Read on to learn how you may qualify for a free government cell phone from the government if you are low-income in the state of North Dakota.
When the Dakota Territory was created way back in 1861, it was named after the region’s Dakota Indians. In fact, Dakota is a Sioux word that means friends or allies. That’s why we’re happy to report that financially-struggling residents of the Roughrider State have a new ally in Lifeline Assistance, the free government cell phone program.
Most Americans think these are the best of times in North Dakota because of the shale oil boom. For example, CNN.com reports, “Propelled by a massive energy boom, North Dakota once again captured the title of the nation’s hottest economy, with a growth rate five times the national average. North Dakota’s economy posted a 13.4% growth rate in 2012, according to a report released Thursday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.”
That’s nearly three times as fast as the number two state, Texas, and trounces the national average of 2.5%. This is the third year in a row that North Dakota took the top spot in BEA’s state-by-state report on gross domestic product (GDP). The muscle behind the boom is a surge in oil production from the Bakken Shale, an underground rock formation in the northwestern part of the state.
In fact, times are pretty good up here along the Canadian border. The national unemployment rate in August, 2013 was 7.3% but North Dakota’s unemployment rate was just 3.0% the following month.
But let’s not discount the tough times begins suffered by the 3% who are unemployed and the additional thousands who are underemployed.
They need help getting jobs, getting in touch with their medical professionals, and getting a hold of their children and parents.
Luckily, Lifeline Assistance has finally come to North Dakota and that should mean that better times are also here for the state’s poor.
Free Cell Phone Providers in North Dakota:
Here’s a list of all the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phones in North Dakota. 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.
Budget Mobile
EnTouch Wireless
Life Wireless
Reachout Wireless
Tempo Communications
Lifeline Discount Companies in North Dakota
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 North Dakota:
ATT Mobility
Nemont Wireless
Verizon Wireless
Lifeline Cell Phone Eligibility in North Dakota:
You may be eligible if you receive benefits from any of the following programs:
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.