Your internet goes out. Again. You need it for work, your kids need it for school, and honestly, just to get through the day. Not having internet at home or even just having a slow, unreliable connection is frustrating. Especially when it feels like everything in life now depends on being online.
For those living in Oklahoma and struggling to afford good internet, there may be a way to get help without adding to your bill. Thanks to a federal program called Lifeline, eligible households can get a free phone service or low-income internet in Oklahoma.
We’ll break down how it works and how to get free internet on your phone. Find answers to all your questions, like:
- What is Lifeline?
- Wait, I thought Lifeline was just free phone service?
- Who qualifies for free or discounted internet in Oklahoma?
- How to get free internet phone service through Lifeline?
- Can I get Lifeline temporarily if my internet goes down?
- How to use your phone’s free data as a hotspot
What is Lifeline?
Lifeline is a federal program from the FCC. It helps make phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. Lifeline has been around since the 1980s. In more recent years, it was updated to include mobile data (internet on your phone).
Through Lifeline, you can get:
- Phone service with free talk, text, and data if you sign up with a participating wireless provider like Assist Wireless
- Or, a discount of up to $9.25/month on broadband internet service or eligible phone–internet bundles
- Or, a larger discount (up to $34.25/month) if you qualify and live on Tribal lands
Lifeline is meant to help everyone stay connected to school, work, healthcare, family, and emergency services without the added financial stress.
Can I Get Internet With a Free Phone Plan?
You can use your Lifeline benefit for a free mobile phone plan. At Assist Wireless, this comes with free talk, text, and 4.5GB of data, which gives you internet access through your device. Otherwise, you can use Lifeline for broadband internet services discounted at up to $9.25/month.
Don’t have Wi-Fi at home? The data that comes with your free phone plan still gives you internet access. You can check your email, do homework, and connect on social media. So even if you don’t have a laptop or cable modem, you can still get online using your smartphone.
Who Qualifies for Free or Discounted Internet in Oklahoma?
You can qualify for the Lifeline program in one of two ways:
1. Based on Your Income
If your household income is at or below 135% of the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines, you likely qualify.
Here’s how to get free internet based on income in 2025:
| Persons in Household | Maximum Income |
| 1 | $15,650 |
| 2 | $21,150 |
| 3 | $26,650 |
| 4 | $32,150 |
| 5 | $37,650 |
| 6 | $43,150 |
| 7 | $48,650 |
| 8 | $54,150 |
| For each additional person | $5,500 |
2. Based on Program Participation
For those who already receive help from a government assistance program, you may qualify automatically. Check if you already use any of the programs below. If so, you may be eligible for Lifeline!
- SNAP / Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
- BIA, FDPIR, Tribal TANF, or Tribal Head Start
Even if you’re not quite sure you qualify, it’s worth applying. We’ve seen many people who are eligible and don’t even know it.
How to Get Free Internet at Home Without Paying Through Lifeline
It’s much easier than you might think! The process works like this:
1. Check Your Eligibility
You can check your eligibility through the National Verifier or by starting an application with a Lifeline provider like Assist Wireless.
2. Choose a Lifeline Provider
Assist Wireless is one of Oklahoma’s leading Lifeline providers and offers free phone plans with data so you can stay connected even without home internet.
You can also bring your own device if it’s compatible, or get a free phone with your plan (if you qualify through a Tribal program).
3. Apply
You can apply online, in person at a local Assist Wireless store, or by mail. Most people apply online. It’s fast, secure, and only takes a few minutes if you have your documents ready.
You’ll need:
- A form of ID
- Proof of income or program participation
- Proof of address (like a utility bill)
See what proof documents are needed to qualify for Lifeline.
Can I Get Temporary Internet Through Lifeline If My Internet Goes Down?
Need internet access right now while you wait for things to get sorted out? Getting a phone plan through Lifeline may be a great solution if you qualify. If you apply online, you may get approved in as little as 20–30 minutes.
- Free phone plans include data, so you can still check emails, pay bills, or use Google on your phone.
- If you qualify, you may get a free smartphone that lets you get online from anywhere with a signal.
- You can even use your phone as a hotspot, letting other devices use your mobile data in a pinch.
- So even if your home Wi-Fi is out, Lifeline can help you stay connected until you get a long-term solution in place.
Learn more about how to get better cellular data here.
How to Get Free Internet by Using Your Phone as a Hotspot
A hotspot is when your phone shares its internet connection with other devices, like a laptop or tablet.
When you set it up, your phone kind of becomes a ‘mini Wi-Fi box.’ If your home internet is down (or you don’t have any), your phone can still get you online by using the data from your mobile plan. You just turn on the hotspot feature, connect your other device to it (like you would with Wi-Fi), and you’re online! With that, Lifeline becomes a sort of free government hotspot device.
Important: Using a hotspot uses up your mobile data, so it’s best to keep an eye on how much you’re using.
FAQs: How to Get Free Internet Phone Service Through Lifeline
Can I Get Internet Without Having Home Wi-Fi?
Yes. When you qualify for Lifeline, you can use your smartphone’s data to access the internet, no home Wi-Fi needed. You can also turn your phone into a hotspot to connect other devices.
How Do I Know If My Plan Includes Data?
If you’re approved for Lifeline through a provider like Assist Wireless, your plan includes free talk, text, and 4.5GB of data, which means you have internet access on your phone until the data runs out for the month.
Will Using My Phone as a Hotspot Cost Extra?
No, not if you’re using your free Lifeline data. However, using your hotspot does use your monthly data, so if your plan includes a set amount, you’ll want to use it wisely. Streaming and large downloads will use data faster.
What Happens If I Use Up All My Data?
If you run out of data for the month, your internet may slow down or stop working until the next cycle. You may have the option to buy a small data ‘refill’ for a few dollars or just wait for the next month’s plan to reset.
Can I Use My Lifeline Phone Service for Work or School?
Yes! Many people use their phone data to join Zoom calls, send work emails, or help their kids submit homework online. It’s not a perfect replacement for high-speed home broadband, but it can absolutely help you get things done.
Low-income Internet in Oklahoma You Can Count On
These days, staying connected is a necessity. You deserve reliable phone and internet access, and Lifeline helps make that happen. And with Assist Wireless, getting started is simple, fast, and, best of all, free.
