Washington D.C. has been called “America’s most recession-proof city.” Property values have remained stable and even risen while other areas of the country have suffered.
But try telling that to the tens out thousands of local residents who are out of work and need the help of a program like the Lifeline phone service which provides free cell phones to disadvantaged Americans. A recent report said that nearly one out of five District of Columbia residents live at or below the official poverty level. And the city has the nation’s highest rate of children living in poverty.
Increased government spending has helped keep unemployment low and property values high, but even the most optimistic observer now worries that budget cutting will cause economic hardships that the nation’s capital has never seen before.
Free Cell Phone Providers in Washington DC:
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Washington DC. They all offer different plans with different numbers of minutes, different refill options, and serve different geographic areas. So click through them all and find the plan that’s best for you.
Access Wireless
Assurance Wireless
Safelink Wireless
Lifeline Discount Companies in Washington, D.C.
If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, but you find that none of the companies offer free government cell phones where you live, you have another option. The companies below, while not offering free cell phone plans, do offer substantial Lifeline discounts off their regular mobile phone plans in the District of Columbia:
T-Mobile
Free Cell Phone Eligibility in Washington D.C.:
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Washington, DC:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit.
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Latest News for Washington D.C.:
DC mayor proclaims ‘Lifeline Awareness Week’ – D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and the Public Service Commission of DC has declared the second week of September as “District of Columbia Lifeline Awareness Week.”
Terracom Wireless and Tag Mobile Seek to Expand to 8 More States and the District of Columbia – ReachOut Wireless and Tag Mobile are petitioning the FCC to enter Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
ReachOut Wireless to Enter 8 More States and the District of Columbia – ReachOut Wireless is petitioning the FCC to enter Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.