If you have just lost your phone or maybe you are a victim of mugging by a lawless chap and your phone was stolen in the process, you do not have to stay without a phone. You can quickly get your phone replaced without the need to buy a new phone. Through the free government cell phone program, every person in America can get cheap cell phone plans as long as they meet the minimum requirements. Assurance Wireless phone replacement is a popular free government phone program that will help you sort your phone problems pretty easily in most states.
Those who qualify for an Assurance Wireless phone upgrade get a wide range of benefits that include but are not limited to a free Smartphone-Android phone, free voice minutes, data, and unlimited free text bundles. Although the company serves in 40 states, the residents of California get the best Assurance Wireless benefits that include unlimited texts, free Android smartphones, unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and free 500 MB data.
Which State is Best for Assurance Wireless Phone Replacement
Assurance Wireless is one of the largest providers of free government phones in the US. It offers free phones in almost all states including, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Delaware. Assurance Wireless is further available to residents of the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
You may also qualify for an Assurance Wireless phone upgrade with Assurance Wireless if you are in Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and North Carolina.
The company is known for its wide variety of free phones. Residents of Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin can get free Android phones and iPhones with free minutes and texts. The company has friendly customer service and Assurance Wireless phone replacement is quick and trouble-free. This article aims to help you know everything about Assurance Wireless, including how to get a replacement Assurance Wireless phone for informed decision-making.
Who Is Eligible for Assurance Wireless Phone Replacement
As part of the federal Lifeline Assistance program, you can qualify for the Assurance Wireless phone replacement based on federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. You are eligible for the free government phone program if you are a beneficiary of any federal assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
You can further qualify based on your household income as long as the total income is below the poverty index, which is usually 135% in most states. Nevertheless, you will need to check with your local store as the eligibility varies by state. That said, you will need to provide proof of income or proof of federal assistance program participation as part of your Assurance Wireless application status.
Some of the Assurance Wireless qualifying public programs include:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
In Michigan, the additional qualifying programs include:
- Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- The National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program
In California, Massachusetts, Kansas, Florida, Wisconsin, and Nevada, the additional qualifying programs include:
- Head Start (Tribal Only)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Temporary Aid for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
To qualify for an Assurance Wireless phone upgrade based on income, the total income should fall within the range of your household size. The total household income includes all taxable and non-taxable income received by everyone in your household. The earnings are not limited to interest, wages, salaries, spousal support, dividends, grants, child support, allowances, gifts, public-assistance payments, stipends, rental income, social security, and pensions. The income also includes earnings from self-employment, cash payments from other sources, and all employment-related non-cash income.
You can qualify for Assurance Wireless if your yearly household income is within the range indicated based on size.
| No of people in a household | Yearly household income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $0 – $16,389 |
| 2 | $0 – $22,221 |
| 3 | $0 – $28,053 |
| 4 | $0 – $33,885 |
| 5 | $0 – $39,717 |
| 6 | $0 – $45,549 |
| 7 | $0 – $51,381 |
| 8 | $0 – $57,213 |
Households with more than eight individuals should add $5,823 for every additional person.
How Do I Get A Replacement Assurance Wireless Phone
Assurance Wireless offers four friendly ways people can use to apply for a replacement phone.
- Apply online through the Assurance Wireless website
- Send your application through mail or fax
- Apply by calling the customer service phone number at 1-888-898-4888
- Visit your local store with your proof of eligibility
If your Assurance Wireless application status is based on participation in a program, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A copy of the front and the back of your benefit ID card or any other program participation document
- An eligibility letter from an authorized agency
- A current or prior year benefits statement
To qualify based on income, you will need to submit:
- Prior year’s Federal or State income tax return
- Federal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
- Current income statement from employer
- Child support or divorce decree document containing income
Alternatively, you can submit a copy of three consecutive months of any of these statements from the previous 12 months:
- Social Security benefits statement
- Current paycheck stub
- Veterans Administration benefits statements
- Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation benefits statement
- Retirement / Pension benefits statement
Assurance Wireless takes the privacy of its clients very seriously. The personal information is only shared with Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and with state agencies to establish and confirm eligibility. The company keeps all personal information secure by ensuring all data collected electronically is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.
