How to Get Discounted Cell Phone Service For Free

First things first, before starting the application, review the eligibility requirements. You may qualify based on your income or if you participate in a government assistance program. Residents of California, Oregon, and Texas should check with their state or provider for special instructions.

Choose How to Apply
You can apply for Lifeline in one of three ways: online, by mail, or through a provider.

• Online. Create or log into an account and submit your application in about 10 minutes

• By mail. Print and fill out a form, then mail it with copies of your proof to:  Lifeline Support Center, PO Box 1000, Horseheads, NY 14845

• Through a provider. Some phone or internet companies can help you apply directly through their websites or customer service

Once you are ready to apply for the Lifeline program, you will need to provide the following information:

• Full name

• Date of birth

• Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number or Tribal ID

• Home address (no P.O. Boxes)

Average annual savings can be over a hundred dollars per year when users switch from a traditional carrier to a Lifeline-backed plan for one line and a prepaid plan for additional lines. It’s important to note that having proof of SNAP, Medicaid, or housing aid usually qualifies you for Lifeline within minutes, so get those documents ready before you apply. That being said, most applications are approved within minutes. 

To help make the process even faster, check out our step-by-step Lifeline checklist that thirty thousand WorkMoney members used to clear the application in under ten minutes.

Once approved, choose a Lifeline-participating phone or internet company. You can also ask your current provider to apply the discount to your bill if they support Lifeline. As helpful as discounted cell phone service can be, you still need to make sure you find the right provider to meet your needs. Some key criteria to keep top of mind include:

• Network (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile—what’s best in your area?)

• Monthly data limits

• Device quality (some offer basic smartphones, others bring-your-own-phone)

• Customer service ratings

It’s also a good idea to confirm that the provider you plan to work with will allow you to retain your existing phone number if that’s important to you. You can port your existing number into most Lifeline plans so you never miss calls.