People who rely on food stamps and other government assistance programs often struggle to afford essential communication services. To help, free phones and tablets are available through the federal Lifeline program.
Free Phone Number
If you’re on SNAP, also known as food stamps, you may qualify for the federal government’s free phone with food stamps. The program offers free phones and data services for low-income families to help keep them connected. Assist Wireless is a leading nationwide program provider and offers unique rewards like birthday and activation date perks, free cell phone accessories, and more for eligible customers.
Food stamps are not enough to pay for a smartphone or monthly phone plan, but the federal government has implemented programs like Lifeline and ACP to make it easier for families in need to stay connected. These programs offer a free smartphone and discounted internet service to people who receive SNAP, Medicare, or other federal benefits.
Besides the standard calling and texting features mobile providers offer, some apps offer free numbers, free domestic calls, and sync across devices, so one number rings everywhere. Some apps allow you to hold conference calls, send faxes, and more at no cost.
These services are designed to make it easier for businesses to connect with customers and clients and can help you grow your business without spending a fortune on communications costs. If you have a small business, check out the options available to see which would work best for your needs.
Free Phone Service
A free phone service for food stamp users allows families and individuals to connect to their loved ones, access important resources, and take advantage of life’s opportunities. The federally run programs Lifeline are designed to provide people with SNAP food stamps, an EBT card with free government phones and tablets, and affordable connectivity plans that help them stay connected to the digital world.
To qualify for a free phone and service, a consumer must receive SNAP food stamps or an EBT benefit card and have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. In addition to qualifying through these programs, consumers can receive a free phone through the Lifeline program if they participate in other government assistance programs such as Medicaid or SSI.
While some carriers will provide a new device to eligible customers, other companies will allow food stamp recipients to use their own devices if they meet the required specifications. This is a huge benefit for many individuals on limited budgets as it allows them to continue using the phone they’re comfortable with rather than learning to navigate a new one.
Free Data
When it comes to keeping in touch with family, friends, and even the job market, smartphones are the primary way most Americans maintain that level of connectivity. But if you’re living on food stamps, paying for a smartphone can be a luxury you can’t afford.
Thankfully, the government recognizes that and has created programs like Lifeline to provide low-income families free or discounted landlines and mobile phones. Now, with a new program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), households can even get free smartphones and data from your provider.
The ACP will give people on SNAP/Food Stamps and other eligible government assistance programs access to a wide range of wireless services, including unlimited calling, texting, and 10GB monthly mobile hotspot data on the Assurance Wireless Unlimited plan. Currently, this service is only available in select areas of the country. But this expansion will help families all over the United States stay connected.
Free Accessories
SNAP food stamp users will qualify for free cell phones, tablets, and data through the federal government’s Lifeline program. This program works with telecommunications companies to ensure low-income families can access phone and tablet assistance. While the federal government sets the guidelines for these programs, individual telecommunications companies oversee them state-by-state.
If you are on SNAP or other government benefits and want to get connected, you can learn more about the available plans for your state on this national map. You will find links to apply for Snap, the program’s name in your state. If you qualify, your new connection can help you find work and provide better health for you and your family.
Family Plans
Most cell phone providers offer family plans, which provide a discount when you sign up several people with cell phones on the same plan. They generally allow you to call each other for free and let you share a monthly allotment of data. Choosing the right family cell phone plan is important and requires a little more thinking than picking out an individual one.
When choosing a family plan, choosing one that offers unlimited data is best. This way, you don’t have to worry about a member using too much of the pooled data, and it can save money in the long run. Also, many family plans offer perks such as online subscriptions and streaming services for free or at a discounted price.
If you have a family of frequent fliers, you can take advantage of affordable roaming and international calling perks that come with its unlimited talk and text plan. The company also allows you to add on extra data in increments of 2GB at a time, so you can manage the needs of those members who are heavier data users.
As the organized bill-payer of your household, you can keep tabs on the family’s phone usage with most providers by viewing each member’s account online (a feature that all major carriers have). This helps you avoid overages, which are expensive and can damage your credit score.
