South Carolina Free Government Cell Phone Service Guide
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, you may qualify for South Carolina free government cell phone service! This article will help you understand the background of the program, the benefits, the qualifications, and if the program can help you.
History of Lifeline – South Carolina Free Government Cell Phone Service
The Federal Lifeline program has helped consumers get free or discounted phone service since 1984. The program is administered by a nonprofit corporation called the Universal Service Administrative Company. Lifeline originally only provided free or discount land line service, but now cell phones are included as an option.
Benefits of South Carolina Free Government Cell Phone Service
The Lifeline cell phone program provides free minutes every month. Many Lifeline service providers, such as Q Link Wireless, participate in the program and offer voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, 911 access, and customer support as part of the free package. It’s important to compare cell phone providers who offer this service because additional minutes and services vary from one carrier to another. You should add additional paid minutes if you expect to go over the free minutes. Most providers charge a higher per-minute fee than you would pay for a block of more prepaid minutes.
Do You Qualify for South Carolina Free Government Cell Phone Service?
Lifeline qualifications vary from state to state. You may be eligible for free government cell phone service if you already participate in a government program such as Medicaid or Food Stamps (see below for other programs). Specific government assistant programs vary by state, but these are the most popular government programs in South Carolina that will also qualify you for Lifeline free cell phone service:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps)
- Supplemental Security income (SSI)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8 voucher)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- National School Lunch Program (Free Lunch Program only)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Most other government assistance programs (varies by state)
You also may qualify for free cell phone service in South Carolina if you have low income. Typically, if your total household income is at or below your state’s Federal Poverty Guidelines (varies by state), then you may qualify for Lifeline. See South Carolina’s Federal Poverty Guidelines here.
You may only have one Lifeline service. That means if you receive a land line subsidy, you must cancel that before applying for the free cell phone service.
Is South Carolina Free Cell Phone Service Right for Me?
As long as you meet the program qualifications, there is no reason why you shouldn’t participate in the Lifeline program. The government has set up this program to help every American afford telecommunications services, regardless of their income.
Sign Up for Free Government Cell Phone Service
The online application is different for every Lifeline free government service provider, but the process usually involves the steps below:
- Enter personal information, such as your name and address.
- Enter information that proves your identity (usually your SSN).
- Select the government assistant program you currently participate in. If you do not currently participate in a government program, the application will then let you apply with low income.
- Select the Lifeline service plan you want from the provider. Most providers offer more than one type of Lifeline service plan for you to choose from. If there is only one option, this step may not show up in the online application.
- Submit proof document(s) that show you either participate in a government assistance program, or you have low income. Your Lifeline provider will help with providing the proof documentation. If you need help submitting documents, you should contact your Lifeline provider.
Do you qualify for free cell phone service? You can claim your free government cell phone service in just minutes. Simply click below to apply online for Lifeline!
