Phone bill assistance programs in Arizona or free government phones.
Find how consumers in Arizona can get assistance on their phone bills from Lifeline or other state and federal government funded programs. There are also free government cell phone, wireless services and other support for seniors, individuals with a medical issue or disability, as well as other low income families that receive government benefits. Find cell and home phone bill assistance programs, or free devices, for residents in Arizona below.
Senior citizen and elderly phone bill assistance programs
Households with a member over the age of 65 can get help from the Senior Telephone Discount Program, or SDTP. This will provide them with savings on their cell or home phone service each month, but they are only for basic phone service and will not cover any extra features. Seniors in Arizona can also get a free phone, including touch screen unit or tablet.
For those that qualify, the discounts can range from 15 to 20% on their typical bills. They will need to meet low income limits based on federal government poverty guidelines), or receive state of Arizona or federal government benefits such as Medicaid or SNAP food stamps. The savings will be applied both to monthly bills as well as the installation costs and any deposits that may be due for those expenses. One key difference from SDTP is that it can’t be used on cellular service and it can only be used for a home phone / landline.
The head of the household needs to be over the age of 65 and meet all conditions in place by Arizona. To apply, contact a community action agency, library for an application, or call your home phone provider. Forms are available at all of these locations, or receive more information from them on this service.
Lifeline in Arizona
Lifeline is another discount program in Arizona that offers discounted cell phone service or free wireless devices. At one time this was administered by Qwest, and many people still refer to it that way. However it is now administered by each individual telecommunications company, so call your provider to enroll or call a community action agency.
The discount is for the low income or individuals that receive some type of public assistance. There is also a program for the disabled in Arizona or individuals that are considered to be medically in-need. Savings are only provided for one phone per household, and that can be either a cell phone or home landline.
While the rates and funding levels are set each year, Lifeline will usually offer a reduction in a phone bill of about $10-$15 per month. The credit, which is recurring and on a monthly basis, is applied to the primary phone being used in the home, whether it is a cell or some other type of home telephone. In some cases, financial assistance can be provided in Arizona for paying a cell phone bill. Lifeline also can’t be combined with the senior discount or any other serve indicated above.
The intent was to help prevent a shut off of a household’s home phone to ensure they have access to communications in an emergency. This may include providing a free tablet or cell phone that is paid for using a federal government grant. Therefore, it is for low income and working poor families in Arizona that meet roughly 150% of federal poverty guidelines. However each provider may set their own income ranges. Lifeline is also for people that are enrolled into a public assistance program, such as those listed below.
- Free Food from National School Lunch.
- Food Stamps, SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- CHIP - State of Arizona Children's Health Insurance Plan.
- Cash Assistance from TANF or Family Assistance.
- Disability, including Supplemental Security Income Payments.
- Section 8 or other Federal Government Public Housing.
- LIHEAP, or Low Income Home Energy Assistance.
- National School Lunch.
Applications and how to get phone bill help or free units in Arizona
To apply for the discount or free government phone call your telecommunication company, such as AT&T or Verizon. Or call your local community action agency in Arizona, and they can also explore other financial assistance programs for phone bills that families may be qualified for. Or consumers can dial (800) 582-5706, which is the Arizona regulator for this.
Division of Aging and Adult Services is closely involved in the Medically Needy Telephone Assistance Program. This will help ensure a phone is not disconnected and that the individual can call their doctor or hospital if needed. When applying, a medical professional needs to certify the application as being eligible for health care reasons. The individual also needs to meet low income guidelines that are in place.
For more information on any of these programs, whether a free phone or financial assistance, residents can dial (800) 582-5706 to reach the TDP - Telephone Discount Program in Arizona. Or call your provider, as all companies participate.
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