Whether you live in Missouri or another state, the state’s government phone service has various plans. These options include Lifeline, Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are a great way to get a reliable wireless connection for your home or business.
Government Phone Service
Lifeline
Whether you are having trouble paying your phone bill or have a child diagnosed with a health condition, you may qualify for free government smartphones in Missouri. Several programs offer cell phone service to low-income families, including the Affordable Connectivity Program. You may also be eligible for discounted landline service or free text and talk. The Federal Communications Commission administers these services.
Lifeline is a government assistance program that provides free phone credit to qualifying low-income Americans. The Federal Communications Commission administers the program and is backed by the federal universal service fund. It helps make phone and broadband services more affordable for lower-income households.
You must meet the program’s eligibility requirements based on income level and household size to be eligible. In Missouri, the minimum income requirement for a single person is $27,180 annually. If more people are in the household, the maximum income eligibility increases.
For eligible subscribers, the plan they choose may vary. The service they get will include the option to have add-on purchases. The speed of data used will also depend on the service they desire.
Affordable Connectivity Program
Designed to benefit low-income Americans, the Affordable Connectivity Program offers discounts on broadband service and specific connected devices. As of November 7, almost 14.8 million households were enrolled in the program.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) administers the program in partnership with the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC). Its primary function is to provide free phone credits to qualifying households. The program has grown 60 percent since it was established in 2021.
There are several ways to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The first is through a government subsidy. Applicants must prove their annual income is below $27,180. In addition, they must also participate in a few other assistance programs.
The Affordable Connectivity Program has several service providers in Missouri, including TAG Mobile. TAG is one of the state’s leading providers of government-assisted Lifeline cell phone services. Applicants can apply for the program online.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an excellent way for low-income Missouri residents to lower their wireless service bills. Participants can save up to $75 a month for their wireless service. The program also offers a one-time discount of up to $100 on internet-capable devices.
Safelink Wireless
Thousands of Missouri residents can receive a free government phone through the Safelink Wireless program. The company’s free service is designed to help low-income families with their monthly bills. The phone offers a variety of features, including text messaging, caller ID, and unlimited access to 911.
The federal government and the FCC have made available several programs that provide free phones and internet service to individuals and families in need. These include the Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP) and the Lifeline phone service.
The FCC has designated specific companies to provide free service. In Missouri, TracFone has launched the Safelink Wireless(r) program. The company will offer eligible customers 68 free months of airtime minutes. It is also the only provider in the state to provide no-contract wireless.
Safelink will deliver the phones to the household, not post office boxes. The company requires a valid US mailing address to qualify for the service. The application process is simple and quick, and applying online is a good idea.
Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a government-run wireless provider in the Midwest that offers free phone service to the unbanked and underbanked. It has a good business model and is an excellent place to get your hands on a cell phone. They are also known to have some of the best customer services around. They offer a monthly plan that includes voice and data. Assurance also has free Android Smartphones for Lifeline customers. Unfortunately, they may be experiencing inventory shortages of the handsets.
Among the many wireless providers in the area, Assurance Wireless may be the best. They have a free mobile phone for Lifeline customers and a free smartphone for those that opt for a monthly plan. In addition, they offer free data for their subscribers. They will even expedite shipments of their phones. The company is known to have the best customer service of any primary carrier in the Midwest. They are also a good option for those looking to cut the cord on their landline phones and switch to a smartphone.
AirVoice Wireless
Founded in 1999, Airvoice Wireless is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that uses the AT&T network for its plans. It offers prepaid cell phone plans with data, voice, and text. These plans can be purchased directly from Airvoice or through third-party resellers. They also provide international calling separately.
If you are a qualified Missouri subscriber, you may be eligible to receive a discounted rate on your phone service through Lifeline. This program helps people with low incomes obtain cell phones through the government. It is a program regulated by the FCC. Some of the qualifying programs include Medicaid, Social Security Income, Veteran pensions, and Federal Public Housing Assistance. Those who qualify are limited to one phone per household.
While most of the plans offered by Airvoice Wireless include unlimited talk, text, and data, only half of the data is available at 4G LTE/5G speeds. The remaining 2GB is throttled to 128Kbps. If you need more data, you will have to pay the standard monthly fee or upgrade to a higher plan.
