September 20, 2017 at 5:36 pm

      You apply online or by phone from the comfort of your own home. We strongly urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events. We provide contact info for every company listed in the above article.

      Reply
  10. Karla says

    August 3, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    I’m unable to get a phone due to my address being used on someone account how do I find out who that is so I can’t get my phone

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 3, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      Here’s what the USAC, the organization that governs the Lifeline free government cell phone program, says, “To contact USAC, call (800) 234-9473 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET (press 1 for English or press 2 for Spanish), or send an email. You can also use one of the other options below.” They can help you out.

      Reply
  11. sonia says

    June 10, 2017 at 9:29 am

    wher can I go pick up a government phone around Baker, La.?

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      June 10, 2017 at 9:47 am

      We strongly urge you to enroll by phone or online, Sonia. The street tents and booths have been the scene of too much fraud and abuse.

      Reply
    • James Key says

      June 19, 2017 at 12:55 am

      I need a great touch screen phone

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        June 19, 2017 at 3:29 am

        All Lifeline free government cell phone companies are now required to give smartphones to all new customers. So all you need to do it enroll with one of the companies listed in the above article.

        Reply
  12. Wendell Bonin says

    May 28, 2017 at 7:03 am

    A 2 person household is NA if. 1 lives in hot shed and the other does not contribute!

    Reply
  13. George Fitzgerald says

    May 14, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    How soon after applying for a cell phone can I expect to get it?

    I applied two weeks ago because I qualify for Medicare.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      May 14, 2017 at 5:07 pm

      Most companies say it will take two weeks or so, but readers have told us it often takes three or even four weeks.

      Reply
  14. Mickie Cowan says

    March 8, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    Can I get a free phone if I am 84 and live alone on Medicare No I never said that yet

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      March 9, 2017 at 6:50 am

      First thing you need to do is figure out if you qualify, Mickie. You can find all the ways to qualify at this link:

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

      Reply
  15. robert says

    February 15, 2017 at 8:48 am

    I have personally been homeless and i understand the hardships and difficulties that come with the situation. In hindsight, i think that the greatest tool any homeless person could have at their disposal would be the ability to communicate. Given that we live in an era where cell-phones are freely given to a wide and diverse set of the population(usual criteria is to establish receipt of public benefits), Then perhaps the city can acquire a very large number of cell-phones with the intent to distribute them to the homeless. If the city had a thousand such phones at the ready there might be a lot less homelessness and deaths as reported in this story

    Food and shelter are just the basic and immediate needs of a homeless person. But laundry and showers facilities also go over very well. After that comes access to medical care. But the biggest key, the most valuable asset a homeless individual can have would be access to communication. I know every time i ever filled out a job application, i needed to put in a contact number for the prospective employer to reach me at. Also, try to imagine how much better it could be for the homeless individual to reach out and call for help.

    Preload contacts on these cellphones with all the hotline numbers for organizations that help with issues like meals, suicides, gambling and other addictions, emergency care services.

    Do this and then perhaps, we’ll see the number of deaths (44) fall to half of what they are now.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      February 15, 2017 at 9:11 am

      Great idea, Robert, but in these days when city, county, state and federal budgets are stretched to their limits, politicians always have other priorities. Sad situation.

      Reply
    • Rachel says

      March 4, 2017 at 12:31 am

      Robert, I’m writing an article for the paper about this program and how it helps people. You seem to have a lot to say about it and I would like to talk to you more if you wouldn’t mind. Please email me ASAP at ***********@beauregarddailynews.net Thank you.

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        March 4, 2017 at 6:21 am

        Sorry, Rachel, but we don’t know if your comment is legit or not, so we’ve edited your email address out of your comment. Maybe we’re being overly precautious, but we’re rather err on the side of safety.

        Reply
  16. solesco adinsco says

    February 13, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    someone told me school pupils on medicaid also qualify, is this true, is so, which of the carriers do this

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      February 13, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      The rules are the same for every service provider in your state, Solesco. You can find the full list of those providers in this article and you can also find the eligibility requirements.

      Reply
  17. Mark Savoy says

    February 6, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    I just signed up with Qlinkwireless. I cannot us their phone because I have no reception with it so it is useless to me. I have heart and other health problems and need a reliable phone at home. Qlinkwireless won’t allow me to change to another company, SafeLink, which I know I would be able to use because I use to have TracFone and had ATT with great reception. My question is, can I switch companies in the 12 month grace period since Qlinkwireless is useless to me???? Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      February 7, 2017 at 2:26 am

      Unfortunately, you cannot switch providers until you have had Q Link for a full twelve months, Mary.

