America’s Dairy Land is the sweetest name a state can have, figuratively and literally. But sweetness doesn’t always come to aid for the 12.1% citizens falling under the official poverty rate. Nevertheless, as always, the government comes to the aid of these unfortunate Wisconsinites.
Unemployed men and women, veterans and the disabled comprise this section of dwellers. For their support only are there numerous assistance programs to offer them an easier life.
Among these is the Lifeline program, the Federal Communications Commission’ Program that lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet along with free phone providers. No jokes, seriously. Free phones and this is completely authentic.Check out more Government Free Phone Complete Guideline
These free phone providers working under the Lifeline program are life-savers, because let’s face it, how can anyone live without a source of communication nowadays? Keeping this as their priority, they provide no-cost phones to everyone who needs it.
Sumptuous lives aren’t in everyone’s luck, as sour as it sounds. Hence to let them live life one step easier, this program is surely shining bright.
Certainly, now you want to enrol for the program and receive your long-desired free phone, right? Yes, but, did I mention the eligibility requirements? Yes, that’s right. You can only get yourself a best free government phone if you qualify for certain criteria set by the government. Logically, not everyone who applies genuinely needs a phone, and it’s not possible to distinguish them from the true destitute ones. Hence, they established these requirements to filter out the impoverished.
About Eligibility
All right, then who is eligible and what formalities do they need to undergo? We need to know about this because we don’t want to miss this ludicrously impossible chance, now do we?
First come, let’s clear this eligibility that is glaring out of everywhere. Right below the income-based eligibility chart is given. Take a gander!
| Income-based Eligibility | |
| Household size (number of family members) | Annual Income |
| 1 | $17,226 |
| 2 | $23, 274 |
| 3 | $29,322 |
| 4 | $35,370 |
| 5 | $41,418 |
| 6 | $47,466 |
| 7 | $53,514 |
| 8 | $59,562 |
| For each additional person, add $6,048 | |
Furthermore, you’re also eligible for this free phone support if you are a participant for any of the following government-paid programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section-8)
- Veteran’s Pension and Survivor’s Benefit
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program of Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Now that we know who can enrol and who cannot, what’s the next step? Next step is to check your eligibility according to the rules and regulations of the company.
Why do you need to do that? Because otherwise they will not know who is lying and who isn’t. Yes, peeps, trust is a major issue here and we can’t blame them for that.
Also, you need to remember that whatever company you are applying to and whatever type of phone you want, a smartphone, a cell phone or a landline (yes, you can also have a landline), you have to prove your eligibility with valid documentation. How? Read on!
If you are claiming income-based eligibility, you must self-certify your total household income and total household members, under penalty of perjury. Customers have to present valid documentation of income which can be any one of the ones listed below:
- An unemployment/work man’s compensation statement of benefits
- A paycheck stub or your current income statement from an employer
- Last year’s state, federal or tribal tax return
- A social security statement of benefits
- Federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Veteran’s administration of benefits
- A divorce decree, child support, or other official documents
- Retirement/pension statement of benefits
If you are claiming state or federal program based eligibility or housing assistance (as listed before), in this case, similarly, you will need to self-certify, under penalty of perjury, your participation in one of the programs listed for your specific state (in this case Wisconsin). You may also need to submit documentation of your participation in the program. This depends on your state and what company you are vouching for.
Okay with that? Now let’s take a look at the application procedure.
How Do We Apply?
First up, provided you are eligible, you must find the companies in your state that provide the free phone service. While you’re on the search, you’ll discover that there are many of those companies providing what you are asking for, each having their own proposals and offers as per their respective rules. But not every company interests you, you want a company that fits perfectly with your needs and demands, don’t you? For this, a little effort you have to put. You should check the multiple proposals each company renders, then accumulate a decent idea about the customer service and belatedly be sure to take a gander at the reviews of that particular company that you fancied.
