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Nebraska: Free government cell phones from Lifeline and ACP – Internet too!

It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that the Cornhusker State is economically schizophrenic. Here’s what we mean.

Statistics from the US Census Bureau tell two conflicting stories about the state’s economy – one of a strengthening economy in the rural areas, but of a worsening economy in the cities.

For example, the state’s average household income has recently risen to record levels.

But Nebraska’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture. And as you might expect when you see the skyrocketing costs at the grocery store, the state’s rural areas are doing much better than its cities.

Unfortunately, Nebraska’s urban income levels declined by -0.4%.

Unfortunately, the state’s median income level and its level of poverty remain stubbornly high.

So while the politicians in Washington, DC pat themselves on the back and brag that the economy is on the rebound, needy Nebraska residents don’t believe it, the number of Cornhuskers remains stubbornly high.

As one wit once noted, “When your neighbor loses his job, it’s a recession. When you lose your job, it’s a depression.”

We’re pretty sure that’s how a lot of Nebraskans feel. And we’re also pretty sure that they welcome the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity free government cell phone programs with open arms to their state.

Lifeline and ACP free government cell phone service providers in Nebraska

There are now four providers serving the state:

How to qualify for Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Nebraska

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 Nebraska:

How to Qualify in Nebraska for a Free or Discounted Lifeline Cell Phone

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

  • 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 Nebraska, you may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. See chart the following chart to see if you qualify on income; the level you see reflect the 135% calculation:

Income Based Eligibility for Nebraska
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 Nebraska

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.

Tens of thousands of Nebraskans qualify for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity (ACP) programs. Don’t be one of those who miss out. Enroll in your favorite Lifeline and ACP plan today.

Latest Lifeline & ACP News for Nebraska:

High demand for free phones meets high temperatures, chaos ensues - WOWT-TV reports that things got a little heated recently when Life Wireless tried to give free government cell phones to low income residents of Omaha, Nebraska.
$3.7 Billion in Income Could Be Generated for the Poor by Making Lifeline-Subsidized Free Cell Phones Available to All Eligible Americans - $3.7 Billion in Personal Income Lost in States – Including CA, CO, HI, MT, NE, ND, OK, SD, VT and WY – Without Access to Program for Their Poorest Citizens.

If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.

Comments

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Click around this website for a few minutes and you’ll learn everything you need to know.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Verizon does not offer free government cell phones. They offer discounted Lifeline phones, but not free.

  3. Charles R Fuhs says

    My wife and I are on SS and the income from that is over the $24,700 Does that income disqualify us.?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      If you are over that limit you cannot qualify based on income. But look at the page again because there are lots of other ways you can qualify.

  4. Jacqueline says

    Am I able to enroll someone who currently resides in an adult group home who is a family member? He needs a phone for work and commuting downtown also for potential emergencies. Is there a phone that comes with the service plan?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Yes, group homes are the exception to the “one per household” rule. You’ll need to fill out a special form.

  5. nancy says

    It say I qualify for a free phone but none of the companies it shows have service in Nebraska even though this website gives me the names of three of them. Can you help?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      The programs seem to change every day and we really appreciate it when readers alert us to changes we haven’t noticed. It looks like StandUp no longer does business in Nebraska, but the other two companies still list Nebraska on their lists of states served.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It works. It’s already helped millions of low-income Americans and we hope you become one of them.

  7. Bryan miller says

    I am a stay at home father, i am waiting for medicaid, i am in need of umbilical hernia surgery. Due to my health, i am unable to work. We are waiting for food assistance, medicaid, and i am also awaiting a legal matter in iowa. I am in need of a cell phone provided by the government, because my girlfriend and myself are not able to make our monthly payments for living and a cell phone payment on top of. If anything were to happen to us, id have to walk to the neighbors and use their phone.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      All the companies offering plans in your state are listed on this page, Bryan. Check them all out carefully to find the plan that fits your needs best, then enroll with that company.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Read about all the providers in your state on this page, choose the plan that fits your needs best, then enroll with that company using the contact info we provide.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Simple, Justin. Just check out all the free government cell phone plans listed on this page. Find the one that fits your needs best and enroll using the contact info we provide on each service provider’s page.

  10. carol cantril says

    I’m trying to get a free phone and also free cell phone minutes a month for Omaha Nebraska my email is *********@yahoo.com

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Sorry, Carol, but we cannot respond to individual emails because of the daily volume of comments and questions we receive.

  11. Barbara K Kostielney says

    I am on SSI & SS. Food stamps, Section 8,Mommas meals , and Im also disabled.I have Visiting nurses come in as well as house keeping. I could use this phone! I only make $755.00 a month and my bills takes it all up.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Sounds like you qualify, so please contact any of the companies listed on this page, Barbara.

  12. Me says

    I have to actually work for a living. Pay 515 rent. Pay my own bills. Can’t afford a doctor. Can’t afford nutritional food. Work 2 jobs. Get off your lazy butts and get jobs. Many, Many jobs available in Nebraska. MANY, MANY JOBS. STOP MAKING MY TAXES PAY YOUR WAY IN LIFE!!!! LAZY, LAZY, LAZY PEOPLE. SHAMEFUL WAY TO BRING KIDS INTO WORLD. YOU DONT EVEN RAISE THEM. THE PUBLIC DOES CUZ YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO YOUR OWN PARENTS. OR, maybe You were raised on Welfare, too. Disgusting.

    • Ashley M Ramirez says

      Some of us have worked and are now pregnant on bed rest and no longer can. To ensure the safe delivery of our children and safety of ourselves some of us need programs like this. Good for you that you work hard. But how about people like u who show they are ugly on the inside about an unnecessary opinion actually being relevant just keep their mouths shut. Because unless you are trying to help someone get out of poverty or to not need assistance then your opinion is completely irrelevant. Im so glad you waisted time in your day to be an ugly individual and express your opinion. However…if you’re not helping someone make a change you are just part of the problem. Have a great day though and hope karma catches up to you soon.

