The Employers Association of South Carolina has 2011’s good news and bad news:
“South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 9.8 percent in April to 10. 0 percent in May, similar to the national rate increase from 9.0 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May.
They also say that a slight increase in unemployment is common at this time of year, but seasonal fluctuations don’t make unemployment any easier on the unemployed.
But here’s something that might ease the strain they face: free cell phones and free monthly minutes.
Free Cell Phone Providers in South Carolina:
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in South Carolina. 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.
- Access Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- ClearTalk Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- Feel Safe Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- Safelink Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Tag Mobile
- Tempo Communications
- Truconnect
How to Qualify in South Carolina for a free Lifeline cell phone
You qualify for a free government cell phone, through the Lifeline Assistance program, if you participate in any of the following government assistance programs:
- 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 Guideline for South Carolina, which we’ve calculated for you in the table below:
| Income Based Eligibility for South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| Members in Household | Annual 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 South Carolina:
See more cell phone news.
If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.
Jessica Wheeler says
I had an account and never ever received the phone, kept getting emails that it was on the way, and never got it, even called to give them my new address which was a secured address, never did see it, that was Q-link wireless, finally stopped getting emails. I have applied for service through Assurance, I believe it was, and I have not heard anything from them and I have medicaid, sent copy of the letter they send me every time they re-new and they said they would send me a letter and to watch for it, that was about 2 weeks ago, what should I do? Apply with a different company or just wait?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact Assurance customer service to ask for the status of your account. Did you apply online or by phone?
Samantha says
The form look like the minimum age to qualify for a phone is 18. The person receiving Medicaid in our house is under that age. Can we apply for a phone for him? No one else has Medicaid in the household.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, the person who receives the phone must be the person who receives the benefits. And, yes, you are correct that the minimum age of eligibility is 18. Have you looked closely at the list showing all the ways a household can qualify. It can be found in the article above. If someone else in the house can qualify, there’s no reason the phone cannot be used by the person who is under 18.
April Jones says
Is there anywhere in my area Anderson South Carolina I can go and get a government phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
We strongly urge you to enroll by phone or online, April. There has been so much fraud and abuse at street events that we cannot recommend that you enroll at one of them.
Lisa says
Over 1000calls for defaulted loans that AREN’T mine..ptsd with a recorded history of trigger being harassing calls. I need new account and new phone. They refuse to help.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Simple solution, Lisa. Switch service providers. You’ll get a new phone and a new phone number and a new account. Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
And here’s where you can find a list of all the free government cell phone companies and plans available in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Hiram F Taylor says
I’m having a problem with my phone. Are there any Lifewireless tents set up in Florence,SC 29501 today?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We urge our readers NOT to do business as the street events, Hiram. There have just been too many cases of fraud and abuse originating at the tents.
Christina Karn says
I currently live in SC I been using SafeLink for 4 years my phone was stolen now they are trying to make me buy a new phone. I’m in need of a smartphone. If I have to deactivate my account to go to another I will. Can you help
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sounds like you have the right idea, Christina. If you don’t want to pay for a replacement phone, switch to a different company. Here’s an article that tells you exactly how to do it:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Evelyn Reese says
I want to have my service deactivated because I’m No longer eligible. I contact customer service and spoken with someone, and I was told that my service was renewed for another year, in which I was not contacted in any way to renew my service and when I question, how and why was it newed when I was not contacted to do this because I knew I wouldn’t be egibile, I was told it was renewed in June, 2017. But my renewal date is November 2017. Then I asked why are they renewing my application without my consent, I was told it was renewed via email, of which I know that is false also. Next I was told my phone service will be deactivated but if I become eligible for the phone service again, it will direct me back to the same company. So my main concern is how can I get the service deactivated from Qlink wireless company and to show it is deactivated in the National Phone Service Registar, because, I’m not looking to reapply for the free service and if in the future I become eligible again, I do not want to apply back with Qlink service.
Please help, thanks
Free Government Cell Phones says
Funny, isn’t it, the way some Lifeline companies just cannot get around to cancelling accounts that customers want cancelled. Here’s an article that tells you how to make a formal complaint. It’s this kind of thing that usually makes the free government cell phone companies sit up and take notice:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/file-official-complaint-about-your-lifeline-service
Bernette Bush says
how do i get the phone
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to apply, Bernette. To get you started, read this article about how to qualify:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
And here’s where you can find a list of all the companies and plans offered in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Check them all out carefully to make sure you find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone, etc).
Reginia Henline says
im interested in getting the free cell phone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If you qualify, check out all the plans discussed on this page to find the one that fits your needs best, Reginia. Then apply with that company.
Elizabeth Segura Barnes says
I keep trying to get the free government cell phone but every time I put my information in, I get a message that states I already have free cell phone service with another company and I won’t be eligible to get service until 12/8/2017…I have no idea what this is. I have not received any cell phone and/or service from anyone. I tried last year but I was in the hospital numerous times from having half a lung removed due to cancer all the way to heart failure. I am quite disabled and now I have cancer for the second time in my thyroid and I need help. Please guide me in the right direction here. I am lost & have no idea what to do. Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Segura Barnes
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call customer service and ask to speak to a supervisor. Tell that person that there seems to be a mistake on the National Lifeline Assistance Database (NLAD). They are supposed to help customers clear up those problems and it is, at least in theory, supposed to be a relatively quick and simply process.
