Free Government Flip Phone 2023: Top 5 Programs & How to Get
As someone who has personally used a free government flip phone, I can attest to the convenience and simplicity of this valuable device.
The government is offering free flip phones through various programs and service providers to help low-income individuals, especially senior citizens.
Not only are flip phones easy to use with large buttons and a simple interface, but they also come with free minutes and texts each month.
This article covers everything you need to know about getting a Free Government Flip Phone, including how to apply, which programs offer them, and the eligibility and document requirements.
Top 5 Programs to get a Free Government Flip Phone in 2023
These are the 5 major programs offering a Free Government Flip Phone in 2023:
1. 911 Cell Phone Bank
The 911 Cell Phone Bank is an arm of The Charitable Recycling Foundation, Inc. which is an organization that converts assets such as cell phones for public use. The organization facilitates the donation of flip phones and other phone models through its website. They offer free flip phones to senior citizens, women’s shelters, victims of abuse, law enforcement officers, and teachers.
2. Medicaid
Medicaid is a program sponsored by the Medicaid and CHP services directly overseen by the US department of health and human services. This program helps in the provision of free flip phones to low income earners, especially seniors.
However, you should know that Medicaid will not directly give Free Government Flip phones to applicants, however, being a beneficiary of this program makes you eligible to get a free flip phone.
Check out this post to know what is the Best Free Medicaid Phone.
3. Lifeline Assistance Program
Lifeline is an assistance program pioneered by the Federal government through the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) while The USAC (Universal Service Administrative) Company oversees the applications, eligibility criteria, and maintenance of benefits.
The Lifeline Assistance Program offers free communication services like free flip phones to low income earners in the USA. The main purpose of this program is to reduce the cost of various communication services so as to enable low-income earners to gain free and easy access to telecommunication and the internet and stay connected to the world.
There are various discount packages available on the internet, broadband, voice, phone service, bundle service, and much more through the lifeline assistance program.
4. Connect America Fund
The Connect America Fund is a government program that provides subsidies to phone companies in the US, making it possible for them to offer their services for free or at discounted rates to low-income earners in society.
The major purpose of this program is to make free flip phones and other phone services available to low-income households. If you are a participant in any government assistance program, you can be eligible for this program too.
4. Affordable Connectivity Program
This Affordable Connectivity program is an initiative run by the US government through the federal communications commission. This program helps low-income earning citizens and households pay for phone services and receive a Free Government Flip Phone. They also offer a monthly service and a device discount per household.
To benefit from the ACP program, you have to be a beneficiary of any government assistance program like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or SNAP. if you are already a beneficiary of the lifeline program benefits, you automatically are eligible for the affordable connectivity program benefits.
How to Get a Free Government Flip Phone
Follow these steps to Get a Free Government Flip Phone:
- Check your eligibility status on the official national verifier website (https://nv.fcc.gov/lifeline)
- Visit nv.fcc.gov/lifeline if you are applying through lifeline.
- Choose your state of residence.
- Click on ‘Get Started’.
- You will be redirected to the online application form.
- Follow the prompts and make all the required information and documentation available while filling out the form.
- At the end of each page, press ‘Next’.
- Complete the application form and click on submit.
- When your application is approved, choose a phone service provider like Quicklink, Safelink, or any in your area that offers Free Government Flip Phone and sign up for service with them.
- You can also apply via email. Check out the official website of your preferred program provider for their email address.
You may also want to check out this post on Free 5G Government Phones, if you want a future proof device.
Why is the Government Providing a Free Flip Phone?
The government is providing flip phones to help low incoming earning citizens especially the seniors have free and easy access to telecommunication and internet services. Flip phones are easier to use and more durable than most recent phone models.
Features of the Free Government Flip Phone
Below are features of Free Government Flip Phone:
- Easy navigation
- Simplified features
- Prolonged battery life
- Large keypads
- Foldable, hence more practical
- Loud speakers
- Medical and other alert capabilities
- Bluetooth compatibility
Eligibility Criteria to Get a Free Flip Phone from The Government
The eligibility criteria for getting a Free Government Flip Phone are stated below:
- Your household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty standard.
2. You or any member of your family must be a beneficiary of at least one of the following qualifying Federal Assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
Documents Required for Free Government Flip Phones
Below is a list of the required documents to get a Free Government Flip Phone:
- Official document that includes the applicant’s full legal name and income.
- previous year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return, paycheck stubs,
- Current income statement from your employer
- Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance, divorce decree, child support award, etc.
- The applicant’s full legal name and date of birth such as a passport
- A valid government, military, state, or Tribal ID, driver’s license
- Birth certificate
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card, etc.
Benefits of Getting a Free Government Flip Phone
These are the major Benefits of Getting a Free Government Flip Phone:
- Free monthly phone or internet service
- A free phone.
- Flip phones have user-friendly features.
- Flip phones have a longer battery life.
What is the Best Free Government Flip Phone?
The Best Free Government Flip Phone is the Jitterbuf Flip 2 because it has unique features like a clear speaker, dual cameras, magnifier, large buttons for ease of use.
Conclusion
As earlier stated, you can receive a Free Government Flip Phone if you are eligible for the Lifeline and ACP government programs. Other eligibility criteria to be met include having an income at or lower than the federal poverty standard and being a beneficiary of other government assistance programs such as Food stamps and Medicaid.
