Yogi Berra, perhaps the most famous Missourian of them all, once said, “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.” If you’re in need of a cell phone and just can’t afford one, don’t give up because it ain’t over ‘til you get in touch with a Lifeline supplier.
The Show Me State has a highly diversified economy, but with an unemployment rate of nearly 9.0% there are lots of people who can’t afford the cell phones that most people consider necessities. People who need jobs but have no way of contacting potential employers and no way for those same employers to call them. People whose health issues require them to stay in touch with their doctors. People who need to say in touch with their children. And people who just need a phone for unexpected emergencies that pop up in everyone’s lives.
Luckily, Missouri currently has at least four Lifeline suppliers – two of the big three plus a couple smaller suppliers. Any of them can supply you with a free cell phone from the government.
Free Cell Phone Providers in Missouri:
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in Missouri. 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
Assist Wireless
Assurance Wireless
Blue Jay Wireless
Budget Mobile
Easy Wireless
EnTouch Wireless
Life Wireless
Q Link Wireless
Safelink Wireless
StandUp Wireless
Tag Mobile
Tempo Communications
Yourtel Wireless
Lifeline Discount Companies in Missouri
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 Missouri:
T-Mobile
Total Call Mobile
U.S. Cellular
Eligibility Guidelines for the Lifeline Assistance Program in Missouri
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in Missouri:
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)
Another way to qualify is through your low-income levels. If your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines