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New Mexico: Cell Phones from the Government

The free government cell phone program has finally come to New Mexico. And in our opinion, it’s about time.

First the good news: 25% of New Mexican workers are employed by the Federal Government. State and local governments are also major employers. The state also has lots of high paying jobs in aerospace and mining. Its unemployment rate is an enviable 6.4% (December, 2012), compared to the national average of 7.8%.

Based on those statistics, you might be inclined to assume that the state’s economy is strong and vibrant. Unfortunately, that would be a huge error.

Now the bad news: A shocking 19.0% of the state’s residents live below the official federal government poverty level (compared to 14.3% nationally). The state’s average income also lags behind the national average.

When you compare and contrast those conflicting statistics, New Mexico seems to be an economic Jekyll & Hyde with abject poverty living right alongside

How can this be explained? According to the United States Census Bureau (2011), 10.1% of New Mexico’s population is Native Americans. And according to Wikipedia, the poverty rate in some reservations exceeds 60%.

Luckily, the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program is now available to almost all low-income New Mexicans. And special programs are available for those who live on reservations.

We sincerely hope this can help close that gap between well-to-do New Mexicans and the state’s neediest residents.

Free Cell Phone Providers in New Mexico:

Who’s offering the Lifeline Assistance program in New Mexico? Just two companies, but they ara strong ones. Please check them both out and compare the plans as not everything is the same:

Free Cell Phone Eligibility in New Mexico:

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

  • 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. See chart for New Mexico incomes below:

Income Based Eligibility for New Mexico
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 New Mexico:

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

    • We can’t “sign you up” Donna. You need to enroll yourself by choosing any of the plans listed on this page and then enroll using the contact info shown on this page.

      Reply

  3. Assurance Wireless have bad phones and a monopoly on only two types of cell phones and bad services now can’t go to safelink to get services and im hadicape

    Reply

    • Why can’t you go to Safelink, Jose? The rules of the program say that a customer can switch service providers every 60 days.

      Reply

    • Assurance wireless is the worst had a phone from them for two weeks and it needed replacing and I couldn’t get the replacement to work I call them trump phones because they only work for the Rich. I sent the replacement back but I still need a phone and lifelink isn’t in my state.

      Reply

      • “They only work for the rich” is an goofy comment because the phones are only available or the poor.

        Reply

  4. How do you contact these companies to apply for a free cell phone if you do not have a phone? Can you do all this online through email or do you need to access a phone somewhere to talk to someone?

    Reply

    • We provide all the contact info you need on each service provider’s page. In most cases you can speak to a real, live human being but some companies make that so difficult that you’ll have better luck enrolling online.

      Reply

    • Very few free government cell phone companies have brick-and-mortar locations, Dwayne. But you can easily enroll online or by phone.

      Reply

  6. My name is Margaret Brawley and have Power of Attorney of John R. Lambert. Mr. Lambert is now in a living facility, Genesis, at 7900 ******** Avenue, ********, New Mexico. Please advise how I must proceed to get his a free government cell phone. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Every once in a while we get a question we’ve never been asked before and this is one of those cases, Margaret. We don’t know the correct answer, but this comment moderator has acted as a POA in the past, so this advice is based on that experience. We’d suggest that you contact your preferred free government cell phone service provider and explain the situation to customer service. If it works as it did when we served as a POA, you will be required to provide a copy of the POA document before the enrollment can begin.

      After you get it all worked out, we’d love it if you would come back here and leave another comment sharing your experience. We’re sure our readers will find it interesting.

      Reply

  7. Are you still available to give out free phones? I am 78 years old and on Social Security. I am way down on the poverty income list. I need a cell phone because without I am no longer considered employable even to the lowest paying company in New Mexico. I can be reached at: ***********@gmail.com

    Reply

    • It certainly sounds as if you qualify, Joseph. Check all the plans outlined on this page, then contact the company that offers the one that fits your needs best. Good luck.

      Reply

    • Everything you need to know about free government cell phones in New Mexico can be found right here on this page, Cindy.

