Can you imagine yourself without a phone nowadays? It’s terrifying. These gadgets have become an inseparable part of our lifestyle. In our daily activities, we need them to call, message, and most importantly, for data browsing. The availability of phones has turned the world into a small village where people can pass messages within seconds. The internet is even making it more interesting. People can now video call each other even when they are miles apart and feel as if they are together.
Verizon wireless free government phone program came to bring communication services to everyone. Since some can afford various plans, this program focuses on the vulnerable in society. These are people who struggle to cater to their basic needs and may not have extra phone services. To enable them to access communication services like their well-off counterparts, the government rolled out this program.
Does Verizon Wireless Offer Government Free Phone
Yes. Verizon offers phones to people with low income people. Families or single citizens with low income are allowed to apply for free government phones. However, there are conditions that every applicant must satisfy to access the service. One, all the applicants should be within 135% or below the guidelines of Federal Poverty. This means that singles should have an annual income of less than $16,839. The family applicants should have an income of less than $33,385 per annum.
Verizon offers this program to other program beneficiaries without any scrutiny. The reason is, if you have qualified for other aids, you must be needy. Therefore, Verizon doesn’t have to subject you to another rigorous vetting process.
Get Verizon Wireless Government Free Phone Under Lifeline Discount Program
Lifeline Discount is a program provided by the federal government to give low-income citizens monthly discounts. The program enables economically challenged customers to access communication services. A customer should be a low-income earner to get this discount. If you qualify, you can save up to $9.25 per month on your monthly Verizon Wireless bill.
The lifeline program has been in place since 1985. Initially, it offered subsidized landline services until 2012, when it transitioned to cell phone services. This was because many people moved to the use of mobile phones instead of landlines.
Due to this switch, the government decided to introduce free cell phones. The citizens need to communicate to get services from the government and other personal matters. Communication being part of our daily activities, the government thought of bringing these services near its citizens. It is the reason for the emergence of these programs.
Eligibility Requirements For Verizon Lifeline Program
Lifeline program is open to all low-income citizens. Different cities have different poverty indexes and requirements for beneficiary enlisting. Having the program focus on the low-income category requires better criteria to determine deserving.
To qualify for the free government phone access, your income level should be below 135%. For such people, the government also provides additional welfare programs to better their living standards. The people benefiting from those programs are also qualified to access the lifeline services. Examples of such programs that will grant you an automatic qualification to lifeline services include;
Medicaid
This is a health coverage program for all vulnerable people. The eligible people include; low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people living with disabilities. The program is well funded since it receives money from both the state and the federal governments. The same bodies facilitate and oversee the success of this program. People eligible for Medicaid are eligible for the lifeline program by default.
Food Stamps and Supplemental Nutrition Program
This program works to bring food supplements to America’s needy families. The program aims at giving healthy food to families that cannot afford it. Eligible people include immigrant children, refugees, asylums, and legal immigrant adults. For adult immigrants, they must have lived in the United States for not less than five years.
Child’s Health Insurance Program
The program was established in 1997. It focuses on providing health coverage to children who have none due to their families’ low-income status. Congress authorized the federal funding for the program in 2009, and it’s available to all the states.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF)
TANF program has various significant purposes. First is assisting the needy families so that their children can receive home care. Alternatively, the care can also be extended to their relatives’ homes. This promotes job preparation and marriage, ending dependence on needy parents.
Additionally, it prevents early and out of wedlock pregnancies by ensuring that children are well provided for. Since hunger and lack of basic needs are among the major causes of such occurrences, sorting them out will wipe them out.
Housing Assistance
The Housing Assistance program seeks to provide shelter to low-income families and individuals. This program’s qualification is based on three factors: the gross annual income, disability, and citizenship status like immigrants. If you qualify for this program, you can get the lifeline program.
Supplemental Security Program
Eligible people include the aged from 65 years and above seniors, the disabled, and the immigrants. The program ensures that such vulnerable people can coexist with others with less strain. They receive food supplements to keep them healthy and alleviate the extremity of their conditions.
