Government assistance for cellphone and landline bills are just as essential as utilities. Phone services keep you connected with emergency services, such as 9-1-1, local police, firefighters, and public works like utility companies.
You may also need your phone to correspond with your employer, children’s schools, and family members. Without a line of communication, you may not be able to get a job, call for emergency services, or find out what is happening beyond the walls of your home.
Lifeline is a federal cash aid program that reduces the cost of landlines and cellphones. It gives discounts on phone lines if your income is less than the limit. You will still need to pay the remaining portion of your bill and cannot receive Lifeline funds directly.
The federal government does not give you a cellphone or provide a service. Instead, it works with Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) companies. Providers must offer affordable plans that meet the minimum service standards. As of December 2021, mobile phone plans must have at least 1,000 minutes, 4.5 GBs of 3G broadband speeds, and hotspot functionality.
You may qualify for Lifeline benefits if you have a household income that is at or less than 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You may also qualify if you participate in any of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Tribal-specific programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Head Start
Under the Lifeline program, Assurance Wireless offers a free phone to qualified applicants and a free mobile plan with unlimited texts, minutes, and data plus 10 GBs of hotspot data. While the phone and bill are free, you will need to present proof of income.
SafeLink Wireless is another wireless provider under the Lifeline program. It, too, has an unlimited talk, text, and data plan plus a free smartphone. SafeLink Wireless also has select international calling options.
CenturyLink participates in the new Affordability Connectivity Program (ACP) that makes the internet more affordable by reducing monthly bills by $30 to $75. Your household income must be at or less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you:
- Qualify for or participate in the Lifeline program.
- Received benefits from Medicaid, SNAP, or school meal programs.
- Received benefits from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
- Received a Federal Pell Grant this year. You may be struggling with more than just utility bills. It can be easy to rack up credit card debt to pay for basics or an emergency when funds are low. Learn how to pay off debt independently and with government assistance next.
