How to Get Free Government Phone Tennessee?: You may have never heard of the Lifeline Assistance program before. Well, it is a governmental program that provides discounts on phone and internet services to individuals with low incomes (135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or who are participating in one of the government programs (Medicaid, Food Stamps and SNAP, SSI, Section 8, BIA, Tribal TANF, FDPIR). Depending on your household income, you may be eligible for a free government phone and a free plan in Tennessee.
Why Is The Government Giving Away Free Smartphones and Cell Service in Tennessee?
Tennessee households and those throughout the country are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps households afford the broadband they need for school, work, healthcare, and more. The following will be provided to your household if you qualify:
- Get a free smartphone.
- Unlimited Talk for Free
- Unlimited free texting
- Hotspot service for free
- High-speed data is free.
How to Get Free Government Phone Tennessee?
The following steps should be followed to apply for a free government phone in Tennessee:
Check Your Eligibility
Tennessee government phones are free for those who meet certain income requirements. A household income of 135% or less must be lower than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you must qualify for certain government assistance. You must also prove that you have income or are participating in government assistance programs when you apply.
Choose a Service Provider
Several service providers, including Assurance Wireless, QLink Wireless, and SafeLink Wireless, offer the Lifeline program. Choosing a provider requires research and comparing options because each provider has different plans and coverage areas.
Apply for the Program
Lifeline Assistance Program applications can be submitted once you have selected a service provider. There are three ways to apply: online, by mail, or over the phone.
- Applicants can apply online by going to the website of a service provider they are interested in and filling out the application.
- If you wish to apply by mail, you can download the application form and mail it in with any necessary documents.
- You can also apply by phone by calling the provider’s customer service line, and a representative will assist you.
Submit Required Documentation
A document verifying your eligibility is required when applying for the Lifeline Assistance Program. An example of proof of income would be your most recent tax return or pay stub or a letter from Medicaid or SNAP informing you you are eligible for assistance.
Receive Your Free Government Phone
Your free government phone will be mailed to you if you are approved. Minutes, texts, and data will be free on the phone for a certain period. Keeping your free government phone and discounts on your phone and internet bills will require recertifying your eligibility yearly.
Complete Eligibility Rules for Each State to Receive Free Government Phones in Tennessee
Lifeline assistance can be obtained in two ways:
When your household income is less than 135% of the poverty guidelines or if you do not meet these requirements
You may qualify for government assistance if anyone in your household receives one or more of the following programs:
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Veterans Pensions and Survivors Benefit Programs
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
There are enhanced Lifeline benefits available to tribal residents.
You must meet the above prerequisites to obtain a free touch screen government phone.
Documents Required When Applying for Free Government Phone in Tennessee 2023
- State, federal, or tribal tax return for the previous year
- Benefits papers for pensioners
- Benefits papers from Social Security
- Child support papers after divorce
- Benefits papers from the Veterans Organization
- Statement of joblessness restitution benefits
- Employer’s current salary announcement
- An interesting letter from a tribe to the agency of Indian Affairs General
The original document should never be sent since you won’t receive it back.
Tennessee Free Government Phone Program Application Procedure
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply for the Tennessee free government phone program –
Choose a Provider
The first step is to decide which provider offers the Tennessee government’s free phone service. You can choose from Access Wireless, Assurance Wireless, MobileNation, and Safelink Wireless as providers.
Check Eligibility
Make sure you meet the program’s eligibility requirements before applying.
Gather Documents
To prove your eligibility for the program, you must gather the necessary documents.
Submit Application
The application can be submitted online, by mail, or over the phone. You will have to provide personal information and documents proving your eligibility in the application.
Wait for Approval
You must wait for approval after you submit your application. The provider may contact you for additional information or documentation.
Receive Your Phone
The government phone will be delivered to you once you’ve been approved. In addition to a certain amount of minutes, texts, and data per month, the phone will include a certain amount of storage.
There are differences between providers when it comes to the exact application procedure.
Wireless Providers in Tennessee That Offer FREE Phones
Various wireless providers offer Lifeline Assistance Program-eligible individuals free government phones in Tennessee.
These providers include –
Access Wireless
The Lifeline Assistance Program provides free government phones and services to eligible Tennessee residents through Access Wireless.