    • Stacie says

      Ur mouth is a disgrace I have over a half mill and I pay my way I see how well 2 jobs and no medical is working for you. Maybe If the whole world including u and I worked together we could make it a better place but then there’s people like you who think there better then everyone else I really hope u don’t have kids and raise them with that disgusting attitude or mind set u should be ashamed of yourself !!!!!

  13. Aaron Wright says

    I need a cell phone,,I’m in the process of getting disability and not able to work the last 3years,,with no income except 192 on my EBT card,, my step son stays with me, I’m his payee, he gets $670 a month,, we pay $50 for rent on the hud program plus utilities, no money for cell phone, can you help me, sincerely
    Aaron Wright

  14. Shelli l. Hokamp says

    I need help with a phone cause of health reasons & i can’t afford one right now. Social security is only given me so much on my check.

  15. Dawn says

    I need help with getting a emergency free phone along with minutes due to our son being handicap, scisofrinic, 1 of the 4% of the world who has split personality of 8 different ones.
    My email is *********@outlook.com
    My name
    Mrs. Joshua Griffith (Dawn Griffith)

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Everything you need to know is right here on this page, Dawn. Read all the info and then enroll with the company that fits your needs best.

  16. Ishma-EL Muhammad Bey says

    How long does it take to receive your Phone after the application is sent back

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It depends on the company, Ishmael. Most companies say a couple weeks, but three or four weeks does not seems to be unusual. One unfortunate reader reported that it took six months, but we believe that was a freak situation.

  17. Steve says

    Hi Again!

    I love the site, VERY helpful. You folks also need to be sainted on patience alone.
    I live In NE, the far rural areas are the toughest for cell company/system offerings. However on a PLUS, I We have Viaero as our lifeline free service provider. There is some confusion when I contacted customer service, they do not offer any data whatsoever for internet through the lifeline service, NOR do they offer smartphones, the Phone CS Rep explained to me that (paraphrased) the lifeline system is set up akin to the pre-pay system. The local store Rep told me that they do not offer a smartphone Upgrade and phones are not able to use Wi-Fi. The kicker is that this phone I received from Viaero for my Lifeline service is a blackberry 9300 curve, works great with my home Wi-Fi. Alas no network data. But there it is, I Viaero offers lifeline services

    II Someone @ Viaero has refurb or other smartphones for their lifeline customers (or I am just THAT special)

    III I am delusional.

    I am hoping with your experience and knowledge you might be able to clarify some of this.

    Thank You in advance
    Steve

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Check out our other website, Steve. It’s called FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net and it is the nation’s leading authority on the Lifeline Assistance program. You can find a complete list of all of your state’s service provider’s here:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      We show that Viaero offers a Lifeline “discount,” but does not offer free government cell hones. We’re hoping that you can find a Nebraska Lifeline company that satisfies your specific needs. Good luck.

      • Steve says

        Aye,

        That was my reason for posting, I do in fact have a literal lifeline phone, the blackberry 9300 I am using right now was provided by Viaero, and the monthly 250 voice min and 250 text are on the Viaero lifeline provider plan. I do not receive a bill, nor are there any charges. You can top off the minutes if you run out. (I have done this once stranded out of town) I promise you I am not suffering delusions as per my previous post LOL.
        I hope this clears things up.

        Thanks again,
        Steve

  18. Heidi Chable says

    Im on disability and need a phone gor my apoinments etc.. help me would be nice.

  19. Shelley ihde says

    I receive food stamps and have no other income at this time how in Omaha Nebraska can I receive a free phone and service?

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      It sounds like you clearly qualify for the program. You simply need to apply for the program with one of the companies that does business in Nebraska. Unfortunately, you live in a state that has very few choices and limited competition.
      To find the companies that do business in your area, click on the “States” link at the top of the page. Then scroll down and click on “Nebraska.” Click through all three service providers to find the plan that works best for you. Good luck.

  20. Mary Harding says

    I qualify for a free phone per your requirement for Nebraska. Please send me info on how I go about receiving one. I am a low income senior citizen one Medicare/Medicaid.

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Since you left this comment on our Nebraska page, just go back to that page. You’ll find a list of all free government cell phone companies doing business in the state. Click through that list to see which one offers the best deal for you. Contact that company using the information we provide.

  22. Lorie Sullivan says

    More about lifeline and internet please. I receiver general assistance, LIHEAP and foodstamps.

  23. Marilyn Matson says

    I am a widow of 13 years. I am now living in a assissed living and can not afford a cell phone or internet I need some help.

  25. Jennifer Myers says

    I need internet so I can go back to school online and my daughter has homework that is REQUIRED by her 6th grade teacher that requires her to go onto a google account to do her math homework each night.

  26. Virginnkia Lynn Prickett says

    Hello:)

    I need to know which cell phone provider is available in Nebraska, please.

    My claim for Social Security Disability is currently pending. My attorney, **** ******* of Scottsbluff, Nebraska has filed an appeal with the Appeals Council.

    I am currently waiting for their decision.

    Thank you,

    Virginia **** *******.

    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says

      The phone providers available in Nebraska are the one we listed on this page for Nebraska.

  28. Nancy says

    this all looks Great for Low Income but what about the elderly. My Mom is 80 but is not on any government assistance programs and lives alone.
    Nancy

  29. JILL WEST says

    I would like to apply for a free phone. I am pregnant and not working. My husband is the only one working

    • Free Government Cell Phones says

      Contact the providers we have listed above for you and choose one.