Through the Lifeline Wireless program, Tag Mobile is one of America’s leading providers of free government phones. The program targets the poorest Americans with free devices and subsidized phone services from select network carriers.
Anyone can qualify for a Tag Mobile free phone by meeting the stringent criteria for Lifeline Assistance as laid out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However, since the company’s services cover 19 states, Tag Mobile’s free government phones are unavailable nationwide.
So, how do you get a free phone from Tag Mobile via Lifeline Wireless? This article discusses everything you need to know about the program – qualification criteria and application process – to make getting a free device easier.
How Can Get a Tag Mobile Free Government Phone
Tag Mobile free phones are for people participating in government assistance programs, live on tribal lands, or are from low-income families. The following ate the different ways you can qualify for a free phone through Lifeline Assistance.
1. Participation in a Government Assistance Program
Do you or a family member participate in a government assistance program? Chances are that you automatically qualify for a Tag Mobile free government phone. If your family hasn’t already gotten one (Lifeline Assistance offers only one phone per family), you come from the covered 19 states.
The following are some of the government assistance programs that can qualify you for a free phone from Tag Mobile:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- National School Lunch (NSL) Free Lunch Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Plan
2. Residence on Tribal Lands
People from poor households living on Tribal Lands can qualify for a free phone through Tag Mobile Lifeline Assistance if they participate in specific assistance programs. The following are the Tribal assistance programs that can make you qualify:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Federal Head Start
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
3. Living in a Low-Income Household
If you’re enrolled in any of the programs above, it is evident that you come from a low-income family. So, you would need to prove that you or a household member participates in a government assistance program.
Otherwise, you must show that your aggregate household income is below 135% of the current Federal Government Poverty Guidelines. If you’re alone in your household, you’ll qualify for a free phone if your annual income is below $12,760.
With each additional household member, the low-income cap raises by $4,480. That means that multi-member households could find it easier to qualify for a free phone via Lifeline Assistance.
States Where to Get a Tag Mobile Free Phone
Tag Mobile offers free phones in the 19 states where its network is available. The eligibility program may change depending on the requirements of the state government. Most states have the same criteria except California, Nevada, and Texas.
Here is the complete list of the states where you can get a Tag Mobile free government phone:
| Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Iowa | Kentucky |
| Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri |
| Nevada | Oklahoma | Pennsylvania |
| South Carolina | Texas | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin |
How to Apply for a Tag Mobile Free Phone Via Lifeline Assistance
You can apply for a free government if you live in any of the 19 states listed above. Applicants must visit the Tag Mobile official website, where they’ll fill out a form with their details and attach documents proving their eligibility for Lifeline Assistance.
The following is the procedure for applying for a Tag Mobile free phone:
Step 1: Checking for Eligibility
You shouldn’t take your qualification for Lifeline Assistance for granted. Instead, you should check if, indeed, you qualify. Whether you are eligible because of a low income or participation in government or tribal assistance, you can use the National Verifier to check your eligibility.
The National Verifier is a USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) program. Once you enter your information into the USAC website, you’ll get information on whether you qualify. If you do, move to the next steps.
Step 2: Pick a Lifeline Provider
At this stage, you should pick a Lifeline Assistance provider. If you live in any of the 19 states listed above, you can choose Tab Mobile. Apart from a free phone, you’ll also get subsidized voice, text, and data services. For can then apply for a free telephone Via the Tag Mobile.
Step 3: Apply for a Tag Mobile Free Phone
Now that you are eligible and have chosen Tag Mobile as your Lifeline Assistance provider, you can apply for a free phone. First, open the Tag Mobile website and select Lifeline. Then, click Enroll when it appears in the drop-down menu.
Alternatively, you can use this link: tag mobile Lifeline to go directly to the online form. Then, fill out the application form online or in-person in an authorized Tag Mobile dealer or agent. Also, you could fill out a form and fax it to 1-972-488-8636.
To complete the application, you must attach personal, income, and program-specific documents to prove your eligibility. For the online application, please take photos of the documents and submit them together with the application. Physical applications may require taking copies of documents and attaching them to the application form.
The following are the different categories of documents you need to submit:
Proof of Identity
Whether you qualify because of participation in government assistance for low income, you need to prove your identity. Without that, your qualification is null and void. Here are the documents to attach to your application to verify your identity:
- Driving license
- Passport
- A state-issued photo ID
- Birth certificate
- Social security card
- Certificate of naturalization
- Certificate of U.S. citizenship
- U.S. permanent resident card
- Military discharge documentation
Proof of Household Income
If your participation in Lifeline Assistance is because of your income, you must provide documents proving the same. In that case, you’ll need to confirm that your household income is under 135% of the current Federal Poverty guidelines. The following are some of the documents you can submit towards that:
- Unemployment benefits claim
- Social security benefits documentation
- Three latest pay stubs
- Employer-generated statement of annual income
- Tax returns for the previous financial year
- Child support documentation
- Divorce decree
Remember to provide income documents for three months within the last 12 months of the payment period.
