Residents of Louisiana living below the federal poverty guidelines can get free government phones through Lifeline Assistance and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Network carriers work with the state and federal government to help people in low-income families stay connected with their loved ones.
But do you know how to get free government phones in Louisiana? This article discusses how to go about applying for and getting a free phone from the government.
What Is Lifeline Assistance
Lifeline Assistance is a program by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reduce the monthly cost of internet, phone, and bundled services. Through Lifeline Assistance, eligible households can also get free government phones.
Eligible households get a $9.25 discount on monthly bills for internet, phone, and bundled services. Those living on Tribal Lands may get a slightly higher Lifeline discount at $34.25.
Once you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, you can choose a service provider within 90 days. Your service provider will supply you with a free government phone and subsidized phone or internet services.
What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP is another FCC program that provides a $30 ($75 for Tribal Lands residents) discount on the monthly phone, internet, and bundled services. It is available to the eligible households which previously participated in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) and new applicants.
Besides discounted phone services, the ACP offers a $100 one-time purchase for a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or other internet-capable devices. Before issuing the device, the service provider may require you to make a co-payment of between $10 and $50.
Once you ascertain your eligibility for the ACP, you must select a service provider to work with. Like Lifeline Assistance, your household can only get one discount at a time. So, you cannot have two household members applying for an ACP discount.
How to Qualify for Free Government Phones in Louisiana
To get a free government phone in Louisiana, you must qualify for Lifeline Assistance or the ACP. The eligibility criteria for these programs are straightforward, so you can know whether you meet them. Here are the different ways in which you can qualify for a free phone:
1. Income-Base Eligibility
At the very basic, your income should be at a particular level to get a free government phone in Louisiana. For Lifeline Assistance applicants, the income should be up to 135% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. Based on the 2022 poverty guidelines, the following are the income limits for Louisiana Lifeline Assistance applicants:
| Number of people in a household | Income level |
|---|---|
| 1 | $18,347 |
| 2 | $24,719 |
| 3 | $31,091 |
| 4 | $37,463 |
| 5 | $43,385 |
| 6 | $50,207 |
| 7 | $56,579 |
| 8 | $62,951 |
| For each additional person, add: | $6,372 |
ACP applicants have a slightly higher income threshold at 200% of the prevailing Federal Poverty Guidelines. The following are the income requirements for the ACP based on the 2022 poverty guidelines and the number of people per household.
| Number of people per household | Income level |
|---|---|
| 1 | $27,180 |
| 2 | $36,620 |
| 3 | $46,060 |
| 4 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $64,940 |
| 6 | $74,380 |
| 7 | $83,820 |
| 8 | $93,260 |
| For each additional person, add: | $9,440 |
2. Benefit from Government Assistance
Are you one of the 900,000 Louisiana residents living below the Federal Government poverty line? Apply for a free government phone through the Louisiana Lifeline Assistance or ACP programs. You can qualify if you or a family member participates in any of the following government assistance programs:
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Lifeline Assistance (for ACP only)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or formerly Food Stamps
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- School Breakfast or Lunch program, including USDA Community Eligibility Provision schools (for ACP only)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (for ACP only)
- Federal Pell Grant in the current year (for ACP only)
3. Living on Eligible Tribal Lands
Do you live on any of the Lifeline Assistance or ACP-eligible Tribal Lands? You stand a high chance of getting free government phones in Indiana if you participate in Tribal-Land-specific programs. Participating in any of the following programs can help you get a Lifeline or ACP free phone:
- Head Start (for those qualifying by income)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
How to Apply for a Free Government Phones in Louisiana
Applying for free government phones in Louisiana is simple. All you need is to follow the steps below meticulously:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Are you eligible for the ACP or Lifeline Assistance? Please don’t assume it. You must check if you qualify due to having a low-income status or participation in government assistance.
The Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) runs Lifeline Assistance and the ACP. USAC provides applicants a straightforward way to check their eligibility through the National Verifier. Enter your details and check. You can apply for a free government phone via the National Verifier if you qualify.