      Reply
      • solesco adinsco says

        February 13, 2017 at 4:00 pm

        that is dishonest, qlink switched me from assurance to them only after 3 months with assurance, and lied to me online that they will send me 4G phone with full functions, including camera, instead, they sent me 3G phone without camera, after several complaints, they eventually sent me email that if i want to upgrade, i should send them $50, because i do not trust them, i refused to do it

        Reply
  18. Trevin Chevalier says

    November 1, 2016 at 6:45 am

    I need to apply for a free phone

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      November 1, 2016 at 9:10 am

      Then that’s exactly what you should do, Trevin.

      Reply
  19. Catreece Madison says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:23 am

    How long it take to get the phone

    Reply
    • James M. Montgomery says

      October 18, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      I was trying to recertify on line and the website was unresponsive.

      Reply
      • Free Government Cell Phones says

        October 18, 2016 at 9:38 pm

        Contact 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.

        Reply
  20. Shelly says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Helping an uncle apply for service has handicap wife

    Reply
  21. Jason Kendall says

    December 3, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    I am currently homeless and getting a job interview is very hard without a way for the company to contact me. Getting a government phone would really help me out greatly. Thank you.

    Reply
  22. Nancy broussard says

    November 29, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    I’m in very serious need of this help n service I’m a single disabled mom w 3 children 12,10&5. My income is $625 month w no other help n support . I had a safe link phone which never called out r received calls worst ever.
    I live in the country closest hey is jefferson island hwy. new Iberia, la.desperately needing this service
    I do have current contact number ******** if u need to contact me.
    I am also trying to see about weatherzation program and safe home living repair n needs for our home which is paid for I own
    Thank you. Nancy Broussard

    Reply
  23. Samuel LaPrarie says

    November 17, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    Can I get more than one free phone per household ? If so how do I apply ?

    Reply
  24. Judy stiegman says

    October 11, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Need to apply for free cell phone

    Reply
  25. Steven Holland says

    June 9, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    I’ve fallen on hard times and a phone would greatly help in finding a job.

    Thanks for your consideration
    Steven Holland

    Reply
  26. Shirley Jenkins says

    May 7, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I am on disability/SS and take care of my mom, who is also on SS and has to use oxygen 24/7. She has spells and falls and I am afraid to leave even to run errands, and if we both had a cell phone we could contact each other or she could get help in case she falls inside or outside. We can’t afford a plan. Thank you for your consideration.

    Reply
  27. Christian simpson says

    April 25, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    I am a mother of 2 kids I need a phone to call around a look for jobs right now I am on my dad’s phone we are barley making it please if you can help out located in pounchatoula L.A. need to know asap thanks and God bless

    Reply
  28. Terry Francis says

    April 23, 2015 at 6:52 am

    How do I become an authorized independent agent to sign people up for the service?

    Reply
    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      April 23, 2015 at 7:00 am

      We have written a page on this:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/get-a-job-handing-out-free-cell-phones

      Reply
  29. martha says

    April 1, 2015 at 8:12 am

    I am a single. mom. needing a phone. to fine work. to support. my family.I have 3 kids and barely. makeing it.

    Reply
    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      April 1, 2015 at 9:58 am

      Give one of the companies above a try.

      Reply
  30. kathleen vance says

    March 7, 2015 at 7:12 am

    i have a goverment cell phone. i don’t remember what company i got it from. its a sanyo, sprint. i have had it for several years no and it has stoped working. how do i get another phone?

    Reply
    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      March 7, 2015 at 8:05 am

      If you don’t know who you got the phone from, you are out of luck getting a replacement. But if you contact another company in your state to get a new phone and request for them to cancel your previous service it might work.

      Reply
  31. lisa guess says

    January 3, 2015 at 9:24 am

    my question is if I have a phone through another company which I use on a daily bases and I am on food stamps, my daughter is on Medicaid, and I get child care assistance. would I be eligible to get a government phone and still keep the phone I have with the company I am currently using the phone through.

    Reply
    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      January 4, 2015 at 8:36 am

      Yes, as long as the current phone you have is not a free or discounted Lifeline cell phone.