Proof of Participation in Government Assistance
Do you qualify for Lifeline Assistance courtesy of participation in government assistance? You should submit documents proving the same. The documents you submit should indicate the name of the benefit qualifying person (BQP), the name of the program, and the college, university, school district, school, program administrator, a tribal entity, or government that issued the document. The document’s issue date should be within the last 12 months or have a future expiration date.
Step 4: Wait for a Tag Mobile Free Phone
Although you checked your eligibility for Lifeline Assistance before applying, Tag Mobile will still scrutinize your application. If the mobile carrier approves your application, its customer support team will call you about the same.
It could be days or weeks before receiving your phone. The waiting period depends on the availability of a free phone. Once you get a free phone, you should verify eligibility for continued participation in the program every 12 months. Once your income increases, Tag Mobile will cancel your participation in discounted call, text, and data services.
Tag Mobile Lifeline Assistance Phone Plans
The phone plans you get on Lifeline Assistance depend on your residence. Thus, some Lifeline Assistance participants may end up paying for phone services like their high-income counterparts. Here are two ways in which eligible customers benefit from Tag Mobile:
1. 500MB 4G LTE Data
For the first three months after getting a Tag Mobile free phone, eligible customers get 500MB 4G LTE monthly data. From the fourth month onwards, they get 1GB of monthly data. However, once they exceed 500MB, the speed reduces to 2G or 3G.
The package applies to Tag Mobile customers living in California only. Residents of the other 18 states won’t get this package. It also includes unlimited talk and monthly global messaging, which helps them stay in touch with their loved ones and professional contacts.
2. 1,000 Free Minutes
If you live in any other state (other than California), you’ll get 1,000 minutes of unlimited talk time monthly. Also included in the package are unlimited free texts monthly. This category of customers doesn’t get any data package.
How to Activate a Tag Mobile Free Government Phone
After qualifying for a Tag Mobile free phone could be days before you receive the device. When you do, a free SIM card will be in the package. After that, you’ll need to activate the phone on the Tag Mobile network to start using it.
Here is the straightforward procedure for activating your free mobile phone:
- Step 1: Unpack your phone and SIM card. Turn off the phone.
- Step 2: Check the phone’s SIM slot. Determine the SIM size that fits into the slot.
- Step 3: Reduce the SIM card to the correct size and slot it into the phone.
- Step 4: Turn on the phone. Please wait for it to boot. It should get activated automatically.
- Step 5: Make a test call and ensure that the phone is working properly
- Step 6: If you run into issues or need further measures to activate the phone, call the Tag Mobile customer support team at 1-866-959-4918. Explain the problem and follow instructions to activate your phone entirely.
Remember to bring an unlocked device if you’re joining the Tag Mobile Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) program. Then, you can follow the instructions on the Tag Mobile website to activate the phone.
Perhaps your Tag Mobile account got closed. Then, you can also activate it. However, you must wait for at least 30 days from the date of account activation. Calling Tag Mobile customer service at 1-866-959-4918 should get you started.
Tag Mobile Compatible Phones
Lifeline Eligible customers can get various Tag Mobile compatible phones depending on the location. For example, in California, customers may receive a flip phone or smartphone. However, in other states, applicants only get an essential phone.
You can’t know what type of phone you’ll receive for free. However, it does not harm to contact Tag Line customer support to find the available phones. If the available phone models do not meet your expectations, don’t hesitate to purchase a better one (if you have the money).
Alternatively, you could bring your phone from another network provider. In that case, you’ll need to ascertain that your phone is Tag Mobile compatible. The phones should, of necessity, work with GSM network technology. Here are some of the Tag Mobile compatible phones:
- Moto G Fast
- Samsung Galaxy A11
- Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Nokia X100
- TCL V 5G
- Alcatel Go Flip V
- TCL 20 XE
- TCL 30 XR 5G
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone SE (2022)
- Apple iPhone SE (2020)
- Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
When bringing a phone from another network, you can check for compatibility on the Tag Mobile network. Alternatively, call Tag Mobile customer support at 1-866-959-4918 to check your phone for compatibility.
Bottom Line
You can get a Tag Mobile free phone if you qualify for Lifeline Assistance. The eligibility criteria for Lifeline assistance include participation in government or tribal aid or having a low household income. After checking your eligibility, you can apply for a free phone via the Tag Mobile. You may or may not get approved for a phone.
If your application is successful, you should expect the phone in a full ten business days. Alternatively, you could bring one of the Tag Mobile compatible phones when moving from another network.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Lifeline Assistance is the only way to get a free phone from Tag Mobile. If you can’t, you can buy a cheaper phone for between $70 and $90.
Yes, a Tag Mobile free government phone is good. In some states, you may get an essential phone. However, if you reside in California, you may get a smartphone.
After approval of your application, you should wait to receive your phone in 7 to 10 business days. After that, tag Mobile will mail the phone to you.