James Hopkins says
How do I find out the provider for a cell phone. I am trying to help my sister add minutes to hers and can’t figure out how.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Call 6-1-1 on her free government cell phone, James. That’s a direct line to her service provider’s customer service team.
Barbara Whisman says
I tried to sign up for one but its telling me that someone at this address already has one. I did have a flip phone at one time but when the time came to renew it it wouldn’t go through so I just forgot about it. I have no idea who it was with because its been at least 1 year since I had that. I can tell you this, I signed up for it outside the food stamp office in our town at a tent. Any help would be appreciated right now please.
Free Government Cell Phones says
If it’s been at least a year, we’d be willing to bet that your account has been cancelled. You didn’t recertify at the end of your one year contract and whoever stole your phone would have been unable to recertify because they wouldn’t be able to provide the correct information needed to recertify. In other words, your account would have been cancelled. If that’s the case, you can now reapply with any service provider in your state. Here’s where you can find a list of those companies:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Check each plan out carefully to find the one that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone). Good luck.
Jerry Fussell says
I have been told that in SC that social disability meets the requirement for a free phone. Is this true and how do I proceed.
Free Government Cell Phones says
We are not familiar with “social disability” so we cannot comment on it. However, you left your comment on our South Carolina page, which lists all the programs that give you automatic eligibility.
Joannie says
I’m trying to add minutes to my ent phone but I can’t it has been an issue for 2 months please help.not still lets me text
Manila Lucas says
Good evening my name is Manila Lucas a couple of weeks ago two lady’s came to me apt and signed me up for a phone the thing is I havnt receive the phone threw the mail and I’m not sure what company there from and was wondering if it was yours tha ms you
diana vass says
I used to see the safelink people on a corner in my area to sign up for a free phone. I do qualify
Please tell me how I can know when and where they will be set up so I can go get a phone by application in person.
I live in Laurens, SC zip 29645
also close to Simpsonville, sc zip 29681
Gray court sc zip 29645
can you email to me some locations and dates to help me out. When calling all I get is no one who can answer my questions. Thank you
Jon B says
I have a Tempo wireless phone and a safelink wireless phone. I would like to terminate the Tempo wireless contract as to not be left out of eligibility for having more than one phone? How do I do this?
Ashley Stephens says
Are their local retail stores where the phones may be picked up?
Sharon Dunn says
I live in low-income senior housing in Columbia, SC. I am also deaf but need a cellphone to enable me to dial 9-1-1. Would I qualify for this program based on my disability and low-income??
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Disability is not a qualifier, but low income is. By the way, if you only need to be able to dial 911, any cell phone, even without a plan, will work for 911.
Christine Garcia says
Hello,
I now have rither a q-link or safe-like free phone. I would like to swich conpanys. How do I go about doing this? Thank You!
Sincerely,
Christine Garcia
Reggie says
Want to know about cheap internet for low income Americans
Cathy Black says
I would like information on where I go to become a cell phone distributer for low income people. Do you have a website that offers a careers option?
Thank you
Cathy Black
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/get-a-job-handing-out-free-cell-phones
ralph strickland says
My daddy phone not working were can he get another phone at
virginia says
my sister lives in south carolina and does qualify ,how do we get a form for her or phone number.
Theresa Williams says
How can I contact a provider of free cell phones regarding coming to our center and providing phones for Veterans?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Each of the South Carolina providers are listed on the page above. Contact them to find out which company offers the best deal in your area.
Tami May says
I am a lifeline phone provider for the area of upstate SC. If you are still looking for someone I’m willing to help if you are with in a reasonable driving distance.
Dana Smoak says
I have a track phone, can I get the lifelink on this phone? If so, how to I get my mintues put on it.? What do I do when applying foe service? Can I apply on line?
Thank You,
D. Smoak
Tami May says
I do not believe you can apply online, as you need to prove who you are.
kathryn stone says
I looked up another company
they said they don’t have coverage in
29926
sharonda greggs says
Where can I go and sign up for the phone and receive right then and there? Is there a store location? I am in seneca SC
linda says
What if a single parent working with two children, what would the income be?
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
According to the chart above, that would be $$2,227 per month.
Fred says
What about those of us who get compensation and pension through the VA for service connected disabilities?
angela goode says
I had a “free phone” through budget mobile in Hampton, SC, I misplaced my phone, it wasn’t used for more than 60 days, I found it, tried to reactivate it myself, then online, then with customer service, still I had to return to budget office in Hampton where I was told I must pay 10.00 and bring a different basic phone in to activate in order to have free phone minutes. So, it isn’t free. If I must provide a phone, that I do not have, it isn’t free. Why can’t I receive another phone that will work since I qualify, instead of having to pay ten dollars. I don’t even have an “extra” $10 to get another phone with.
Free Government Cell Phones says
After 60 days of no use, the plan is deactivated. We do not understand the $10.
charisma white says
no the phone is no longer free they are charging for a phone that is free for pepole that can not aforard the phone what is the perpouse of saying its free
Free Government Cell Phones says
It’s free. There are a small handful of states that charge one dollar a month.