Most people want to know how to get a SafeLink free tablet. But does SafeLink offer free tablets? The TracFone-owned telecommunications brand offers government discounts through Lifeline Assistance and the Affordable Connectivity Program.
SafeLink Wireless offers free phones and subsidized phone services to its customers across the United States. It mainly has no-contract services, which means its clients aren’t tied down to them for longer than they want.
Key Takeaways
- SafeLink Wireless participates in the ACP but doesn’t offer free tablets
- The ACP is an FCC-sponsored program for discounted phone and broadband services, and free tablets
- You must meet ACP eligibility requirements to get a free tablet from participating providers
- Charity organizations also offer free tablets to low-income families
Benefits of SafeLink Lifeline + ACP Plans
Lifeline Assistance and the ACP are programs by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide subsidized phone and internet broadband services. SafeLink users can apply for Lifeline, ACP-only, or Lifeline + ACP plans.
With the combined Lifeline + ACP plan, you get unlimited talk and texts, 25GB of high-speed data, and 5GB of hotspot data. However, the SafeLink benefits
You may join SafeLink Wireless by bringing your own phone or getting a free smartphone. Once enrolled on the SafeLink Lifeline + ACP plan, users can make unlimited free calls to Canada and Mexico.
SafeLink can provide discounted phone services due to the FCC-sanctioned $50 monthly ACP discount. Living on Tribal Lands means you’ll get a $75 monthly discount. However, you must meet the ACP qualification criteria to get any of these discounts.
Through the ACP, for can also get a nearly-free tablet, even though not all ACP participating firms provide these devices. Those that offer free tablets do so by granting a $100 one-time discount for a device of your choice – tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Can You Get SafeLink Free Tablet
No, you cannot get a SafeLink free tablet. For beneficiaries of Lifeline Assistance, SafeLink offers free smartphones and discounted phone services.
It is also an ACP provider. However, SafeLink isn’t among the firms that offer free tablets. Instead, it provides subsidized internet broadband to eligible individuals and families. So, if you’re looking for a SafeLink free tablet, check with other network carriers that offer them.
The U.S. States with SafeLink Discounted Phone Services
Even if you do not get a SafeLink free tablet, you should know whether or not it offers discounted phone services in your location. SafeLink provides Lifeline and ACP discounted phone services to residents of several U.S. states, including the following:
| Alabama | Arkansas | Arizona | California |
| Connecticut | District of Columbia | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Illinois | Indiana |
| Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
| Mississippi | Missouri | Nevada | New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina |
| Ohio | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico | Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Utah |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
How to Get a Free Tablet without SafeLink
Now that you cannot get a SafeLink free tablet looking elsewhere for organizations that offer these devices is essential. In that case, you may consider another Lifeline and ACP provider or non-profit organization with free tablet deals. Here is a detailed description of how you can quickly get a free tablet:
Free Tablets from Other Lifeline/ACP Providers
Several Lifeline/ACP providers offer free government tablets, including Cintex Wireless, Q Link Wireless, StandUp Wireless, and AirtTalk Wireless. You can pick any of these providers if they have services in your area and have attractive discounts.
How to Qualify for a Free Government Tablet
You can only get a free government tablet if you meet the eligibility criteria for the ACP. You can get discounted phone and broadband service through the ACP and a $100 discount for a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
The tablet isn’t wholly free since the FCC requires you to co-pay $10 to $50 to get a device. You can qualify for the device, phone, and broadband discount if you meet the following eligibility criteria.
Participation in Lifeline Assistance
As a Lifeline Assistance beneficiary, you qualify for the ACP automatically. That’s because most Lifeline and ACP requirements are the same. You would need to prove that you are a Lifeline Assistance beneficiary. Besides a free tablet, you’ll enjoy the Lifeline + ACP discount.
Income Below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
You can get a free government tablet if your household income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. From time to time, the U.S Federal Government revises the poverty lines, so you must be on the lookout for any changes. Also, applicable poverty guidelines vary from one U.S. territory to another.
Below is a detailed description of the income thresholds for the ACP based on the 2022 Federal Poverty Guidelines in different states:
2022 Poverty Guidelines and ACP Income Threshold for 48 States and the District of Columbia
| No. of persons in a family or household | ACP income threshold (200% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $27,180 |
| 2 | $36,620 |
| 3 | $46,060 |
| 4 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $64,940 |
| 6 | $74,380 |
| 7 | $83,820 |
| 8 | $93,260 |
| Each additional household member | $9,440 |
So, if you live in the 48 states or the District of Columbia, your income should be under $27,180 to qualify for the ACP if you live alone. Add a family member and the income threshold rises to $9,440. That goes on as the household grows bigger and bigger.
2022 Poverty Guidelines and ACP Income Thresholds for Alaska
| No. of persons in a family or household | ACP Income threshold (200% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $33,980 |
| 2 | $45,780 |
| 3 | $57,580 |
| 4 | $69,380 |
| 5 | $81,180 |
| 6 | $92,980 |
| 7 | $104,780 |
| 8 | $116,580 |
| Each additional household member | $11,800 |
The poverty guidelines in Alaska are a bit higher than in the other 48 states. For a single-member household, the income threshold is $33,980. Every additional household member causes the income requirement to increase by $11,800.
