How to Change Lifeline Wireless Providers.  For whatever reason, you may decide you want to switch your lifeline wireless provider.  There are different reasons for wanting to switch your Lifeline free government phone.

Maybe you receive poor customer service, want to upgrade to a smartphone, or more talk and text time, you may want to switch providers.  As a Lifeline client, one of the most important issues is good customer service.  Is it virtually impossible to reach the company?

Does the phone prompt keep you running in circles?  The good news is, you are not locked into a yearly contract.  You can complain to the FCC or change Lifeline cell phone provider altogether.  Some think you have to first cancel with your current provider before enrolling with a new provider, but this is not true.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (usac.org) administers the Lifeline program, has particular rules that instruct phone vendors on how they must handle what they call a “Benefit Transfer” (a phone company switch) to another provider.

Change Lifeline Wireless Providers

You have the right to change your service provider when you have had service for at least 60 days.  The main thing is to make sure you have canceled your previous company.  You don’t want to get caught having several free government phones as you can lose your Lifeline Wireless benefits.  Often we get letters from readers, complaining they have a problem with their phone and when they try to call their providers they can never reach them.

We know how frustrating this can be.  When you call customer service, I want ‘service,’ and I want it right away!  Often we get letters from readers, complaining they have a problem with their phone and when they try to call their providers they can never reach them.  We know how frustrating this can be.  When you call customer service, I want ‘service,’ and I want it right away!

How to Change Lifeline Wireless Providers

If you are not satisfied with your service, or provider you can switch to a new Lifeline provider.   You can change your free cell phone provider every three months.

• Contact the company and ask your previous service for the transfer of service.  Fill out a new application with proof of eligibility, with the application sent a request for change form.
• Wait for a response. The provider will let you know they have received your application. 
• You will be disconnected from your current provider and transferred to a new provider of your choice.
• Next, log into the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) and click on “Transfer NLAD Benefit”   enter your information and “transfer benefit.”
• Confirm you want to transfer phone services to another provider.  Once the transfer is complete, services from the old provider will stop. Remember, you can not legally more than one Lifeline provider at a time and must agree you do not have service with two or more providers.

The new company will need documents to process to change Lifeline Wireless providers.  Anyone can change their Lifeline phone provider if they are not happy.  Hopefully, you can switch over without losing any time or service interruption on your phone.

• Provide your name
• Provide your date of birth
• Give physical address
• Give phone number
• Give verbal or written consent to change providers.
• Provide the last four digits of your social security number
• Confirm your household has only one lifeline plan

We can not guarantee you will not be a break in your phone services during the switch.  Make sure you provide all the needed information accurately, such as TPIV or Third-Party Identity Verification.  Also, have available proof you are financially eligible to receive Lifeline service.

Before you choose a new provider, research the phone provider.  Find a new Lifeline provider e on the Lifeline website.  Locate providers in your state HERE.  Go to the provider website and compare benefits, like minutes, phones, special offers, smartphones with upgrades, etc.

You’ve got the Power.

The great thing about the program is that you can change your provider if you do not like your provider or are not satisfied with the customer service. That’s right!  You can also file a complaint with the FCC to report these issues.  The provider needs you as much as you need phone service!  Each month each phone provider participating in the program is paid $9.95 to serve you.

How to Re-Enroll for Discount

You can lose your Lifeline discount by not re-enrolling by the program deadline, or someone in your household also has a Lifeline phone, or you have not used your phone for a long period of time can reapply and start over again. You have to start as a new subscriber, sign up, and prove that you are eligible for the program. You must also swear no one else in your home is receiving discount phone services.

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