Lifeline Service in the State of New York (2023)

FAQs

What cellular network does Lifeline use? ›

Lifeline is a federal benefit that can save you money on your monthly phone and/or home internet service. Verizon is committed to ensuring that phone and internet service is affordable for everyone.

ACP has a broader eligibility criterion than the Lifeline program, allowing a household to receive the benefit if at least one member is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, participates in similar support programs, received a federal Pell Grant during the current year, or otherwise meets the ...

New York State Lifeline Discounted Telephone Service is an assistance program offered by many telephone providers, including some wireless and cable companies, to help income eligible consumers save money on their phone bills.

Assurance Wireless is a California LifeLine provider. Lifeline is a government benefit program. Assurance Wireless provides service supported by the federal Universal Service Fund and the California LifeLine Program.

But in California, the state LifeLine benefit cannot be combined with ACP; instead, a household must use the subsidies on separate accounts — typically, a LifeLine mobile phone and an ACP-funded broadband connection to a home computer.

If a consumer household's gross annual income is 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines, they qualify for the ACP. The table below reflects the income limit by household size, which is 200% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

SafeLink Wireless is proud to offer LifeLine service, a program that enables qualifying customers to receive discounts on monthly telephone service. In our version of the program, you will receive free cellular service, a SIM card, and the assurance that you will get no bills and no contracts EVER!

Dial customer service at 1-877-351-4747. All of those cell phone companies are a provider of the government Lifeline services. They offer free Apple iPhones, along with free text, talk, long distance and internet data plans, to eligible customers, including those on EBT, food stamps, SNAP, Medicaid or other public aid.

Does SafeLink give you a free phone? ›

SafeLink - Free Cellphone Assistance

If the service is available in your area you can obtain a phone by having a total household income of 135% below the poverty guidelines set by your state or the federal government.

Your benefits will be discontinued when you no longer meet the eligibility requirements, for example, if proof of eligibility is not received in a state that requires it. Customers who are no longer eligible for SafeLink Wireless benefits must notify us at 1-800-SafeLink Monday through Saturday, 8a. m. to 10p.

Top Free Government Phone Programs In The United States

Assurance Wireless: This program is available in 40 states and offers a free smartphone and 350 free monthly minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data. The program also offers free international calling to select countries.

Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers.

Assurance Wireless offers a FREE cell phone and FREE cell phone service, including free Unlimited Monthly Data, Text and Minutes, to qualified customers. We help households stay connected to jobs, critical healthcare and more.

Assurance Wireless is a telephone service. They are a federal Lifeline cellphone service provider.

A: Visit our Application and Eligibility Resources page to learn more about who is eligible for the program. Please note that only one ACP benefit and one device discount are allowed per household.

How long will the Affordable Connectivity Program last? The ACP is a long-term program. The government has committed $14 billion to this endeavor, and there is currently no end date.

What is the government program that gives you free internet? ›

How can you get free internet through the government? The FCC Lifeline program can provide reduced-cost or even no-cost internet access. You can go to the Lifeline Support site to check your eligibility and to apply to the program.

Many businesses that serve the public offer access to the internet over a local Wi-Fi network. McDonald's, Starbucks, and Walmart are examples of companies that provide free Wi-Fi. Many hotels, medical offices, hospitals, campgrounds, and even roadside rest stops offer free Wi-Fi.

Consumers qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through participation in Lifeline or a Lifeline-qualifying program, having an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, through participation in ACP-qualifying programs, such as the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program ...

The National Verifier (NV) is Lifeline's centralized application system. It determines whether consumers are eligible for Lifeline. USAC manages the NV and provides customer service to consumers through the Lifeline Support Center.

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SafeLink Wireless, a participating Lifeline service provider, is now offering unlimited data for all participants who enroll in a SafeLink plan via the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program.

All SafeLink subscribers also receive a smartphone (or a SIM card if they wish to use an existing compatible phone). To qualify for unlimited data on SafeLink customers must be enrolled in both the ACP and Lifeline programs.

Life Wireless, which provides mobile services to low-income consumers through the federal Lifeline program, said it signed its 1 millionth subscriber. An MVNO that reportedly runs on AT&T's network, Life Wireless offers services in 29 states as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What lifeline carriers use AT&T towers? ›

Q Link Wireless is a leading Lifeline phone service provider. We are proud to provide Lifeline cell phone service to customers in need.

and all our brands are now a part of the Verizon family. All of our customers can enjoy affordable service on Verizon's reliable nationwide network. Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G networks cover 327 million people and over 99% of the US population¹.

What carriers run off of AT&T towers? Carriers that run off of AT&T towers include Cricket, Consumer Cellular, Boost Mobile, Straight Talk Wireless, H2O Wireless, Red Pocket, Good2Go Mobile, and TracFone.

You may choose to enroll with us in ACP, Lifeline, or both or you may choose another provider for either or both government discounts. Your service will be subject to the Terms and Conditions for the brand and plan that you select.

Does T-Mobile use Verizon towers? No, doesn't use Verizon towers. T-Mobile operates on a GSM network, whereas Verizon utilizes CDMA technology.

T-Mobile is not on the same network as AT&T. There are three major cell networks in the country. AT&T and T-Mobile are two of these three networks; Verizon is the third. All are totally separate from each other.

What carrier does Straight Talk use? Straight Talk uses the cellular towers of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile and your phone will be connected to one of the three, generally the best-performing network for your area.

Several carriers offer free phones through the government's Lifeline program. These carriers include Assist Wireless, Assurance Wireless, enTouch Wireless, and True Wireless, among others. Many other carriers—like Verizon, Metro by T-Mobile, and Cricket—offer free phones to new customers.

Does QLink give you a free tablet? ›

As a leading provider of the ACP, Q Link Wireless also offers eligible ACP subscribers a FREE government Tablet to California residents when they sign up for our service.

The three networks that TracFone uses are AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. All three of these networks have amazing coverage, though Verizon is generally considered the best. Meanwhile, T-Mobile boasts the fastest data speeds.

Our service is currently operating as expected at the location you provided.

Straight Talk has partnered with SafeLink Wireless® to offer assistance based on income eligibility. If you are a participant in SNAP or Medicaid you could qualify.