How to Get Free Government iPhone 12 – Is it Available?

What if you get an iPhone 12 for free? Sounds great, isn’t it? IPhone 12 can be yours for free. Thanks to the Free Government iPhone 12 program.

What is a free government iPhone 12 program?

It’s a free iPhone 12 giveaway program run by the government of the U.S. The Lifeline Assistance Program administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated the free government iPhone program.

The government launched the program to help low-income families get a brand-new iPhone 12. That means people struggling to meet their basic needs can get a free iPhone.

These iPhones come with no contract, no monthly fees, and access to the latest iOS software. Although free, the government-supplied iPhones are top-quality and durable.

They use the latest technology like other iOS devices and comprise the latest A14 Bionic chip. It makes these phones faster than ever before. Besides, they include the most advanced features, attractive designs, and many more!

iPhone, including all these features, come at a high price. No worries if you cannot afford an expensive iPhone. There are a few ways to get a free iPhone 12 government phone. Here is how to get a free iPhone from the government.

Eligibility Requirements

Get Free Government iPhone 12 - Eligibility Requirements
Get Free Government iPhone 12 – Eligibility Requirements

Free government iPhone is not for everyone. Government initiates the program for a group of people, in simple terms, low-income citizens. A few can get free iPhones that meet specific Lifeline Assistance Program criteria.

To qualify for a free iPhone 12, you must participate in the Lifeline Assistance program. Besides the Lifeline Assistance program, you can also apply for a free iPhone through the Affordable Connectivity program.

There are specific criteria for participating in these programs and getting a free government iPhone. Here we’ve alienated the requirements into different categories based on priorities.

#1. Age and Citizenship Requirements

  • Your age must be 18 years and older.
  • You must be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
  • You must have a valid Social Security Number.

#2. Geographic Eligibility

You must have a:

  • Active mobile phone number
  • Valid present mailing address 
  • Valid working email address
  • A Lifeline Assistance program in your state

#3. Income-based Eligibility

  • Make sure you pass the employment background check 
  • You must have a clear credit history
  • You must have a veritable income source
  • Your annual family income should be at least 135% or below the federal poverty guidelines.

#4. Program-based Eligibility

You or your family member must enroll in any of the following Government assistance programs;

  • Veterans Pension or Veterans Health Care Program
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Poor Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • Section 8 Housing Assistance Program
  • Head Start (applies to families meeting the qualification standards)

If you fulfill the abovementioned criteria, you can apply for a free government iPhone through the Lifeline program. Also, don’t consider participating in the program with a family income above 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

You can also apply for a free iPhone through the ACP program. ACP is a government-operated program that provides a discount on broadband service for eligible consumers.

You must be eligible for the following along with the same age, citizenship, and geographic criteria.

  • Your family income should be at least 200% or below the federal poverty guidelines.
  • You or your family must participate in any of the following government assistance programs.
    • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
    • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program
    • School Breakfast Program
  • Your family must have a Federal Pell Grant of the present award year

Get Free Government iPhone 12 – Step-by-Step guide:

Get Free Government iPhone 12 - Application Process
Get Free Government iPhone 12 – Application Process

The application process to apply for a free government iPhone 12 pro max is straightforward. If you meet the abovementioned criteria, you can easily get a free iPhone 12. There are different ways you can apply for a free iPhone 12.

In anyways, you need a few valid documents to provide. These documents are required to verify your program requirements. Wondering what documents you need to provide?

Required Documentation

  • A valid photo I.D. This could be
    • Birth certificate
    • Passport
    • Certificate of U.S. citizenship 
    • A driver’s license
    • A valid official government, state, or military I.D
    • And any I.D. issued by the government
  • Proof of your current address, such as a lease agreement, utility bill, recent tax return, or other official documents. These documents must contain your name and address.
  • Then you must fill out an application form with your name, date of birth, and address. With this form, you may need any of the following.
    • Your recent income statement from the employer
    • State, federal, or Tribal tax return from the previous year
    • Paycheck stubs
    • Statement of unemployment compensation
    • Federal or Tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance
    • Veterans Benefits Administration statement
    • Child support award
    • Divorce decree
  • Submit the form with all this information to the free government iPhone 12 program online or by mail. 

If you’re eligible to apply for a free government iPhone program, you must submit a copy of the document. The document contains the following:

  • Your name
  • The name of the program you participated in
  • The date of issue of a certificate
  • The name of the organization issuing a certificate

Besides, the following documents are mostly accepted.

