So you’re on a tight budget but really need a new smartphone. The good news is, if you’re enrolled in government assistance programs such as Medicaid, there is a good chance you maybe eligible for free phone service or even a free phone through automatic qualification for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or the Lifeline program.
The Lifeline and ACP programs were created to help low-income Americans stay connected in this digital world. Millions of other people have already taken advantage of this opportunity, so why not you? In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to enroll in Lifeline and ACP and qualify for a free Medicaid cell phone service. Staying on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skip out on modern conveniences. With Medicaid, you can have the best of both worlds.
What Is The Medicaid Program?
To qualify for a free phone service with Medicaid, you first need to understand what exactly the Medicaid program is. Medicaid is a federal and state program that helps low-income individuals including families, children, pregnant women, the disabled, and elderly to pay for healthcare services.
Eligibility
To receive Medicaid coverage, your income has to be below a certain threshold. The limit depends on factors like your family size and the state you live in. Medicaid provides coverage for essential health benefits like hospital stays, doctor visits, vaccinations, and nursing home care.
How Medicaid Can Score You a FREE phone
So now you have an idea of what Medicaid is. But you may be wondering — how can this program get you free phone service. Well, by qualifying for programs such as Lifeline & the ACP, you can unlock a whole bunch of EASY Wireless connectivity benefits, including a free phone. Here’s how you qualify for each program:
Affordable connectivity program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), managed by the Universal Service Administrative company (USAC), is the first program that can help you get a free phone & free cell phone service. The program offers up to a $30 discount on internet service (up to $75 if you’re living on tribal lands). If you qualify for Medicaid, you’re likely eligible to receive a free smartphone with the ACP. You’ll need to apply to the program, so here’s how you do so:
Check if you’re eligible
First, visit your state’s ACP website to confirm you qualify and see what documents they may require as proof of income or program participation. Typically they will want to see documents like a benefit statement, award letter, or an application approval. To qualify for Lifeline support, your income must be at or below 200% of Federal Poverty guidelines. Don’t assume that just because you have Medicaid you’ll automatically qualify for the ACP — always verify to avoid issues down the line.
Once your eligibility is confirmed, select a phone carrier such as EASY Wireless, who helps you with the process of qualifying for and receiving your benefits.
Lifeline Program
Lifeline is the second program that provides free or low-cost cell phones and free cell phone plans to qualifying individuals. Lifeline on its own, offers up to a $9.25 monthly discount on phone service ($34.25 if you’re living on tribal lands). Like ACP, if you’re a Medicaid member, you likely qualify for a free Lifeline phone as well.
To apply visit Lifeline’s website to apply. Then — provide documents proving your Medicaid enrollment like your Medicaid card or official letters. Once approved, you can qualify for EASY Wireless’ free phone program.
Stay Eligible For Lifeline
To keep your Lifeline service, you must use the service at least once a month and re-certify your eligibility once a year. As long as you stay eligible for Medicaid, you should qualify to continue the program and get affordable connectivity.
Take advantage of this program to get a free or low-cost smartphone. In today’s digital world, cell phone service is essential for safety, work, healthcare, loved ones, and more. The Lifeline program helps make this necessity more accessible for those in need. Check with your Medicaid provider or state Lifeline program to sign up today and start saving on your cell phone bill.
Exactly How to Get Your FREE Phone With EASY WIRELESS!!
After reading this blog, hopefully you understand how to leverage Medicaid to qualify for government connectivity programs. So now you may be wondering — once you apply for one of these programs, how exactly do you get your free phone?
Well you can actually check if you qualify, apply, and receive your benefits, all from the EASY Wireless website. We hope that by making connectivity more accessible, we can more toward a world where we’re able to call our loved ones, contact work, and essentially keep in touch with the outside world, even when times are tough financially. So, here’s what you receive when you qualify for EASY Wireless’ free phone & phone service plan:
What Benefits Do You Get With EASY Wireless?
Upon qualifying for one of the programs above with EASY Wireless, here’s what you receive:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
How do I Apply For EASY Wireless Benefits?
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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- 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 More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
EASY Wireless is a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have a wide range of pre-paid plans for every budget and usage requirement. Also, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine quality, reliability, and the latest technology.
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 perfect plan, phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Visit us for all your cell phone and wireless service needs today!
