subject: How To Get A Free Cell Phone [print this page] The cost of owing a cell phone can be quite high. Most cell phone plans can cost anywhere from 50 to 100 bucks a month. For a lot of poor folks, this is just too expensive.
Even though cell phones are expensive, most people own a cell phone. It may seem as though cell phones are not really necessary, but in fact, cell phones can be very useful especially in emergency situations. The government feels that people should have free cell phones for those emergency situations.
Free phones are for people that are considered living in poverty and therefore your household income is used to determine whether you get a phone or not. You can determine your eligibility by whether or not you are receiving other government assistance. If so, then you get a free phone.
Although you are getting a free phone with free minutes, there is a cap on the amount of minutes you can use per month. Usually, it is about one hour depending on the state that you reside in. If you want to go above that limit, then you would have to buy more minutes.
There is no limit as to the length of time you can participate in the free phone program. But in order to continue participating in the program every year, you have to show proof of your household income. If it is not below 125% of the poverty line, then you are out of the program
Find a free cell phone provider that serves your state. This program may not be running in all states yet, so check and make sure that it is.
Once you get in touch with a service provider, fill out their application and send it with the proof of your income. Give them a copy of your tax return, pay stub, or W2.
Once you get signed up in the program, check your minute usage each month. They do not give you many minutes so if you run out for the month then you are out unless you buy more minutes.
