Who Qualifies for a Free Government Tablet?
You may qualify for a free or discounted tablet if you meet certain eligibility criteria. The government assistance programs are designed to help low-income individuals and families stay connected in our digital world. There are two main ways to qualify: through participation in certain government assistance programs or based on your household income.
Qualifying Government Programs
You automatically qualify for Lifeline if you or someone in your household participates in any of the following federal assistance programs:
Medicaid
The joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people with limited income and resources. If you have a Medicaid card, you qualify.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food-purchasing assistance for low-income people. Your EBT card serves as proof of eligibility.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income provides financial help to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources, and people 65 and older.
Federal Public Housing
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, Project-Based Rental Assistance, and public housing programs qualify.
Veterans Pension
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit programs for eligible veterans and their surviving family members.
Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grant recipients automatically qualify for the ACP program (though ACP has ended, this may help with other programs).
Tribal-Specific Programs
If you live on Tribal lands, you may also qualify through these programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
Income-Based Eligibility
You can also qualify based on your household income. Your total household income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Lifeline.
2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines (135%)
| Household Size | 48 Contiguous States & DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $20,331 | $25,394 | $23,369 |
| 2 people | $27,594 | $34,479 | $31,725 |
| 3 people | $34,857 | $43,564 | $40,081 |
| 4 people | $42,120 | $52,649 | $48,437 |
| 5 people | $49,383 | $61,734 | $56,793 |
| 6 people | $56,646 | $70,819 | $65,149 |
| 7 people | $63,909 | $79,904 | $73,505 |
| 8 people | $71,172 | $88,989 | $81,861 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $7,263 (48 contiguous states), $9,085 (Alaska), or $8,356 (Hawaii) for each additional person.
Required Documentation
When applying for a free government tablet, you'll need to provide documentation to prove your eligibility:
Driver's license, passport, state ID, or other government-issued identification
Utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or official government mail
Benefits card, approval letter, or official document from the qualifying program
Tax return, W-2, pay stubs, or unemployment benefits statement (if applying by income)
Eligibility Checker Tool
Use our simple tool to check if you might qualify:
Do any of these apply to you?
Select all that apply to you or someone in your household:
Important Program Rules
- One Per Household: Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. A household is defined as individuals who live together and share income and expenses.
- Annual Recertification: You must verify your eligibility every year to continue receiving benefits.
- Truthful Information: Providing false information is a federal crime punishable by fine, imprisonment, de-enrollment, or being barred from the program.
- Use It or Lose It: You must use your service at least once every 30 days to maintain your benefit.