Have you heard about the free iPhone program the government is offering? If you have a low income or you’re unemployed, you may be eligible to get an iPhone absolutely free! What a great opportunity! There are thousands of people out there who want to take advantage of this opportunity, so if you want to get in on it as well, you’ll need to know what’s required of you and how to get in contact with the right people. The government is giving out free iPhones? That’s right! You read that correctly! But before you get your hopes up, there are some qualifications and steps involved in getting your very own iPhone. You can’t just walk into a store and ask for one! It takes some time, but it really is easier than you think to get one of these awesome cell phones from the government. Here’s how to get a free iPhone from the government!
What is Lifeline?
Lifeline provides discounts on phone service for families and individuals who are at risk of falling into poverty or may be struggling with a financial crisis. You qualify for Lifeline if you participate in one of the following programs: food stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or a free school lunch program. Renting or living in public housing
Being unemployed or underemployed and expecting a job loss
Held as a hostage
You’re eligible for Lifeline-only services only if your monthly income is below 135% of federal poverty guidelines. The best part about this is that even though you only have one child in your household, you still get two free lines—which means two free phones! If you live below 135% federal poverty guidelines, then you qualify for up to two lines plus 250MB data per month. That’s right—they’ll give out FREE IPhones!
Lifeline Eligibility Requirements
If you meet the Lifeline Eligibility Requirements, then you are eligible for a free cell phone and service from your carrier of choice. However, there are a few more steps that need to be taken before you can actually get your phone. First, contact your carrier of choice and confirm eligibility. Second, complete the necessary documents that show proof of eligibility such as an ID or utility bill with your current address on it. Third, once everything has been approved by your carrier and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you will receive a new phone in the mail within five business days. Afterward, all charges incurred will be deducted from a prepaid account that Lifeline providers set up. You can also choose to add minutes onto your plan, which is highly recommended if you have any family members who might need help staying connected.
Who can apply for the Lifeline Program?
The Lifeline Program, which provides a monthly subsidy for qualifying households, was first instituted in 1984 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The program has been expanded several times since then, most recently in 2008. Today, there are three different Lifeline Programs: the original Residential Telephone Program (RTP), the Tribal Telecommunications Program (TTP) and the Personal Communications Service (PCS) program.
Each of these programs provide benefits on a sliding scale based on income level. For example, if you live in an area that offers both PCS and RTP service and your family income is less than $29,600 per year ($59,200 per year if you’re only eligible for PCS), you qualify for both services at no cost. If you live in an area where only one or the other service is available, but your income falls below 135% of federal poverty guidelines (FPG), you may be able to participate in either service with a modest fee depending on which service is available and what your annual household income is. Qualified low-income consumers can apply for any one or more of these Lifeline Programs through their home phone provider or directly from their wireless provider; this also applies to tribal lands residents who receive telephone services from carriers not covered under TTP.
Some people may wonder how they can get access to affordable internet without having landline phone services.
Lifeline Assistance Options
- If you have been denied Lifeline Assistance, you can reapply for up to six months after your application was denied.
- You can also reapply if you’re no longer eligible because of changes in your income, household size or address.
- If you’re still not eligible for Lifeline Assistance, but are enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare Part D and are living on a low income, it might be possible for your state to get a waiver from the FCC to allow you to receive both assistance programs at once. 4. You can call your State Broadband Office to see what options are available for residents in your state. 5. Each state has different regulations, so make sure you check with them before applying to any program that provides phone services–especially if they provide more than just cell phones!
Lifeline Discount Plans
There are a few different options for those looking to get their hands on a new iPhone: iphone 7, iphone 6S, or the newest edition of the iphone SE. You can choose from Verizon Wireless, Sprint, or AT&T. One important thing to note is that these plans come with a monthly fee attached; however, this fee can be waived if you have low-income status. For more information about eligibility requirements and how much your monthly rate will be, visit the Lifeline website. If eligible, they’ll also give you all of the paperwork necessary in order to enroll. Additionally, there may be other phone companies that provide discounted phones as well. These include T-Mobile and US Cellular. Check out their websites for more information on what they offer.
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Conclusion
If you’re eligible, here are the steps to follow in order to get your free phone:
- Download the form (you’ll need a PDF reader on your computer)
- Fill out the form with your contact information and other eligibility requirements 3. Make sure you have a valid photo ID or driver’s license and that it matches the name on the form 4. Print off two copies of the completed form 5. Sign both copies of the completed form and keep one copy for your records 6. The other copy needs to be notarized by either a notary public, court clerk, town clerk, or county clerk 7. Mail the notarized copy of your form along with any additional required documents to Apple Inc., Attn: iPhone Giveaway Program, One Infinite Loop, Cupertino CA 95014 8. Wait at least 30 days before calling Apple 9. If you were selected as an iPhone winner, they will notify you via mail 10. If you weren’t selected as an iPhone winner but wanted to enter again next year, just fill out a new form
