Another provider with free Lifeline phones is Access Wireless, which is a subsidiary of Nationwide Sprint Network. It has two types of gov cell phone plans: a Lifeline Only plan and one connected to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Each free cell phone plan for low-income households has no cost and unlimited texts. The ACP plan, however, offers more minutes and high-speed data. 

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Access Wireless and Access Affordable Cell Plans
affordable cell plans
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You can also find affordable cell phone plans if you do not qualify for the Lifeline program. Or, you can take advantage of a cheap mobile plan for another member of your family, since you can only have one Lifeline phone per household. 

Access Wireless’ Lifeline Only plan has 1,000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 4.5 GB of data. The ACP Plus Lifeline plan has unlimited minutes, texts, and data. But data speeds will start to slow after 15 GB. Both have free voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and free domestic long-distance calls.

Like the other providers, you can purchase upgrades for more minutes and data. You can buy more in $10, $25, and $35 prepaid cards in person or add “airtime” through your online account. For instance, you can add 250 minutes and 250 MB of data.

Like all government phone companies, Access Wireless service is not available nationwide. You can apply for a free government cell phone and plan if you live in the District of Columbia or below states:

  • Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, or Washington

Not Eligible for Lifeline?

Sprint also offers Kroger Wireless, a prepaid mobile phone plan that costs as little as $15 a month. Kroger Wireless does not have free Lifeline phones, but the plans offer an affordable option if you do not qualify for the program. 

Below are the monthly plans as of 2023:

  • $15 for unlimited minutes and texts and 3 GB of data
  • $25 for unlimited minutes and texts and 6 GB of data
  • $35 for unlimited minutes and texts and 10 GB of data
  • $45 for unlimited minutes, texts, and data.

Walmart also has prepaid mobile plans, and you can buy Tracfone, Straight Talk, and Walmart FamilyMobile plans. You can buy 1,000 texts for $5 or 1 GB of data for $10. You can also get 30-day plans, like unlimited minutes, texts, and data (first 10 GB at high speeds). 

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Updated on 03/31/2023