Are you constantly searching for “lifeline cell phone providers near me” and never finding a company you feel truly wants to help you save money and understands your needs?
EASY Wireless is here to help.
How to Find Lifeline Cell Phone Providers Near Me
We have retail stores all across the country that can sign you up for the Lifeline Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). When you sign up and qualify for these programs at our retail stores you can cut or even eliminate your monthly cell phone bill!
High-Quality Phone Accessories
In addition to applying for the Lifeline service, our retail stores also carry high-quality cell phone accessories at prices that won’t break the bank.
Amazing Pre-Paid Options
Lifeline Benefits are limited to one per household. We understand you may need additional lines of service. You can add a line of service to your account at prices better than the pre-paid ads you are bombarded with online.
Use our retail store locator or click one of the states below for store locations near you.
What is the Lifeline Program?
The Lifeline Program began in 1985 and is a government assistance program that provides discounts on phone service for eligible low-income consumers.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Cell Service providers must apply and be approved to offer Lifeline service, not all wireless providers offer this service.
Consumers qualify by participating in specific government benefit programs or having an income less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
What is the Lifeline Discount?
These discounts are paid to participating phone providers who then create free cell phone plans for qualifying consumers. The Federal government reimburses the phone providers for qualifying customers that enroll through them.
It is difficult for families to bridge the digital divide with limited service and to help them the Federal government created the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program which then evolved into the current Affordable Connectivity Program.
What was the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit was an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. It had the same qualifying requirements as the Lifeline Program.
It allowed cell phone providers a greater ability to provide more services to customers such as a Free Smartphone (sometimes called an Obama Phone) and Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data.
The Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit on December 31, 2021
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal program that provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices.
It also broadens the number of qualifying government assistance programs and increased the income level percent to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
It is estimated that over 40% of US households are eligible for ACP.
Let’s learn how to qualify…
How to Qualify for Lifeline
You can qualify for the Lifeline Assistance Program by participating in the following government benefit programs:
Qualifying Lifeline Programs include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), i.e. Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Headstart
Qualify with Income
You can also qualify for Lifeline if your household income is less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
When applying through income you’ll be asked to upload proof of income (3 consecutive months of paystubs or the previous year’s tax return).
When you qualify for Lifeline you automatically qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You get extra benefits without having to do a bunch of extra work.
How Do I Qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
You can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program through the Lifeline programs listed above as well as these additional programs:
- National School Lunch Program/ CEP
- WIC
- Current Pell Grant Award Recipient
*Please note the three programs listed above can not be used to qualify for the Lifeline Program.
Qualify Based on Income
You can also qualify for ACP Benefits through your income level.
See the chart below.
*Benefit Offers for ACP Only qualifying customers may vary compared to Lifeline and ACP combined benefits. Ask your store for details.
What are the Benefits of Combining My Lifeline and ACP Benefits?
When you sign up with EASY Wireless and combine your Lifeline and ACP benefits you will receive:
- FREE Smartphone*
- FREE UNLIMITED Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- Keep the Phone You Love
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
- FREE SIM Card & Activation
*Please note offers vary by location.
How to Apply for Lifeline and ACP?
There are two ways to apply.
From the Comfort of Your own Home
You can apply for service with EASY Wireless from the comfort of your own home. Just enter your zip code and email into the form below and click “Enroll Now” to get started.
Start Saving Today!
Alternatively you can call in to our call center and place your order over the phone
Apply in Person at Our Network of Retail Stores
Go to one of our retail or tent locations and sign up, qualify, and leave the same day with your Lifeline and ACP service.
To prove your ID you can use the following U.S. Government Issued ID, such as;
- U.S. Driver’s 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
Be sure to bring proof of your participation in one of the qualifying government programs listed above or proof of income. Proof of a qualifying program can be
- a check stub,
- award letter
- screenshot from an online account showing proof of active benefits.
If you need to provide proof of income you can use:
- Prior year’s state, federal or Tribal tax return
- Current income statement from an employer or paycheck stub (must show 3 Consecutive months income)
- Social Security Statement of Benefits
- Veterans Administration Statement of Benefits
- Retirement/Pension Statement of Benefits
- Unemployment/Workmen’s Compensation Statement of benefits
- Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in a General Assistance
- Divorce Decree, child support award, or other official document containing income information
Sounds Great, How Do I Sign Up for FREE Phone Service?
Signing up for FREE phone service is EASY.
Check our store locator to find a location nearest you. Let out in-store customer service agents help you sign up, qualify, and leave the same day with a Free Phone and Free Service with Unlimited Data.
