Staying connected is a critical necessity these days. It helps people work, connect, and reach out to colleagues, friends, and family. Good news is, Americans can have access to free government phones.
Are the phones for everyone?
No. The devices are reserved for American citizens who fit a certain eligibility criteria.
What makes you eligible?
The criteria vary from state to state. Typically, you should be participating in one of the following government programs:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps or Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplementary Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Housing or Section 8 Assistance
- National School Lunch Program
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
In addition, you can also be eligible if your total household income meets certain federal guidelines.
How can you prove that you are eligible?
The documents that you need to pass for review vary from state to state. Visit the website of your preferred provider and enter your zip code to find out what you need to prepare. You can either mail the files or have them uploaded digitally. The usual files to prepare for submission are:
- Your federal notice letter of participation in the government assisted programs that you are a part of.
- Social Security statement of benefits
- Current income statement from your employer
- Unemployment compensation or retirement pension
- Divorce decree
- Child Support Award
Can each person at home get a free phone?
No. Only one wireless or landline account is allowed per household. A household does not necessarily mean a family tied by blood. It is any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share their salies and expenses. To add, households are not allowed to receive benefits from multiple providers. If they get done doing so, they will be removed from their plans.
Does your place of residence matter?
Yes. The address provided on your plan service should be issued in the name of one qualified customer in your household. Keep in mind that the plan availed is non-transferable. If you want to move or change address, you should notify your provider within a month of moving.
Can the plans be terminated?
Yes. If your service goes unused for two months or 60 days, it may be subject to a 30 day probationary period. You will need to contact the provider's representatives to confirm that you want to keep on receiving the services during the probationary time. If you do not get in touch with them, your benefits will be terminated. To avoid this, it is always advisable to use your government cell phone for calls at least once a month.