Step 2: Collect All Documents You Need
Your application for a free government phone isn’t complete until you attach all the necessary documents. You must prove your identity, low-income status, address, and participation in a government assistance program.
If you’re wondering which documents to collect, here is a comprehensive description of them:
Proof-of-Identification Documents
The qualifying household member must provide documents with their full name and the last four digits of the social security number (SSN). You may attach any of the following documents to your application for a free government phone in Louisiana:
- Social Security Number
- U.S. Passport
- Foreign Passport
- U.S Government, State, Military, or Tribal-Issued ID
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Driver’s License
- Birth Certificate
Proof-of-Address Documents
Your network provider uses your address to send billing information and other correspondence. So, besides writing the address in your application, you must provide documents proving it.
Essentially, the details of the address in the application should match the proof-of-address documentation. You can prove your address using any of the following documents:
- Current Utility Bill
- Driver’s License
- Lease or Mortgage Statement
- Federal, State, or Tribal-Issued ID
- Paycheck Stub, Income Statement, or W2
Proof-of-Income Documents
You must prove that your income meets the conditions for qualifying for Lifeline Assistance or the ACP. Attaching any of the following documents should be sufficient:
- Federal, state, or tribal tax returns
- Pension or retirement statement of benefit
- Income statement or paycheck stub
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Social security statement of benefit
- Worker’s compensation statement of benefits
- Divorce decree or child support documents
Proof of Benefit from Government Assistance
To qualify for free government phones in Louisiana, you or a family member should benefit from a government assistance program. So, you must prove that you are eligible based on your benefit. With any of the following documents, you should successfully apply for a free government phone:
- Statement for a qualifying Tribal, federal, or program
- Documents showing evidence of participation in a Tribal, national, or state program
- Letter of involvement in a Tribal, federal, or state program
- Any document with the beneficiary’s full name, qualifying program name, and name of the issuing Tribal, federal, or state entity
Emancipated minors must attach documents proving the same. In that case, a letter of emancipation or an order of the court would help a minor confirm their emancipated status.
Step 3: Apply for Free Government Phones in Louisiana
After confirming eligibility for Lifeline Assistance and ACP, nothing stops you from applying for a free government phone in Louisiana. Here is how to make your application:
- National Verifier: The National Verifier helps you check whether or not you’re eligible for free government phones in Louisiana. After ascertaining your eligibility, you can go ahead and apply for a free phone right there on the website.
- Network Carrier’s Website: Most network carriers allow people to apply for Lifeline Assistance or ACP through their websites. This article outlines some of the providers of free government phones in Louisiana. It also describes how to apply through their websites.
- Mail-In Application: On the USAC website, you can download the Lifeline Assistance application form, print it out, and fill it out. Once done, you can attach relevant documents and submit them via mail.
Step 4: Wait for Phone Delivery
After applying you a free government phone in Louisiana, you’ll get an email notification on your approval status. You may also call your network carrier or send a message via their Contact Us page to find out if your application was approved.
Some network carriers do not allow applicants to choose a favorite phone. Instead, they choose for you any available device.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission regulates the Lifeline Assistance and ACP programs. If you have anything to complain about, reach out to them through the following contacts:
- Postal Address:
- Louisiana Public Service Commission
- P.O Box 91154,
- Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9154
- Physical Address:
- Galvez Building,
- 12th Floor.
- 602 North Fifth Street,
- Baton Rouge, LA 70802
- Phone:
- Main: 1-225-342-4404
- Toll-Free: 1-800-256-23097
The 10 Best Providers of Free Government Phones in Louisiana
You can get a Lifeline Assistance or ACP discount regardless of the Louisiana parish where you live. There are several service providers of free government phones in Louisiana, so you should be able to get one that serves your needs. The following are some of the providers you can use:
1. Access Wireless
Access Wireless provides free government phones and monthly talks, texts, and data. It offers a variety of phones, including Samsung Transform (Ultra), NUU F4L Flip Phone, ZTE Flash, Alcatel Revolve, and Coolpad Quatro II.
