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Free phone or tablet with food stamps or EBT card.

People on SNAP food stamps, that have an EBT card, are able to get a free phone or tablet from government assistance programs. Free devices are provided to low-income families and household living in poverty through the Lifeline and Link-up programs. Find a free cell phone from Samsung or Apple or get a free tablet with an EBT card as noted below..

The phone and tablet assistance programs that are for people on food stamps are operated by the federal government in partnership with telecommunication companies. Verizon, Assurance, Safelink Wireless, Tracfone and AT&T (among others) give free devices to low-income households that get government benefits. While most of the free phones or tablets will be slightly older models, any low-income families on benefit programs including SNAP food stamps will get some type of free cell phone, including Apple iPhones or iPads or a Samsung Galaxy device.

The government run free Lifeline and Link Up programs were created to ensure all people, including low-income families, seniors, the unemployed and disabled among others have access to free devices for communication. The telephone assistance programs will ensure people that have an EBT card and/or receive SNAP food stamps (or a state’s equivalent) have a tablet or wireless smart phone. As low income families that get help from the government will need a device for educational purposes, a job, or emergency communications.

Food stamps and EBT cards pay for iPhones or Samsung Galaxy devices

Government grants pay for this program. Anyone that currently has an EBT card / meaning SNAP food stamps, is automatically qualified for a free government phone or tablet. As the two main programs, Link-Up and Lifeline, will automatically enroll anyone on public assistance. Food stamps meet that qualification for families to get a free tablet or phone.

Two types of commonly provided free phones will be Samsung and a Apple iPhone. Google Pixels phones or tablets as well as flip phones and other Android devices (or tablets) are offered too. Everything from the latest model to older, refurbished devices are offered as part of the assistance program. Note that tablets are covered too as part of the EBT/SNAP programs.

 

 

 

. While the government sets the rules and guidelines on the free phone and tablet assistance programs, individual phone companies administer them. In effect, free phones (Samsung, Google Pixel, iPhone Max or Pro) are provided by AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Assurance and other carriers. They also provide free tablets, even an iPad or Samsung Galaxy, to people on food stamps.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates that very-low income families, the disabled or seniors over the age of 60 have access to free communication devices – meaning a cell phone or tablet among others. In effect, if you get food stamps or use an EBT to help pay for groceries you qualify. The federal government Lifeline program as well as Link-Up are the two resources that the FCC manages.

How to get a free tablet or phone using EBT card

As noted above, the two free government phone programs for people on food stamps are administered by wireless companies and those providers process applications. All of them are required by federal government law to provide help to low-income families, including single moms or dads. Anyone that is on food stamps (SNAP) or that has an EBT card should contact their current wireless provider, or sign up with a new phone company.

Note, in general the free iPhone or iPad provided to people on SNAP food stamps will be a refurbished Apple phone or Free Samsung Galaxy phones or tablets. The newest, most expensive models will not generally be provided. However some companies may give the newest iPhone models as it is their best interest to develop a long term relationship with the customer. Note resources are limited as the federal government provides only a small amount of financial help to pay for a device.

Phone numbers to apply for free government phones and tablets to people with an EBT card.

Almost all wireless companies will give free tablets, cell phones, texting, internet access and more to households that get food stamps or that have an EBT debit card. They need to be contacted though using the customer service phone numbers below. The phones numbers to apply at are below.

 

 

 

 

Assurance Wireless focuses on helping low-income households. They are also part of T-Mobile. They give away free cell phones and/or wireless tablets to people on government assistance, including food stamps, TANF cash assistance, EBT and others. Assurance is a leading provider of the Lifeline and Linkup programs. Call 1-888 321-5880

ATT has multiple phone numbers. The national Lifeline customer support number is 877.324.2120. However, in Texas dial 866.547.0033 or in Oregon call 855.824.3198. Either free phones, mostly gently used/refurbished, are given out or financial help to low-income families with an EBT card or that get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamps.

Free phone with food stamps or EBTVerizon has a dedicated customer support team for people currently on food stamps, or that are applying for Lifeline free phones or discounts. Call (800) 417-3849 to read the Lifeline Customer Support Team.

  • Safelink Wireless and Tracfone are owned by Verizon. They help people on food stamps get a free cell phone (or tablet) and also offer discounts, financial help, payment plans and more. Call 1-800-867-7183 for Tracfone or 1-800-723-3546.

Xfinity, owned by Comcast, has free tablets and cell phones as well for people on government assistance, including those that get an EBT debit card for SNAP food stamps. The company participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), in which low income families on SNAP will get a free Samsung, Google, or Apple tablet for work or studying. Dial 855-846-8376.

Government phone numbers to get a free phone with an EBT card

Each state has a number of different phone bill assistance programs, including free cell phones or tablets for people on public aid (including SNAP food stamps) to discount programs, internet programs and more. Both federal and state grants pay for them.

Find a state below for more details on free phone or tablet programs. Low-income families, students, kids, and people with an EBT card (food stamps) will be able to get a free tablet or even smartphone using their EBT card.

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

 

 

 

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

New Jersey

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Washington

 

Conclusion - Free tablets and cell phones are available

The FCC overseas the program at the national level. Learn more about the FCC phone program here. The government agency ensures that people on food stamps, cash aid, EBT and other public benefits have a free phone or even a tablet.

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By Jon McNamara

 

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