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Free Cell Phone with SNAP — FCC Lifeline Program
If you receive SNAP, you AUTOMATICALLY qualify for FCC Lifeline — a federal $9.25/mo discount on cell phone or home internet service. Multiple carriers (Q Link, Assurance, Safelink) use this subsidy to offer an essentially-FREE phone with data + text + limited minutes.
TLDR: SNAP → Lifeline → free phone with data. Apply at lifelinesupport.org.
1. Eligibility
You qualify for Lifeline if you receive any of these:
- SNAP / EBT — any amount, in any state
- Medicaid
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA / Section 8)
- Veterans Pension (not compensation)
- Tribal programs — BIA General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Tribal Head Start, FDPIR
- Or income at or below 135% FPL — even without a qualifying program, low income may qualify
2. What you get
| Service type | Monthly discount | What it typically covers |
|---|---|---|
| Voice-only | $5.25 | limited call minutes |
| Voice + cell data | $9.25 | limited plan: e.g., 1000 min, unlimited SMS, limited data |
| Home internet | $9.25 | minimum broadband plan |
| Tribal lands | up to $34.25 | full plan, multiple carriers |
Some carriers (Q Link, Assurance, Safelink) use the $9.25/mo discount to offer "free" plans — the subsidy covers the entire cost of the most basic plan.
3. Major carriers
- Q Link Wireless — qlinkwireless.com — widely available, national rollout
- Assurance Wireless — assurancewireless.com — part of T-Mobile, national coverage
- SafeLink Wireless — safelinkwireless.com — part of Verizon, national coverage
- StandUp Wireless — standupwireless.com — uses AT&T and T-Mobile
- Cintex Wireless — cintexwireless.com — smaller network, light plans
- Other — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Comcast — major carriers also offer Lifeline
4. How to apply
- Check eligibility at lifelinesupport.org
- Apply through the National Verifier — fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers or call 1-800-234-9473
- Submit documentation — SNAP/Medicaid/SSI card or approval letter
- Choose carrier — once approved, contact carrier of choice directly
- Receive phone / activation — most carriers ship phone by mail in 5-10 days or activate SIM in your existing phone
5. ACP — Affordable Connectivity Program (FYI)
NOTE: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — an extra $30/mo internet discount — ENDED in May 2024 (FY24) due to lack of Congressional funding. The $9.25 Lifeline continues, but ACP is no longer available. The Biden administration proposed refunding but it was not passed.
6. Important reminders
- One line per household — only one person / line per eligible address. If sharing house, only one qualifies.
- Recertify annually — National Verifier asks you to confirm eligibility annually. If you lose Lifeline temporarily, subsidy can reactivate on recert.
- No transfer between people — account belongs to the eligible person — not transferable
- Use monthly — some carriers deactivate inactive lines after 60 days
Related resources
Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).