Using the Lifeline discount, it also offers 250 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data. To apply for the Lifeline discount, you can enter your ZIP code on the company’s website to check for network availability. Then, you should fill out the application form after clicking Enroll.
The network carrier also offers a Lifeline and ACP combo plan with 15GB of data and unlimited calls and texts. The Access Wireless website has a dedicated page where you can apply for a free government phone.
Here are the Access Wireless customer service contact details:
- Phone:
- New Customers: 1-888-900-5859
- Existing Customers: 1-866-594-3644
- Address:
- Access Wireless/i-Wireless LLC
- 1 Levee Way Newport
- Kentucky, 41071
- United States
2. Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless has a wide array of free government phones, including Kyocera Jax S1360, Alcatel One-Touch Cinch, Coolpad Avail, and ZTE Quest. The company would give you any available phone, so you won’t have the opportunity to choose a favorite device.
Besides a free phone, you also get 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data. Application for Lifeline Assurance is through the National Verifier or the company’s website. If you choose the latter, you would need to enter your ZIP code for a network search and click Apply Now.
If you opt for the Lifeline and ACP combo plan, you will get unlimited high-speed data, talk, and texts. On top of it, you will get 10GB of hotspot data.
The following are the various ways you can contact the Assurance Wireless customer service team:
- Phone: 1-888-321-5880
- Address:
- Assurance Wireless,
- P.O Box 5040,
- Charleston, IL 61920-9907
3. Easy Wireless
Easy Wireless offers a variety of free government phones to Louisiana residents. While some of their devices are new, others are used or refurbished. The company provides Lifeline customers unlimited talk, texts, and 4.5GB of data.
The Lifeline discount for Tribal Lands comes with 5.5GB of data, unlimited texts, and talk-time. If you have issues to complain about, you can contact Easy Wireless by calling the customer service team in the following two ways:
- Phone: 1-855-574-2036
4. enTouch Wireless
enTouch Wireless offers a variety of free government phones in Louisiana, targeting participants in Lifeline Assistance and the ACP. For Lifeline Assistance, users get unlimited texts, 1,000 minutes, and 100MB of data. If you belong to a tribe, you will get unlimited texts, 5GB of data, and 1,000 minutes.
The company makes applying for the Lifeline discount straightforward by providing a dedicated webpage. Once there, click Apply Now, fill out the application form, and submit.
With the Lifeline and ACP plan, Tribal Lands residents get unlimited data, talk, and texts. Outside Tribal Lands, enTouch Wireless offers 10GB of data and unlimited talk and texts. You can get these discounts by applying on the company’s website.
enTouch Wireless also offers an ACP-only plan with 15.5GB of data and unlimited texts and talk for residents of Tribal Lands. Those living in other areas get unlimited texts, data, and 5.5GB of data.
Reach out to enTouch Wireless via the following contacts:
- Phone: 1-866-488-8719
- Address:
- enTouch Wireless
- P.O Box 37
- Hiawatha, IA 52233
5. Life Wireless
Life Wireless has one of the widest ranges of free government phones in Louisiana. It provides devices from Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, Huawei, Alcatel, Siemens, ZTE, Lenovo, HP Veer, and others.
Besides getting a free phone, your Lifeline discount would give you access to unlimited texts, 3GB of data, and 1,000 minutes. Go to the Life Wireless website to apply for a free phone and the Lifeline discount.
With the Life Wireless ACP-only plan, you’ll get 15GB of data and unlimited texts and talk. If you qualify for the ACP discount, go Life Wireless ACP Page to complete your application.
There’s also a plan that combines Lifeline Assistance and the ACP for a free government phone, 15GB of data, and unlimited tests and talk-time.