      Reply

  9. i sent in my application a while ago,i’ve been waiting for a response . my name Michele Wolfe,email *********@gmail.com. waiting pationitly. Thank you. message phone 505-480-****

    Reply

    • This is an independent informational website, Michele, not one operated by your service provider. As a result, wed don’t know the status of your application. You’ll need to check with customer service at the company you enrolled with.

      Reply

    • We assume you mean ISP (Internet Service Provider). If not, we’re not sure what an ISD is.

      The answer is “only if your local ISP is listed as one of the low-income internet service providers listed on this page.”

      Reply

  11. I have a smartphone already I’m with MetroPCS. I’m on the $30 mthy plan. I was advice that I can keep my cell and get assistance in paying my cell. How I’m on soc sec. And on snap, and medicade.How do I go about that. So I have to ask MetroPCS that question?

    Reply

    • Just read the main sections of this website, Alma, and you’ll find out everything you need to know. You’ll probably be able to keep your own smartphone, but remember that not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks. So it’s vital that you specifically ask the customer service team(s) if your specific make and model is compatible with their networks.

      Reply

  13. I applied twice faxing paper work of income all that was needed 3 weeks ago haven’t heard anything said it on application that i would receive it with in next 7 business days i haven’t gotten it yet can you please let me know if i will be receiving it

    Reply

    • You didn’t mention which company you enrolled with, Marie, but we would suggest visiting that company’s website to see if it offers a “Check Your Status” fucntion. Many of them offer this feature.

      Reply

  14. terrible website – nearly impossible to get through the navigational sequence – seems anything related to government is below the normal quality offered by tens of thousands of regular businesses

    Reply

    • I applied for a free phone almost a yr ago and have heard absolutely nothing. All i get is that they have my application. I took pictures of everything they needed and submitted it. This is bs if you ask me. How long does it take!

      Reply

      • That’s crazy, Paula. There’s no reason for you to have been jerked around like that. Which company did you attempt to enroll with? Have you called their customer service team to discuss the problem?

        Reply

  16. I have had a Safelink phone for 1 year. When it was time to recertify, I met the requirements but I still do not have the service nor the replacement phone.

    I applied to ASSURANCE on 10/25/16 and still I have no phone.

    The toll free numbers listed to contact them do not provide access to a live operator for specific assistance.

    Safelink support has told me that I have to purchase my own phone and a sim card kit before they will reinstate my phone service. Why?

    I am homeless and I need a phone for employment opportunities.

    I am doing the best I can to end my homeless experience.

    The customer service people do not understand our trials and obstacles. They make it even more complicated to receive the service is specifically targeted to my kind.
    Why?

    Reply

    • That’s a heartbreaking story, Kevin. It’s terrible that you are being given the run around. We have no idea why SAfelink is tellin gyou that you need to provide your own phone. We’ve never heard that before.

      Do you live in a homeless shelter? Perhaps the people there can help you overcome these issues.

      Reply

  17. self employed annual income is less than $ 15,890 and monthly income less than $1324 for household member of 1. Does that qualify as low-income or do you have to receive benefits from the programs such as: Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income, etc. I would appreciate a respond.

    Reply

    • Household income is defined as the combined income of all people living in the house, Lucinda. So if your combined income is below 135% the Federal poverty level, you would qualify. If the combined income is above that level, you must qualify by participating in one of the state or federal assistance programs listed on this page. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  19. Asking for my 81 year old mom..she lives in an assisted living home..but all her social security check goes to them..plus we have to pay the difference that is still owed..she is on the PACE program..which helps with her medical needs..,but she needs a phone just to be able to call us or we call her.. Just need less than 100 minutes a month..she gets $1772 a month from ss,but all handed over to assisted living home..plus we have to pay an additional $200 for difference..can you help?

    Reply

  20. This government provides assistance to other states but when it come to New Mexico, we are left high and dry. The government needs to do a better job of taking care of ALL states and it’s people.

    Reply

  22. Is there a place in Albuquerque NM that I can sign up in person to get a free government phone Im a low income and I have Medicaid and food stamp.

    Reply

  25. Becuse of my situation of being on food stamps and my medicl history and condition, it is imparitive that I have phone service and internet.

    Reply

  27. I am 79, getting food stamps, on ssdi, total income $681.00
    rent is $475.00, plus gas $25.00. i need a phone in case i need a doctor

    Reply