Lifeline FAQs: Learn About Lifeline

Some of the most common Lifeline FAQs are about the ways a person can get free service for themselves and their loved ones. The good news is there are many ways people can qualify and apply. You may qualify for Assist Wireless if you participate in Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, Social Security Income (SSI), or other government programs. You may also qualify if your total household income meets USAC’s Federal Poverty Guidelines. You may be asked to provide proof of government program participation. If you are applying based on income eligibility, you will need to provide a copy of last year’s state or federal income tax return or 3 consecutive months within the past 12 months of your pay stubs, Social Security benefits statement, Veterans Administration benefits statement, Retirement/Pension benefits statement, divorce decree or child support document, or Unemployment/Workers Compensation benefits statement. Please remember to send copies of these documents (not originals) since they will NOT be returned.

*FREE PHONE OFFER with qualifying NEW Tribal Lifeline enrollment only. Offer not available for existing Assist Wireless customers.

Assist Wireless is a Lifeline ETC (eligible telecommunications carrier). Assist Wireless offers Lifeline phone service only to individuals who participate in a qualifying government-approved program or have income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines.

Lifeline is free or subsidized phone service provided by certain telecom companies, like Assist Wireless, to assist low income and other disadvantaged consumers. While the service is subsidized by the government, the cell phones are provided by Assist Wireless. The Lifeline Assistance program is supported by the Universal Service Fund. Lifeline Assistance is only available on one phone line per household. Assist Wireless is available in limited geographic areas and is subject to the Assist Wireless Terms of Service. For information on qualifying for Lifeline, please see the “How do I qualify for Assist Wireless Lifeline Phone Service” section above, or visit our How to Qualify page for a list of Lifeline qualifying programs and income thresholds.

Apply for your free phone* and Lifeline phone service online at any time. You may also visit an Assist Wireless Retail location (Oklahoma only) or any Assist Wireless Tent to enroll.

*FREE PHONE OFFER with qualifying NEW Tribal Lifeline enrollment only. Offer not available for existing Assist Wireless customers.

Assist Wireless offers Lifeline phone service at no cost to the customer! Customers in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, and on Non-Tribal land in Oklahoma can enjoy 300 minutes, 300 texts, and 4.5GB of data free every month! Oklahoma residents who live on Tribal land are eligible for unlimited talk and text with 4.5GB of data every month for free.

Want more from your Lifeline plan? We also offer paid upgraded plan starting at just $1 per month. You can view all available plans here. 

The cost of an Assist Wireless phone varies by the make and model that you choose. However, Assist Wireless usually offers at least one free phone* option for Tribal Lifeline. In order to receive your free phone, you must be eligible for Tribal Lifeline services with Assist Wireless.

*FREE PHONE OFFER with qualifying NEW Tribal Lifeline enrollment only. Offer not available for existing Assist Wireless customers.

Assist Wireless offers free government phone service in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Maryland. Like other wireless providers, coverage is not available everywhere. See our coverage map to check if service is available in your area. This map is always expanding, so if we are not currently covering your region, please check back.

Yes. Assist Wireless offers Lifeline supported service only to individuals who participate in a qualifying government approved program or meet the Lifeline income eligibility requirement under the Federal poverty guidelines. Only one phone with Lifeline service is allowed per household. Your phone service must be in the name of the qualified customer and is non-transferable.

There are many standard services that are included with your Assist Wireless device and Lifeline phone service.

• Unlimited 911
• Caller I.D.
• Caller Waiting
• Voicemail
• Live Customer Service

You can purchase additional minutes by logging into your online account or calling 611 from your Lifeline device.

In order to continue receiving your Lifeline service from Assist Wireless, you must certify that you still qualify based on participation in certain public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may also continue to qualify if your total household income is at or below applicable Federal Poverty Guideline thresholds based on family size. Many states also require that you submit proof of your Lifeline program eligibility annually. This means you may need to provide us copies of the proof that shows you are eligible for Lifeline each year. We will contact you with explicit instructions on what is required to keep your service active after your initial enrollment.

You will receive your talk/text/data on or close to the anniversary date of your enrollment each month as long as you remain eligible for the Lifeline program.

Before you start using your Assist Wireless phone, you will need to perform a few simple steps to set it up on the network:

1. Insert the battery.
2. Turn your phone on by pressing and holding the red power button (or End key).
3. You should see a screen that says “Press “1” for English or “2” for Spanish.” Select your preferred option.
4. After you select either English or Spanish, your phone will be ready to start making calls.

All our devices power up differently. If the above information does not work for you, please contact Assist Wireless for additional help. Our team will answer any of the Lifeline FAQs you may have that are not answered here. 

Don’t panic. Take another look around and try to find your phone before seeking Lifeline assistance. If you still can’t find your phone, let us know right away and we’ll temporarily suspend your service so no one can use your remaining balance. Assist Wireless will help you get a replacement phone. We usually can have it to you in just a few days, and we’ll transfer any remaining balance in your account to your replacement phone. Call us to get Lifeline help and suspend your account: 1-855-420-2449 or contact Assist Wireless Customer Service at 1-855-EZASSIST (1-855-392-7747).

If you experience an equipment malfunction, call us and we will arrange for a replacement cell phone: 1-855-420-2449 or contact Assist Wireless Customer Service at 1-855-EZ-ASSIST (1-855-392-7747).