The US government has programs that assist low-income families with telecommunication needs to catch up with modern life. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a newly established FCC-managed program that seeks to help qualified individuals with a free tablet with phone. However, if you are eligible for Lifeline, you may also apply for these benefits for the ACP.
Meanwhile, the Affordable Connectivity Program is the best method to qualify for a free government tablet or smartphone. The Affordable Connectivity Program is an initiative that helps households struggling with monthly bills afford the broadband they require for work, healthcare, school, and more. The program offers a monthly discount of up to $30 toward internet service for eligible low-income households and up to $75 for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Generally, Lifeline providers give free phones, but eligibility in this program offers automatic qualification for the ACP program, through which you can obtain a free tablet or a smartphone. The eligibility requirements include meeting the income level threshold per the Federal Poverty Guidelines or program participation. Besides, when applying for a free government tablet with the phone, you must gather the relevant documents to prove eligibility.
Eligibility To Get A Free Tablet With Phone
Here we are talking about how you can qualified for free tablet with smartphone without any hassles.
i. Affordable Connectivity Program Free Tablet With Phone Eligibility
A household qualifies for the ACP if their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or if a household member attains one of the following criteria:
- Meets the eligibility qualification for a participating provider’s current low-income internet program;
- A participant in one of the below assistance programs:
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- School Breakfast Program OR Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
- Federal Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- or Lifeline
- A recipient of a Federal Pell Grant during the ongoing award year;
Again, you are also eligible if you participate in one of the following assistance programs and reside on Qualifying Tribal lands:
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
ii. Lifeline Free Tablet With Phone Eligibility
This program is a long-serving FCC program that started in the 1980s and sought to make communications services more affordable for low-income households. It offers participants a discount on qualifying monthly cellular service, plus a free government cell phone.
To qualify for a free tablet and phone in the Lifeline program, you must either possess an income that is at or less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or qualify in specific federal assistance programs, including:
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Veterans and Survivor’s Pension Benefits or specific Tribal Programs.
Most importantly, qualifying for Lifeline gives you automatic eligibility to participate in the ACP, which offers free tablets and phones. However, there are additional criteria that make a household ACP eligible, consequently being able to get a free tablet.
Documents That I Should Submit To Get A Free Tablet With Phone
When applying for the free tablet with phone program, you may have to give additional information or documentation if the verifying body cannot confirm your identity, eligibility, or address.
i. Identity Verification Documents
Documentation must capture your full name and date of birth when proving your identity.
Documents Include:
- Valid military, government, state, or Tribal ID
- US Driver’s license
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Certificate of US Citizenship or Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Government assistance program document
- ITIN document
ii. Program Participation Documents
If you qualify based on a government-supported program, you need to submit a letter or official document as verification proof.
Documentation must capture the following:
- Your (or your dependent’s) first and last name
- The qualifying program name, such as Medicaid
- The government, program administrator, Tribal entity, university, school, school district, or college name that provided the document
- A provision date within the last 12 months or a future expiration date
Documentation includes:
- Benefit verification letter
- Benefit award letter
- Statement of benefits
- School documentation
- Approval letter
iii. Household Income Documents
If you qualify for a free tablet plus phone based on your income, you must submit a document indicating that your annual income lies at or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Documentation must capture the following:
- Your (or your dependent’s) first and last name
- Your annual income
- Attach the current pay stubs to provide documentation of income that does not match the whole year. The documentation must capture three consecutive months within the past 12 months
Documents Include:
- Previous year’s federal, state, or Tribal tax return
- Recent income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- Child support award, Divorce decree, or a similar official document with your income
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
The Process Of Getting A Free Tablet With a Phone
You can enroll for a free government tablet and phone in two ways. First, proceed to the National Verifier official page at AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit or print out a mail-in application. On this page, click Apply Now to fill out all the details, including name, and address and submit your documentation. After you obtain approval from the national ACP website, you can apply through your preferred network provider.
Second, you can contact your preferred wireless provider to choose a plan and apply for the device discount. You can find the participating wireless providers at fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers by identifying those featuring a ‘tick’ under ‘Offering Connected Devices. Immediately after choosing your preferred wireless carrier, you can start the free tablet or phone application process. In this case, the crucial details to submit are your ZIP code and email address, and then tap on the ‘Apply Now or; Get Started’ button on your provider’s website.
Bottom Line
The government offers unique programs for low-income families that help them get free tablets with phones. The best way to get a free tablet or phone from the government is through the Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program, regardless of your income. Lifeline program only provides discounts on monthly free internet services and phones. However, Lifeline subscribers can get a free tablet plus phone through the Affordable Connectivity Program, through which all Lifeline qualify by default.