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AirTalk Wireless is one of the many providers of Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, it’s one of few options that offers free phones from well-known brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, LG, et cetera. And to get the AirTalk Wireless free government phone, you just need to apply, which is pretty simple.
Before I continue, “AirTalk Wireless free government phone” isn’t just about the device offer. The term also covers the free phone plan that the service provider gives you per month through the Lifeline, ACP, or both. And the best part, the company has better monthly service allowances than half of the competitors.
A Summary of the AirTalk Free Government Phone
| Feature | AirTalk Wireless |
| Founded | 2012 (Rebranded in 2022) |
| Type of Service | Lifeline |
| Carrier Network | T-Mobile |
| eSIM support | N/A |
| Unlimited Minutes | YES |
| Unlimited data | YES (With High-speed Cap) |
| Cheapest Service Plan | $0 |
| Calls to Mexico/ Canada Call | YES ($5/ month) |
| Personal Hotspot | N/A |
| WiFi Calling | YES |
| Best Perks | Offers decent free phones |
AirTalk Wireless is an eligible telecommunication carrier (ETC), a phone provider with the license to offer government-funded Lifeline benefits. As an ETC, the carrier is automatically eligible to participate in the recently released ACP program, which offers more high-speed data.
AirTalk Wireless is a trademark of AirVoice Wireless. It (AirTalk) is still a new name that AirVoice chose for the rebrand of FeelSafe Wireless. The rebranding happened in 2022 after HTH Communications completed the acquisition of AirVoice Wireless, LLC.
At the time of writing, AirTalk Wireless is the best Lifeline phone provider for smartphones. It not only sends out high-end devices with the free phone program from the government. You can also choose what to get.
However, as we shall see shortly, not all get to receive the AirTalk free phone they choose when enrolling. The company usually processes the orders as per the available stock, except those on the “favorites” list.
How to Get AirTalk Wireless Free Government Phone
In a nutshell, the trick to get an AirTalk Wireless free government phone is to apply and qualify for the Lifeline or ACP program. To qualify for either of these programs, you have to be a US citizen with a low income.
The “Low Income” rule is vital as the government created Lifeline and ACP programs for those who can’t afford a phone or internet. If you fail to meet this requirement, you’ll certainly not be eligible for the freebies with AirTalk.
Fast forward, there are two main ways how to get an AirTalk free phone with Lifeline or ACP program:
Method 1: Get an AirTalk Free Phone with Income-Based Requirement
To get an AirTalk free phone with income-based requirements requires applying with proof of low income. The low-income currently eligible for the benefit is at or below 135% of the latest federal poverty guidelines.
Nevertheless, the government only allows a single enrollment per household for either Lifeline or ACP program. When you apply for the program with the income-based requirement, the gross income should also be for the whole household.
(The FCC (Federal Communication Commission) defines a household as all the people living under the same roof on shared income/ expenses).
Speaking of sharing, you must provide income proof when applying AirTalk Wireless free phone with income-based requirements. The accepted proof of eligibility includes a recent copy of the payment slip, income statement, worker/ unemployment compensation statement, and social security benefits statement.
Similar article: Free AirTalk Wireless Replacement Phone
Method 2: Get an AirTalk Free Phone with Program-Based Requirement
The second way to get AirTalk Wireless free government phone is with a government-funded assistance program/ benefit. As you may know, these government assistance benefits are usually available to low-income individuals.
That said, not all government assistance benefits can qualify for a free phone with Lifeline or ACP program. In fact, the only programs AirTalk lets you choose when you come to the eligibility section of the enrollment form are:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Program
- Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (f/k/a Food Stamps)
- Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- CAMISC
You still can apply for the Lifeline or ACP program with AirTalk if your government-funded assistance benefit is not on this list. But in such a case, you’ll have to select the option of “Qualify based on Income / Unemployment” when applying.
Similar to the eligibility with income-based requirement, you’ll need document proof when applying AirTalk free phone with government assistance benefit. The documents accepted as proof include a copy of the award letter, verification letter, or statement for the program you’re on.
Quick Note:
In the list above, it’s possible to get free government phones for students with AirTalk Wireless. The company has only listed the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), except you could also qualify with the “Breakfast” benefit.
Unlike the other government assistance programs, the School Lunch/ Break Program usually doesn’t have monthly statements. So, when using either to apply for the AirTalk free phone, the accepted proof of eligibility is an official letter from the school confirming your participation.
What Do I Get on the AirTalk Wireless Free Government Phone Deal?
As mentioned earlier, the AirTalk Wireless free government phone deal isn’t just about a discounted device. If eligible for the Lifeline or ACP program, AirTalk will also give you a monthly phone plan for the next twelve (12) months.
The free phone service plan you get depends on which of the available plans selected:
AirTalk Wireless Free Phone Plan with Lifeline Only
Like most ETCs, the AirTalk Wireless free phone with the Lifeline-only plan doesn’t have the best perks. For one, the Lifeline-only plan currently has no device discount.
In my opinion, this is a bit unfair, considering Lifeline is the oldest free phone program. Also, some people may want to redeem the ACP benefit with a fixed broadband provider like Verizon, Xfinity, Frontier, et cetera.
Sadly, the FCC policy on the Lifeline program doesn’t cover devices. The $9.25 subsidy ($34.25 if on Tribal lands) covers only the monthly service allowance.
In the monthly service allowance with the Lifeline-only plan, AirTalk Wireless offers:
- 1000 talk minutes
- Unlimited text messages
- 4.5GB of high-speed data
Other features available include Caller ID, Call Waiting, 3-way Calling, and voicemail.