  • Statement of benefits
  • Government Approval letter
  • Benefit verification letter
  • Benefit award letter

How to apply for a free government iPhone 12? (Online Application)

  • Go to the FCC website, and click on Lifeline Program and Affordable Connectivity Program
  • Get Lifeline Program benefits in 3 steps –
    • Check if you qualify for the program by creating an account by providing your information. Use Lifeline National Verifier to qualify.
    • Select a phone or internet company and sign up for their service.
    • Create an account by entering your name, address, number, email I.D. and ZIP code. Enjoy phone or internet service with your Lifeline benefit.
  • Choose your state or territory and click on “Get Started.”
  • Login to your account and click on “Next” to continue with the application
  • Provide all the required documents.
  • Tap on “Click” to complete the application

And that’s how you can apply for Lifeline or ACP online successfully.

How to Apply for Free Government iPhone via email?

You can apply for a free iPhone 12 government phone via email at the Lifeline/ACP Support Center:

  • Go to the Lifeline support website and download the application form for the Lifeline Assistance program. Or visit the Affordable connectivity website and download the application form for ACP.
  • Fill out the form attached to it. Enter your name, phone number, date of birth, email address, Social Security Number (for Lifeline) and Tribal ID (for ACP), home address, and mailing address.  
  • While applying for ACP, you’ll need to attach a household worksheet with the application form.
  • Attach the hard copy of all the necessary documents with the form. 
  • Mail it to USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company). Address: USAC Lifeline Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY, 40742.

How to Apply for Free Government iPhone Through Your Phone or Internet Company?

Your phone or internet company can help you get a free government iPhone. Look for a phone or internet company in your state that offers a free government iPhone under Lifeline or ACP. 

Here are some popular phone or internet service providers in the U.S.

  • Copper Valley Wireless
  • Cintex Wireless
  • Assurance Wireless
  • Assist Wireless
  • AirTalk Wireless
  • Easy Wireless

Also, there are a lot of Lifeline or ACP providers in the U.S. You can apply through a service provider in your state. The process to apply for a free government iPhone is the same; here is how:

  • Visit the phone or internet company website
  • Download and fill out the application form
  • Each phone or internet company and service provider has its eligibility requirements. Make you fulfill all these eligibility requirements. 
  • Not all companies provide the same phone models. So, you need to check what they offer.
  • Provide all the necessary documents to prove your free government phone program eligibility.
  • Submit the form and documents and complete your application.
  • Wait for the approval or rejection of your application.

Timeline for Processing Applications

There is no fixed deadline yet for the approval of Lifeline applications. Your application will be approved soon if your information is valid and acceptable. However, you should get your iPhone within 4 to 6 weeks.

When applying through a phone or internet Company, getting the notification form will take 3-7 working days. Then, you’ll get iPhone 12 within approximately 14 working days.

Benefits of the Free Government iPhone 12

Government-sponsored iPhone 12 includes all the benefits of Apple devices. If you get a free government iPhone 12, you can use it for everything except for school or work.

You can use it to call friends and family, stay connected on social media, conduct research, etc. Besides, the government-sponsored iPhone 12 comes with a few added benefits, such as:

  • No contact needed
  • No monthly fees
  • Free monthly data plans
  • Priority over other brand apps
  • Improved access to the latest iOS software
  • Better access to information and communication
  • Latest safety features

In addition to this, government-sponsored iPhones are intended for low-income individuals. It helps them get a free iPhone without having to pay a penny. Overall, it’s a cost-saving initiative for long-income citizens.

Common Questions and Concerns

Sure enough! Free government iPhone 12 is free. Apple doesn’t usually offer free iPhones. The U.S. government started this program to give away free iPhones to low-income families.

Government-sponsored free iPhone programs typically don’t cover accidental damage or lost phones. You are basically out of luck if you lose or damage the phone. However, there is still a negligible chance of finding your lost iPhone.

You can use a phone-finding app to get your lost iPhone back. For iOS devices, there is an app named, Find My iPhone”. This app will help you track your phone location, delete its content and lock it to protect your personal information.

Yes, you cannot use the free government iPhone 12 for school or work purposes. Otherwise, the free government-sponsored can be used for everything like your regular phone.

Yes, you can keep your current mobile number on your free government-sponsored iPhone. All you have to do is take the SIM card from your old phone and place it in the new one.

Yes. Your annual family income should be at least 135% or below the federal poverty guidelines to receive a free government iPhone 12. 

Usually, when applied through a Lifeline/ACP program, it’ll take around 4-6 weeks to receive a free iPhone 12. Otherwise, it takes about 2 weeks to receive a free iPhone 12 through a telecom service provider.

Conclusion

There you have it! You have learned all the possible ways to get a free government iPhone 12. To summarize, you can receive a free government iPhone online or by email through Lifeline or ACP program.

Also, many telecom service providers offer free government iPhones to their customers. We covered details about getting an iPhone for free in all possible ways.

If your family income is at or below 135%, you can apply for a free government iPhone 12. Check if you are eligible for the program. Last, why not take advantage of government-provided free iPhones if you deserve it?