Frequently Asked Questions About The Free Cell Phone Program
All the information that you need can be found on the informational pages of our site. But we’ve created this FAQ page to attempt to answer the most common questions that people ask us. If you have a question that you don’t see answered, please contact us using the link at the bottom of our page and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
The Frequently Asked Questions are categorized into several groups to make finding information easier. We hope we are able to answer any question you have about the free cell phones available through the various Lifeline companies.
Most Visited FAQ’s
Which company will give me a smartphone?
How do I do the annual recertification of my phone?
How do I get a replacement for a lost, stolen or broken phone?
Where do I get a user manual for my phone?
Can I use my current phone with a Lifeline cell phone provider?
How to get a job handing out free cell phones?
Program Details
Is it really free?
Who pays for these free cell phones?
Do I have to sign a contract?
Is Safelink Wireless owned by Mexican Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man?
How many Lifeline cell phone subscribers are there in total?
What about free cell phones for seniors?
How to Report Lifeline Assistance Fraud, Abuse and Waste
Eligibility
How will I prove my income-based or program-based Lifeline eligibility?
Do Social Security, Unemployment, Workers Comp, etc. count towards my Total Household Income?
I only have a PO Box, can I get a free cell phone?
Why can’t more than one adult at an address get a Lifeline phone?
How to qualify for a free government cell phone if you live in a group home or shelter
How do I do the annual recertification of my phone?
Can an illegal alien get a free cell phone from the government?
Phones and Plans
Which company will give me a smartphone?
Where do I get a user manual for my phone?
Will my free government cell phone include options like texting. Caller ID? Call Voicemail?
What if I need to access additional services like texting or international calling?
Will I be able to roam?
Can I have more than one Lifeline phone? A home and a cell phone? Two cell phones?
Will I be able to send and receive text messages with my free government cell phone?
Can I use this free phone forever?
I already have a cell phone. Can I use it with my free government cell phone service?
What if I use more minutes than what they give me per month?
Can my phone be deactivated if I don’t use it enough?
Which free government cell phones offer special devices for the hearing, vision and speech-impaired?
What is a PUK code? And how do you find it?
Issues
How do I get a replacement for a lost, stolen or broken phone?
How do I figure out who my cell phone provider is if I’ve lost my phone or it’s broken?
How do I switch Lifeline cell phone companies?
What happens when I cancel my LifeLine service?
Will they make me return my cell phone if I no longer qualify for LifeLine?
What are the reasons for which I could lose my free phone service?
Is it true that I could be chosen for a random Verification Audit?
How to File a complaint about Lifeline service
