Assurance Free Phones – How to Qualify & Apply
Looking to qualify and apply for Assurance free phones? This post is for you!
Eligible consumers can get free phones through government-approved service providers like Assurance Wireless. Service providers are telecommunication companies that help low-income individuals and households get phones and cell phone service free of charge.
Typically, you may qualify for a free phone if you participate in one of the several federal or state-specific assistance programs. Also, you may be able to enroll if you meet certain income eligibility.
In the recent past, even unemployed people may get a free phone from Assurance Wireless if they present an Unemployment Benefits Letter as proof of eligibility. However, that’s no longer tenable as of September 30, 2021.
What is the current eligibility requirement for getting a free Assurance Wireless phone? And how do you apply?
Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about qualifying and applying for Assurance free phones.
What Is the Assurance Wireless Free Phone Offer?
Assurance Wireless is a telecommunications company offering government benefits to eligible consumers. The company offers free mobile phones and cell phone services to qualified households. That means you will receive free monthly talk minutes, data, unlimited texting, and a free smartphone.
Assurance Wireless is one of the many service providers in the federal Lifeline Assistance program. Lifeline is a benefits program established to help low-income American households stay connected with family, friends, and opportunities through wireless and wireline phones.
With Assurance Wireless, there are no activation fees or annual contracts. Eligible customers get the following:
- 911 access
- Caller ID
- Call waiting
- Voicemail account
- Free calls to Customer Care
- Free unlimited calls to 211 essential community services
- Nationwide coverage on the Sprint network
The telecom company is one of the largest Lifeline providers in the nation, serving qualifying consumers in over 40 states, including Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, New York, and West Virginia.
Assurance Wireless company has a wide range of free Android smartphone models, including the following:
- Alcatel Onetouch Cinch
- Unimax U673c
- ANS Artia
- Coolpad Avail
- MoxeeTM m2160
- ZTE QuestTM Plus
- REVVL 4 Plus
- Kyocera JAX S1360
- L51
- Moto G Pure
Keep in mind that free government phones are available for only one designated person or account per household. However, two or more separate families living at the same address (such as homeless shelters and live-in healthcare facilities) may qualify for separate free phones.
How to Qualify for Assurance Free Phones
You can qualify for a free phone and phone service from Assurance Wireless in one of two ways:
1. Qualifying Through Government Assistance Programs
You may qualify for a free smartphone and monthly phone service if you or someone in your household participates in any of these government assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8 Housing)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Tribal Head Start
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Low Income Home Emergency Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- National School Lunch Free Program
2. Qualifying Through Income
Families with low income may qualify for a free government phone if their total household income does not exceed 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
It is important to mention that individuals with temporary addresses are not eligible for Assurance free phones.
Proof of Eligibility
You must provide proof of eligibility before getting a free phone from Assurance Wireless, whether you qualify by participating in a government assistance program or through income.
If you receive benefits from an assistance program, you are required to provide any of the following eligibility documents with your Assurance Wireless application:
- Award letter showing you receive a government benefit.
- Verification and approval letters from the benefits program.
If you qualify for a free phone by meeting the income limit, you must provide one of the following as proof of income:
- Income statement from current employer
- Federal or state income tax return from the previous year
- Child support document or divorce decree showing income
Alternatively, you can provide a statement of income for three consecutive months within the previous twelve months. Any of the following documents can be used as proof of income:
- Pay stub
- Pension/Retirement benefits statement
- Veterans Administration benefits statement
- Social Security benefits statement
Keep in mind that Assurance Wireless does not return documents to applicants, whether or not they get approved. For this reason, remember to only send copies of your eligibility documents, not originals.
Determining Eligibility
First, check whether you are eligible for Lifeline before applying for a free smartphone from Assurance Wireless.
To do this:
- Visit the National Verifier online portal.
- Choose your state or territory from the dropdown list.
- Click “Get started.”
You will be redirected to another webpage where you can enter and submit your information. The program will use your information to determine if you qualify for Lifeline.
How to Apply for Assurance Free Phones
Applying for a free phone from Assurance Wireless is straightforward if you qualify. You can apply online by visiting the company’s website or speaking with a local representative in your area.
Alternatively, you can call the Assurance Wireless Customer Care number at 1-888-898-4888 for help on how to apply.
How to Continue Receiving Free Service
Qualifying for a free phone and Lifeline service from Assurance Wireless is not a one-time event. To continue receiving free phone service from the provider, you must recertify your eligibility status annually.
You will stop receiving free service if you do not recertify your eligibility status. However, you can keep and continue to use the free phone. While it won’t receive free talk minutes, text, and data, it will continue functioning like other regular phones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy additional minutes, text, or data?
You can purchase additional phone service at discounted rates if you run out before the month ends. Buying additional minutes, text, or data does not stop you from getting free service the next month.
Do unused monthly free minutes, text, and data roll over to the next month?
Any unused free monthly service you receive through Assurance Wireless will not roll over to the next month. In fact, you risk losing your free phone service if you don’t make a call, send a text, or surf the internet from your free phone at least once every 30 days.
Can I play online games with my monthly free data?
Assurance Wireless allows you to play online games with your monthly free data. Also, you can stream your favorite music and listen to podcasts and audiobooks for free. Instead of connecting to Wi-Fi, you can keep your service active by using your free data to surf the internet.
My address has changed. What should I do?
Call Assurance Wireless at 1-888-321-5580 or dial 611 from your free phone and give the company your new address. It is crucial to update your current address information, as this will enable the service provider to notify you about important service information, such as recertification.
