Cellular One Lifeline provides federally subsidized cell phone service through the Lifeline Assistance program.  Cellular One Lifeline is extended to low-income families and individuals of tribal lands in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The Lifeline Assistance Program’s function is to make free and low-cost phone service available to disadvantaged consumers.  The program began as a subsidy for landline service to rural and the elderly.  Today Lifeline covers landline and cell phone services. 

About Lifeline

Lifeline is a federal government program open to financially qualified persons in the United States and US Territories.  To be eligible, you must participate in a government assistance program or income at or below the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The  Cellular One phone package includes free cell phone local air minutes and texting.  The Lifeline program in its infancy provided millions of low-income consumers with home landline services. They also offered a credit for initial set up fees for the new phone service.

Cellular One Lifeline Phone Assistance

Clients are pre-screened to determine eligibility.  Those applying for help must present documentation proving they are financially eligible, and only one phone line is allowed per household.  A household is a group of related people living in one location.

These services can not be transferred to a secondary party. Any false statements made to receive these services can cause banning from the program. Do you Qualify for Free Service with Cellular One?   If you are receiving any of the following benefits, you may be eligible:

• Medicaid
• Tribal General Assistance
• Tribal Food Distribution Program
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• National School Free Lunch Program
• Navajo Nation Program for Self Reliance
• Supplemental Nutrition Asst Program (SNAP)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance – Section 8
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families  (TANF)

Proof of Eligibility

• Statement from SSI or Disability
• Recent payroll stubs – three months
• Previous year’s W-2 Returns
• Statement from Social Security Benefits
• A Picture Identification and proof of address

Many families qualify for free landline and cellular service even if they work.  If you think you are eligible, please check to see if you qualify.  You may also qualify when your gross family monthly or yearly income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  There has been fraud and waste associated with the government phone program.  New measures have been put into place in an attempt to curtail losses.

Acceptable Documentation

You will need to provide proof of your income when you apply for a free government phone.   Please be ready to submit:

• Proof of Address
• Recent Federal Tax Return
• Three current payroll statement
• Federal/State Government-Issued ID
• Unemployment/Workman’s Compensation benefits letter
• Letter from Department of Social Services or SNAPS, Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Benefits

Other CellularOnePlans

Income-Based – Covers low-income families that do now qualify for totally free service.

Lifeline Program – For participants of federal or state assistance programs, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or other programs.

Free4Life Plan includes a free Smartphone and one $30 gift card. Free local minutes and data.

• To qualify for this plan, you need to live in the area Providing CellularOne service. You have to receive assistance from one or more of the assistance programs listed above, and you must live on tribal lands. This plan is only available to Native American consumers if it comes with 600 local anytime minutes for a 12 month period.

The FreedomFone Plan comes with one $20 GIFT CARD 300 any network minutes and 1000 SMS.

• This program is not limited to Native Americans but low-income consumers from participating states. The plan includes 350 anytime minutes a month for a 12-month plan. There is a $3.00 one-time fee.

Phone Activation

Once you receive your FlexFone, it needs to be activated by an authorized Cellular One agent or a Cellular One store in your community.  A phone number will be given to you, which can not be changed.  Your cell phone will only work with the Cellular One service. You will be able to make calls to cell phones and landlines and send text messages.