What is Lifeline Phone Service?

The Lifeline program in Texas is a low-income telephone assistance program that provides free cell phone and home phone services* to millions of eligible customers. To participate in the program, a qualified individual or family with an income at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines can fill out a Texas Lifeline application. Once approved, they become eligible to benefit from the Lifeline services.

You may qualify for Texas Lifeline cell phone service if you receive assistance from:

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

You may also qualify for the Lifeline program in Texas 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)

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Servicing 37 states nationwide!

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*Promotional offer subject to eligibility for Lifeline; may be changed or withdrawn at any time; see plan page details; subject to our Terms and Conditions of Service and Agreement to Arbitrate Disputes.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

You may qualify for the Lifeline program in Texas by participating in select government assistance programs or meeting income guidelines. After you’re approved, you can connect with people in your community more effectively through cost-saving services offered by Texas Lifeline service providers. This connection is facilitated with tailored plans that consider your per-month income, ensuring accessibility and continuity of service.

QUALIFY BY PROGRAM

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 SNAP / FOOD STAMPS

WHAT DO I NEED?

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MEDICAID/Medi-Cal

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 if your total household income meets the poverty guidelines for your state. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for Lifeline in Texas, you can always request more info and learn specific details about the enrollment process.

Qualify by Income in Texas

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.

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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 of eligibility; you will be able to select what method is best for you later in the signup process.

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

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

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

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

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FAQs

Wondering, “What is Texas Lifeline’s enrollment process, and whether you’re eligible?” To help low-income Texas families better understand if they qualify for free talk, text, and data, the frequently asked questions below may clarify the Texas Lifeline program rules and requirements.

What documents do I need to apply to verify my eligibility?

When you apply for Lifeline in Houston, Austin, Dallas, or other parts of Texas, you usually need to provide various documents in a self-enrollment form, such as recertification, re-verification, income documentation, etc. But to help keep Americans connected during the pandemic, the FCC has waived these requirements for Lifeline program Texas subscribers.

How is “household” defined by the Texas Lifeline program?

The Texas Lifeline program defines a household as any group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Only one individual is eligible for Texas Lifeline phone services in these situations. At the same time, the same individual can’t receive discounts on both Texas Lifeline phone service and Lifeline internet in Texas 

Do I need to recertify for Texas Lifeline service?

Yes, Lifeline participants must recertify on an annual basis via a form to confirm eligibility for Texas Lifeline phone service. enTouch Wireless will remind customers to recertify their Lifeline phone service when the FCC revives the national requirement.

Who do I contact if I have issues with my Texas Lifeline phone or service?

For issues with your device or enTouch’s Texas Lifeline free phone service, please contact Texas Lifeline customer service Monday – Friday: 10am – 10pm CT by dialing 611 on your Lifeline phone or 866.488.8719 from any phone.

For Lifeline phone issues unresolved after contacting enTouch Wireless Customer Support, please contact the Texas Utilities Commission, Public Utilities Office at:

1701 N. Congress Avenue
PO Box 13326
Austin, TX 78711-3326

Phone: 512.936.7000

Texas Toll Free: 1.888.782.8477

Email: customer@puc.texas.gov

You can also check out https://entouchwireless.com/lifeline/ to learn more about getting phone and data internet service and obtaining a Texas Lifeline phone number with enTouch Wireless.

Contact Texas Commission

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

Public Utilities Office:
1701 N. Congress Avenue
PO Box 13326
Austin, TX 78711-3326

enTouch Wireless Customer Support

Dial 611 on your Lifeline phone (Monday – Friday: 10am – 10pm CT)

  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

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.