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Free Cell Phones in Michigan from the Government

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been described as “ten months of winter and two months of poor sledding.” But when it comes to looking for a job these days, Michigan residents face twelve months of poor sledding.

Manufacturing has always been huge in the Wolverine state. It accounts for more than 30% of the state’s economy. Of course, the auto industry is the state’s biggest industry and it has faced major problems in recent years. As a result, the cities of Detroit, Dearborn, Flint, Pontiac and Lansing have been devastated.

The state has tried to diversify by attracting more high-tech industries, but the effort is going more slowly than leaders had hoped.

Until the economy turns around, at least the Lifeline phone service program is here to help Michigan residents with free government cell phones.

Michigan is lucky in that it has all the big players from which to choose a free government cell phone. These four companies all offer close to the same thing, as they must work within the guidelines of the federal government’s Lifeline program.

Free Cell Phone Providers in Michigan:

Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Michigan. 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 Michigan

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 Michigan:

How to Qualify for a free or discounted cell phone and service in Michigan:

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

  • 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)

Plus, you may be eligible under these state programs, until the new federal laws make them ineligible in 2017:

  • Food Stamps (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and we have constructed a table to be able to see those calculated income levels. Please note that we have seen conflicting numbers for Michigan among the providers–some say 135% and some say 150%.

Income Based Eligibility for Michigan
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 Michigan:

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.
Business booming at TAG Mobile: Company offers free government cell phones in six new states - Tag Mobile is now offering free government cell phones to in six more states (Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin).
New in Michigan: Free government cell phone company has special offer for Medicaid enrollees - Assurance Wireless has teamed up in Michigan with OmniCare Health Plan to offer unlimited calls to their healthcare providers.

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 receive SSI and im also receiving Medicare I tried to find out if i could get the free phone but can not get any results.

    Reply

  2. i live in northern michigan and cannot find a cell service that works. i just cancelled q-link because the service did not work even after i bought a second phone from them. i could text with q-link but unable to call and recieve cslls.

    Reply

    • Have you checked with all the free government cell phone companies listed in the article above, Glen?

      Reply

  3. How do I find out what cell phone companies have a pending application for me ? I only filled out 1 and that company said that they cannot activate my phone until the other pending application is removed. I didn’t apply for any other company! The told me to contact lifeline services and to google it because they don’t have the number. Please help!

    Reply

    • You may have to go down the list of service providers on this page and contact each of them one-by-one, Katie. Unfortunately, Michigan has about as long a list of providers as any state. Good luck.

      Reply

  4. I live in michigan and I want to know which free service provider would let me bring my own phone a samsung galaxy s 3 to get activated for its free phone service.

    Reply

  5. Just curious read a previous reply that stated all government cell phone providers must supply a free phone but yet I have found that Truconnect while it offers the free government monthly minutes you have to purchase a phone from them or bring your own which does no good unless it is an unlocked phone.

    Reply

    • Don’t know where you got that information, Vicky, but it is incorrect. ALL free government cell phone companies are required to offer free smartphones to ALL new customers. It’s mentioned prominently on Truconnect’s website homepage.

      Reply

      • Truconnect does not give out free phones!!! They make the agents buy them and actually resell the phones to customers. They are Not a true lifeline provider. Won’t be around long

        Reply

        • Like several other Lifeline companies, Truconnect offers paid plans in addition to Lifeline plans.

          Reply

  6. is there another safetynet wireless toll free number the one on there web page is not work its been a busy tone since they opened at 9 a.m.

    Reply

    • Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. You’ll be connected to your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

    • We’re going to assume you meant $1100 or $1000 instead of $11,000, Kenneth. All the companies and plans available in your state are listed in the article above. We’ve also provided contact info for each of the companies just to make it easier for you.

      Reply

  8. May phone was lost or stolen n i can’t remember who my provider was to have it cancelled or replaced? So how do i find out which provider im with??