Restrictions For Getting a Verizon Wireless Government Free Phone
To ensure that real beneficiaries access the program, several restrictions have been imposed on the Verizon Wireless Government free phone program. These include:
- Only one household member can apply for the Verizon wireless Free government phone or the lifeline discount program. This ensures that there are no simultaneous applications.
- You cannot transfer lifeline discount benefits. When one person crosses the gap for the low-income cost poverty line, you cannot transfer the status to a family member or friend. Such an attempt will lead to automatic de-enrollment.
- You can’t get varying lifeline services simultaneously; that is, you cannot have discounts on both wireless and home phone services.
- The home phone plans are limited to landlines, and there are no extra services added like the DSL the TV cable.
- The home phone plan does not provide data services or insurance. The program is only restricted to making calls and sending text messages. However, other lifeline providers include data in their services.
- The providers can take legal action against you or disqualify you when you falsify the information or documents.
- There has to be proper identification of the people applying for the lifeline, and it has to be presented and certified.
- The lifeline consumer’s address should be in an area with Verizon wireless approved to provide the lifeline services.
How to get a Verizon Wireless Free Government Phone
Verizon wireless free government phone services program seeks to avail communication services to everyone. The federal communication offers a subsidy to the citizens in conjunction with mobile network companies. The customers who enroll in the plan are entitled to $10 monthly payments from the government.
The respective companies continue offering mobile phone services, and the government pays a subscription fee for them. The funding from the universal service fund ensures that these people are never blacklisted. As long as you satisfy the shortlisting criteria, there is no rocket science about the program. Once enrolled, you’ll continue enjoying the benefits as long as your income status remains within the expected threshold.
5 Best Verizon Wireless Free Government Phone
After understanding the benefits associated with Verizon, you may need to check their mobile phone deals. We have shortlisted a few models with the best features that you may like.
1. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus – Verizon Wireless Phone
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is our top pick in this category. It has some of the best features for anyone looking for more than a communication phone. To start with, the phone has a 6GB RAM good enough to grant it a superphone status. With such RAM, this phone is one of the fastest phones in the market today. Additionally, it has two ROM versions of 128GB and 64GB capacity. Such high storage space allows you to store almost all your local files. You can also install several applications and never exhaust this space.
If you are a long-distance traveler or spend most of your time away from the sockets, this phone has a 3500mAh capacity. This is good enough to keep your phone on for more than 12 hours. This is incredible battery life, and you do almost everything you want within such a period.
The dual camera feature allows you to capture your memorable events. And not just capturing but clearly. The main camera is the best with a 12 MP resolution and the selfie one at 8MP. All these are incredible properties on a mobile phone.
PROS
- Has a fingerprint sensor for biometric security
- It has a quality audio system.
- It also has cameras capable of working in dimly lit areas.
CONS
- Some users complain that the battery does not store charge for long.
2. Samsung Galaxy S9 Verizon Wireless Phone
This phone has more and advanced features, has been the predecessor of Galaxy S9 Plus. It has an 845-processor speed enough for usual browsing. Another feature that makes this phone still a model to watch is the 5.8-inch double curved screen. If you are a fan of photos, you are well covered with a 12MP camera.
If you are looking for a phone that will serve you not just for a few hours, Galaxy S9 is a good pick. The phone features a 3000mAH battery that can keep you online for up to 12 hours. It’s an incredible gadget that will give you quality services and at an affordable cost.
PROS
- It is water-resistant
- It has faster internet speeds.
- Has a quality audio system.
- It supports wireless charging.
- It has a superior design.
CONS
- Its camera is a bit of low quality.
- It has an average battery performance.
3. The Apple iPhone X Verizon Wireless Phone
Apple is known for its quality, sleek and sophisticated technologies. In their iPhone X model, they brought all that in one device. The phone includes a 5.8 OLED screen and a facial recognition security feature. It’s one of a few phones you’ll find with such advanced technologies.