AirTalk Wireless Free Phone Plan with ACP Only
The AirTalk Wireless free government phone program with the ACP-only plan has relatively better perks than the Lifeline-only subscription. It includes:
- Unlimited talk minutes
- Unlimited text messages
- 8GB of high-speed data
- A free basic phone (flip phone or low-end smartphone)
Similar to the Lifeline-only plan, the ACP-only package also includes Caller ID, Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, and voicemail.
However, AirTalk Wireless has an optional upgrade for the ACP-only plan at $12/ year. The upgrade fee lets you choose a free high-end smartphone of your choice. Then, the monthly high-speed data allowances increase to 18GB.
AirTalk Wireless Free Phone Plan with Lifeline + ACP Combo
AirTalk Wireless has the best perks on the Lifeline + ACP combo plan. The idea behind this, just like with other ETCs, is to convince the consumers to choose the plan over the rest.
The monthly service allowance with the Lifeline + ACP combo plan includes:
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text messages
- 15GB of high-speed data
- A free touchscreen phone
In addition to this monthly service allowance, the AirTalk Lifeline + ACP plan also has Caller ID, Call Waiting, 3-way Calling, and voicemail. Even better, you could get a $5 add-on (optional) to call Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
Another thing, there’s an (optional) upgrade for the AirTalk Wireless free phone package at $12/ year. The upgrade fee will GUARANTEE you get a high-end smartphone, plus the monthly high-speed data increases to 25GB.
What Kind of Free Phone Does AirTalk Wireless Give You?
Unlike most ETCs, AirTalk Wireless has an extensive catalog of free smartphones and basic phones on its website. The drawback is that you can only get a free device with the ACP program: either ACP-only or Lifeline + ACP combo plan.
Also, AirTalk now guarantees you’ll get the phone of your choice with the optional $12 upgrade fee. If you just apply for the full freebie (without an upgrade fee), the carrier will send what’s available in stock.
Fortunately, the kind of free government phone Airtalk Wireless gives you even without an upgrade fee includes brands we know. A Few examples include:
- Apple iPhone 7/ 7+
- Samsung Galaxy A10E
- Samsung Galaxy S9
- Samsung Galaxy S6
- Samsung Galaxy A21
- LG Stylo 6
- LG G7 ThinQ
- LG V50 ThinQ 5G
- Google Pixel 2/ 2XL
- Google Pixel 3/ 3XL
- Google Pixel 4/ 4XL
- TEVVL 4 Plus
- OnePlus 6T
- Motorola Moto G Pure
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
- Motorola Moto Edge 5G
- OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- Alcatel Go Flip 4
- Alcatel Go Flip 3
Note:
AirTalk Wireless still has a stock of entry-level smartphones like Unimax, Sky Devices, Wiko, Coolpad, and Schok Volt. The devices are mostly given to the consumers who apply for the ACP-only plan, though.
Common Related Questions:
How can I apply for AirTalk Wireless free government phone?
The process how to apply AirTalk Wireless free government phone is so easy online. I mean, you just need to:
- Grab an internet-enabled phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop PC and visit https://airtalkwireless.com/
- Once on the site, hit the bold “Apply” button
- AirTalk will ask you to enter your ZIP code to get started
- If the ZIP code entered is within AirTalk coverage areas, it will take you to the online enrollment page. Fill in your personal details, such as Name, date of birth, Social Security number (last digits), et cetera
- Next, choose the AirTalk free phone plan you’d wish to apply: Lifeline-only, ACP-only, or Lifeline + ACP combo.
- Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to choose your eligibility requirement, upload proof documents, and choose the phone to get.
Does AirTalk Wireless give free phones?
YES, AirTalk Wireless gives free phones if you apply for the ACP-only or Lifeline + ACP combo plan. However, the ACP-only plan gives basic phones (entry-level smartphones and flip phones), whereas the Lifeline + ACP combo gets high-end smartphones.
How to activate AirTalk Wireless?
The steps how to activate an AirTalk Wireless phone are as easy as :
- Grab an internet-enabled phone, tablet, or PC and visit https://airtalkwireless.com/active-my-sim-card
- On the new page, you’ll get a prompt to enter your MDN Number to initiate the activation process
- Next, input your SIM card number. Then hit the “Submit” button.
- Finally, insert the SIM card into your phone. Then power on the phone and enjoy.
What network does AirTalk Wireless use?
All the Lifeline providers are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs)– a carrier that resells the network of a major carrier. The Major Network AirTalk Wireless use is T-Mobile at the moment. However, the AirVoice brand used to use AT&T towers back when operating as FeelSafe Wireless.
Is the AirTalk Free Phone Worth it?
If from a low-income household, that’s everything relevant you should know about AirTalk Wireless free government phone. The Lifeline provider has the best device deal of all the ETCs I’ve gone through so far. It has the option to choose your desired phone, which is something nearly all the other competitors don’t allow.
As I’ve mentioned, though, AirTalk may send you a different phone if the selected option is not in stock. It’s only the customers who pay the upgrade fee are sure to receive the smartphone selected.
Whichever it is, the AirTalk free phone is worth it. This is not just because you get a high-end smartphone. But the monthly service plan is better than many of the competitors.
If approved for the AirTalk Wireless free phone deal, do know the device discount is a one-time thing. When you re-enroll for the program next time (required after every year), the carrier doesn’t give you a device.