Does Assurance Wireless Have Any Restrictions
Yes. It is worth noting that the service is available to individuals participating in a qualifying government program or with qualifying incomes. Other restrictions that apply include:
- The lifeline program is non-transferable
- Only one lifeline account is permitted per household
- The address you give for the phone service must be your place of residence
Nevertheless, the company has exceptions to ensure all people can get a replacement Assurance Wireless phone without discrimination. Some of the exceptions that apply include:
- Separate households living in the same address are eligible for Assurance Wireless Lifeline service, including residents of nursing homes and homeless shelters
- Residents with temporary addresses are eligible
- A representative in your neighborhood can assist you to fill out the Lifeline Household Worksheet if there is already a Lifeline service at your address
What Happens Next If I No Longer Qualify For Assurance Wireless Lifeline Service
You should inform Assurance Wireless immediately upon learning that you no longer qualify for the Lifeline service for the company to discontinue the service. Nevertheless, you can continue to use the Assurance Wireless phone and account at an affordable non-Lifeline rate of 10¢ per minute and 10¢ per text message as long as you add your account at least $10 every 45 days or $20 every 90 days. Alternatively, Assurance Wireless can help you switch to a Virgin Mobile plan of your choice.
Assurance Wireless Phone Plan
Assurance Wireless offers competitive benefits. You will enjoy the following benefits once you qualify for an Assurance Wireless phone replacement.
- Free smartphone; shipping charges may apply
- Free 350 monthly talk minutes in most states
- Free unlimited texting
- Up to 2GB free monthly high-speed data; it varies by state
Residents of California enjoy unlimited talk, unlimited texts, and 500 MB of high-speed data on top of a free Android smartphone.
The free Assurance Wireless plan further comes with additional features that include:
- Sprint network nationwide coverage
- Free voicemail
- Free caller ID service
- Free call waiting service
- Free access to 911
- Free calling to 211
- Free calls to customer care
- Keep your current phone number
If the allocated data is not adequate, you can buy 250 additional voice minutes for $5. You can also opt to pay 10₵ for each additional minute and text. Moreover, you can choose one of the several Assurance Wireless cheap cell plans.
For feature phones, Assurance Wireless offers unlimited voice minutes, texts, and unlimited data every month for $30.
For smartphone users, the carrier offers several additional plans that include:
- $15 plan that offers unlimited voice minutes, unlimited texts, and 500MB data monthly
- $20 plan that offers unlimited voice minutes, unlimited texts, and 1GB of data monthly
- $30 plan that offers unlimited voice minutes, unlimited texts, and 4GB data monthly
- $40 plan that offers unlimited voice minutes, unlimited texts, and 10GB data monthly
Assurance Wireless Customers in Idaho Get Additional 100MB Data
You need to note that if you miss a payment, you will receive free minutes, texts, and data as per your base plan for the duration you are eligible for Lifeline service. Furthermore, the purchase plans are tied to the date you receive new texts and minutes. All unused minutes, texts, and data on this date will be lost and thus, you should consider your options carefully if you decide to buy a plan close to the end of your month.
Assurance Wireless further offers its customers an option to purchase monthly data packs. You will need to visit the carrier’s website or call the customer service phone number. You should dial 611 from your Assurance Wireless phone or call 1-888-321-5880 to reach a customer care representative. It is also possible to purchase monthly data packs by visiting My Account on your phone.
The Assurance Wireless monthly data packs that you can buy include
| Cost | Data Amount |
|---|---|
| $1 | 100MB |
| $3 | 500MB |
| $5 | 1GB |
| $10 | 2GB |
| $20 | 4GB |
| $30 | 5GB |
Monthly data packs are valid for 30 days from the date of purchase.
How To Add Money To Your Assurance Wireless Account
You must have money in your account to purchase additional minutes or call at 10₵ per minute. Thankfully, it is easy to add money to your Assurance Wireless account. You can add money to your account by logging into your account from your phone or computer. You can further add money at participating stores like Speedway, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Walgreens.
Alternatively, you can sign-up for Auto Payment with a debit or credit card. The minimum amount you may have to add is $10 and the top-up process can take up to 15 minutes, depending on the top-up method.
