Free 5g government phones – Wi-Fi is something everyone should have. The UN Human Rights Council said so in 2016. It is really important to be connected in today’s world. We are in a time of big tech changes, and you might fall behind if you do not have the right tools. Luckily, the state offers free 5g government phones.
The US government started caring about phones in the 80s. Government groups have made it easier for people to get communication services, even the latest mobile phones.
In the past, phones were just for calls. However, now, smartphones do more than that. They let us take photos and find lots of information, and they are super powerful, much more than the computer that took people to the moon.
If you do not have enough money for a new 5G phone, keep reading to find out about programs that can give you free 5g government phones.
Which Program Gives Out free 5g government phones
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made the Lifeline Assistance Program in 1985. It wants to make phone services cheaper for people with low incomes. On its website, the FCC says that everyone should be able to use a phone to find jobs, talk to family, and get help in emergencies.
The program gets money to do this. In 2020, it had $2.385 billion to spend, and it might get even more if it use most of that money.
Starting from December 1, 2021, this program gives you at least 1,000 minutes to talk on your mobile, 4.5 gigabytes of internet for your phone, and $5.25 to help pay for phone calls. It also helps with home internet, giving you at least 25 megabits per second for downloading data, 3 megabits per second for uploading things, and $9.25 to help with the cost of the internet every month.
Some people might think the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives out free 5G phones from the government, but it really helps with getting internet at home. The program can give you up to $30 each month to pay for internet services, and if you live on tribal lands, you could get $75.
It even offers a $100 discount on laptops, desktop computers, and tablets for households that pay between $10 and $50 for the device.
Some state and local governments have programs that give out free phones. You should look into these programs because they might not give you 5G phones, and their rules might differ from national programs.
These programs can greatly help people who cannot afford a phone. They also connect more Americans to the new 5G network and help it grow.
Who is Eligible to Get a free 5g government phones
Only specific households can get a free 5G phone from the government through the Lifeline Program. To be able to join, the money your household makes has to be at or below 135% of the federal poverty rules. Here are some programs that can make your household eligible:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs.
If you are in a tribal community, some special programs can also make your household eligible:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Before, there used to be more programs that could make you eligible. However, in December 2016, the FCC took them off the list:
- National School Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- State-created rules.
You should remember that if your household is eligible, you can only get one Lifeline discount. You can use this discount for either a home phone or a cell phone service, but not both. The FCC’s website says that if your home has more than one Lifeline service, you have to pick one and tell the other one to stop.
If you do not follow this rule, you could get in trouble and have to pay fines or go to court.
How to Apply
If you meet the rules mentioned earlier and want a free 5g government phones, here is how you can sign up.
Step 1: Pick a company that takes part in the Lifeline Program. The companies that join can be different depending on where you live. You can find companies close to you by using the search tool on the Lifeline website.
Your current company might also give you the Lifeline benefit, but the search tool might not show them all. So, ask your company if they can give you the Lifeline discount for your current service.
Step 2: After you choose a company, you have to apply for the program itself. You can do this by sending a letter, calling on the phone, talking to your internet provider, or doing it online. When you apply, you must share your name, birthday, the last 4 numbers of your social security or tribal ID, and your home address.
The application process might ask for proof to make sure you are eligible. This step could be needed, depending on what the company and your state want. If they ask, you will have to give them papers showing how much money you make or that you are in one of the government help programs we discussed earlier.
After you finish the application and give them all the necessary papers, you wait. If your chosen company says it is okay, they will give you a free 5G phone, and you will get some free minutes and texts every month.
If you are already getting Lifeline help, you must show yearly that you still qualify for the program. You can also change to a different company if you want. If you do, you might need to apply again to make the switch.
What free 5g government phones can you get
The free 5g government phones you can get from the Lifeline Program depend on the company you pick, where you live, and which models they have. To know for sure, you can call your company or look at their website.
Usually, your company won’t tell you which model you will get in advance. However, some common 5G models are:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy A32
- Samsung Galaxy A52
- Samsung Galaxy A14
- OnePlus Nord 200 5G
- OnePlus 9 Pro
- TCL 4X 5G
- TCL Revvl 5G
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Motorola G 5G
- Motorola G Stylus 5G
- Apple iPhone 13 Mini
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
You might not get to choose which model you want, but the government makes sure the phones are of good quality. In 2016, the FCC said the devices companies give out must work with Wi-Fi. By 2023, 65% of them should have hotspot features, and this will go up to 75% by 2025.
What Service Providers Offer Free 5G Government Phones
The list of companies that give out Lifeline benefits is different in each state. However, some common ones across the country are:
- Safelink Wireless
- Q Link Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Assurance Wireless
- Reachout Wireless
- Access Wireless
To know for sure which companies are in your state, you can look on the Lifeline website. It is important to remember that not all the companies that have Lifeline benefits will offer free 5G phones.
For example, Verizon only gives a discount on phone service, which means you pay $9.25 less every month. They only give free 5G phones to people who trade in a working phone. You can find similar trade-in deals, but they are not connected to Lifeline, with AT&T and T-Mobile.
How to Choose the Right Service Provider
Choosing the right phone company takes some looking around and comparing. You should think about which companies in your state accept Lifeline benefits, see how good their phone service is, check out the phone models they have, and see if their customer service is good.
We would like to research for you, but the companies, phones, and service quality are different from state to state. However, we made a useful table to help you compare the top companies:
A good way to start your search is by checking out the phone companies in your state and reading what people say about them online. This way, you can see how other Lifeline customers liked the companies you are considering.
Some Questions
How do I apply for a free 4G/5G phone from the government?
To apply for a free 5G government phones, you will need to contact a participating Lifeline or ACP provider in your area. You can find a list of participating providers on the Lifeline National Verifier or ACP websites.
What documentation do I need to apply for a free 4G/5G phone from the government?
The documentation you will need to apply for free 5g government phones will vary depending on the provider. However, you must typically provide proof of identity, income, or program participation.
What 4G/5G phones are available through the government program?
The specific 4G/5G phones available through the government program will vary depending on the provider. However, you can typically expect to receive a basic smartphone with limited features.