For photo lovers, it has 12MP dual cameras that give quality pictures. Besides, it supports the f/2.4 image and optical stabilization. You have every reason to love this technological marvel. Its 256 GB ROM provides enough space to store your files and applications. To rubber stamp its versatility; it included the A11 bionic chip to support high gaming experiences. If you are looking for more than a communication device from Verizon, you need to check this.
PROS
- It supports wireless charging.
- It has enhanced biometric technology.
- Durable and strong screen.
- It has quality camera features.
CONS
- Short battery life.
- It is very expensive.
4. LG V30 Verizon Wireless Phone
LG V30 is an autonomous mobile phone with incredible to support various activities. Besides communication, you can game with it and store your documents. Even though it doesn’t have very complicated technology, you can take advantage of its few features and get the best. In terms of camera, it has two powerful cameras that you can capture almost everything to clarity. There are 16MP and 13MP cameras with different aperture sizes of 1.6 and 1.9, respectively.
In terms of power capacity, you can be sure of long-time battery life. Its battery has a 3300mAh capacity that can keep you powered for more than 15hours. With a high processing speed, there are no disappointments with this phone.
PROS
- Features a high-speed processor
- It supports a headphone jack.
- Waterproof screen.
- It supports wireless charging.
- It has high-quality cameras.
CONS
- It is expensive
- It has a very slow autofocus camera.
5. Google Pixel 2 XL Verizon Wireless Phone
Talk of a powerful battery and excellent resolution; those are the hallmarks of this device. It’s powered by a 3520mAh battery that can take you for several hours. With a 6-inch screen, this phone isn’t so big, and you can go with it everywhere. It is so well designed thus can be a good match for your fashion dress code. However, you should be prepared to cough a couple of bucks for this gadget. But, not in vain as it supports a whopping 2,888 by 1,440-pixel resolution.
PROS
- Features a smart software
- Has high-quality cameras
- It has an excellent design
- It has a very comfortable grip
CONS
- It does not have a 3.5 headphone port
- It is very expensive.
Benefits of Using Verizon Wireless Service
This is one of the programs that attract everyone’s desires. Staying in contact with the people you love isn’t a mean feat, which this program offers. Away from that, there are other accompanying benefits such as;
Unlimited data plan
Verizon Wireless offers two unlimited data plans to the beneficiaries. The two plans include an $80 and $90 data plan. When it comes to streaming, the data plan package offers are very reliable. You can stream even the HD videos without breaking out and at high speed. That means you can contact your online businesses without interruptions or disappointments.
Messaging application
There is a unique calling app recently developed by the company for its users. The app has incredible features, including allowing users to make calls and texts. This is applicable when you choose the advanced calls option.
It also allows the users to share data amongst themselves or their loved ones. You can as well manage and utilize the data sparingly. The advantage is that there is no competing company with such an application. Most users give the app thumbs up for its friendliness and simple.
Protection against viruses and malware
We are living in a world in which war has changed the ground to technology. Computers have become the main avenue of attack. Hackers are sending viruses to people over the internet. Verizon Wireless has built an app purposely dedicated to protecting users against all forms of malicious attacks.
Domestic and international calls
The services offered allow users to make calls both locally and internationally. For example, customers in countries like Canada and Mexico can make calls at $5. There is also a provision of international calls at $15. You can only access these international plans through the Verizon travel pass.
There is a wide range of Network Coverage
Verizon leads in terms of 5G carriage in the United States when it comes to the network coverage. It has coverage of more than 81% compared to other service providers. The availability of the company’s services in almost all states makes its service available to almost everyone. This is a good deal as you will enjoy a high 5G network from anywhere within the United States.
