A tablet offers the convenience of a mobile phone but on a bigger screen. It is a middle ground between a smartphone and a laptop. The bigger screen and the portable nature make a tablet the best device for entertainment, work, applying for jobs, browsing, and reading. It is even more suitable for people with disability who may struggle with smaller-sized smartphones or bulky laptops. You may also pair a tablet with a wireless keyboard for better performance and greater functionality. The challenge that makes most people continue using their smartphones instead of getting a tablet is the cost aspect.
The best tablets such as the Apple iPad Air, Xiaomi Pad 5, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, Microsoft Surface Pro 8, and Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 cost hundreds of dollars, which makes them beyond the reach of many. In this article, we will show you how you can get a free tablet for disabled and highlight the organizations that offer the disabled a free tablet.
How to Get a Free Tablet for Disabled From the Government
The best place to start your search for a free tablet for disabled is from government agencies. The government runs programs that help to bridge the technology gap in the country. It seeks to ensure that every American has an access to an internet-enabled device to access online government services, and emergency services and maintain communication with friends and relatives. Through government assistive programs like Lifeline, every qualified household can get a tablet, a smartphone, or a laptop.
The free government tablet targets disadvantaged people in society, such as low-income households, the disabled, and students. Beyond a tablet, you may also qualify for a free bandwidth plan to help you browse and apply for jobs. Some broadband carriers may offer unlimited data to help you stream movies and music for your entertainment for free.
Nonetheless, you have to search for the free welfare tablet program that you have met all qualifying terms and apply to get the free tablets. Furthermore, some of the programs are not available at all times. You will have to check when the free tablets will be available to the general public and apply once the date approaches.
Moreover, the different free welfare tablet programs have their unique qualifying terms depending on the target group. Go through the application requirements of each program to find the eligibility criteria and documents you will need when applying for the free tablet for the disabled. Some of the documents you will need to have before you apply for a free tablet for disabled from the free tablet government welfare programs include:
- A photo ID
- Contact details
- Eligibility proof documents
- Income proof
- Student information
- Disability details
- Residence proof
Who Can Qualify for the Free Government Tablet
You can apply for the government-free tablet if you come from a low-income family, are disabled, or receiving other government assistive benefits. It is much easier to qualify for the government free tablet for the disabled if you are a beneficiary in any lifeline program like Medicaid, Federal Pell Grant, and SNAP. That said, you can apply for the free government tablet if:
- You meet the total household income at or below the federal poverty guideline
- You have cases of disability
- You are a beneficiary of any government assistive program
- You are a student from a financially-strained household
- You are an ACP program participant
- You are a member of a qualifying local specialized telecommunication assistive program
How to Get a Free Tablet for Disabled Through the Government Lifeline Program
Disabled and low-income individuals may qualify for a free tablet through the government Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The government regulates the eligibility for Lifeline and ACP programs. Qualifying for Lifeline and ACP benefits enables you to apply for a free tablet from any approved carrier, which makes it possible to select the best device on offer at the time of application. The government requires the participating households to have a maximum of 135% to qualify through income. You may also qualify for a free tablet if you are a beneficiary of any other Lifeline program, including:
- Food Stamp program
- Assistance for Public Housing
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- School Lunch Program
Once you get the Lifeline approval, you can apply for a free tablet for disabled from any approved carrier that offers the free government tablet. However, you may have to contribute an amount of between $10 and $50 towards the tablet. Most carriers compensate for the part contribution by offering free activation.
Carriers That Offer Free Government Tablets
Some of the carriers that provide free government tablets include:
1. Qlink Wireless
Qlink Wireless offers ACP subscribers on its network a new tablet to use with its free and unlimited phone service. The tablet supports WI-FI and Bluetooth functionalities for greater flexibility and improved productivity. However, subscribers have to pay a one-time $10.01 to get the free government tablet. Qlink offers different tablets that vary by availability and state, but you may get:
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab
- Fire HD 10 Tablet
- Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- Apple iPad
- LG G Pad 5
2. Standup Wireless
Standup Wireless offers ACP discounted tablets to subscribers who qualify for the one-off $100 government device benefit. However, the government requires the beneficiary to co-pay at least $10 for the gadget. Standup Wireless free government tablets cannot make or receive calls unless you are using an app like Whatsapp, but they come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability. The tablets you can get depend on the running promotion. Nonetheless, you can expect to qualify for a tablet with at least an 8-inch screen, a long-lasting battery, dual cameras, and a sleek design.
How to Get a Free Tablet for Disabled From Charities and Non-Profit Organizations
Although the government through the Lifeline program is the biggest provider of free tablets for the disabled, you may also get a free tablet from charities and non-profit organizations. Every organization has its own qualification terms and thus, you will have to contact them to find out if you are eligible for a free tablet. Moreover, you can find an organization that offers a free tablet or finances your tablet purchase from any store of your choice. The free tablets can be new or used. The best organizations that offer disabled a free tablet include:
- Adaptive.org: You should begin your search for a free tablet at Adaptive.org. The company assists people with disabilities, low-income families, students, and veterans to get free tablets and laptops. While you will not pay to get a tablet, you will have to perform community service to qualify for the free gadget. The company requires the applicants to take part in ten-hour community service.
- CTAC (Computer Technology Assistance Corps): CTAC provides the needy with financial assistance and resources to help them get a free tablet or laptop.
- Everyoneon: Everyoneon is an exciting assistive program that helps kids get free tablets and internet services. The company also offers free courses for unemployed individuals in a household with a yearly income of not more than $35,000.
- Komputers4kids: Komputers4kids offers free tablets and PCs to needy children. It is the best place to start your search for a free tablet for a disabled child.
- On It Foundation: On It Foundation is a viable option if you are a Florida resident. The company helps low-income families and disadvantaged individuals get free tablets, laptops, internet access, and training programs.
- Microsoft Registered Refurbished: As one of the biggest technology companies in the world, Microsoft runs a program that gives refurbished tablets, laptops, and training programs to low-income families.
- Smartriverside: Smartriverside works with government and non-profit organizations to help low-income individuals get free laptops and tablets.
- The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a non-profit organization that helps people to live a decent life by assisting them to get the basic necessities. The organization helps the needy get food, clothing, and furnishings. Nonetheless, the organization can help you get a free tablet if you are not financially able to buy one.
The Bottom Line
Being disabled puts you at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing opportunities, but it is even more challenging if you come from a low-income family. The government has put measures to help the disabled get free tablets through the ACP and Lifeline programs. You may also get a free tablet for the disabled from charity and non-profit organizations.
FAQs
Yes. The government offers programs that enable disabled individuals to get some free basic needs, including free tablets and laptops. The ACP program targets low-income families and offers a one-off $100 gadget benefit per household.
Yes. Medicaid beneficiaries can qualify for the government Lifeline program that enables them to get free tablets for the disabled from participating providers. You will not need to apply again for Lifeline benefits. Instead, you only need to provide proof that you are a Medicaid participant.
You can apply for a free tablet for the disabled from The Salvation Army, On It Foundation, Smartriverside, Komputer4kids, CTAC, Everyoneon, and Adaptive.org. Every charity organization has its requirements for eligibility.
Some carriers offer an ACP discounted tablet to the disabled from low-income households. The government offers a one-off $100 gadget benefit to an eligible household. However, you have to co-pay between $10 and $50 to get the government tablet. Standup Wireless and Qlink wireless offers a government tablet but you have to co-pay $10.01.