Official Lifeline rules
Use USAC and Lifeline Support for federal eligibility, documentation, household, transfer and recertification requirements.
resource
Lifeline and Free Government Phone Resource Center
Explore current Lifeline eligibility, EBT, Medicaid, free iPhone, free 5G phone, documents, BYOD, transfer, recertification and compatibility guides.
Gov iPhone resource center
Learn the Lifeline rules behind free government phone and iPhone offers
This resource center connects official Lifeline program rules with the real provider decisions customers face: how to qualify, what documents may be requested, how EBT or Medicaid fits, how a free iPhone promotion works, whether a phone is compatible, and how to transfer or recertify the benefit.
Benefit, household rules and provider roles.
Who qualifiesLifeline Eligibility GuidePrograms, income and household rules.
High-intent guideFree Phone With EBT / SNAPWhat EBT means for Lifeline eligibility.
High-intent guideFree Phone With MedicaidMedicaid eligibility and provider phone offers.
Device intentFree 5G Government Phone5G phone, coverage and offer requirements.
Apple devicesFree iPhone Through LifelineHow iPhone promotions differ from Lifeline.
VerificationLifeline DocumentsIdentity, address, program and income proof.
Existing subscriberTransfer Lifeline ServiceMove the benefit between providers.
Stay enrolledLifeline RecertificationContinued eligibility and official notices.
Gov iPhone provider steps
Use Gov iPhone for the actual wireless plan, device promotion, application intake, fulfillment, activation and customer support.
Go directly to the question you are trying to answer
I have SNAP / EBT
Learn why SNAP can qualify for Lifeline and what a free-phone provider offer adds.
Learn more →I have Medicaid
Understand the Medicaid qualification route and separate device promotion.
Learn more →I want an iPhone
Compare free iPhone request pages and current promotional conditions.
Learn more →I already have Lifeline
Review transfer, keep-your-number and recertification guidance.
Learn more →I already own an iPhone
Check BYOD and iPhone compatibility instead of taking another device.
Learn more →I need help now
Use Gov iPhone support for provider issues or Lifeline Support for federal eligibility issues.
Learn more →Resource center questions
Where should I start if I want a free government iPhone?+
Start with Lifeline eligibility, then review iPhone options and the Gov iPhone provider application. A specific $0 iPhone is a provider promotion, not a federal guarantee.
What is the difference between Lifeline and Gov iPhone?+
Lifeline is the federal benefit program. Gov iPhone LLC is a private wireless service business that handles the provider application, service offer, device promotion, fulfillment and support.
Can EBT or Medicaid qualify me?+
SNAP and Medicaid are recognized Lifeline qualifying programs. EBT itself is a benefits-delivery method commonly associated with SNAP.
Where can I learn about keeping my number or transferring Lifeline?+
Use the transfer and keep-your-number guides in this resource center before changing providers.
Gov iPhone next step
Ready to move from research to the provider step?
Check eligibility, compare phone options and start the Gov iPhone application when you are ready.
Device resource collections
Phone, tablet and laptop guides.
Move from eligibility questions to a category request without confusing the Lifeline service benefit with a separate provider device promotion.
Tablet resources
Free government tablet guideTablet with EBT or SNAPTablet with MedicaidiPad request guideLaptop resources
Free laptop request guideLaptop with EBT or SNAPLaptop with MedicaidMacBook request guidePhone categories
iPhone optionsSamsung phone requestsGoogle Pixel requestsMotorola requestsProgram information from primary sources
Federal program claims on Gov iPhone are supported with USAC and Lifeline Support references so customers can distinguish official Lifeline rules from provider-specific free phone and service offers.