Phone and Internet Assistance Programs
Lifeline (Free Smartphone Program)
Lifeline is a federal program that provides eligible low-income individuals with a free smartphone and free wireless phone service (free data, free monthly minutes and unlimited texting). This Lifeline program is operated by the federal government, and should not be confused with the state’s Lifeline utility assistance program.
Apply online through the following providers: Assurance Wireless or Safelink Wireless.
You can choose your Lifeline provider. If you already have a Lifeline smartphone, contact your provider and ask about available benefits under the Affordable Connectivity Program.
- If you are a Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare member with Horizon, Amerigroup or WellCare, you may receive extra benefits by applying with Safelink Wireless.
- If you are a Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare member with Aetna or UnitedHealthcare, you may receive extra benefits by applying with Assurance Wireless.
Note: Assurance and SafeLink offer Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program bundles that provide free, unlimited talk, text, and data plus hotspot data.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a monthly internet discount to eligible households. This program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. To be eligible, households must have a gross annual income is at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or participant in one of the qualified assistance programs.
If you already have a Lifeline smartphone, contact your provider and ask about available benefits under the Affordable Connectivity Program.
You can also:
- Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
- Contact your preferred participating provider to select a service plan and have the discount applied to your bill.