There aren’t a lot of people in Maine and that means the state hasn’t produced a lot of famous people. Former President George Bush had a vacation home in Kennebunkport. Milton Bradley, the man who founded the game company that bears his name, was born here. But unless you’re one of the few rich and famous, Maine has economic problems that may impact you.
Maine has the same sort of economic problems that bedevil lots of other states, and some that are even greater. Businesses complain that that the Pine Tree State makes it almost impossible to grow and prosper and hire more people. Others discount that concept.
Either way, lots of Mainers are hurting right now. The unemployment rate is considerably higher than most neighboring states, inflation is raoring, and things don’t appear to be getting better.
That means there are plenty of people who need the kind of help that’s available only from companies that participate in the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs a free cell phone, unlimited talk, unlimited texts, and maybe even unlimited internet to disadvantaged Americans.
Lifeline and ACP free government cell phone service providers in Maine
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Maine. 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 Maine
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 Maine:
How to qualify for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Maine
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Maine:
- 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. We’ve taken the liberty of calculating the rates for you and have placed them in the following table:
Income Based Eligibility for Maine | ||
---|---|---|
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 Maine
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.
C’mon, Mainers or Mainites or Maineroonies, or whatever residents of Maine are called. Get the processs rolling. Enroll today so you can get a free government cell phone, free unlimited talk, free unlimited texts and free unlimited internet ASAP.
Latest Lifeline & ACP Phone News for Maine:
If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.
Meghan says
I recive SSI & live in a home with a low income senior. Can we both get free phones through this program?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Maybe, but we don’t have enough info. Are you part of the same family? In that case, the answer is probably no. Do you each contribute to the expenses? In that case the answer is maybe. Speak to a customer service agent at any of the service providers to find out more about whether you qualify for an exemption to the one per household rule.
Kristen Smith says
Hello. I am wodnering idf the resources provided here are still in place, and if there have been any impacts on said services due to COVID? I am working on a grant proposal to increase wireless access in Portland and would love an answer as soon as possible. Thank you!
Free Government Cell Phones says
All the services are still in place and some companies have even offered temporary increases in the service offered. We have intentionally not reported on those temporary increases because they tend to come and go so rapidly.
Jaime says
I applied i get ssi i qualify for a phone and i never got it?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Did they tell you why?
AK says
Thank you all so much. I work in a doctor’s office and most of our patients have low incomes and cannot afford cell service on a regular basis. I’ve spent the morning putting the information on your website into a handout which will hopefully help many people.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Please tell everyone you can, AK. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of readers get free government cell phones and we’d like to help many, many more.
Jaime says
I have applied several times in past years never got mine
Free Government Cell Phones says
Have you been turned down? Did they say why? Were all your applications with the same company?
marcia brown says
Does a 100% rated disabled veteran qualify? Confused about term used as “veteran pension”; isn’t that veteran retirement and not disability?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It sounds as if you would qualify based on income, Marcia. But here’s an article that gives you far more detail on all the ways to qualify:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
Dale says
I would very much like to have a Safelink or other government phone. My problem is I have a PO BOX, and Im told I have an invalid house address. I cant get general mail delivered, Im too close to PO OFFICE, However UPS, WALMART, CHEWY.COM can find and deliver here. Why Can’t you?
Free Government Cell Phones says
First thing, Dale, is that it’s not “us.” This is an independent informational website. You have stumbled into one of the biggest flaws in the free government cell phone program. The USAC, the organization that oversees the Lifeline program, knows this is a stupid rule, but they have done nothing to correct it.
alex says
Hi I would like to have a cell phone please
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to check out all the plans discussed in this article, choose the one that fits your needs best, and apply with that company, Alex. You can’t just say, “I’d like a phone please.” But it’s almost that simple.
Diane says
Is there any chance for a couple to get two cell phones? My husband has a phone through Safelink Wireless but if one takes the cell phone it leaves the other spouse in unable to reach the other or anyone if there is an emergency and the such. I called Safelink this morning and they say we can’t get two phones but reading this article it looks like we could get two,phones.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you live in the same house, it’s not possible, Diane.