    Reply

    • The good news is that it’s possible. The bad news is that it will take a bit of work on your part. You’ll need to go to our “States” page at the link below:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Unfortunately, you’ll need to start at the top of the page and work your way down. You’ll need to contact customer service at the first company to find out if it is your service provider. They will be able to know by your name, address, social security number, phone number, etc). If it’s not the first company on the list, repeat the process with the second company and so on and so on until you find the company that says, “Yes, you’re our customer.”

      Reply

  9. I want to change back to Assurance from Qlink as the phone I received does not ring. I have to look at my phone to see when it rings otherwise I am missing calls. I have tried repeatedly to let Qlink know since I have had the phone. I never had a problem with Assurance and wish I had never changed.

    Reply

    • Unfortunately, now that you’ve switched you must stay with the new company for one full year. Sorry, Carla. But you should definitely raise a stink with QLink about the phone they sent you. Don’t take it sitting down. Call customer service and ask for a supervisor and complain.

      Reply

  11. My mother Virginia Wahab is in Lourdes Rehab in Waterford Mi And needs to communicate with family. I live in France although i call her everyday The family needs to be able to talk to mom as She has démentia Need your help as ap

    Kind regards

    Ellen Wahab

    Reply

      • A cell phone So When i call The nursing home And She can not come to The phone i can call her In bed. How do i get a government cell phone to her In The NeXT few days please contact me through email at ********@gmx.com. I Need to get this done within The next few days please. Kind regards

        Reply

        • Sorry, Ellen, but we cannot respond to emails because of the sheer volume of comments and questions we receive. You need to look at the service provides and their plans on this page to find the plan that fits your needs best. Then you’ll need to enroll online or by phone by calling customer service at your chosen service provider. You’ll probably need to do it while you’re sitting with your friend or relative because they’ll probably want to speak to her. Good luck.

          Reply

    • Do you remember which service provider you enrolled with? If so, call customer service and they’ll be able to track you down via your social security number, your address, etc.

      Reply

  13. Our Mother is 93 [hopes to reach 94 in January] and is paying for high cell phone service. Her only income is SS and has less that $15,000 banked for medical co-pays/deductibles. She qualifies for and lives in city government housing, funds via federal government housing program. Does she qualify and how can we enroll her??

    Reply

    • All the ways to qualify in Michigan are shown in the article on this page, SAJ. Check them out and see if your mom qualifies.

      As far as enrolling, you’ll need to check out all the various plans available in Michigan to find the one that suits your mom’s needs best (most minutes, texts, data plan, etc). When you find the one that you prefer, contact that company using the contact info you’ll find on each service provider’s page.

      Reply

  15. My sister is on disability and Medicaid and would most definitely qualify but what she would like to know is if she has an unlocked phone with no carrier can she use it with a byop contract. It is a Galaxy Note 3 and it just seems like this would be better than handing out a phone that could go to someone who needs it as my sister has a working phone but cannot afford to buy minutes. (And before anyone asks how she can afford to buy a Note3 but not the minutes: She is 43 and has had juvenile diabetes since age 10 and only the last couple years became unable to work due to neuropathy, kidney issue’s, heart issues etc)

    Reply

    • That’s a very generous idea your sister has. We cannot answer the question accurately because it depends on the make and model of the phone AND the national cell network used by the service provider your sister enrolls with. In other words, she will need to check with customer service at her chosen provider before she enrolls with them. Keep in mind that just the phone isn’t compatible with one network doesn’t mean it won’t be compatible with another. Keep checking until you find a company with which it can be used.

      Reply

  16. I explained to the Assurance agent that I already had a phone but its really old and I would like to cancel it life wireless services and get the New updated phone your company offers,she said ok, and I gave her my infomation, she entered it into the Ipad or tablet she was using to get new customers for your company and told me I didnt qualify? I know that I do because I have this old phone and Ingave her my Bridge card and my Valid I.D could someone check into this for me she was working at a supermarket on Puritan and Greenfield detroit Michigan 48235 I think her name was Keshia.

    Reply

    • No one here can check into it for you, Sherry, because we are an independent website and not affiliated with your service provider in any way. Contact its customer service team and try to apply again.