2022 Poverty Guidelines and ACP Income Threshold for Hawaii
| No. of persons in a family or household | ACP Income Limit (200% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $31,260 |
| 2 | $42,120 |
| 3 | $52,980 |
| 4 | $63,840 |
| 5 | $74,700 |
| 6 | $85,560 |
| 7 | $96,420 |
| 8 | $107,280 |
| Each additional household member | $10,860 |
Are you a resident of Hawaii? The island state’s poverty guidelines differ from those that apply in the rest of the country. For a single-member household, the income limit is $31,260, with a $10,860 increase for each additional family member.
Participation in Government Assistance
According to the FCC, applicants for the ACP should participate in at least one of the government assistance programs to get a free tablet. Here are examples of the qualifying programs:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
- Medicaid
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program
- Federal Pell Grant (received in the current award year)
You can only apply for a free government tablet if you’re 18 or older. Also, emancipated minors may use court documents or an emancipation certificate.
Documents You Need to Get a Free Tablet
As part of applying for a free government tablet, you must submit several documents to prove your address, identity, and ACP eligibility. The papers should essentially belong to the principal applicant for the ACP. Be sure to collect the following documents:
Identification Documents
How would your provider know that it’s you applying for the ACP discount? Providing proof-of-identity documents helps the provider to be sure about that. The documents you provide should have your name and social security number:
- Driver’s License
- Social Security Number
- Birth Certificate
- U.S. Passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Federal, State, Tribal, or Military-Issued ID
- Foreign Passport
Documents to Prove Your Address
Once you have enrolled with an ACP provider, they would need to contact you from time to time. That’s why you should provide an address. Besides filling your address information into the application form, you must provide the necessary documents. Some of the documents that can help you prove your address include the following:
- Driver’s License
- Current Utility Bill
- Current Mortgage or Lease Statement
- Federal-, State-, or Tribal-Issued ID
- Recent Paycheck Stub, Income Statement, or W2
Documents to Prove Your Income
If your income is under 200% of poverty guidelines, you must provide documents to prove it. The record you provide should show your annual income and your full name. It should be an official document from your employer or the government:
- Federal, State, and Tribal tax returns for the previous financial year
- Statement of your social security benefits
- Current income statements
- Child support award, divorce decree, or any other income document
- Statement of benefits for veteran administration
- Statement of benefits for Unemployment or worker’s compensation
Proof of Government Assistance Benefit
If you already benefit from a government assistance program, provide documents proving it. Your document should contain the program’s name, your name, and the entity offering it. Besides, it should not be more than 12 months old.
You may use any of the following document types to prove your participation in a government assistance program:
- A letter of participation in Tribal, State, or Federal general assistance
- Statement of eligibility for a Tribal, State, or Federal aid
How to Apply for a Free Government Tablet
Even though you may not get a SafeLink free tablet, you can apply for it from any participating network provider. The application process is pretty the same across all ACP providers. Here is a detailed description of the process you should take:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility for the ACP
You can’t take your qualification for a free government tablet for granted. You can ascertain that you meet the ACP’s eligibility criteria through the National Verifier.
The Universal Service Administration Company (USAC) operates the National Verifier on behalf of the FCC. You may also check your eligibility for a free tablet via the ACP website.
Step 2: Choose an ECP Provider
SafeLink doesn’t provide free tablets. So, you can choose any of the network carriers that do. When selecting a provider, ensure they have services in your area and provide irresistible discounts.
Step 3: Complete the Application
If you check your eligibility on the National Verifier, you can complete your application there. Alternatively, you may use your network carrier’s website.
Follow the prompts to complete the application form and attach documents like a government-issued ID, proof of income, social security number, etc.
Step 4: Wait to Get Approved for a Tablet
It can be a while before your ACP provider approves your application for a free tablet. So, be patient. After approval, the network carrier will email you about it.
You’ll also get a notification if you’re not approved. Your network carrier will send the tablet in the mail within a few days.
Free Tablets from Non-Profit Organizations
Several charities and non-profit organizations offer free tablets to low-income families. Now that you can’t get SafeLink free tablet, you should ask for one from any of the following charity organizations:
- PCs for People
- Everyone On
- Computers for Learning
- On It Foundation
- Komputers for Kids
- Adaptive
- Causes
- Accelerated Schools Organization
- The Salvation Army
- Microsoft Registered Refurbished Devices
- Smartriverside
- World Computer Exchange
Benefits of Lifeline and ACP Programs
As part of the Lifeline and ACP programs, users can get several benefits besides a free government tablet. Benefits may differ based on your ACP provider, state government, and availability. From most of the ACP providers, you can get the following benefits:
- Free unlimited talk
- Free unlimited texts
- Monthly data of varying amounts
- Hotspot data of varying amounts
- Nationwide coverage, caller ID, voicemail, 3-way calling, and similar benefits
You may also get a free phone if you sign up for the Lifeline + ACP plan. Most of the available smartphones are entry-level Android devices. However, for some providers, you won’t get anything more than a flip phone.
The Bottom Line
Can you get SafeLink free tablet? It turns out that the network carrier doesn’t have a free tablet program. Even though it provides ACP discounts, free laptops aren’t included in the package. So, the best way to get a free government tablet is through any proven provider. Check if you meet ACP requirements and hand in your application. You’ll receive the tablet via mail and enjoy many benefits courtesy of the ACP.
FAQs
No. Even though an ACP participant, SafeLink doesn’t offer free tablets. All it has are discounts on phone services.
Yes. SafeLink offers ACP discounts on phone and broadband services for low-income families. Those living in general areas get a $50 discount per month, while those on Tribal Lands get a $75 monthly discount.
You can get a free tablet from the network carriers offering it or charitable organizations. Network carriers offer tablets via the ACP, which has a strict eligibility criterion.