Missouri offers free government phones and cell phone services to help low-income families stay connected to jobs, family, and emergency services. These programs are supported by the Universal Service Fund and funded through surcharges on telephone bills. Households may qualify for Lifeline if they participate in state or federal assistance programs like Food Stamps, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Section 8, TANF, and the school free lunch program. Their household income must be below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Refilling
The free Lifeline service in Missouri can help low-income households connect to family, friends, emergency services, and community resources. It is available for people who receive certain federal benefits, including MO HealthNet, SNAP food stamps, Section 8 housing, free school lunch programs, and SSI disability or supplemental security income. These benefits can be used to pay for phone or broadband service or bundled voice/broadband services.
The program has expanded to include Lifeline-supported mobile and Internet services for qualified subscribers. It is a great way to bridge the digital divide and ensure everyone has affordable communication access. Eligibility is based on household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, participation in certain government programs, or both. Subscribers must recertify their eligibility annually.
Benefits
If you are a low-income resident of Missouri, you may be eligible for programs like Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs offer phone or broadband service discounts to low-income households. You can enroll in either program by phone or online, and you will need to submit documentation to verify your eligibility. It would be best if you also recertified annually. You can find more information about both programs on different websites.
The benefits of this program are that it helps you stay connected to family and friends and access community resources and emergency services. It can also increase your chances of finding employment or receiving benefits from government programs, such as SNAP, Medicare, and SSI. To qualify for the program, you must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. You must provide proof of your household’s income, such as pay stubs or tax returns. It is important to note that you can only receive one phone or internet discount per household, not both.
Requirements
If you are a Missouri resident, you may be eligible for the government-sponsored Lifeline phone program. It provides discounted cell phone service and internet access to low-income households in the state. The program is backed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and supported by many phone service providers.
There are several requirements to meet to qualify for the program. The first requirement is to meet the income qualifications. The average household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, adjusted yearly. You can check this information on the FCC website. Households that receive government assistance, such as the SNAP food stamps program, supplemental security income disability benefits, the free school lunch program, and Section 8 housing, may also qualify for the program.
The next step is to enroll. The process varies from provider to provider, but most offer the option to sign up online or over the phone. Enrollment can take up to a week, so patience is important. Once you are enrolled, your phone and internet service should arrive within a few weeks. It would be best to recertify your eligibility each year to continue getting the discount. The National Verifier is a centralized database that checks eligibility for the Lifeline program. It is run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). You can recertify through the website or your provider’s customer portal.
Enrolling
If you’re a Missouri resident who meets certain income and program requirements, you can receive a free cell phone and discounted internet service. Reputable providers like Stand Up Wireless, Access Wireless, and Assist Wireless provide these services. They offer different plans with varying numbers of talk and text minutes, refill options, and geographic coverage areas. They also serve different state programs and have an extensive list of eligibility criteria to ensure a seamless application process.
In addition to Lifeline, the Federal Communications Commission offers the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a monthly discount on phone or broadband internet service. This discount is available to all households that meet the eligibility requirements, including those who receive Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit or SSI. It also includes a one-time discount on an internet-capable device.
Eligibility for both programs is based on household income. Applicants must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, which are updated annually. This is an important criterion to ensure that the program only aids needy households. Enrollment in assistance programs, such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Federal Public Housing, also indicates eligibility for the program. Those who are self-employed or work from home may also be eligible. The ACP is a great way to save money on mobile data and phone bills and stay connected to your family, friends, and the world.