Life Wireless has several contact channels through which you can reach their customer service team. They include the following:
- Phone: 1-888-543-3620
- Address:
- Life Wireless,
- P.O Box 2840,
- Covington, GA 30015
6. Q Link Wireless
With a wide variety of free government phones in Louisiana, Q Link Wireless is a go-to Lifeline Assistance and ACP provider. It has entry-level devices from Motorola, LG, Nokia, Kyocera, Palm, Huawei, Samsung, HTC, Sanyo, Blackberry, ZTE, and Alcatel.
Its Lifeline discount includes 3GB of data, unlimited texts, and 1,000 minutes. You can get both the free phone and Lifeline discount by applying online.
The company also has a super-discount plan that combines Lifeline and the ACP. It has a better proposition that includes unlimited talk, data, and texts. Besides, you can also get an ACP tablet or Lifeline phone by applying through the Q Link Wireless website.
Here are the Q Link Wireless customer support contacts:
- Phone: 1-855-754-6543
- Fax: 1-855-837-5465
- Address:
- Q Link Wireless,
- 499 E Sheridan ST #400,
- Diana Beach, FL 33004
7. SafeLink Wireless
SafeLink Wireless offers several free government phones from manufacturers such as Kyocera, LG, Nokia, and Motorola. Some of their devices include entry-level Android smartphones.
Its Lifeline discount includes 3GB of data, unlimited texts, and 350 minutes of talk-time. You can apply for a free phone and service discount through the company’s website.
The SafeLink Wireless Lifeline/ACP combo plan provides unlimited texts, talk, and 25GB of data. Additionally, the company offers 5GB of hotspot data and free calls to contacts in Canada and Mexico. Apply for the plan online.
SafeLink Wireless has several customer support contacts, including the following:
- Phone: 1-800-723-3546
- Address:
- SafeLink Wireless,
- P.O Box 220009,
- Milwaukie, OR 97269-0009
8. StandUp Wireless
Besides free government phones, StandUp Wireless offers tablets under the ACP program. With the Lifeline discount, users get 300 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3GB of data. If that’s not enough for you, you can top up $5 for 250MB and 250 minutes, $10 for unlimited talk and texts, and 1GB of data.
Also, you could pay $20 for unlimited texts and talk, 3GB of data, or $30 for unlimited texts and minutes and 8GB of data. You can apply for the StandUp Wireless phone plans on the company’s website. If you choose the ACP + Lifeline plan, you’ll get unlimited texts and talk and 10GB of data for free.
Here’s how to contact StandUp Wireless:
- Phone: 1-800-544-4441
- Address:
- StandUp Wireless,
- P.O Box 2148,
- Norcross, GA 30091
9. Tag Mobile
Tag Mobile offers a wide array of free government phones to Louisiana residents. Their devices include the CellAllure Mini 3.5, Nuu NU3S, BLU Dash 3.5 Ce, Nuu N4L, Nuu N5L, and Nuu X4.
Each phone has a Lifeline discount that includes 4.5GB of data, 1,000 free minutes, and unlimited texts. You should apply on the Tag Mobile website to get the Lifeline Discount.
The following are the Tag Mobile customer support contacts:
- Phone: 1-866-959-4918
- Mail Address:
- Tag Mobile,
- 1330 Capital Parkway,
- Carrollton, TX 75006
10. Terracom Wireless
With Terracom Wireless, you can get a smartphone through the free government phones program. The company participates in the Lifeline Assistance program, targeting people from low-income families.
Residents of Tribal Lands can get 2,000 minutes, 4GB of data, and unlimited texts due to the Lifeline discount. In the non-Tribal areas, residents get 4.5 GB of data, 500/1,000 minutes, and unlimited texts. You can submit your Lifeline Assistance application right on the Terracom Wireless website.
In case of issues, call the Terracom customer support team at 1-888-716-8880.
The Bottom Line
Through Lifeline Assistance or the ACP, you can get free government phones in Louisiana. Therefore, you need to qualify for the two programs to get a free phone.
Once you have ascertained your eligibility, you should apply for the free phone via the National Verifier or the company’s website. The phone comes with a Lifeline or ACP service discount, which reduces your monthly phone bill.