There are several ways that you can qualify for a free government cell phone. Here are some of the more common
ways that you can qualify and then some ways that you might not have heard of before.
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Your annual income is under the minimum which is set for your state
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You qualify for general assistance with the Bureau of Indian Affairs
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You qualify for federal housing assistance under Section 8
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You qualify for the food distribution program which is on Indian
reservations
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You are using SNAP or food stamps
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You qualify for the low-income home energy assistance program
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You are on Medicaid
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You use TANF or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
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You use the national school lunch free program
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You're using the Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families
You may not participate in any of these federal or state programs. There are other ways that you can qualify for
a free government cell phone. Many states offer unique Public Assistance programs and if you participate in
these programs you can also qualify for your cell phone. Here is a summary state to state about assistant
programs which you might decide to participate in and if you do participate you will receive automatic
qualification for the free government cell phone program.
Arizona
Telephone assistance for the medically needy is a program provided by Arizona it will help you if you can't
afford a phone and have it some sort of medical condition. You can receive substantial savings through this
program
California
Calworks
This program comes from the California Department of Social works. This is a well folk program that will give
services and cash aid to California families that are needy. It serves all of the 58 counties in the state and
it is operated on a local basis by the County welfare departments.
StanWorks
To ensure that communities are stronger CSA is working with Stanislaus County so people have a safe place to
access food, place to live, opportunities to work, and adequate healthcare.
Welfare to Work/GAIN
This program was developed to help those that are in Calworks find and keep a job. They will pay for job
expenses so you can keep working. They may also help you get job training and also help you upgrade to a
higher-paying job so you have more money.
Women, Infants and Children Program
The WIC Program is a nutrition and health program for children, infants, and women. It provides nutrition
education and IT issues checks 4 healthy foods. It also makes referrals to community services and health care
options. To be a part of this program you have to meet income guidelines, be a new mother, pregnant woman,
children or infant under the age of five. There are 84 WIC in California which provides services on a local
basis to over 1.3 million participants each month and they operate over 600 sites throughout California.
Georgia
Senior Citizen Low-Income Discount Plan
This program helps senior citizens receive a discount on telephone bills, electric bills, gasoline, and so on
with a senior citizens discount. Atlanta Gas Light Company, Liberty Utilities, and the Georgia Power Company
will offer seniors discounts based on their income and age. If you qualify for any of these discounts you can
also get a free government cell phone.
Maine
Maine Care
Maine Care which is free or low-cost health care coverage. Many elderly people in the area don't receive this
low-cost health coverage. Both of you or your child may be covered under this program and would be able to
receive a free government cell phone.
Maryland
Electrical Universal Service Program
This is a program offered by the state that can help electric company customers pay off their electric bill.
Money is sent to your electric company which is used to pay your electric bill. You can also be eligible for
assistance which will pay electric bills that are past due, and you may also get referrals to energy-efficient
measures which can help reduce your electric bills in the future. If you qualify EUSP you may also be able to
sign up for the USPP or Utility Service Protection Program which can help you avoid having your utilities cut
off for unpaid bills. Households that are eligible for EUSP could also qualify for MEAP which is the Maryland
Energy Assistance Program. This helps customers meet their cooling and heating costs and there is also another
program called WAP which is the Weatherization Assistance Program. This provides free caulking, weather
stripping, and other products to keep your house comfortable as well as fuel efficient.
Maryland Energy Assistance Program
MEAP Refers to the Maryland energy assistance program. On a national basis, it is known as LIHEAP or the
low-income home energy assistance program. This program is federally funded which will help households which
have a low income to pay their home energy bills. This program can help you stay warm in the winter and then
cool in the summertime. This can help you avoid eviction, prevent fires, and keep you from getting ill because
your home will be protected. The program also offers you other types of assistance such as energy crisis
assistance, bill payment assistance, energy-related home repairs, and weatherization of your home.
Temporary Cash Assistance
TCA is the Maryland is a Temporary Cash Assistance Program. It is also known as the TANF or temporary assistance
for needy families. This program was developed federally to help families in need achieve their
self-sufficiency. States will receive grants to help them operate in design programs to accomplish the purposes
of TANF. The four purposes of the program Include giving assistance to families so that children can be cared
for in the home. It reduces the dependency of needy parents by promoting work, marriage, and job preparation. It
works to reduce or prevent the incidents of pregnancies that occur out of marriage. It also encourages the
formation of two-parent families and the maintenance of those families.
Massachusetts
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children
The Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children is called the EAEDC program. This program provides
benefits to those who are eligible. To be eligible you need to be a legal immigrant, US citizen, or cannot work
due to mental incapacity or physical incapacity which will last at least 60 days. This has to meet the
department established medical standards for disability. Other requirements that meet the program include being
over 65 and waiting for SSI payments, caring for a child in the home that's not related to the resident, being a
participant in the Mass Rehabilitation Commission program or you are required to be in the home to care of a
person who is incapacitated and that person would need to be in an institution if you didn't look after
them.