Plan: Wireless service and a smartphone are provided to eligible individuals by Access Wireless. A monthly data plan with 3GB of data and unlimited talk and text is available. Additionally, the company offers voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and three-way calling.
Coverage: Tennessee is covered by Sprint’s network, which is available in most areas of the state. The coverage may vary depending on your location. The Access Wireless website has a coverage map you can check to see if your area is covered.
MobileNation (ClearAssist)
The Lifeline Assistance Program offers free government phones and services through MobileNation, formerly ClearAssist.
Plan: Those in Tennessee who are eligible can get a free smartphone and wireless service from MobileNation. There is no limit to the number of texts and calls you can make, and you are entitled to 2 GB of data per month. In addition to voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and three-way calling, the company offers the following features.
Coverage: Most of Tennessee’s areas are covered by AT&T’s network through MobileNation. You may, however, experience different coverage depending on where you live. MobileNation’s coverage map can help you determine whether or not your area is covered.
Safelink Wireless
A Tennessee wireless provider, Safelink Wireless, offers free government phones and services as part of the Lifeline Assistance Program to eligible households.
Plan: Free smartphones and wireless services are available to eligible Tennessee residents through Safelink Wireless. A monthly data plan comes with 3 GB of data, 350 minutes of talk time, and unlimited texting.
Coverage: The Safelink Wireless network is powered by T-Mobile, which provides coverage throughout Tennessee. The Safelink Wireless website has a coverage map to check if Safelink Wireless is available in your area.
QLink Wireless
A Lifeline Assistance Program provides eligible individuals in Tennessee free government phones and services through QLink Wireless.
Plan: A monthly plan with unlimited talk, text, and data includes 2 GB of data. Aside from voicemail and call waiting, the company offers caller ID and 3-way calling.
Assist Wireless
A free government phone and service is available for eligible Tennessee residents through Assist Wireless Lifeline Assistance Program.
Plan: The plan offers unlimited talk, text, and monthly data usage of 4.5 GB. In addition to voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and 3-way calling, the company offers several other features.
Coverage: There is coverage throughout most of Tennessee with Assist Wireless since it operates on Sprint’s network.
enTouch Wireless
Tennessee residents qualify for free government phones and services through enTouch Wireless.
Plans: Unlimited talk, text, and data are included in the plan.
Coverage: Tennessee is mostly covered by the Verizon network, which enTouch Wireless utilizes.
Is There A Free Government Phone Stand Near Me In Tennessee?
If you landed on this website looking for free government phone stands in Tennessee, you might need a government cell phone. If you are willing to wait for a few days for your new phone to be delivered to you, we recommend going through the simple enrollment process and getting it from there if you are not able to find a free phone tent in Tennessee (they tend to come and go on short notice).
How Do I Claim My Free Smart Phone?
The process can be started by entering your email address and zip code in the form below and clicking “Start.” Once you have provided some basic information, your eligibility will be determined on the next page.
FAQs
How can I get a free government phone in Tennessee?
It may be possible for certain residents to receive a free cell phone. Lifeline discounts are available to Tennessee subscribers who qualify, such as those who qualify for government subsidies or have incomes under 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Who is eligible for the Free Government phone in Tennessee?
A low-income household that earns less than 135% below the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in a government assistance program, such as Medicaid or SNAP, will be eligible for a free Government phone.
Is SafeLink available in Tennessee?
Households with low incomes in Tennessee. In addition to Food Stamps, TennCare Medicaid, SSI, TANF, LIHEAP, National Free Lunch Program, and Federal Housing/Section 8 Assistance, individuals may also be eligible based on total household gross monthly income if they do not receive any of these public assistance programs.
When enrolling in Tennessee’s Free Government Phone program, can I keep my current phone number?
It is usually possible to keep your current phone number. To transfer your number to your new phone, you must provide the details of your current phone number when applying.
What are the government phone programs in Tennessee?
There is a Lifeline and an ACP in Tennessee. The Tennessee Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline can reduce the monthly cost of your phone or broadband services if your household qualifies.
Conclusion
The information above suffices for you to choose among the Lifeline Assistance providers available in Tennessee, although there are not as many as in some other states.