Free and low-cost cell phone or landline for seniors.
There are several ways for seniors to get a free or low cost cell phone or landline for their home. The main options are the federal Lifeline program, state telephone assistance, nonprofits that provide specialized phones, and discounted plans from private companies. Learn about the programs below, including contact information, so an older adult, family member, or caseworker can apply.
Lifeline is the main federal program for seniors to try
The main source of help is the federal Lifeline program. Lifeline still lowers the cost of phone or internet service for low-income households, including seniors who rely on Social Security, Social Security Disability, Medicaid, Medicare or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / SNAP. Some wireless companies will also provide a free cell phone or tablet at no-cost to people on Lifeline as well.
- Lifeline can be used for either a cell phone or a home landline, but not both at the same time. In addition to the possibility or a free phone, Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to about $9.25 on regular phone or internet service nationwide, and up to about $34.25 per month for people who live on federally recognized Tribal lands.
- A household qualifies for Lifeline if its income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if someone in the home participates in certain programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, and a few others.
The Lifeline programs, including those that give a free device, are run directly by telephone companies. The company, whether Verizon, Tracfone, Assurance or other company will process applications. While all senior citizens can apply, a focus is on giving free cell phones to low-income elderly people, including those on benefits. The programs are mostly funded by federal government grants as well as telecommunication fees.
State phone and landline assistance programs
Several states add their own money to help seniors in the state, and this is offered on top of the federal Lifeline benefit. The states work to ensure all residents have some form of communication, especially to help seniors pay for traditional home phone service. These programs are usually managed by state public utility commissions (PIUC), with a guide here: https://comparepower.com/public-utility-commissions/.
- Arizona offers the Senior Telephone Discount Program. This is in effect an extra landline discount and it works with Lifeline for older adults who have very low income and existing home phone service. Information about the program is available through local aging agencies or look here for phone bill help in AZ.
- The California LifeLine Program provides additional discounts on either home phone or wireless service for eligible households, with a focus on seniors. Some of the wireless providers combine the discounts with a free phone. The California LifeLine can reduce the cost of flat-rate home service by up to around $19 per month and help with connection charges for qualifying homes. Learn about California free or low-cost phone programs.
- Michigan offers a higher state telephone discount to residents age sixty five and older through its Michigan Lifeline program. Older adults who qualify receive a larger monthly credit on their basic phone service than younger adults with the same income. Read more about the phone assistance programs in MI.
- In Texas, Lifeline works together with an additional state credit. The Public Utility Commission notes that qualified customers can receive the federal Lifeline discount plus an extra state Lifeline credit on their basic telephone service. Read more about how to get help with a phone in Texas.
Other states have similar programs. Seniors should search for “Lifeline” along with their state name, or review the resources at https://www.usa.gov/help-with-phone-internet-bills to find the correct agency and follow the Lifeline links for state contacts. Another option is to call current landline carrier and ask specifically whether a state Lifeline or senior phone credit is available for the account.
Additional programs that help seniors with phone service
Seniors with hearing or vision loss may be eligible for free specialized phones through programs funded by the federal government and/or state disability agencies. The FCC’s Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) fund pays companies to provide captioned telephone service, including by giving out a free phone.
- Providers such as ClearCaptions and CapTel supply special phones that display real-time captions of what the other caller is saying. For eligible users with certified hearing loss, the phone and captioning service are available at no cost because the companies are reimbursed from the federal TRS fund. ClearCaptions at https://clearcaptions.com/ and CapTel at https://www.captel.com/ provide these free captioned telephones that display written text of the conversation for people.
- Similar to above, but this for seniors who have both hearing AND vision loss may qualify for free devices through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, described at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program.
 Every state also distributes adaptive equipment such as amplified phones, captioned phones or speech-enabled devices through its equipment distribution program. A directory of state programs is listed by the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association at https://www.tedpa.com/state-programs.
Many local nonprofits and aging agencies also help older adults get access to phones or low cost service. Area Agencies on Aging often have technology access projects, refurbished device programs or partnerships with carriers that donate basic phones or tablets to isolated seniors. The Eldercare Locator service helps seniors find their local Area Agency on Aging, which may know about grants, device distribution events or community technology programs that can help with phone access.
- Some nonprofits also focus on technology training for older adults, helping them set up smartphones, understand emergency features, and choose plans that fit their usage. These programs change frequently, so seniors benefit from asking their local senior center, council on aging, housing service coordinator or caseworker if any current device or phone assistance programs are available.
Charities may offer free or discounted cell phones to senior citizens. The way these work is that the organization will collect older, gently used cell phones and other electronic devices, such as tablets and computers. The units will then be given to a senior citizen that needs some form of emergency communication device. These programs are usually run from a local charity. Or there could be one time events held in a community as each local charity calls for donated phones from the public.
Phone companies that provide cell phones or discounts to seniors
Seniors who do not qualify for Lifeline or state assistance can still receive lower-cost service from certain private carriers. As with most cell phone deals, they can often change - so always ask a wireless company about a free phone or discounted service, with a list of organizations that give out a free iPhone here. That being said, some of the common programs including the following
T-Mobile offers senior plans for customers age fifty-five or older, which reduce the cost of monthly service. These plans are listed at https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/unlimited-55-senior-discount-plans.
Seniors or adults over the age of 50 can look for cell phone help using AARP. The non-profit outlines its partnership details at https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/tech/consumer-cellular/
- Consumer Cellular also markets affordable plans for older adults, with additional discounts for AARP members. Plan information is available at https://www.consumercellular.com/
Seniors who want a very low-cost option and have modest data needs can look into prepaid carriers that offer simple calling plans, although these are not government-subsidized and prices vary. Private plans can be useful when a senior has slightly higher income but still needs an affordable alternative to traditional landline or contract-based wireless service.
- Mint Mobile, for example, has a 55+ plan that, according to recent reviews, offers unlimited talk and text with modest data at a low monthly cost if the customer prepays with the website here https://www.mintmobile.com/cell-phone-plan-for-seniors/. Seniors who are comfortable managing their service online can compare these plans with Lifeline or landline options.
In addition to a free home or cell phone, non-profits can also help senior citizens make a few extra dollars from their cell phones. There are very simple phone apps and services that can be installed on a cell phone that are easy to use. Find a list of free apps for making money.
Conclusion
Before signing up for one of these companies or phone programs focused on older adults, always read the fine print of any contract. For those seniors that are part of the AARP, they can also contact them if there are any questions as they can help ensure the deal offered is fair. Or there are also consumer protection bureaus of each state that can provide information on the companies involved in these programs as well.
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