How To Get AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone in 2023

You may wonder how to get AT&T Wireless free government phones in 2023. You can get access to free phones from AT&T under the Lifeline benefit program launched by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). AT&T has a comprehensive range of offerings for the Lifeline eligible, which you can get after qualification.

The recent Covid-19 pandemic led most users under the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If you are in such a state where you have lost your job or are currently facing a down in your income, you can get free government cell phones services under the US federal government Lifeline.

AT&T has wireless plans for both Lifeline-eligible and seniors. Today, we’ll cover the ins and outs of the AT&T Lifeline program for all sorts of users. Thus, without any wavering, let’s start up the illustrated procedure.

What is the AT & T Lifeline Program?

AT&T Lifeline Program is basically the Federal Lifeline program operated by the US Federal government. However, there is a fundamental difference between Lifeline offerings of particular carriers; it also applies for AT&T. In usual circumstances, you may have to qualify for the Lifeline program, and they will offer you free cellular services.

Lifeline is a Federal Assistance project for low income households who can’t afford a home phone or internet plan. Their main motto is to lower your household broadband costs each month by adding some benefits from their funds.

Because AT&T also believes that each one of us requires internet services in this third world of tech, that’s why they’re offering the Lifeline benefits also.

We all need to pay a decent amount of money per month for essential Internet services or home cell phone plans, which is not possible for all. That is why AT&T and the FCC came together with the Lifeline program for low income households or individuals suffering from unemployment issues. The primary Lifeline program participants can get EBB benefits also, in this pandemic crisis.

Offerings Of AT&T Wireless Free Government phone Lifeline Assistance Program

AT&T comes with a plan named AT&T Mobility Lifeline, which offers the essential services to an eligible Lifeline individual. If you are a qualifying customer of AT&T Lifeline, they will assist you by lowering your phone, Internet, or broadband bills monthly.

AT&T Wireless Free Government phone Lifeline Assistance Program

In average cases, they provide a minimum of 5.25 dollars cost reduction of monthly phone bills or 9.25 dollars cost reduction on Internet bills.

However, they come with a state-based offering for the qualifying lifeline participants. Except for the general states, eligible customers living in Federal approved tribal areas can get additional discounts.

On average cases, Most federally recognized tribal lands residents can get up to 25 dollars discount on their monthly cell phone for internet bills.

However, in their state-based Lifeline offerings, you may notice slight differences. But for the majority, the upper ones are (except for the individuals with disabilities who can get more). Let’s get acquainted with the AT&T lifeline program benefits based on particular states!

Alabama: You can get up to 9.25 dollars in cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for Alabama state. Moreover, if you are a resident in the selected tribal areas, you can get a total of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

Alaska: If you are a resident in the selected tribal areas, you can get a total of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

Arkansas: You can get up to 9.25 dollars in cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for Arkansas state.

Idaho: You can get up to 9.25 dollars in cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for Idaho state. Moreover, if you are a resident in the selected tribal areas, you can get a total of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

Kentucky: If you are a resident of non-tribal lands, you can get up to a 9.25 dollars discount from your monthly wireless or home phone bills from Kentucky.

Louisiana: For Louisiana state, you can get up to 9.25 dollars in cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills. Moreover, if you are a resident in the selected tribal areas, you can get a maximum of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

Michigan: You can get up to 9.25 dollars in cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for Michigan state.

Moreover, if you are a resident in the selected tribal areas, you can get a maximum of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

Mississippi: Get up to 9.25 dollars discount for all non-tribal lands. But if you are in tribal areas, you can get a maximum of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

North Dakota: There is a slight difference between the tribal area offerings of North Dakota. They will offer you up to 13.99 dollars cost-cutting from your monthly cellular service bills.

In non-tribal lands, you can get up to 9.25 dollars cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for North Dakota.

Oregon: In tribal lands, they will provide you up to 23.99 dollars cost-cutting from your monthly cellular service bills for Oregon. In non-tribal lands, you can get up to 9.25 dollars standard cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for Oregon.

Puerto Rico: In Puerto Rico, the standard discount is somewhat different than the other states. You can get up to 12.75 dollars cost reduction from your monthly cellular service bills(phone, wireless, internet, broadband).

