Wisconsin has major problems in its economy. It has lagged behind most of the other states in business development, income growth and the development of talented young people. Residents of the Badger State have suffered as a result. After American wages plunged during last recession, Wisconsin’s personal net earnings have rebounded at an average annual rate that lags that of the nation and most of the Great Lakes states.
The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance says that Wisconsin consistently ranks near the bottom of the fifty states in creation of new companies. Combine these issues and you end up with a lot of people who qualify for the Lifeline free government cell phone program.
Free Cell Phone Providers in Wisconsin:
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Wisconsin. 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
- American Assistance
- Assurance Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- FeelSafe Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- Safelink Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Tag Mobile
- Tempo Communications
- Terracom Wireless
- Truconnect
Lifeline Discount Companies in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin:
Eligibility Requirements for a Lifeline Cell Phone in Wisconsin
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Wisconsin:
- 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 win 2017:
- Badger Care
- WI HomesteadTax Credit (Schedule H)
- WisconsinWorks (W2)
- Medical Assistance (MA)
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for Wisconsin, which we’ve calculated for you in the table below:
| Income Based Eligibility for Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
Latest News for Wisconsin:
If you have any other questions, please refer to the links in the sidebar.
Haley says
What about getting a phone for a 16 year old who doesn’t have their own SNAP account?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No one under 18 can enroll, Haley. Sorry.
Roberta E Reener says
I live in Iola WI but my phone don’t work.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team, Roberta.
Jonathan Kee says
How to get a job handing out free phones
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can contact the companies in your state directly (some of them have their own sales forces) or you can check out Craig’s List for “help wanted” independent contractors who are hired by the Lifeline companies.
HOLLY WILSON says
I had a state phone about 5 years ago don’t know I put it up lost job in Dec 2018 can get a job now in lots of pain can’t pay for one I had need get a government phone again
Free Government Cell Phones says
No problem, Holly. As long as your qualify, you can enroll with any of the plans available on this page (above). Check them all out carefully to find the plan that fits your needs best.
laurie walker says
Not seeing my comment so i will leave another. I applied online and called them moths ago and never heard anything. I am eligible so no clue what happened
Free Government Cell Phones says
We have no clue, either, Laurie, and there’s no way for us to know because we are NOT the company you enrolled with. This is an independent informational website. Contact the company’s customer service team.
Megan Schreiber says
I am wondering who would be the contact of the Lifeline program, if someone has questions about the program itself who can they contact by phone? What is the agency that oversees this program?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Visit USAC.org, Megan.
Jay says
Do you receive the phone same day?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No. The phones are mailed to your home.
Lauren says
Hello,
I am looking for phone services for one of my members. They qualify, but a cell phone won’t be sufficient due to their living environment. They live in an assisted living unit with no cell reception. Is there a government funded program with an option for a “free” landline?
Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, there is no free landline program, Lauren. Lifeline offers the choice of a free government cell phone or a discounted landline. You are required to choose one or the other.
gaby says
Why people who can’t speak English answer the phone, I still haven’t received my phone, but kno one speak English to understand what I’m saying…
mercedes baum says
this is going to be fun
Jill Sahagian says
I am trying to get a free phone for my elderly father with memory loss. I am being denied and told the he has another free cell phone provider according to the National or Wisconsin State database. He has never received any phones. Can you tell me what provider he allegedly has so I can cancel or call to find out why he has not received his phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
I’m sorry, but we don’t have access to the database.
Jill Sahagian says
So where do I go?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You don’t need to go anywhere, Jill. You can enroll online or by phone from the comfort of your own home. Click on all the companies and plans listed on this page to find the one that fits your needs best (the most minutes, most texts, most data) and contact that company to enroll. It’s that easy.
Tammy says
Says my mailing address isn’t valid. Now what do I do?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Are you getting that response as you attempt to enroll online? If so, try calling the service provider’s customer service team to see if they can tell you why your address is being rejected.
Markel Johnson says
I am trying to cancel my 414 915 **** number I have another phone number provided my the government service
Free Government Cell Phones says
Uh-oh. Are you saying that you currently have two different Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones with different companies? If so, you must call one of the companies and cancel your service IMMEDIATELY.
Victoria Alavarez says
How do I keep my reach out number ow that I had to transferred to safelink wireless
Free Government Cell Phones says
Simple, Victoria. This article will tell you everything you need to know:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
Make sure you tell your new service provider that “I want to port over my current phone number.”