      Reply
  32. Deborah Taylor says

    December 14, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I would appreciate a free cell phone. I am on SNAP and I am on Social Security Disability. Thank you very much. I live in Louisiana.

    Reply
  33. lori says

    November 13, 2014 at 11:23 am

    My father has a government phone already. However it is bromen. He can make calls but can’t receive them. How can we get a replacement phone in monroe Louisiana

    Reply
    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      November 13, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement

      Reply
  34. douglas thomassie says

    October 29, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    On SSI

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 30, 2014 at 8:51 am

      Congratulations. You qualify for a free phone and service.

      Reply
  35. Joe says

    October 20, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Can a student in college on a football scholarship get a free phone?

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      October 21, 2014 at 9:02 am

      You still have to meet the same eligibility criteria.

      Reply
  36. Kristie Brown says

    October 18, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Like information on how to get a cell phone please?

    Reply
  37. sherile says

    September 23, 2014 at 8:19 am

    question? I have a tracfone cell phone and I’d like to know do the phone qualify for lifeline at this present time I’m buying minutes.

    Reply
  38. ty says

    August 9, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    i already have a phone it got dropped in water and wont come on how do i Get anothrr phne bt use the Same sim

    Reply
  39. Natasha Price says

    August 6, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    Hi I’m trying to find out who is the phone provider for this number, my phone is broken I don’t remember the provider, PLEASE HELP ME ,,,,,, MAY GOD BLESS THIS READER! Louisiana phone 504-657-****

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      August 7, 2014 at 11:19 am

      I wish we knew and could help you.

      Reply
  40. 531 9350 says

    July 26, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    My mother is in need of assistance or a free phone.I am trying to get the steps it takes or who to call and what she needs to have in order for her to get the assistance she needs. Thanx.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 26, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Just follow the links on this page if you are in Louisiana.

      Reply
  41. William Jones says

    July 17, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    Can my Straight Talk Wireless phone be transfered to this program.

    Reply
    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      July 18, 2014 at 1:43 pm

      You would have to check with each vendor in the list in the article above. It depends upon both their policy and the type (CDMA, GSM, etc) of phone you have and they support.

      Reply

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Recent Articles

Dropping like flies: AT&T ends Lifeline landline discounts, T-Mobile may be next

True Wireless says fraud allegations are untrue

Shame! Cold-hearted Verizon ends program that gave free government cell phones to survivors of domestic abuse

Halloween horror story: Thousands of dead people sign up for free government cell phones

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Bye bye, Blue Jay: We just lost another free government cell phone company

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California city to ban free government cell phone street tents

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Latest Reader Comments


  • Free government cell phones program expanding into internet smartphones (936)
    • Then you need to apply for a free phone. – [click to read]
    • I would like to get free phone – [click to read]

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    • EnTouch watches our comment section very closely, Billy. They do a very good job of answering our readers’ questions. So check back to find your answer. – [click to read]
    • I have been trying to change my lifeline provider from Qlink over to Entouch because my old Verizon Galaxy S6 is compatible with their service. For over 2 weeks, I have been unable to do ... – [click to read]

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    • We’ve heard the same complaint many, many times in the past, Joseph. – [click to read]
    • I still trying to resolve issues with Qlink wireless company which cut off my phoneline Qlink wireless according to them i am deceased are someone in my family, iv'e had the cellphone for over one ... – [click to read]

  • Is any phone compatible with my free phone network? (617)
    • Speak to the Assurance customer service team to make sure you get the most accurate answer. – [click to read]
    • I need to replace my virgin mobile with assurance wireless mins.what kind of phone do I need to buy. – [click to read]

  • Can I use my current phone with my free government cell phone service? (435)
    • We don’t have any office anywhere because we are not your service provider, Aita. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team again. – [click to read]
    • i got cell phone before 12 days ago, i used it for just 2-3 day after that it doesn't work so i call customer service and they send me another cell phone in 1/16/2019 at ... – [click to read]

  • What is a PUK code? And how do you find it? (498)
    • Read the article, Mario. – [click to read]
    • I have a Kyocera and I accidentally locked my self out. The point is that it doesn't have any service so I can't call I need help please respond as fast as you can. – [click to read]

  • How to I switch my account from one free government cell phone company to another? (145)
    • Only your service provider’s customer service or tech support team can answer that question accurately. – [click to read]
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