Leslie Tucci says
I have a good basic phone but I need a phone plan for emergency use for my 74-year-old husband. he has been using the cheapest tracfone pay-as-you-go, Twice his minutes were wiped out, and now his service days (over 100) were wiped out. Tracfone claims they have no record of his account and his number is not in their system after three years using tracfone. He is a veteran with a minimal supplemental income pension.Could you direct me to a provider of an inexpensive phone plan?
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Free Government Cell Phones says
Check out all the plans on this page, Leslie. Luckily, you have a number of plans to choose from. Make sure you check them all out to find the one that fits your friend’s needs best. And make sure you check to make sure the company you choose has a good signal in your friend’s area.
Andrea Alden says
I went through this program and received a phone that doesn’t have reception in central Maine, particularly augusta and surrounding areas. I returned that phone can I get another one?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Are you asking if you can get another phone from the same company or if you can switch companies?
Sandy Von Allgeier says
My sister is in a nursing home in Maine, and does not have a phone in her room. She is not able to afford a cell phone to keep in touch with her family. She does not have internet access, that is why I am writing this. Her children are scattered across the country; ex. Ft. Lewis in Washington state. Her grand daughter is a very sick child, and she would like to keep in touch with her. Her son-in-law is currently on deployment for the army. Her siblings are here in mass. and disabled, so it is very difficult to drive up to see her. Is there a way to get a form for her to fill out, to get a free cell phone and service ? She herself suffers from congestive heart failure, and is very disabled, unable to get around. She is very depressed as you can imagine; and being able to stay in touch would be a godsend.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If she qualifies, she can get a free government cell phone, Sandy. Just read the article on this page to get all the info you need.
Jake Hill Jr. says
My father qualifies for a Lifeline cell phone in Maine and currently has a very simple, early model phone. I have a used iPhone 4 I would like to give him. Can he then use the iPhone 4 with the carrier he currently has (I forget which one), or are their certain free cell phone providers in Maine that can accommodate an iPhone 4?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It sounds as if you already know that not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks. Your best bet would be to contact the company your dad wants to enroll with to check if the iPhone 4 is compatible with its network PRIOR to actually signing up.
In case it’s not compatible with that company’s network, you can find a list of all the free government cell phone providers in your state at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
harold says
when i applied for a phone, i was told i am not in the system and therefore, failed the identification.i’ve had a ss no. for over fifty years.how is it i was denied a phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Ask the customer service rep to clarify what they mean by “not in the system” and “failed the identification”. Call them again and ask to speak to a supervisor. It always helps to go up to a higher level of authority, because the supervisors have more experience and can do more to help you. Good luck.
barry dolan says
I HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR A PHONE I NEED THE STATE AGENCY TO OK IT WHO IN MAINE DOES THAT
ernest york says
I have been waiting for 3 months for this phone and I keep getting a runaround ,, they said ohh you need to send a copy of you food stamp card and that’s all we need . so I did and now that isn’t enough . they are waiting on the state DHHS to verify , what a bunch of baloney and its just a big hassle and I am tired of all the bull and the many phone calls I have made to them and getting nowhere. Obama needs to step up and not be a slacker. This program sucks
jayne george says
How do I apply for a safelink phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you are in Maine, you are on the right page. If not, go to the States page,
carole says
I am trying to get set up with a free cell phone,I am a grandmother raising her grandson.,And getting devoice,I have no phone.I need help.please help me to be able to call drs,for rides,as I have no car a,and live in country.thank you .Carole Jewett
Heather says
You can go to http://www.safelinkwireless.com and apply for a phone.
Tasha says
is there q physical address I can travel too to receive this phone sooner . I live In Casco Maine
Free Government Cell Phones says
Most providers do not have physical offices, but to know for sure look at each’s website.