Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has been described as “ten months of winter and two months of poor sledding.” But when it comes to looking for a job these days, Michigan residents face twelve months of poor sledding.
Manufacturing has always been huge in the Wolverine state. It accounts for more than 30% of the state’s economy. Of course, the auto industry is the state’s biggest industry and it has faced major problems in recent years. As a result, the cities of Detroit, Dearborn, Flint, Pontiac and Lansing have been devastated.
The state has tried to diversify by attracting more high-tech industries, but the effort is going more slowly than leaders had hoped.
Until the economy turns around, at least the Lifeline phone service program is here to help Michigan residents with free government cell phones.
Michigan is lucky in that it has all the big players from which to choose a free government cell phone. These four companies all offer close to the same thing, as they must work within the guidelines of the federal government’s Lifeline program.
Free Cell Phone Providers in Michigan:
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Michigan. 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
American Assistance
Assurance Wireless
Blue Jay Wireless
Budget Mobile
EnTouch Wireless
FeelSafe Wireless
Life Wireless
Q Link Wireless
Safelink Wireless
SafetyNet Wireless
StandUp Wireless
Tag Mobile
Tempo Communications
Lifeline Discount Companies in Michigan
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 Michigan:
ATT Mobility
T-Mobile
Total Call Mobile
How to Qualify for a free or discounted cell phone and service in Michigan:
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Michigan:
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)
Plus, you may be eligible under these state programs, until the new federal laws make them ineligible win 2017:
Food Stamps (SNAP)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines