After the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses were affected financially, leading to the loss of jobs by citizens. Other organizations set regulations to have their employees work remotely from their homes. This posed a challenge to low-income people who could not afford internet access phones. The government stepped up to help low-income citizens by introducing the EBB program, which became the ACP program. The government has partnered with some providers to offer low-income citizens free iPhones via the ACP program. This will enable them to communicate with their friends and families. The free iPhone they get from the ACP program helps them attend classes online, look for jobs online, and access healthcare services, among other services.
The ACP program replaced the EBB program on December 31, 2021, after elapsing the stipulated operation time. This was after Congress saw the impact of the EBB program on low-income households. The EBB program used to provide discounts of up to $50 for internet access and up to $100 to buy a tablet, laptop, and desktop computer. However, the eligible citizens would contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards buying the product. Can I get a free iPhone under the ACP program now that EBB has changed to the ACP program? How do I know that I’m eligible for the ACP program? How do I apply for the free iPhone under the ACP program? These are some of the questions this tutorial will answer about the ACP program free iPhone. Keep reading!
How Do I Get a Free iPhone Under ACP Program?
As seen above, the ACP program started as an EBB program during the Covid-19 pandemic to help low-income households afford internet services. The government has partnered with several providers to offer free internet services and free iPhones through the ACP program. Here are the steps to guide you to get a free iPhone under the ACP program.
- Ensure you are eligible for ACP or Lifeline program. Several providers offer free iPhones on either the ACP or Lifeline.
- Look for an ACP provider that offers free iPhones in your state. The guidelines usually depend on the state of residence, so ensure that you select a provider in your specific state of residence.
- The last step is applying to the provider of your choice, either by calling them or online. You can also apply for the ACP program through their official website at: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov.
Who Are Eligible For a Free iPhone Under ACP Program?
ACP program offers free iPhones to eligible citizens across the country. Here are the requirements you need to meet to ascertain your eligibility for the ACP program. So you are eligible for a free iPhone under ACP program if.
- You are a resident in the state you are applying for the free iPhone under the ACP program. Note that some providers offer services in certain states.
- Your income is equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
- You have received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
- You were among the people who lost their jobs as of 29 February 2020. Kindly note that your income must have been below $99,000 for you to qualify for a free iPhone.
- You participate in one of the government’s assistance programs. These programs include SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, or Government Public Housing Assistance or Section 8 Housing.
- You are a student and usually benefit from the free or reduced school lunch programs. Note that you must demonstrate that you have benefited from this for the past three academic years.
What Documents Do I Need While Applying ACP Program Free iPhone?
After checking your eligibility and choosing a provider, the next phase will be applying for a free iPhone. After you apply for the free iPhone, the provider confirms if you are eligible or not. You will be required to provide supporting documents if they cannot verify your eligibility. Note that the documents you provide depend on your eligibility qualification. Here are the acceptable documents that you can present:
- A federal or state tax return. This is only applicable if you fall into the category of the people applying due to low-income status
- If you are a student, you will need a document proofing that you are a beneficiary of the government assistance program.
- A divorce judgment document.
- A Paycheck stub or any income statement you recently received from your employer.
- A statement of the retirement benefits.
- A declaration of benefits for Social Security
- A statement of Benefits for Unemployed Insurance. You can also provide Worker’s Compensation.
- A reward for child statement.
- If you qualify because of participating in an assistance program, then you will need to provide a document proving that. This should be an official document with your full legal name and the program name in which you participate. It should also have the organization’s name and issue date within the last year.
How Do I Apply for ACP Program Free iPhone?
Applying for an ACP program free iPhone is pretty simple as long as you have met all the requirements. Here are simple steps to guide you when applying.
- Verify your eligibility
Before applying for the ACP-free iPhone, you must verify your eligibility according to your state. You can refer to the eligibility requirements discussed above. Note that the conditions for one’s eligibility vary from state to state. So, check out the requirements as listed by your state to help you determine if you are eligible. Click the URL https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/ to confirm your qualification status. If you have met the requirements, proceed to the next step.
- Find an ACP service provider
After confirming your eligibility, you will need to find an ACP iPhone provider in your state. Ensure that the one you get usually offers free iPhones to qualified customers. Proceed to https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers and find out which service providers are available in your state.
- Select a service and apply
The next step is choosing a service with the provider you have settled on. Please select a service and proceed to their official website to find the application form. Once you get into the website, locate the signup section and click to start the process. You will be required to provide the following, among other details, for a successful process
- Email address
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (SSN)
- ZIP code
Ensure the details are correct and verifiable to avoid scenarios of the application being rejected. Note that you must provide fill in every detail in the application form. If you have the supporting documents ensure that you attach them before submitting your application.
- Submit and wait for the verdict
After completing the application form and certifying that the details provided are correct, submit your application. Remember you need to give it some time, after which you will be notified of the status of your outcome. After submission, the National Verifier checks on your documents to certify your eligibility, which takes 20 to 30 minutes. However, application verification takes up to 3 days in some scenarios, so you may need patience.
What Type of Free iPhone Do I Get Under ACP Program?
Most providers offer free iPhones to eligible citizens of the United States who qualify under the ACP program. However, not all providers offer free iPhones. Several other providers offer high-end smartphones under the program. However, after you qualify for a free iPhone under the ACP program, you cannot choose the one you like. The phones are generally offered to you according to availability and state. Here are some of the iPhones that you get under the ACP program
- Apple iPhone 6
- Apple iPhone 6s
- Apple iPhone 6 plus
- Apple iPhone 7
- Apple iPhone 7 plus
- Apple iPhone 8
- Apple iPhone SE
What Other Benefits Do I Get If I Qualify For a Free iPhone Under ACP?
ACP program offers free iPhones and smartphones to all eligible customers. However, apart from the phones, they offer other benefits that you get once you qualify. Here are the other benefits you will get from ACP besides the free phones.
- There is a monthly discount of up to $30 for internet service to all eligible customers and households. The eligible households on Tribal Lands can qualify for a monthly discount of $75 on broadband services.
- All eligible customers can benefit from up to a $100 discount for buying a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Remember that this is a one-time discount, and the participant must contribute an amount not less than $10 and not more than $50.
Providers That Offer Free iPhones Under ACP Program
AirTalk Wireless
AirTalk Wireless is one of the providers that offer customers free iPhones under the ACP program. All you need to qualify for a free iPhone is to be eligible for a government ACP program. You can qualify for an AirTalk Wireless ACP program by participating in government assistance programs like SNAP.
Application process
- Before applying, you must check if you are eligible for the ACP program so you can check at the eligibility criteria discussed above.
- After certifying that you have met all the requirements set for one to qualify for an ACP program, visit https://airtalkwireless.com/apply and start the application process. Ensure you provide all the documents you need to prove your identity and eligibility.
- After filling out the form, submit and await approval. If your application is successful, you will receive your free iPhone in 7 to 10 days after approval.
Cintex Wireless
Cintex Wireless is a top-rated provider in the United States, offering wireless services under ACP and Lifeline programs. Its services are in five states: Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Arkansas, and West Virginia. All eligible clients get monthly services, including free minutes, text, and data. Through the ACP program, eligible customers can get a free 4G LTE and 5G Android and iPhone from the government.
Application process
- To qualify for Cintex’s ACP free phone, you must be ACP eligible. You must participate in government assistance programs like SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid to increase the chances of eligibility. The qualifying household must demonstrate that their income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. As mentioned above, you must be a resident in one of the five states to qualify for the Cintex Wireless ACP program.
- After confirming your eligibility, visit apply.cintexwireless.com to start the application process. You will be required to provide the ZIP code of your state and the correct email before you proceed.
- Follow the prompts appearing on your screen to complete the application form. You will also have to provide the correct personal information and documents proving your identity and eligibility.
- After filling out, submit the application and await a response. If your application is successful, you will receive a free iPhone from the government 7 to 10 days after approval.
NewPhone Wireless
NewPhone Wireless is another popular wireless and phone service provider in the United States. It also provides free iPhones under the ACP program in the United States. The eligible customers usually get the government’s free monthly wireless and free iPhone. However, to get a free ACP iPhone, there are requirements that you need to meet.
Application process
- The first step is to check if you are eligible for the free iPhone for the ACP program, like with other providers. To be eligible for the NewPhone ACP program, you must be eligible for the government ACP program. Here are some programs that can make you eligible for the NewPhone Wireless ACP program;
- Participation in Tribal specific programs like TANF.
- Have a household income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line.
- Get approval that you have been receiving benefits under the free or reduced food program.
- The next step is visiting apply.newphone.com to initiate the application process if you meet the requirements. Here you will be required to provide your personal information and the documents that prove your identity and eligibility.
- The final stage is submission and waiting for the application to be approved. After submission, you can wait for 20 minutes to get a verification confirmation of whether you qualify or not. In some scenarios, the application can take up to 4 days before receiving review feedback. Once your application is approved, you will receive your free iPhone in between 7 and 10 days. Fortunately, the shipping is free.
Are There Any Other Ways To Get a Free iPhone Rather Than ACP?
Many service providers offer free iPhones through ACP and Lifeline programs. You must meet some set requirements to receive the free iPhone under the programs. This ends up locking people who do not meet the requirements from getting the free iPhone from the ACP program.
However, there are other wireless providers that offer free iPhones to their new and existing customers. Unfortunately, these phones may not be free as such; you may have to sign a contract of not less than 24 months. Here are some of the wireless providers offering free iPhones;
Verizon Wireless
Currently, Verizon has an offer where you can secure yourself iPhone 14 pro for free. You only need to trade in an eligible phone and activate a new line on Verizon’s unlimited plans. They have several plans, including 5G Do More and 5G Play More, which begins at $80 per month that you can choose from. Kindly note that these plans are for only one line. Once you choose one of the plans, you get a bill for 36 months to cover your new device price.
If you do not want to trade on the phone, Verizon has other free iPhone devices. You must sign a commitment for 36 months and an unlimited plan. Here are the free iPhones;
- Apple iPhone 13 mini
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone SE
T-Mobile
You can also get a free iPhone from T-Mobile, but you will need to have a commitment of between 24 to 36 months and an unlimited plan to qualify. The only available plan that you need to activate to get a free iPhone from T-Mobile is the Magenta MAX plan. Once you activate, you will be eligible for the following free iPhones from T-Mobile.
- Apple iPhone 13
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 13 mini
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless currently offers a free iPhone among other smartphones, once you switch to them and want to bring your phone number. All they require you to do is buy a plan of not less than $30 per month, and you qualify. So, get a plan with Cricket Wireless, and you will receive an Apple iPhone SE 2nd Gen.
Apart from the ACP program and the Wireless providers, you can also receive a free iPhone by participating in other activities. Below are some of the activities through which you can get a free iPhone.
- You can get a free iPhone by becoming a reviewer of Apple products. Apple allows reviewers to apply to and start reviewing their products by providing their names and email.
- You can get a free iPhone by participating in a survey offer where you will get the phone as a reward for conducting the survey. Some survey platform allows rewards points after you complete a survey. Once the surveys accumulate, you can redeem them for an iPhone.
- In some scenarios, when you become a free market agent, Apple may decide to reward you with a free iPhone. In most cases, this happens to motivate you to continue marketing the brand to many people.
- You can also receive a free iPhone if you become an Apple employee. This is not necessarily fixed for Apple. Nowadays, most technology companies are giving their employees free iPhones.
- Last but not least is participating in a giveaway context where you can emerge a winner and receive an iPhone.
Can I Upgrade My iPhone Under ACP Program?
After qualifying for the ACP program, you do not have the power to choose the iPhone you want or your carrier. The provider gives the phone based on the availability in the store or the state you are in. Sometimes you may receive a phone of low quality than you anticipated. If such happens, you are generally allowed to upgrade your iPhone to a model that best suits you.
However, to upgrade, you need to contact your provider’s customer service to help you upgrade to a higher version. Kindly note that the upgrading process is not free. You might have to pay some bucks to get the iPhone upgrade. The customer service will guide you through upgrading your iPhone to your preferred model.
Does Any Provider Offer Free Tablets Under ACP Program?
Not any provider offers free tablets under the ACP program, but several offer free tablets. If you are looking for a free tablet under the ACP program, you can consider one of the following providers if you are a resident of the US.
- Assurance Wireless
- Q-Link Wireless
- Stand Up Wireless
- Easy Wireless.
There are also other alternatives through which you can receive a free tablet. One method that can help you receive a free tablet is approaching charity organizations among others.