      Reply

  17. My elderly library patron would like to know where to send her phone back– She really doesn’t use it. she is hard of hearing and needs an address where she can send a letter.

    Reply

    • She does not need to send it back, Jill. Believe it or not, that’s part of the free government cell phone program. It’s hers to keep or give away if she wants.

      Reply

  19. I currently own a cell phone and am happy with it. It is from StraightTalk. However, I am unable to afford the monthly payments of $45 plus tax. Is there any help available? I am unemployed and about to be evicted by May 15.

    Reply

    • If you qualify, John, any of the companies listed on this page can offer a free phone/minutes/texts. But the plans vary, so we suggest clicking through all the service providers listed to find the plan that’s best for you. Good luck.

      Reply

  20. Can no longer afford home phone. I’ve been raising granddaughter for a year with little help. She’s still involved with the courts, and cps comes once a month. To get a line in my house will cost $150.00.

    Reply

  21. Im not sure what type of phones these companies give for free. I would be intrrested in a free i phone. Anyone know how to select the phone you want?

    Reply

  22. Do ALL the sell phone Carrier’s go by the same rules in Michigan. I do not have a Bridge Card but for my income 0NE person is under the guidelines for REGULAR Social Security Benefits is 1,242.00. Was at a Kroger store and I was denied they said they no longer accepted regular retirement. This was Access Wireless company. Housing accepts it what is the deal? Or do they not get a kick pack from the government on this? Really angry about this ! Cannot get to a human at Acess Wireless!!!!!!

    Reply

  25. Several long weeks ago the life-line provider (don’t know who it is!) made me aware that the life-line needed to be renewed, – which I attempted. Turns out that the representative who a year ago inputted the qualifying data must have made a mistake noting down my social security number, since the renewal ‘system’ tells me that the number is incorrect. During my re-certification attempts I somehow reached a living human being who noted my problem down and said that the re-certification could also be done via mail. He said they would send the form out. This form did not arrive and my phone service is presently discontinued.

    Can You help?

    Reply

  28. i already have a safelink phone i have had it for years and they cancelled it they said i have applied for another phone but wont or cant tell me who how do i fine out who i supposedly applied with so i can cancel it and get back to safelink

    Reply

  29. I was told that my social security does not count as income for a phone, without it my income is about $12,500 in line 12 of my income tax. With my and my wives social security we above the poverty guidelines. Would I qualify?

    Reply

  30. I need a cell phone to get ahold of my family when I leave so they know where I am and I am safe. Also, because I am applying to jobs. I need a phone for them to contact me.

    Reply

    • once your free minutes are gone, you would have to purchase minutes by buying a phone card, or wait until you get more free minutes the following month

      Reply

  33. Hi, I am Miss Beth Keck and I am problem with my hearing impaired.

    I don’t have any government cellphone free and I like the cellphone with touchscreen that easy to reads because of my eyes able reads well than small cellphones! If I were had one with a small cellphone as I shall not like it.!!!

    Reply

  34. My sister has a free Assurance Phone . She has to re-register yearly. Every time she tries to the recording says she is not using an assurance phone. But she is! It also tells her to use another assurance ph. She is getting close to loosing her service. What can she do?

    Reply

  35. I’m currently on SSI I have all phone already through ReachOut wireless but it just got shut off and I was wondering if I could set up a plan through a company to get a phone company that will support me in a decent price I’m really on a low budget SSI and food stamps and Medicaid I’m disabled can you please contact me back thank you.

    Reply

  36. My parents both work and I still live with them but I am independent of one for myself and I work at target part time 20 to 25 hours a week. I was wondering if could qualify free Obama phone for work but already own a phone is that a problem I need to. Could you please respond within the next 1- 2 business days that would be great

    Reply

  37. My grandfather wants to know what does he have to do in order to qualify/ apply to recieve a government phone. How can we go about getting it for him?

    Reply

    • You merely have to read the article on this page and follow the links to the various companies that can give him a phone.

