10 simple ways to get a free mobile phone
While mobile phones are necessary devices, they can be expensive. One has to not only spend on purchasing the phone but also pay for the service plan. These costs can quickly add up to substantial expenses, especially for those with a limited monthly budget. However, one can save on these expenses by exploring resources to get a mobile phone for free or at discounted rates. Here are some ways to get a free mobile phone. Government assistance programs One of the first resources that one can check out for free mobile phones is government assistance programs. Among these, one of the most popular is the Lifeline program. This initiative offers smartphones free of cost or even at discounted prices for those who are part of these federal programs – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamp Program) Medicaid Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Public Housing Program Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension There are several eligibility criteria one must adhere to in order to get a free mobile phone. For example, one’s earning must be less than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines of each year. This means, the earnings must be less than $16,862 for a household of one person. Also, only one person in each household is eligible to receive a free mobile phone, even if there are multiple qualifying members in the family. Carrier promotions and deals Another easy way to get a free mobile phone is through cell phone carriers. All major carriers frequently roll out promotions offering free mobile phones. These include deals for new as well as existing customers who are signing up to purchase a new line. Some carriers also offer free phones as part of their internet package deals. Most of these deals require consumers to meet certain criteria, which are quite simple.