Fast internet speed
Every company can offer communication services. What clients are looking for is a reliable and fast communication speed. Verizon has maintained the highest internet speeds for a long time. According to research done by the Better Business Bureau proved that Verizon is among the companies with the fastest internet access. It operates over a 4G LTE network. When it comes to talking, it also tops the chart amongst its competitors. Their data speeds are also very high. With Verizon, you enjoy these benefits and many others, including up to 250 free minutes of texts and calls for the basic plans.
Verizon Wireless Cell Phone Monthly Rate Plan Options for Lifeline
Verizon wireless has got two monthly plans for the lifeline. These are;
- $25 lifeline plan: This plan requires you to have a compatible wireless handset to have the service run smoothly for you.
- $19.99 home connect plan: This plan requires you to have a home phone connect the device.
Below is a tabular comparison of the two plans on a different basis.
Lifeline plans | Lifeline plans $25 | Home phone connect plan at $19.99 |
Monthly Access(After the discount) | $15.75 | $10.74 |
Monthly Access (After discount for the residence of Federally Recognized Tribal Lands) | $0 | $0 |
Monthly Anytime Minutes | 1,000 | unlimited |
Local mobile to mobile calling minutes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Domestic Long distance (airtime applies) | Included Long Distance calls from the local coverage area are included. | Included Long Distance calls from the local coverage area are included. |
Per-minute rate after allowance applies to incoming and outgoing calls made after allowance has been exhausted. | 45 cents | Unlimited |
One-time activation fee | $35 Tribunal residents may be eligible for a credit. | $35 Tribunal residents may be eligible for a credit. |
Some key points to note with the monthly rate plan option is:
- The Long-Distance domestic calls are inclusive. That means a call from your local coverage to anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico.
- The $25 Lifeline plan includes unlimited night and weekend calls and unlimited text SMS.
- The lifeline plan doesn’t give data service, insurance of handsets, and road assistance as part of the lifeline service plan.
Others Lifeline Discount Phone Providers
There are several other Lifeline Discount phone providers. These include the following:
- ATT mobility
- Centennial de Puerto Rico, which operates in Puerto Rico
- Claro de Puerto Rico
- Cordova wireless communication
- Element mobiles
- Epic touch or EpicPCS
- Newmont Wireless
- T-Mobile
- Total Call mobile
- Southern LINC Wireless
- US connect
- US cellular
People Also Ask
Does Verizon Participate in the Lifeline Program?
Lifeline is a program offered by the government as an assistance program to the citizens. Verizon is the firm tasked to provide the program for some services like Home Phone service and internet service. The applicants are vetted and approved based on established requirements.
What government free phone use Verizon Wireless Network?
Verizon network is a widely used carrier. Examples of government you’ll find under this service include; Assurance wireless, SafeLink wireless, enTouch Wireless, Quick wireless.
Where can I get A Verizon Wireless Free Government Phone?
There are different ways you can access a free government phone. One, you can call the toll-free number1-800-417-3849 to inquire whether the service is available in your state. The other way is by visiting the responsible offices to check on the availability and the requirements for the same.
Does Verizon Wireless offer a Disability Discount for Phone?
Verizon does not offer discounts to the disabled. It is focused on low-income citizens who qualify after vetting through several factors.
Does SafeLink offer free smart phones?
SafeLink is one of the popular telecommunication companies in the United States. It has a unique feature for the new members and those who have been away for an extended period. The SafeLink new or returning clients are given new smartphones with 3 GB data and unlimited text and calls subscriptions.
Does AT&T Offer Government Phones?
The AT&T mobility company does not offer free government mobile phones. The company gives a discounted lifeline program for needy people and is eligible for the same.
Conclusion
Verizon Wireless is a telecommunication company offering wireless services and products to the citizens. Its collaboration with other companies and the government has seen the vulnerable receive communication services formerly unavailable. They have set up the determining factors to ensure that the deserving people get help.
It has more qualitative service compared to other service providers in the same domain. If you think you have qualified for the program, you can call customer care. There will be several other benefits to enjoy when you enlist for the same.