Free/Low Cost Phone Guide

Published on November 17, 2020

Illinois Lifeline Program 

The federal government created the Lifeline Assistance program for free & discounted cellphone service in 1985 for consumers enrolled/eligible for the following programs:

  • Medicaid 
  • SNAP 
  • SSI 
  • Section 8 Housing
  • Veterans & Survivors pension benefit
  • Anyone who has income under 135% of Poverty Line 

Assurance Wireless

  • FREE smartphone
  • FREE 3GB monthly data, unlimited texting, & 350 monthly minutes
  • To enroll:
    • Call: 1-888-321-5880
    • Online: https://www.assurancewireless.com/ 

Safelink Wireless

  • FREE smartphone OR FREE sim card for existing smartphone 
  • DISCOUNTED, no contract, prepaid plans 
  • Save $10 or more/month on already low prices 
  • Plans start at $15/month
  • To enroll:
    • Call: 1-800-723-3546
      • M-Sat 7AM-9PM 
    • Text: HELP to 611611 
    • Online: https://www.safelinkwireless.com/ 
    • Technical Support: 1-800-378-1684

AT&T

  • DISCOUNTED home phone OR internet service
  • To enroll:
    • Apply online https://nationalverifier.servicenowservices.com/lifeline 
    • Call AT&T at 844.275.3646 

OTHER LOW COST OPTIONS

Walmart, My Family Mobile 

  • Low cost cellphone provider 
  • Unlimited prepaid, no contract, monthly plans starting at $24.88 
  • New phones starting at $29.88
  • To enroll:
    • Any Walmart store
    • Online: https://www.myfamilymobile.com/