12.06.24
Because phone service is a basic essential these days, the federal Lifeline program helps low-income households pay for phone and internet service. (Unfortunately, a similar program called ACP was discontinued in 2024 after funding ended.) In 2024, over 8 million Americans participated in the Lifeline program, proving that affordable phone service isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a real necessity for many households.
Getting Lifeline free phone service involves navigating strict eligibility requirements to get certified, and you must re-certify every year to continue receiving the benefits. While it may be a great aid in getting households connected who may not otherwise afford it, there are alternatives that can do the same, without all the paperwork. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Lifeline: what it is, how it works, and what alternatives are available.
What is Lifeline
Lifeline is a federal program that subsidizes qualifying phone carriers’ plans, up to $9.25 off each month (up to $34.25 off for those on Tribal lands). This means that if you are eligible and sign up for a qualifying phone plan from say, Tracfone, that would normally cost $25 a month, with Lifeline, you only would pay as little as $15.75 a month. This program can be used for phone, internet or bundled phone-internet service.
How to qualify for Lifeline
To qualify for Lifeline, you must meet any one of these requirements:
Income.
If your household income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can qualify.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines at 135%:
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States, D.C, and Territories | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,331 | $25,394 | $23,369 |
| 2 | $27,594 | $34,479 | $31,725 |
| 3 | $34,857 | $43,565 | $40,082 |
| 4 | $42,120 | $52,650 | $48,438 |
| 5 | $49,383 | $61,736 | $56,795 |
| 6 | $56,646 | $70,821 | $65,151 |
| 7 | $63,909 | $79,907 | $73,508 |
| 8 | $71,172 | $88,992 | $81,864 |
| For each additional person, add: | $7,263 | $9,086 | $8,357 |
Existing Federal Assistance Programs.
If you (or someone in your household) participate in other federal assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, or the Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, you can qualify.You are a survivor.
If you are a survivor of domestic violence, human trafficking, or related crimes, you can qualify. Note that you would have to provide proof of a line separation request (you asked your phone company to split your service from your abuser’s). Household income must be 200% or less than the poverty guidelines, or if you or a dependent are enrolled in programs like WIC, a Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program, or you received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
What carriers work with Lifeline
There is a comprehensive list of wireless carriers that participate in the Lifeline program, giving you a discount on your monthly phone or internet bill. The main carriers include Assurance Wireless, Q Link Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, and TruConnect. The Big 3 networks (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T) also participate with their prepaid phone plans. To find out what carrier to sign up with, check the full list of the participating Lifeline carriers by county.
What carriers offer free phone service with Lifeline?
There are a few carriers on that participating list that can discount the service even further to $0/month. TruConnect is one, where if you’re enrolled in Lifeline, you can get a SIM card with unlimited talk & text and 4.5GB of high-speed data for free. Note that you will have to have your own phone to use, though they do offer discounted devices as well if that’s not the case.
Other supporting carriers that offer free phone service include Life Wireless, StandUp Wireless, and Assurance Wireless.
Can I get a Lifeline free phone?
Yes, you can qualify for a free phone through participating Lifeline carriers such as Life Wireless, Assist Wireless and Gen Mobile. Thankfully, these phones are mandated to support mobile hotspot, though you won’t find a particularly large selection.
Otherwise, the same participating carriers also offer discounted phones that start as low as $50 and go up to over $500.
Pros and Cons of Lifeline
Pros:
Cons:
- Discounted service (can be reduced down to $0).
- Reliable connection with data service.
- Some participating carriers can also offer a free phone.
- Limited selection of participating carriers.
- Eligibility requirements are strict.
- Need to re-apply for qualification every year.
- Government program can be cut, making it less reliable for longevity.
Lifeline Alternatives
If you do not qualify for Lifeline or simply don’t want to go through the application process, there are cheap phone plan alternatives that can still help you save on your monthly bill.
How to get affordable phone service without Lifeline
1. Figure out how much data you need
Before you look into affordable alternatives, first determine what kind of phone plan you would need. Most of those Lifeline plans do come with a limited amount of data, indicating that it’s a necessary feature of your phone service.
You can find out how much data you need based on your usage and the types of apps you’d need access to first, so you can search for the right plan for you.
If you don’t need data at all, there are affordable (starting at $0/month) talk & text plans only.
If you only need some data, there are affordable prepaid phone plans under $20.
If you need a lot of data, there are affordable unlimited data plans that are cheaper than some limited data plans, even.
2. Set your budget
Once you know what kind of plan you need, you also need to set a realistic budget. If you can only afford a $10 plan, set your search filter to “phone plans for $10,” so you only look at plans in that price range. If you’re not sure what price point you can afford, sit down and make a monthly budget first, so you can see how much room you have for expenses outside of your living ones.
3. Look for a phone plan that matches your budget and data needs
Hopefully, you’re able to match the price with the data plan that you need. But if that’s not the case, you can learn to reduce your data usage through various settings and hacks, so you can opt for a lower data limit plan without sacrificing on the apps and services that you use.
4. Look into free phone plans
If your budget is really tight, a free phone service is a viable option that will keep you connected without a monthly bill. These are not government programs, but rather phone carriers that offer their services for free.
Free phone plans: TextNow
TextNow is one of those carriers that offers its base plan – Free Essential Data – for free. It provides a free phone number (or you can bring your own) with unlimited texts & calls, plus free data to access essential apps like email, maps, and rideshare (Uber & Lyft).
How is it free?
Like many other services, it’s able to keep its base service free with ads. Your conversations happen on the TextNow app, which has ads. It’s also supported by a Perks program that works with the same brands to offer weekly discounts, promotions, and free trials (similar to T-Mobile Tuesdays.).
Free phone plans: Helium Mobile
Helium Mobile is another carrier that offers its base plan – Zero Plan – for free. It provides 100 minutes for talk, 300 text messages, and 3GB of data.
Our Helium Mobile vs. TextNow review lets you compare the services to see what’s right for you.
Advantages of a free phone plan
A free phone plan offered by a carrier comes with several advantages, such as:
Open and accessible to everyone (no eligibility requirements).
No phone bill (so your money can be allocated elsewhere in your budget).
Flexibility: Easier to pay for more data or upgrade plans as needed.
Consistent service that won’t get cut off due to lack of payment (or if the government program is shut down, like the ACP).
Disadvantages of a free phone plan
While a free phone is a great alternative to expensive phone service, there are some disadvantages to consider before signing up for one:
Limited service offerings: These plans typically offer very basic service – no or limited data, and in some cases, limited calls & texts.
Trade-offs: In lieu of a monthly payment, you may contend with ads or personal data collection.
If you have any questions or comments, send us a note at [email protected]!
