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Minnesota Free Government Phones

Ahhh, Minnesota. It’s the state known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Gopher State and the North Star State. But from now on it shall also be known as the free government cell phone state because this outstanding program is now available there.

According to the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Minnesota’s unemployment rate in May 2012 sat at an enviable 5.6%. That’s a rather remarkable 2.6% lower than the national rate and only about half the rate of states like Nevada (11.6%), Rhode Island (11.0%) and California (10.8%).

Despite Minnesota’s relatively prosperous economic condition, there are many in the state who are suffering. Many who are out of work. Many who are underemployed. And many who are disabled and simply unable to work. No matter how low the state’s unemployment rate may sink, some residents will always need a helping hand. Especially the kind of helping hand offered by the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program.

From International Falls in the north to Blue Earth in the south and from Moorhead in the west to Grand Portage in the east, tens of thousands of Minnesota residents need help. In fact, according to recent statistics, half a million of the state’s residents currently live in poverty.

Help is on the way for those needy Minnesotans. Life Wireless was the first company to make the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program available to low income state residents, and Assurance Wireless entered Minnesota in January 2013.

If they qualify they can now get a free government cell phone plus 250 free minutes per month. And that, of course, can help them land a good job and break the cycle of poverty.

Free Cell Phone Providers in Minnesota:

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

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 Minnesota:

Free of Discounted Cell Phone Eligibility in Minnesota:

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

  • 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)

In Minnesota, you may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See chart below with these calculated income levels:

Income Based Eligibility for Minnesota
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 Minnesota:

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?
25 more ways to qualify for a free government cell phone - Here's a quick, state-by-state summary of additional state assistance programs in which your participation means automatic qualification for the free government cell phone program.
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.
Brave Minnesota politician stands up for free government cell phones - Minnesota State Senator David Tomassoni is a rare politician not afraid to take a public stand in favor of the Lifeline free government cell phone program.
Assurance Wireless brings free government cell phone program to Minnesota - Assurance Wireless has begun competing with Life Wireless in the free government cell phone market in the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota introduces fantastic new way to distribute free government cell phones - Life Wireless free government cell phones are now being distributed by FreePhoneMN in Minnesota through the public library system.

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.
  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

    • This is yet another reason why we urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events. No, we have no way of helping you find that mysterious individual.

      Reply

  2. Standup Wireless is on your list of providers in Minnesota but when I went to their website to apply it said it was not available in my zip code (Minneapolis, MN). Just wanted to let you know.

    Reply

  3. Help I’m trying to cancel my government phone from Q-Link wireless I lost my phone over 6 months ago and asked them to cancel it instead they supposed to mailed me a replacement which I haven’t received I just want to cancel account

    Reply

  4. What happened to energy assistance as a form of proof for lifeline? My mother said she can no longer receive the benefit because they no longer take LIHEAP = Energy assistance approval letter.

    Reply

    • The Federal Communications Commission changed all the rules of the program at the end of last year, Eddie. They eliminated several means of qualifying because they said, and we paraphrase, that the vast majority of people qualified by participating in a small number of public assistance programs (the ones shown on this page). Of course, that leaves out some people who qualified via programs like LIHEAP, but that didn’t seem to matter to the FCC. Sorry to hear your mom is one of those people.

      Does she qualify from any of the other programs listed?

      Reply

  5. I have been inaccurately denied a phone with the reason being I’m not on an approved list. I’m on Medicaid and Social Security Disability and don’t work. I really need a phone and can’t afford regular services. How do I appeal this decision?

    Reply

    • “We” have not turned off anyone’s phone, Dean. We’re not your service provider — we’re an independent website. You need to contact customer service at your service provider to complain.

      Reply

        • You’re on the right page, T, but you need to choose one of the companies on this page and enroll with them using the contact info we’ve provided.

          Reply

    • We are unable to track day-by-day activities of the various companies, Tatika. The only thing you can do is check each company listed on this page to find out if they have stores in your area.

      Reply

    • Each Lifeline Assistance company may operate on one or numerous national cell networks (such as Verizon). The only way to know is to contact the companies you are most interested in and ask customer service. You can find a complete list of companies on a state-by-state basis here, Patrick:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  9. I AM LOOKING FOR A STAND WHERE SOMEONE COULD HELP ME START MY PHONE AGAIN.. I LIVE IN DULUTH MN. I HAVE TRIED CALLING AND NO ONE EVER ANSWERS. I AM NOT THE BEST ON THE COMPUTER.. THANK YOU…

    Reply

    • There is no schedule for street booths and tents, Patricia. Either call your service provider’s customer service team or find a store that sells the brand of phone that you were given. Good luck.

      Reply

      • I left my ID and EBT card with Free minutes 6/20 at the tent and was told to come back for a phone, but when I returned the tent and everything was gone. Can I get my ID, EBT card back and a phone?
        Monique

        Reply

        • This is just one of the problems with the street tents and booths, Monique. We frequently urge our readers to apply online or by phone instead.

          Do you remember the name of the company with which you applied at that tent?

          Reply

  10. I have a phone. Shipped from Qlink. The first phone was not working. I paid $25.00 to get a replacement. The phone came and service was cancelled because I re-applied. How can I get this phone working. The company will not discuss. They say contact local agency. Who is the local agency to contact?