South Dakota: In general circumstances, you can get up to a 9.25 dollars discount for South Dakota. However, They will offer you up to 13.99 dollars cost-cutting from your monthly cellular service bills.

Virginia: If you are a resident of non-tribal lands, you can get up to a 9.25 dollars discount from your monthly wireless or home phone bills from Virginia.

West Virginia: Just like North Dakota or Puerto Rico, there is a slight difference between the non-tribal area offerings of West Virginia also. They will offer you up to 13.50 dollars cost-cutting from your monthly cellular service bills.

Washington: As an average user, you can get up to a 9.25 dollars regular discount for South Dakota. However, They will offer you up to 13.99 dollars cost-cutting from your monthly cellular service bills.

Wisconsin: You can get up to 9.25 dollars cost-cutting benefits from your internet and phone bills for Wisconsin state. Moreover, if you are a resident in the selected tribal areas, you can get a total of 23.99 dollars cost reduction on your wireless, phone, or monthly broadband bills.

Texas: The AT&T Wireless and Lifeline program offerings are not determined for Texas. But, so far we knew, the program perks for texas will be pretty much the same as the other states. But there can be a slight change in the AT&T wireless plans benefits for residents of tribal and non-tribal areas.

They provide Lifeline benefits in more than 17 states, including Puerto Rico’s Commonwealth, to wrap up the offerings.

Eligibility Requirements For AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone Lifeline Program

Like other providers’ Lifeline program, AT&T also has a set of requirements for the qualification into their free cell phone program. You can qualify for this campaign in several ways, but the program and income-based ways are most popular & recognized.

Eligibility Requirements For AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone Lifeline Program

If you are a low-income individual or have lost your job in an emergency pandemic situation, you can apply via your annual household earning profile.

Moreover, there are several Federal aid programs available for the needy or disabled individuals, which AT&T Mobility Lifeline recognizes. If you are going to apply for the Lifeline program based on your income status, your annual income must be at or underneath 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

Income-Based Qualification Requirements: You can also qualify with your income status, which needs to be at or below 135 to 150 percent of the FPG(Federal Poverty Guidelines).

Even after working more than 40 hours per week, you can apply for this one if you fall under the Federal Poverty line. If you are currently unemployed and have proof of unemployment benefits, you can also qualify for this program.

Program-Based Qualification Requirements: You can also be eligible if you have active participation proof of any Federal Communications Commission programs. Here is a list of qualifying programs by which you can apply in the AT&T Wireless free government phone Lifeline program.

  • LIHEAP or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
  • TANF or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Any Free projects of the National School Lunch Program
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance Program or known as Section 8
  • Supplemental Security Income or SSI
  • Medicaid or Federal Medical Assistance Program
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP)
  • Veterans Pension or Survival Benefit project known as VPSB

AT&T provides wireless services, home phone plans, and internet access at a reduced rate for low income cell phone plans. But you should note that AT&T doesn’t offer more than one type of discount service to one household. You can get free access to either home phone services or the internet, but they don’t offer both for one household.

Thus, you can get only one Lifeline benefit for one person in that household from one provider. In cases where separate households live at the same address, each one can get at&t lifeline cell phone benefits.

This one also includes the inhabitants of nursing homes or homeless residents. Some may also qualify if they live with a temporary address.

How To Get AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone

Application Procedure Of AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone Program

The application process for AT&T Wireless free government phones is pretty straightforward, and if you have the required documents and other qualifying requirements ready, you can qualify easily. You can apply for the AT&T Wireless Lifeline benefit plans on both online and offline platforms.

How To Get AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone

As we have mentioned previously, you can be eligible for this program with income status or based on your Federal Government program participation. For the FCC program-based application, you also need proof of your participation in that program.

Here is what you need to do to apply to the Assurance Wireless Lifeline program from the online platform.

  • Enter into the AT&T Lifeline website platform first of all.
  • After that, select the area or state you are residing in or enter your ZIP code instead.
  • AT&T has a slightly different application process for California, Texas. If you are outside California & Texas, you can apply here.
  • They will provide you a specific application form based on the Lifeline benefit of your current state; download it.
  • Afterward, fill the blank spaces into the website/application form with correct data.

The required, blank info can be your name, residing address, ZIP code, Social Security Number, Mobile Number, Email Address, and other similar data.

