How to get free phone service: what is the best free government phone program?

Smartphones aren’t cheap, but for many of us, they’ve become essential. We use them for work, communication, information, entertainment, and even paying bills. If you need a smartphone and a wireless plan but can’t afford one, you still have options—especially if you live in the United States.

The US government subsidizes phone service for eligible users through the Lifeline Assistance Program and, until recently, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). In some cases, you can even get a free phone and free monthly service. Wondering how to get a free phone—or which program is best? Keep reading.

What is the best free government phone program?

Until recently, there were two major programs that could help reduce or eliminate your phone bill. Unfortunately, the ACP is no longer accepting new applicants and may soon lose funding altogether. This program, funded directly by Congress, provided a $30 monthly discount for internet or wireless service.

That leaves the Lifeline Assistance Program as the primary option. Unlike the ACP, Lifeline is funded by a universal service fee paid by participating carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. In other words, the carriers themselves help finance it.

What is Lifeline assistance, and how do you qualify?

Created in 1985, the Lifeline Assistance Program originally focused on landlines but has since evolved to support mobile service. It provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy for broadband or wireless support to qualifying individuals.

You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or if at least one household member participates in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits.

To apply for the program directly you’ll want to head to the Lifeline website.

Best free phone service provider through ACP/Lifeline

Many providers support Lifeline, including major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. However, their offerings typically only apply the monthly discount to an existing plan—and don’t usually include a free phone.

The best truly free options tend to come from MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) focused on government-assisted services. Interestingly, many of these are owned by the big carriers.

There are dozens of options available, but below are three standout choices that each use a different major network. 

Assurance Wireless is a great T-Mobile-based choice

Assurance Wireless is actually owned by T-Mobile and is dedicated exclusively to providing phone service to those with lower incomes. Provided you qualify, you’ll get the following benefits from Assurance:

• Free unlimited data with 25GB of high-speed data
• Free unlimited talk and text
• Free 2.5GB of hotspot use
• A free smartphone

Unlike traditional plans, you often have little say over the free phone you’re getting. Assurance Wireless does list what phones it provides, so at least you’ll have some idea of what you might get. To little surprise, it’s going to be mostly lesser-known brands like Coolpad, Hot Pepper, ANS, and Orbic. They do at least have a few Motorola devices, though. 

Don’t like the free phone? You can always bring your own device as well. Be sure to check out our guide to the best unlocked phones for more options.

AT&T Prepaid is a great choice for AT&T coverage

While many of the mainline carriers offer ACP support, AT&T does one of the best jobs. AT&T Prepaid is a good choice if you want to get service directly under a major carrier brand. There are actually three plans available. AT&T Prepaid doesn’t give you a free phone, but it has many cheap options out there as well. For a better idea, be sure to check out AT&T Prepaid’s phone list, Also, be sure to check out our guide to the best cheap phones if you want to go the unlocked route.

SafeLink Wireless is a great Verizon-based choice

SafeLink is actually a subsidiary of Tracfone, which is actually owned by Verizon. This means you get access to Verizon’s massive network at no cost to you. What you get will depend on your region. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best plan:

• Unlimited talk and text 
• Unlimited high-speed data (LTE/5G)
• Up to 10GB of hotspot data
• A free phone (no model specified) 

The plan is free, but you just get 350 voice minutes, unlimited texts, and 4.5GB of data. 

Can you get a free iPhone? 

No, there’s no government program for free iPhones. The only phones available tend to be Android devices from lesser-known brands like Orbic and ZTE, though a few larger brands like Samsung also participate. The list of phones will vary from program to program. 

Are free phones safe?

You may have heard that many of the phones used in these programs are cheap devices from relatively unheard of brands from China. That’s mostly true. It’s also true that these phones are relatively low-end.

Are they safe? Yes and no. While your private information is probably safe from hackers if you take normal security practices, the reality is that, in a few incidents, these phones have been found to have unremovable spyware that injects aggressive ads and more. It’s also very possible that anything done on the phone could be more easily tracked by the government than a typical unlocked device. 

While these government discounts are great, if possible we recommend bringing your own device. Check out our guide for some of the best cheap phones available. 

Don’t qualify for Lifeline? There are still a few options

Even if you don’t qualify for Lifeline, you might still have a few options open to you. FreedomPop offers a free plan that’s basically designed only for emergency use. TextNow Free gives you free talk and text, though a SIM card will require a one time purchase of $5. 

Your options get better if you’re willing to spend a bit, as there are basic plans out there that can cost as little as $15 a month. Be sure to check out our guide to the best cheap phone plans for more details.