Does Assurance Wireless Support International Calling
Yes. Assurance offers $5 and $10 in Canada/ Mexico, plus international text add-ons that you can use to call your friends and relatives.
The $5 Canada/ Mexico add-on includes
- Unlimited calls to Canadian mobile phones and landlines
- Unlimited calls to Mexico mobile phones and landlines
- Unlimited international text to over 200 international destinations
The $10 Canada/ Mexico add-on Includes
- Unlimited calls to Canadian mobile phones and landlines
- Unlimited calls to Mexico mobile phones and landlines
- Unlimited international text to over 200 international destinations
- Unlimited landline calls to over 70 countries
- 200 minutes to call select mobiles in over 50 countries
Best Assurance Wireless Compatible Phones
1. Unimax U683CL
The Unimax U683CL runs on Android 8.1. It is an introductory smartphone with a 5-inch FWVGA capacitive touch display. The phone has a 0.3MP front camera and 2MP rear camera for photography. It comes with a decent 8GB internal memory, but you can expand your memory with up to 64GB microSD card.
Features
- 4G LTE
- 8GB ROM
- 1GB RAM
- Android Go 8.1
Pros
- It is affordable
- Decent performance
- It has a respectable display
Cons
- The cameras are not useful in modern mobile photography standards
2. Wiko Life 2
Wiko Life 2 is a decent smartphone that can handle most online tasks, including light gaming. The phone has a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM for quick app access. The large 5.45-inch touchscreen display makes watching videos and reading effortless. The phone comes with 16 GB ROM and supports up to 32GB memory card. It has a respectable 2500mAh battery, delivering up to 16 hours of talk time.
Features
- 16GB ROM
- 2GB RAM
- Android 9
- Removable 2500mAh battery
- Mobile hotspot
Pros
- It is affordable
- Powerful
- It has a durable battery
- Large display
Cons
- The camera’s performance is not suitable for modern social life
3. Coolpad Legacy Go
Coolpad Legacy Go is a functional entry smartphone that gives you a decent experience. The phone is affordable and runs on Android 8.1. It has a 1.1GHz quad-core processor and 1GB RAM that enables you to carry most light browsing effortlessly. The 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras make Coolpad Legacy Go an attractive option for those looking for value at an affordable price.
Features
- 1.1GHz quad-core processor
- Mobile hotspot
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB ROM
- 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras
- Android 8.1
Pros
- The cameras are decent
- It is powerful enough for most light mobile users
- It has a respectable display
Cons
- The 1GB RAM and 1.1GHz processor will struggle to run games and other large apps
Conclusion
Losing your phone does not mean that you should not talk to your friends and relatives thanks to the Assurance Wireless phone replacement that gives you free minutes and a phone, as long as you are eligible. You only need to contact the customer care representative if your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Index or if you are a beneficiary of any federal assistance program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Assurance Wireless is a subsidiary of Virgin Mobile USA. It is a Lifeline program supported by the Federal Universal Service Fund.
Yes. Although the company recommends that you use the original phone, you can use any of the Assurance Wireless compatible phones. Some of the compatible phones include Samsung Galaxy J7 Star, LG Tribute HD, Coolpad Legacy Go, Alcatel Dawn, LG Rebel 4, Kyocera Hydro, Unimax U673c, and Apple iPhone 7, among others. Assurance Wireless also works with flip and basic phones, including Coolpad Snap Flip, Kyocera Brio 3015, and Kyocera Verve S3150.
The best phone depends on what you would like to get from your phone as well as the features of your Assurance Wireless plan. It will not be ideal to have a top-end smartphone when you do not have a data pack. Equally, it will be waste of resources to have data as part of your plan when you do not need data. That said, some of the best phones for Assurance Wireless include Coolpad Snap Fit for a flip phone, Kyocera Brio 3015 for a basic phone, Wiko Life 2 for an affordable functional smartphone and Samsung Galaxy A10e for a handy smartphone.
Unfortunately, that is not possible. Assurance Wireless SIM Card will only work with a registered phone.
Assurance Wireless is available to eligible approved customers. The phone number is not transferable.