MassHealth
CHIP which is the Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as Medicaid participants are enrolled in one
program which is called MassHealth. Those in this program change it hospital stays, prescription drugs, doctor's
visits, and other medical services at little or no cost to them.
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children
TAFDC or Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children can provide cash benefits which are time limited
to families that have pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy or two families that have dependent
children.to qualify, the recipient must meet asset limits as well as income limits and live in Massachusetts.
They must be a legal immigrant are US citizen. They have to apply to for a social security number or have a
social security number.
Minnesota
The MFIP Minnesota Family Investment Program can help families that have children that meet their basic needs.
It can help parents reach financial stability through their work. Parents will be expected to work and are
supported in both food and cash assistance when they need it. Most families will have a lifetime limit on this
program of 60 months.
Missouri
MO HealthNet
The MO Healthnet Program helps monitor and provides healthcare services for vulnerable citizens and those with
low incomes in the state of Missouri. The agency Works to ensure that they get quality healthcare. They work to
develop standards setting, enforcement, service delivery systems, and education through their participants and
providers.
Oklahoma
You must be certified by the Oklahoma Tax Commission to participate receive benefits or receive assistance which
is pursuant to the sales tax relief act.
In order to file for sales tax relief, you must physically live in Oklahoma and be an Oklahoma resident for an
entire year. The total gross income for your household cannot exceed the $20,000 unless the following applies.
you claim an exemption for your dependent, or you are 65 years of age or older by the year 12/31/06. You can
also apply if you have a physical disability that is a handicap to your employment. If any of this applies to
you the total gross how code limit can be increased to $50,000.
State Department Of Rehabilitation Certified Program Which Provides Benefits Or Vocational Rehabilitation
Assistance Including Those That Are Hearing Impaired
VR or Vocational Rehabilitation services provides services that are individualized which support and enhances
individuals that have disabilities so they can obtain, prepare for, and retain employment. An individual works
with a VR counselor throughout the entire process. The individual will actively participate in their
rehabilitation. Those with disabilities can achieve more independence and their living environments and their
workspace when they work with a counselor.
Head Start Program
Head Start is a program developed federally which promotes the Readiness of children from their birth to the age
of five for families that have low income. It works to enhance the social, cognitive, and emotional development
of these children. The Head Start program provides an environment for learning to support children's growth in
areas such as literacy, language, emotional, and social development. The program emphasizes the role of the
parents as the child's most important teacher. The program works to develop relationships with families and then
supports these families well-being. The guidelines for this Federal program are here.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to Elderly
RIPAE Is the pharmaceutical assistance to the elderly program. This will pay some of the costs of approved
medications which are purchased during the Medicare Part D deductible phase and might offer partial
reimbursement to others. If you are Rhode Island resident in 65 years or older and meet the income guidelines
you will need to provide the Medicare Part D enrollment verification, proof of residency in Rhode Island, and
proof of your age. If you are an adult with a disability under aged 55 to 64 and receive Social Security
disability payments, you may also be algebra and need to provide of your Rhode Island residency. You will also
need to provide SSDI eligibility documentation and enrollment verification through Medicare Part D.
RI Works
This is a program that encourages adults to work and offers services as well as benefits. Cash assistance will
be provided to families in need if they meet certain guidelines. Although healthcare is no longer provided
through the program most of the clients can be eligible for Medicare. Job training or finding work assistance is
also available through the program. On the program, you could also be eligible for SNAP or food assistance. For
those that are preparing for employment, they can also receive reimbursement for their bus passes or other
transportation needs.
West Virginia
School Clothing Allowance
Children that are eligible can receive $200 via a voucher to purchase their new school clothing. If you are a
family and has a child 18 or under you may be eligible for cash assistance. If you don't know if you're eligible
you can apply, and you will be told. You don't need to apply for your cash benefits to get the clothing voucher.
All you need to be is a family that would be eligible even if you didn't apply for them. You're able to get
vouchers for clothing even if you're not applying for cash assistance.
WV Children's Health Insurance Program (WV CHIP)
The WV CHIP Program was created to help families that are working that don't have health insurance for their
children. If you want your children to be healthy you need to ensure that they get medical care. Children that
receive proper medical care have a better chance to do well in school because they are healthy. The services
that are covered by WV CHIP include immunizations, hospital visits, doctor's visits, checkups, prescriptions,
x-rays, tests, dental care, emergency care vision care, diabetic supplies, mental health, urgent care, after
hour clinic visits, and case management for children that have special needs as well as other services.
Wisconsin
BadgerCare
This is a program for healthcare cost reimbursement and came into effect on July 1st, 1999. It provides health
care coverage to those in Wisconsin have employers that didn't provide it for them and make too much money to be
covered by the Medicare program.
WI Homestead Tax Credit (Schedule H)
This program is a tax benefit for homeowners and renters who have moderate or low incomes. It is designed to
lessen the impact of property and rental taxes. Those that qualify can get back most or all of their state taxes
that were withheld during the year.
Wisconsin Works
This program is available to parents that have minor children who have a family income which is below 115% of
the federal poverty level or FPL. Those that are W-2 eligible will meet with a financial and employment planner
who will help that individual develop a plan for employment.