    Qlink stated that another request was made at the same address and the service was sent to a different provider. Then cancelled because only one phone per address is allowable. Four separate individuals live in my group home.

    Reply

    • This is not an uncommon problem, Robert. Four individuals living in one residence and they all qualify for free government cell phones, but only one account is allowed per address. It’s a huge flaw in the system and there’s no simple solution.

      Reply

  11. I would like to get a government cell phone however I live in rural northern Minnesota and the only cell phones that work for me must be Verizon phones that use the Verizon network. I’ve tried a couple (Assurance Wireless and Safelink) and it is impossible to get a signal strong enough to make a call from my home.

    Reply

    • Lack of signal in rural locations is a real problem. Is there a national network in your area that does get a decent signal?

      Reply

  12. My current income is $0.00 and desperately need a cell ASAP to have telephone interviews so I can find a job. I have virtually exhausted anything where locally to me where I can walk to or bicycle, (I am 56 years old) and cannot bicycle very far. I cannot afford a cell at but need to keep my current cell # as I have numerous resumes out there and have no way of knowing if potential employers have been trying to contact me. Is it possible to keep the same number? I had a bad car accident last fall and my car was totaled. I spent almost 3 months in the hospital with no access to pay my bills and then another 3 months in rehab again with no access to a cell phone. While I was the hospital my employer went bankrupt and all of my benefits were cut off. Needless to say my cell was cut off along with all of my other services. Except electrical thankfully. How long will it take to get a phone to my address in Minneapolis?

    Reply

    • Wow. Sounds like you could really use some help, William. Hope we can do our part.

      Since you have zero income, you clearly qualify for a free government cell phone. So the first thing you need to do is click on the “States” link at the top of this page. Then click on your state. You’ll find a comprehensive list of companies offering the program in your state. You should click through all of them to find a company and a plan that’s right for you.

      Best of luck. Please let us know what happens.

      Reply

    • You’ve come to the right website, Delina. In fact, you’ve come to the right page, because this article lists every free government cell phone company in Minnesota. We suggest that you click each of them to see what each company has to offer, then apply by phone or online with the company that has a plan that fits you best.

      Reply

  14. Blue Jay Wireless is the best they Processes your info on the spot and give a phone right there. unlimited talk text and a android …. Wow you have to go to Brainerd , MN and get the best deal I have ever seen ..I’m so happy thank you BLUE JAY

    Reply

  15. How do I report someone taking advantage of this program if they’ve received a cell phone through lifeline and they have been working a cash job for over 6 months? I have paperwork to prove this. Thank you.

    Reply

  16. I reported my free govt. phone lost or stolen about a year ago and I never had it replaced. I assumed it was shut down. Just recently I attempted to get another govt. phone and was told that I still have a phone in my name. I was also told that I would have to have the old phone shut down before I could get a new one. Now I understand that if I do not make at least one call a month on that phone then it will be shut down right? If I lost the phone or it was stolen about a year ago, and it is still active then somebody has to be using it ! I do not remember who the carrier was or the phone number that was issued for the phone. All I know is that my name and info comes up in the main system as having a govt. phone still active. Who do I contact to find out who it is that is the carrier so I can have the phone shut down ?

    Reply

  18. Is it okay if you sign up for more than 1 companies or plan ? Like for example I sign up for life wireless and Q link wireless?

    Reply

  19. Ive been waiting for a week for my phone to come in the mail how can i check to see where my phone is ??

    Reply

  21. hi !so i went to use my phone and it says to call costumer service,but i dontknow who costumer service is for these phones.does anyone have any info please?i have no service at all,like i got cutt off.i didnt go over my minutes,so i dont know what happen?but if anyone knows the number to call,thats be great.i cant find it.thank you again!michelle

    Reply

  24. I applied and FAXED over all information needed on 10/27/14 to receive my assurance free cell phone. I talked to a representative the next day and all my data had been RECEIVED. Because I am cancelling my CenturyLink landline phone service before November 8th – day of payment, Assurance representative told me he would expedite my info and send me the Assurance phone by November 5th or so. When I called your phone number today on Nov. 3rd to make sure the phone shipped, the representative told me I was not yet approved!!!! The Representative WAS WRONG! I have been approved and I want to know when my phone SHIPPED! I need a tracking # immediately! Thank you…
    Lauren Caplan

    Reply

  27. How can i help single mom with disabled child with 24 hrs Nursing Assisting who needs free phone and internet because to get committed night shift nurse requires internet access due to the fact that they might need wifi to have access to their study while they caring the person. Not for fun just for educational, they might be student. Zipcode 55408. Please drop me an email. I am really need to help this person’s child. I personally can not afford to pay her bills.

    Reply

    • Phones are available from many sources, you can apply on-line easily, I don’t know of any free internet, but Century Link offers their “Basics” program for low-income folks. Great internet service and really cheap, like $10 a month or less! I use them, I’m in zip code 55403.

      Reply

  29. Is it possible to have a one page flyer emailed to me about free phones in Minnesota? I would love to refer clients to this program. Thanks!

    Reply