What is Lifeline Phone Service?

Lifeline is a government benefit that provides free cell phone service* for millions of eligible customers.  Lifeline provides free government phone service in New York service from various providers if you meet the eligibility requirements in your city. You must provide the necessary documents when you sign up to be approved for Lifeline. The program improves accessibility, enabling individuals to connect with their community and family.

Is Lifeline Free?

Yes, qualified customers can receive free cell phone service. You may qualify and get a free government phone plan in NY for Lifeline if you receive assistance from:

  • SNAP / Food Stamps
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Other government programs

You may also qualify for a free smartphone in New York with enTouch Wireless if your total household income meets the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

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SNAP / FOOD STAMPS

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MEDICAID

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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

Get FREE Monthly Talk/Text & 4.5GB!*

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New York’s #1 Choice for FREE Government Phone Service*

Servicing 36 states nationwide!

FREE PLAN*
  • 4.5GB of FREE Data
  • FREE Monthly Talk and Text
  • No Contract, No Hidden Fees

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*Promotional offer subject to eligibility for Lifeline; may be changed or withdrawn at any time; see plan page details; subject to our Terms and Conditions of Service and Agreement to Arbitrate Disputes.

Free Phone Service

Do I Qualify for FREE Phone Service?*

You may qualify for Lifeline by participating in select government assistance programs or meeting income guidelines. Check out the eligibility requirements for receiving free service in New York.

QUALIFY BY PROGRAM

Snap Icon

 SNAP / FOOD STAMPS

WHAT DO I NEED?

medicare icon

MEDICAID

WHAT DO I NEED?

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SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

WHAT DO I NEED?

VETERANS PENSION AND SURVIVORS BENEFIT

WHAT DO I NEED?

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FEDERAL PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE (FPHA)

WHAT DO I NEED?

You may qualify for Lifeline benefits and a free government cell phone plan in NY if your total household income meets the poverty guidelines for your state.

Qualify by Income in New York

Persons in Household Income
1 member $20,331
2 members $27,594
3 members $34,857
4 members $42,120
5 members $49,383
Each additional member $7,263

*Based on 135% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

DO I QUALIFY?

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Source: U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines Used to Determine Financial Eligibility for Certain Federal Programs, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, January 17, 2024. If you provide documentation that does not cover a full year (such as current paycheck stubs), you must submit three (3) consecutive months’ worth of the same type of document from the previous twelve months. NOTE: All new applicants will need to submit proof of government assistance in order to complete enrollment. There are several easy methods to submit proof eligibility; you will be able to select what method is best for you later in the signup process.

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Join The Thousands of Happy enTouch Wireless Customers

review 1

I only have good things to say about enTouch. I’ve referred several friends because enrolling is easy and I got my free phone quickly!

review 2

This program is great! I needed help getting a new phone so I signed up with entouch. This is FREE so take advantage!!!

review 3

Great product. can’t beat free phone free service and customer service is as good if not better then most companies

Join the enTouch Wireless family!

You deserve the best phone service and that is what we are committed to delivering to you!

ENROLL IN ENTOUCH WIRELESS LIFELINE SERVICE

Ohio lifeline service

Contact New York Commission

If you have unresolved issues after contacting enTouch Wireless Customer Support, you may contact:

Public Affairs Office
Empire State Plaza
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223-1350

enTouch Wireless Customer Support

Dial 611 on your Lifeline phone (Monday – Friday: 11am – 11pm ET)

  ID Guidelines

  • U.S. Driver License
  • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • U.S. Passport/U.S. Territory Passport
  • Foreign Passport
  • U.S. government, military, state or Tribal issued-ID, which includes date of birth and/or Social Security Number and/or Tribal ID
  • U.S. Military ID cards (active or reserve duty, dependent of a military member, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)
  • Common Access Card (only if designated as Active Military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)
  • Military Discharge documentation, which includes date of birth and/or Social Security Number and/or Tribal ID
  • Northern Mariana Card
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Permanent Resident Alien Card
  • Permanent Resident Re-Entry Permit
  • Temporary Resident Identification Card
  • Employment Authorization Card
  • Mexican Consular Card (Matricula Consular - 2006, 2014, 2015 and later versions)

 

*All forms of ID must be valid and used before expiration date.

Qualify by income and provide one of the following as proof.

  • Prior Year’s State, Federal or Tribal Tax Return
  • Unemployment/Workers' Compensation Benefits Statement
  • Divorce Decree or Child Support Documents
  • Veterans Administration Benefits Statement
  • Current Income Statement from Employer or Paycheck Stubs
  • Retirement/Pension Benefits Statement
  • Social Security Benefits Statement

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)

BIA Award letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Address of the beneficiary
  • Date of the award

Tribal Head Start

Head Start Award letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Address of the beneficiary
  • Date of the award

Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

TANF Award letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Address of the beneficiary
  • Date of the award

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Notice of Action (award letter) acknowledging eligibility for FDPIR benefits;

  • Name of the beneficiary;
  • The beginning and ending dates of the award or certification period; and
  • The telephone number of the Food Distribution Program office, and the name and address of the person to contact for additional information.

OR

FDPIR participation documents(e.g., a benefit card or copy of a benefit card);

  • Name of the beneficiary
  • The beginning and ending dates of the award or certification period; and
  • The telephone number of the Food Distribution Program office, and the name and address of the person to contact for additional information.

Lifeline Program

Due to sharing many of the same eligibility requirements those currently enrolled in the lifeline program may qualify for The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) also.

 

Medi-Cal / Medicaid

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Address of the beneficiary, and
  • Date of the award

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Medical Identification number, OR
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

CalFresh / Food Stamps / SNAP

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

Pension Grant Letter should contain the following basic information:

  • Participant’s name
  • Address
  • A decision about the participant’s monthly entitlement amount
  • Payment start date

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

FPHA award letter should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Date of the award,
  • Name of the beneficiary, and
  • Award amount.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Approval Letter or Benefit Statement issued by the SSA or on SSA letterhead.

  • Consumer’s name
  • Date
  • Eligibility Date
  • Claim number OR Other consumer identification number
  • Payment amount

Medicaid / Medi-Cal

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Address of the beneficiary, and
  • Date of the award

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Medical Identification number, OR
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

SNAP / Food Stamps / CalFresh

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

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  Eligibility Documents

  • Current or prior year's statement of benefits from a qualifying state, federal or Tribal Program.
  • Notice letter of participation in a qualifying state, federal or Tribal Program.
  • Program participation documents.
  • Another official document evidencing the consumer's participation in a qualifying state, federal or Tribal Program.
  • Unemployment Documentation (notice of unemployment benefit payment or notice of successfully submitted application for unemployment benefits)
  • Copy of last year's State or Federal income tax return.
  • 3 consecutive months' worth of your most current pay stubs.
  • Social Security benefits statement. Veterans Administration benefits statement.
  • Retirement/Pension benefits statement.
  • Divorce decree or child support document.
  • Unemployment/Workers' Compensation benefits statement.