Have you ever wished you had a cell phone but couldn’t afford one? Well, if you live in Missouri and meet certain income requirements, you could qualify to receive a free phone when you sign up with the Lifeline & ACP programs, which are set up by the government to provide discounted or free landline and cell phone service to low-income individuals so they can stay connected while on a budget.
To find out if you qualify for a free phone in Missouri, keep reading. Because in this blog post, we’re going to be discussing how to apply for these incredible benefits in the state.
What Benefits Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Offers us?
Before getting into the details, we have to first clarify that the government itself doesn’t give out free phones. But when you sign up for these connectivity programs through providers such as EASY Wireless, you will have the chance to receive a brand new smartphone.
So without further delay, let’s first discuss the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP, managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), provides discounts on phone and internet service to qualifying low-income households. If eligible, you receive:
Up to $30 a Month Discount on Internet Service
ACP offers up to $30 a month off your internet bill (up to $75 if you’re living on tribal lands). This makes broadband internet service affordable when it otherwise likely wouldn’t be.
A one-time discount on a laptop, tablet or desktop computer
ACP also offers their subscribers a one-time discount of up to $100 on a tablet or computer to help low-income individuals access the internet. The specific details of available offers could vary between providers and service areas.
Access to EASY Wireless Plus Plan
Enrolling in ACP program also gives you access to EASY Wireless’ first free phone program. Here’s what it offers:
EASY Wireless Plus Plan
- Unlimited text
- Unlimited talk
- 5 GB of data
With ACP, internet and phone service become more affordable and accessible. Take advantage of these benefits and apply today!
Eligibility Criteria With ACP
To apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in Missouri and get a free government phone, you need to meet some requirements.
Income
First — your income has to be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty guidelines. If you’re on a government assistance program like SNAP, Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you could also qualify.
No current Wireless Plan
Second, you must not currently have a different internet plan. The ACP only provides discounts and phones to those unable to afford internet. If you have an existing phone contract, you’re going to need to cancel it first before enrolling in the program.
Proving Eligibility
Finally, you’re going to need to provide documents to verify your eligibility. Things like pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, or whatever else is needed.
Lifeline Program
As a Missouri resident, you could also be eligible for free or low-cost cell phone service with the Lifeline phone program. In particular, here’s what lifeline offers:
Service discounts
Lifeline offers up to a $9.25 discount on phone service in Missouri (up to $34.25 if you’re living on tribal lands).
Access to EASY Wireless’ Base Plan
EASY Wireless’ Lifeline Base plan requires you to be enrolled in the government’s Lifeline connectivity program. Here’s what it offers:
EASY Wireless Base Plan
- $25 Smartphone
- FREE text
- 1000 free talk minutes
- 25 MB of data
Qualifying to Receive Lifeline Benefits
To receive your Lifeline benefits in Missouri, you must also meet certain eligibility criteria based on your income or participation in certain government programs.
Income requirements
If you want to qualify based on your income, your annual household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty guidelines. The income limits increase for larger households. Applicants must again provide documentation proving their income like pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, etc.
Program participation
You could also qualify for Lifeline if you participate in certain government assistance programs like:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP food stamps)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
If you’re enrolled in any of these programs, you automatically qualify to receive Lifeline benefits. You will need to provide proof of participation in one of these programs.
Lifeline Application
To apply for Lifeline and receive discounted or free cell phone service, you will need to contact a Lifeline provider in your area like EASY Wireless. You could apply online or over the phone. You will need to provide documents proving you meet the income or program requirements.
Your specific benefit plan details and options vary between Lifeline providers and service areas. But all in all, Lifeline can help low-income individuals in Missouri stay connected affordably.
How do I Apply For my FREE PHONE With EASY Wireless?
To get started with EASY Wireless, apply online by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
Start Saving Today!
Or you can come to one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, where our customer service agent will help you apply for the benefits.
Either way, the first step is to provide proof of identity with a government-issued ID. This is so you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or that you meet the income requirement.
We accept the following U.S. Government Issued ID:
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
You can show the following documents to prove that you are taking part in a government assistance program or use them as proof of active benefits:
- Statement of benefits from a food distribution program.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance Vouchers Documents
- Indian Affairs general assistance documents
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Participation documents from a program, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months’ worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or Supplemental Security Income benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
Need Multiple Lines of Service or an Additional Phone?
Time for your child to have their own phone? EASY Wireless is a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have everything from basic prepaid phone plans to comprehensive data plans for every budget and data usage requirement. We use the T-Mobile network to offer the highest speed data! Also, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine reliability and the latest technology.
And that’s not all – we also provide an array of amazing accessories to enhance your mobile experience. At EASY Wireless, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring you find the right cell phone plan, compatible phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Visit us for all your cell phone and wireless service needs today!