      Reply

  39. My charger broke within 24 hours, battery is invalid, n a borrowed charger is an unauthorized charger.. I got it in Kalamazoo Michigan .. Medicaid was billed. I have 2 months of time on it. Its a Motorola.. Please help. It does not work at all.

    Reply

  41. How can both me and my spouse each get a phone? I would like to be able to contact him when I am not at home. Many of these lifeline programs say it is about being able to stay connected to friends and family- well I MOST need to be able to contact the person I live with- for many many different things- be able to contact each other if we are each running different errands and need to meet, be able to let him know what’s happened if I get a flat tire or injury, etc. Are there ANY lifeline programs that allow us each to have a phone? Am I stuck for the rest of my life with only one of us having a phone? We have extremely low income and qualify for a LIfeline phone- but how can we be able to get a second phone? We need it to be free, but it would even possibly someday be doable to pay for a second phone if they ever make a phone that is 5$ a month for even just 200 minutes. But LIfeline says you cannot have any second phone. This is ridiculous- is there any help out there?

    Reply

    • You can only one phone per household.

      “Am I stuck for the rest of my life with only one of us having a phone?” We think it’s very generous of the government to make even one phone available to a family.

      Reply

        • We approved this comment ONLY in order to tell you how wrong Dee is. You cannot legally apply for a second phone through Lifeline. The Federal Communications Commission has a National Lifeline Assistance Database with the names and personal info on every applicant. You will be busted quicker than you can say “free government cell phone.”

          DO. NOT. DO. IT.

          Keep in mind that nothing keeps you from getting a second phone. However, you will have to pay for the second one.

          Reply

        • Dee you really need to stop commenting because you are giving bad advice left and right which does not help anyone. The government is generous enough to give each household a phone and we need to not take advantage of that kindness by cheating. It’s not easy having only one cell phone but imagine how much harder it would be with none? ! Good luck to you

          Reply

    • instead of running errands, run and get a part time job, pay for ONE phone and you get a free one. seriously you’re going to say “am i stuck?” nope, you’re never stuck. you’re not a tree. you don’t like the fact that you only can get ONE phone, GET A JOB AND PAY FOR THE SECOND ONE. Im a single mother and have worked and supported the two of us from day one. maybe you should try that…. supporting yourself. and quit getting upset at the companies willing to get you something for free. now THAT’s RIDICULOUS!!!! complaining about a free phone…. i’m baffled. and shame on you.

      Reply

  42. I recently became homeless and just applied for assistance. Where do I go to get free government phone somewhere in macomb county Michigan

    Reply

    • We don’t know where any physical locations are, just contact the companies through the internet of by phone.

      Reply

  43. I am the legal guardian of my sister who is in a nursing home and is a Medicare, Medicaid recipient. How do I apply for her to receive a free cellphone

    Reply

  44. i work in a phone store and see people getting 4 or 5 phones a month.or more…its a program that started out good and has gone to heck… most people dont use these phones for anything but a social network….not what the program is about. just a goverment program that failed…

    Reply

  45. My sister was laid off and her unemployment has run out. She does not currently receive food stamps (bridge card) or public assistance. Her cell phone has been shut off but she can not look for a job with no telephone number. Does she qualify?

    Reply

    • You’ve got 13 providers in Michigan, if that is in fact where you reside. They are all listed above. Check them all out and pick one. If you are asking for where there will be a street vendor perhaps, handing them out, we’d recommend going through the company’s website.

      Reply

      • T o whom it may concern:My name is Randall Belcher,I have five years experience in government phone distribution.I have my own spot,and customer base.I just need inventory to hand out.Companies I have worked for are,Life Wireless,Tempo Wireless,Assurance Wireless,And Stand up Wireless.As of reasant,my company cant get phones.Please let me know looking forward,to hearing back from you.Thank you Sincerely Randall Belcher.Any jobs call me, 586-696-****

        Reply

        • Sorry, Randall, but this is an independent informational website. We are not affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies.

          Reply