This is to make the most salutary out of it and not be dissatisfied afterwards, because who would want to deprecate having what they dreamed of having once upon a time?
Later, considering you’ve discovered the company of your choice: are you eligible according to the company’s edicts?
Hang on, but was this part of the plan? Trust issues.
Validate the definite qualification necessities for your state (Wisconsin, here) and the company of your decision to avoid any undesired complexities.
Now that’s necessitated, all you need to do is tour the company’s website, click on the ‘Apply’ button that will take you to the application form, and follow respectively. Typically, this method will fetch you no more than 2-3 or 5 minutes at best. The application will expect you to enter a few personal pieces of information, understandably, which will include your name, your address, why you qualify and the last number of your social security number.
Following, present your application and anticipate for the company to verify documentation and notify you when it’s done. When accepted, you should receive your phone in about ten business days.
Notwithstanding, however, you mustn’t neglect that one indispensable rule: each household only receives one free phone. One, and that’s that. If the authorities find out you’re dismissing this rule, they will eliminate you from the program and ban you for further applications.
We don’t want to forget about that.
Nevertheless, now that we know all of that, let’s glance at the companies we’ve been talking about, shall we?
It shouldn’t be very troublesome to find free phone provider companies, because they make sure the customers don’t have to be in a craze!
Now, let’s look at some of those companies listed below:
Free Government Phone Companies In Wisconsin
1. Access Wireless in Wisconsin
Providing service in various states (including Wisconsin), Access Wireless is one of the rising stars in the Lifeline program. You can get up to 1000 free minutes, unlimited texts and 50 MB data, free caller ID, free call forwarding and what not! Although plans vary from state to state, the mentioned plans are for every state. With every offer, Access Wireless is one of the best free phone provider companies you’ll come across!
Some of their free phones will be:
- Alcatel
- LG
- Samsung
- Jitterbug
- Google phones
2. Assurance Wireless in Wisconsin
Likewise, Assurance Wireless also provides you with that free smartphone and free talk, texts and 2GB data. Fair offer, no? Some phones you’ll probably get delivered are listed below:
- Kyocera
- LG
- Samsung
- Alcatel
- Assurance Wireless Virgin
Check out more for Assurance wireless Assurance Wireless Free Phone and Assurance Wireless Compatible Phones
3. Safelink in Wisconsin
If you are a low-income resident, you can also receive a free phone service from this company with ease. With 250-1000 minutes a month and unlimited texting, a reasonable amount of data (according to your state), Safelink is one of the best Lifeline program free phone providers in Illinois. Some phones they provide are:
- LG221c
- Samsung S425G
- Samsung S390G
- LG840G
- Samsung T330G
Check out more What Phones Are Compatible With Safelink
4. EnTouch Wireless in Wisconsin
This, too, is one of the rising stars in the Lifeline program and you will enjoy everything the other companies offer. You can get 1000 minutes, unlimited texts and a sweet amount of data too! This is definitely one of the topmost recommendations in this list! Below are given some of their phones:
- Motorola
- Samsung
- LG
- Kyocera
- ZTE
5. Life Wireless in Wisconsin
Another one of the Lifeline assistance program phone providers is Life Wireless (state service included in Wisconsin too). Although the plans depend on each state, you get to enjoy at least 500 voice minutes, unlimited texting, unlimited premium WiFi powered by iPass etc. There are no roaming charges or hidden charges and you also get to go a bundle on 3-way free calling, call forwarding and what not! Let’s take a look at some of their phones:
- Alcatel
- Blu advance
- LG
- Logic
- Nokia
6. Q-Link Wireless in Wisconsin
This company is a major player in the Lifeline assistance program. Their monthly offers include 1000 minutes of free talk, unlimited texting and 1 GB of free internet. Worth looking for? Oh, yes. No credit checks, no activation fees, definitely worth looking for!
