Free government cell phone or help for telephone bills in Florida.
Households that meet low income guidelines or that receive public benefits in Florida may get help paying their phone bill or even a free cell phone, tablet or iPhone from the government LifeLine program. Get discounts on cell service or financial help to pay telephone bills as part of this. Find how to get a free government cell phone, tablet or financial help to pay a bill in Florida below.
The assistance available to low-income families, seniors or the disabled that receive some form of government assistance, as noted below, or that meet low income guidelines. There will be a free tablet (such as iPad), iPhones or a Samsung Galaxy for people on EBT, disability or food assistance in FL among other government benefits. There are discounts or credits provided to Florida residents on their basic service charge, and the savings are available for both cell phones as well as a households home telephone service.
Assistance is also provided when starting a new phone service, and Lifeline or Link-Up can help pay the connection costs or deposits in Florida. As part of this, the cell phone companies including Safelink will even give free cell or wireless phones to the low-income and elderly.
In general, the customer needs to contact their cell phone provider to apply for or to request the discount. That company can also provide more information on the application process, however it is a good idea for individuals to already have this information so they are knowledgeable when going through the process.
Note that if your telephone provider, or cellular company is Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, Assurance Wireless, or T-Mobile, then the state of Florida can also help with process applications for Lifeline. Call 1-800-540-7039 for more information or visit the Public Service Commission office.
As indicated, the credit is for people that receive some type of benefits from the state or federal government, or that meet low income guidelines. Those criteria will depend on the number of people in the household too. As a general guideline, families might be eligible for Lifeline if the household’s total income is less than 150% of the poverty guidelines that are established by the federal government. Anyone seeking a credit based on these low income levels will also need to have proof of it, their household savings, and other information.
For people enrolled into some form of public assistance, they will automatically qualify for a reduction in their bills or free government sponsored cell phone service. The programs that will qualify households include Supplement Security Income (SSI), National School Lunch Program, LIHEAP, EBT, Medicaid, SNAP food stamps, or section 8 housing. Learn more on Florida welfare.
There are others that qualify as well for a free government phone or help with a bill however those are some of the most common programs that Lifeline customers receive. Proof of receipt of these benefits will be required from any applicants, and they can call their cellular provider to enroll or the state for more details on applying.
Whether someone meets the income thresholds or benefit guidelines noted above, please note if they have a free phone from Assurance Wireless, T Mobile, or Safelink, then they will not be qualified for the Florida service. Individuals can decide to cancel those phones if they want, but Florida will not allow residents to enroll into multiple telephone assistance programs. Individuals can therefore only receive savings on one phone per household.
If the state approves someone for the LifeLine discount, they will need to re-enroll each year. The income and/or other criteria will need to be satisfied on an annual basis. This is a time defined program that is limited in scope and duration.
Get a free cell or wireless phone from the Florida Lifeline service
Many people of all income levels have been turning to pre-paid cell providers in order to save money on their monthly bills. These companies will also generally participate in the Lifeline program, and they include Virgin Mobile as well as Tracfone. Often those cell carriers will give qualified low income families or those that are in crisis a free smartphone or handset. There may be other providers as well, and the list may change.
So called standard telecommunication companies that may offer discounts of a free government cell phone include the major, national providers such as AT&T Florida, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint. However, many other smaller companies that operate in Florida may also provide credits to income qualified customers.
Some other examples include, but are not limited to, Access Wireless, Nexus Communications TSI, Tele Circuit Network, Global Connections Inc. of America, FairPoint Communications, CenturyLink, Sun-Tel USA, Knology, Cox Communications and many others. All of these will provide low-income families in Florida with a free or low-cost government iPhone or Samsung. Or get a tablet for kids, including those from families that have EBT SNAP food stamps. The state the Office of the Public Counsel can provide the latest list.
Applying for phone bill help in Florida
Whether a free landline (or cell phone), financial aid for bills, free government wireless devices including a wireless tablet, or discounts, assistance is offered in Florida, with a focus on senior citizens as well as very low income families. The program is administered by the Office of the Public Counsel. The mailing address is 111 West Madison Street, Room 812, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1400. More information is also available by calling 1-800-540-7039.
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