Chris says
I received my safelink phone I can hardly get any service from it when a call does goes thru I am usually disconnected in on for more than a minute or two. Most of the time my phone says no service. Safelink had me enter a whole bunch of numbers and it still does not work correctly. I called them to see if they could send me a different phone and they told me no that I should walk around my house until I get a bar on the phone. I cancelled and tried to go to another carrier and I have to wait 60 days? Is this true for an unsatisfied customer also?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Chris, Lifeline Assistance regulations do not differ between dissatisfied customers and ecstatic customers.
How about if you talk to customer service at your next preferred service provider and see if they know a way around those rules.
Good luck.
laura says
is it possible to use another phone instead of the trac phone we recieved a few years ago? also, can you share a number to call to find out who our service is through to set up a different phone of its possible? st croix county, wisconsin
Free Government Cell Phones says
Theoretically, all free government cell phones should be “unlocked” and can be used with another company’s SIM card. We say theoretically because some companies are dragging their feet on implementing the unlock process.
Tiffany Holmes says
Someone locked up my phone and I can’t use it! How can I get it unlocked?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Do you mean they locked it away somewhere or that the phone itself has been locked so that you can no longer use it? If it’s the former, we can’t help you. If it’s the latter, call your provider’s customer service team to discuss the problem.
Linda says
If I have a TracFon can I I use the same phone, same telephone number and get the free service?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It is completely dependent on which free government cell phone company you sign up with. Some allow you to bring your own phone, but other’s don’t. All you can do is check with each of the companies listed on this page to see what they permit.
K.J. Karow says
I am currently using safelink which is run by tracfone. Tracfone uses at&t and T-Mobile signal or towers. My reception is spoty at best. Full signal to no signal constantly. How can I find out which government program runs off of who’s signal.
Chris Maynard says
Im looking for free lifeline service and phone with free texting and able to send and receive pics, I already have assurance wireless, but I cannot send or receive pics
Lisa Ruben says
I looked up my safe link and said it was canceled the 25 of nov. had applied with the Oneida reservation, had not herd any thing yet. did not get min for this mo. left with 10 min on phone. their phone # 877-403-5171
IoneHanson says
would like information on the free government cell phone plans
John Homa says
My daughter Ann is handicapped and works at Goodwill. We, her parents, have been advised to get her a cell phone; cost apparently will be picked up by provider or ?
I’ve done some research, but frankly I’m overwhelmed. I asked several people at Goodwill and related services if anyone can recommend a PHONE that Ann would be capable of using. Everyone said they could not. I also stated that “someone” must be able to make a recommendation, but still no response.
Ann does not read so we would have to get a phone that can be programmed like “press 1 for Mom, 2 for Dad”, etc., Numbers must be relatively big. The phone will not need many features, just a basic phone.
If you can make a recommendation(s) I would be most grateful. I will continue my research. Please reply even if you can’t help me.
Thank you,
John Homa
Eduardo Alva says
My phone was stolen from the homeless shelter.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
Please read this page:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
James A Buckner says
I have been tyring to get phone from Qlink now Since Nov 4 it is now Dec 8 14 . I live in the country I have no other phone I have no internet. So i go to the local library that is 5 miles from my home i walk that mind you i live in WI and it’s winter. This is my only was to communicate by going to the library to use the internet and useing phone apps so i can talk and make my appointments. So let me get down to business I have been told 17 times by email to contact them back within 3-4 business days . Just to let you all know i have tryed that and just for the record I have no phone if I don’t have the internet no phone internet but yet i get this email saying call as soon as possible . Ok i do have the internet phone right but the internet phone dose not allow yout to have the option to selecta number when you’re on a call . So therefore i can’t call them back and I told Qlink this in several emails .The thing about all of this is all keep going around and around .I tryed live chat with Qlink and all i get check back in 3-4 days this is a bunch of
(BLOGONA)
PS. I was supposed to get a phone call today so i sat in the library until they close so i sat from 2:00 -8:00 and no phone call is this telling something about what kind of service
im’going to get
Thank you
James Bckner
James says
will im stii witing and sitll no aanswers but call back in 3-5 days . The thing is i dont have a phone to call back
Joanne Lang says
Trying to get free government phone I’m on food share and badger care.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
The article above tells you exactly what to do.
Linda Wald says
Please let me know how to apply by phone, since I have a rural address and not a street address I can seem to apply online!!
thanks
Linda
Free Government Cell Phones says
I FCC is aware of the problem where PO Boxes have not been accepted, but we’re not sure where they are on this. We’ll look into it again.
WW2014 says
If you live in Milwaukee area, go to welfare building on 12th and vliet. There is a vendor in that parking lot doing it.