Some of their phones are listed below:
- Alcatel
- Kyocera
- LG
- Blackberry
- HTC
Check out more Qlink Wireless Compatible Phones and Qlink Free Phones And Service Guide
7. Tempo Communications in Wisconsin
If you were thinking “Just a free phone and nothing else? Nah.” then may I have your attention, please? Along with so many other companies, Tempo Communications too, offer you unlimited minutes of talk, unlimited text messaging and 1GB of data each month! Now, who would’ve thought about that.
Also, why don’t we take a look at what phones they offer? Here:
- Motorola
- LG
- Blu Vivo
- Blu Studio
- Studio G
8. TruConnect in Wisconsin
Alongside the Lifeline free phone, you get to have 1000 monthly minutes, unlimited texting and up to 2GB of data per month! TruConnect might sound not-so-familiar to you (and that’s because it’s not that old in this business!), but they do provide a fairly reliable service.
9. American Assistance in Wisconsin
This too, is one of the top Lifeline assistance program companies that has satisfied its consumers for years on end, and plus point? It’s also available in Iowa! If you qualify then you can get a free cell phone, unlimited calling, 4GB data per month and unlimited text messages. Along with these, there are benefits such as free caller ID, free call waiting, free three-way calling etc. with no contracts, no monthly bills or hidden fees. Too good to be true, right? But it’s completely authentic and doubtlessly tempting if you are eligible. Some of the phones provided by this ridiculously supporting company are listed below:
- Samsung Galaxy J3
- Apple devices
- Motorola phones
- LG phones
- Nokia phones
10. StandUp Wireless in Wisconsin
Perhaps not as well-known and flashy but their service is very much appreciated in their respective states. They assure proper service to low-income consumers and provide a reliable experience. Offers include 300+ free minutes, unlimited texts and 3GB of internet!
Some of the phones they provide are:
- Samsung
- Blu Advance
- Motorola
- Xiomi
- LTE
11. FeelSafe Wireless in Wisconsin
One of the best phone provider companies you;ll come across in Michigan is this one. With 1000 free talk minutes, 500 text messages and 3GB of internet each month, tempting, right?
12. SafetyNet Wireless in Wisconsin
Much like the other companies, this too provides customers with realible service that includes free-caller ID, free call forwarding, 1000 minutes etc. Offers vary from state to state so if you are vouching for this, be sure to check!
Some of the phones they provide would be:
- LG
- Samsung
- HTC
- Apple
- Google phones
13. Tag Mobile in Wisconsin
Enrol for this company and get 1000 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and up to 1GB of LTE data each month! Tag Mobile is definitely one of the topmost of this list and you can see why!
14. U.S. Cellular in Wisconsin
U.S. Cellular is known for its reliable network and pay-back for data that you don’t use. It’s the only wireless carrier that offers Unlimited with payback, and for this service, it has won the hearts of consumers for some time now. The discounts vary widely, including a $9.35 monthly discount in various states counting Illinois too. However, U.S. Cellular isn’t all that sincere about its Lifeline assistance program. The prices are high, and services limited. Free features are call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling and incoming text messages. The reviews about U.S. Cellular are quite negative because of its high prices and extra charges for the plans, but if you are looking for a reliable network, this is it.
15. Element Mobile in Wisconsin
Whilst the discounts are pretty good, you must concern yourself to the taxes, surcharges and fees mentioned in their website to know exactly how much you’ll be paying each month.
Continuing, if you want to register for a phone (keeping in mind your acceptability, of course), you can visit the website of your chosen company and fill up a form to receive your free phone, as indicated to previously. They publish customer care numbers in the websites so are the emails and phone details if you want to acknowledge. Reaching them online is the most effective and less time-consuming way, but if you want to materially be there, you presumably have to find the office of your chosen company and ask for instructions like you want.
Terminating, the Lifeline assistance program is an extraordinary move and a very hospitable service from the American government. Indigent ones are benefited immensely with this selfless assistance, securing good for everyone who files. If you are in demand, don’t delay to ask for help because everyone requires help at some point in their lives!