However, you can also contact the representative in your local language or contact 888.296.0499 for California and 855.962.1629 for Texas for beginning the procedure.

You can also qualify for the service by talking to a representative. In this case, you just need to provide the information and the proof of your identity, and the representative will do the rest of the work.

You should remember that if you are living in a state in which the National Verifier operates, the process may be slightly different than this one.

Required Documents For Program Based Application At AT&T

If you go for the application with any FCC-approved programs like SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, TANF, etc., you must submit some required documents.

Below we will include the list of documents you need to submit for program-based application into the AT&T Wireless free government phone service.

  • For Medicaid or SNAP, you must submit the Benefits Card with all the needed criteria.
  • Submit all the Benefits cards with an expiration date of up to 12 months(authority won’t accept more than one year)
  • Include the benefits statement of the qualifying program that you will apply with.
  • If you have participated with an authorized government agency, you need to submit the award or notice letter of that agency as well.
  • Any Veterans Administration Benefit statement or the Retirement and Pension Benefits Statement

Required Documents For Income-Based Application At AT&T

You also need to submit some required documents for income-based applications like program-based applications. Below we will list these needed documents.

If you have one of these document copies, you can also apply for these criteria-

  • The income tax return copy of the previous year, regardless of the state or Federal government.
  • Manage the current income status from your recognized employer
  • The participation letter or notice of your Federal programs in General Assistance
  • Social Security Benefits statement or agreement letter from the previous 12 months
  • If you are unemployed or jobless, you need to submit the unemployment for workers compensation benefits statement as well

Please be assured that your information will be safe and protected by the AT&T Wireless authority. AT&T Wireless will share the provided documents or pieces of information only with USAC or the Universal Service Administrative Company.

They can share all your information with the state Agencies to confirm your eligibility. Don’t worry about security, as all info is collected electronically with an encryption technology named Secure Sockets Layer or SSL.

Additional Informations About AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone Lifeline Program

AT&T lifeline cell phone program offers some additional benefits for users who are separate from others regarding disability or other issues. However, if you qualify for the Lifeline program from AT&T, you can also get a chance to qualify for the EBB program as well.

The AT&T EBB(Emergency Broadcasting benefits) program will offer only broadband or internet services. If you find managing an internet service challenging for a low-income profile, you can get EBB benefits from AT&T Wireless. The qualifying conditions for Lifeline and EBB are almost identical.

Benefits of AT&T EBB Program: if you are eligible for the AT&T EBB program, they will offer you AT&T internet deals for new customers. You can get up to a 50 dollars cost reduction from your monthly bill through EBB. If you live in any Federal recognized tribal area, you can receive up to 75 dollars discount on your household internet bills.

If you have the eligibility requirements, you can apply for AT&T EBB from here. They will require your necessary personal data like first, middle(optional), last name, Date of Birth, Social Security ID, Phone number, Email address, etc. If you qualify through your child or dependants, you must put their data as well. You can also apply online with the National Verifier.

FAQ About The AT&T Wireless Free Government Phone

Can I get AT&T Wireless free government phones for the 3G shutdown?

Since AT&T has announced a 3G shutdown the following February 2022, they will offer Samsung Galaxy Note 9, 4G LTE smartphone to their eligible 3G customers. They provide free 4G smartphones because they don’t want to leave their 3G users in no signal during the 3G shutdown.

Does AT&T offers free phones for EBB participants?

Yes, if you are a qualifying EBB participant of AT&T, you can get your hands on great 4G smartphones from iconic brands like LG, Apple, Samsung, Motorola, etc.

Is there any free phones available for AT&T Mobility?

AT&T Mobility is a similar offering to the Lifeline program, which doesn’t offer any free phones. However, you can get discounted cell phones from AT&T Mobility at affordable rates after qualification.

Final Verdict

AT&T is one of the leading national major carriers in the United States, which comes with comprehensive nationwide coverage. If you don’t qualify for the AT&T Lifeline program, you can pick any favorable plans that suit your budget and overall requirements.

AT&T Wireless free government phones are offered under the Lifeline or the EBB program. You can access their free cellular services and a free government cell phone if you qualify with all the required documents and eligibility criteria. They also include unlimited perks for particular participants under these assistance benefit plans.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top