How to Get Free Government Hotspot Device

Looking for a way to get a free Government Hotspot Device? If yes, then you have stumbled upon the right article.

The U.S. Government has established many assistance programs to enable financially weak people to access the Internet. The Federal Communications Commission supervises these programs.

Under these programs, the Government provides free hotspot devices in the form of mobile hotspots, smartphones, or discounted tablets through participating wireless provider companies.

This article covers a detailed guide about free Government hotspot devices, how to qualify for the same, the application process, and more.

So, without further ado, let’s begin –

Table of Contents

Top 3 Government Programs for Free Hotspot Device

"Top

Here are the Top 3 government programs that can help you get free hotspot devices and monthly hotspot data.

1. Lifeline Assistance Program

Lifeline Assistance is an old federal government program that was launched in 1985. Under this program, low-income customers can get a discount of up to $9.25 on monthly internet services. This discount is higher on tribal lands, up to $34.95.

There are many service providers under this program; you can get your free hotspot device through any of them.

2. Affordable Connectivity Program

Affordable Connectivity Program ACP is the latest federal government program that replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefits program.

This program offers a monthly discount of $30 and $75 (Qualified tribal land) on monthly internet services. In addition, service providers under this program also offer a discount of up to $100 to purchase internet-connected devices such as tablets, laptops, and desktops.

Some providers also offer a free smartphone under this program to use as a free government hotspot device.

3. Connect America Fund

Connect America Fund CAF is another federal government program like Lifeline and ACP. However, this program provides funds directly to broadband companies to provide internet access to low-income people in rural and urban areas.

Some companies may also offer devices to low-income people to bridge the digital gap.

How to get a Free Government Hotspot Device via Lifeline Assistance

"How

Here are the steps you have to follow to apply for Lifeline Assistance and get a free government hotspot device.

Open your browser and visit “https://www.lifelinesupport.org/”

Click on “Apply Now,” and you will be redirected to the National verifier.
Choose your state and click on Get Started

Now, fill out an application form carefully.

Attach necessary documents.

Finally, submit the application.
Once approved, find a participating Lifeline service provider offering free government hotspot by visiting “https://www.lifelinesupport.org/companies-near-me/”
Once you have located a provider, contact them and enroll in their services.

Wait for the provider’s response.

If your application is approved, you will be notified via email to complete the further procedure for getting a free Government hotspot device. If your application form is rejected, you may reapply by following a similar application procedure.

How to Get Free Government Hotspot via the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

Getting a free Government hotspot device via the Affordable Connectivity Program involves the steps discussed above for the Lifeline assistance program, as both require you to apply through National Verifier.

Eligibility Requirement to apply for free Government Hotspot Device

Although every government program has different requirements to qualify, we will provide you with the eligibility criteria of two top programs, Lifeline and ACP.

Income Requirement

To qualify for Lifeline, your annual income must be below 135 % of the federal poverty guidelines.

For ACP, your annual income must be below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Program Participation

You don’t have to worry if you are not qualifying on an income basis for a free government hotspot device , as you can also qualify you if any of your family members participate in any of the programs mentioned below.

Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Federal Pell Grant for the existing award year

Received Federal Pell Grant for the existing award year
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits

If you stay on tribal land, you can check your participation in the following programs.

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Tribal Head Start (income-based)

Document Required for Free Government Hotspot Device

The documents you need to submit completely depend on your eligibility.

Let’s check out what are the accepted documentation depending on your eligibility.

Income Documents

If you qualify for a free Government hotspot device on your income basis, you must submit a document clarifying your full name, income statement, etc.

Current income statement from your employer

Divorce decree
Paycheck stub
Veterans Administration Statement of Benefits

Child support award
Federal or Tribal letter of participation in General Assistance

If you qualify on your program participation basis, you must submit a document specifying your full name, program name, date of issuance, name of the authority issuing the document, etc.

Program Participation Documents

Government Approval letter
Benefit award letter
Statement of benefits

Benefit verification letter

General Documents

You may be required to submit some general documentation that verifies your age, place of residence (address), identity, etc.

Passport

Birth certificate
Green card or permanent resident card
U.S. driver’s license

Government-issued military, state, or Tribal ID
Certificate of U.S citizenship or naturalization
Utility bill

Mortgage or lease statement
W-2 or tax return

Best Carriers to receive a Free Hotspot Device under Government Program

Below, we have listed the best carriers that participate in Lifeline and ACP programs to offer free devices –

Life Wireless
SafeLink Wireless
Access Wireless

Tag Mobile
American Wireless
StandUp Wireless

T-Mobile
TruConnect
Boost Mobile

Cintex Wireless
Assurance Wireless
AirTalk Wireless

C Spire Wireless
Ready Wireless
Verizon Mobile

Easy Wireless
Unity Wireless
Clarity Wireless

Types of Free Government Hotspot Devices

The government assistance programs offer three types of free hotspot device – mobile hotspots, smartphones and tablets.

Mobile Hotspot

Most of the Lifeline and ACP service providers offer free smartphones and tablets. However, you can get these devices from the following companies for free.

Human-IT
PCs for People

Smartphones

You can get a smartphone if you cannot get a mobile hotspot.

A few of the providers that offer smartphones that you can use as a hotspot are – Please click on your preferred service provider to get a free smartphone.

Access Wireless
American Assistance

Tablets

Some providers provide tablets as a free Government hotspot device under the ACP program. However, these tablets are not completely free. Participating, ACP providers offer a one-time discount of $100 to purchase tablets.

If you qualify for the discount, you must pay between $10-$50 towards the purchase price of the tablets to buy the tablets.

The leading providers that offer discounted tablets are – Please click on your preferred service provider to get a free tablet.

NewPhone Wireless
Go Technology

Conclusion

Under the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program, the U.S. Government is playing a crucial role in connecting poor Americans with the rest of the world through the free internet or discounted internet-using devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

In the article, we tried to cover all the information about free Government hotspot devices, the application process, eligibility criteria, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a free Government hotspot device?

You can get a free hotspot device by participating in Lifeline Assistance or the ACP program. You can get it through mobile hotspots, smartphones, and discounted tablets.

Is any age limit required to qualify for the Government Assistance program facility?

You must be 18 to qualify for any Government Assistance program facility.

What companies provide free unlimited hotspot data?

Unfortunately, no company offers free unlimited hotspot data. At maximum, you can get up to 4.5GB of data on a mobile hotspot from most wireless companies.

For how long does 100GB of hotspot data last?

100GB of hotspot data can last a month regardless of how you use it. However, if you have many devices connected, it will consume the data soon.

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