How to Get a Free Tablet with Medicaid 2024 [Apply Now]

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Do you need a tablet right now but can’t afford to buy one? Since 2021, the US government has had a broadband program that helps low-income families connect. The program brings you a free monthly fixed/ mobile internet, plus a one-time discount on a tablet. And in this guide, we’ll be looking at how to get this free tablet with Medicaid.

The free government tablet from the government in this deal often has at least an 8-inch display. It’s more comfortable than a smartphone for tasks like streaming videos, reading, or typing- especially for seniors.

What Are The Best Providers Of A Free Tablet With Medicaid?

In this article, I’ve discussed 10+ companies you can get a free government tablet with Medicaid. The guide covers how you can apply, the means to qualify, and the kind of tablet each company gives you.

Before we can look at these full details, the six top best providers of a free tablet with Medicaid are:

Would You Like to Apply for Medicaid First?

Medicaid is an assistance benefit 100% by the government. State and federal governments jointly fund the program from the monies they raise through taxes. The taxes consist of what they collect through citizen income and businesses.

As for eligibility, Medicaid provides medical coverage to all ages, from children to senior citizens. A crucial requirement is that you should be from a low-income household and within either of the Medicaid-eligible groups.

Free Tablet with Medicaid
Free Tablet with Medicaid

Groups Eligible for Medicaid

  1. Medicaid for Children and teens: in this category, the government offers medical cover to children 18 years old (sometimes age 21). A parent/ guardian living with the child can apply in this case, or the kid living on his/ her own.
  2. Medicaid for pregnant women: in this group, Medicaid provides medical cover to expectant mothers. If the mother gives birth while still on Medicaid, the medical assistance will be catering to both the mother and newborn.
  3. Medicaid for the disabled, blind, or aged: as the name, this Medicaid group usually covers seniors (age 65 and up), blind, or disabled. The individuals should be from low-income households, plus those with terminal illnesses that require hospice services.
  4. Medicaid for other situations: this last group is an extension of the three groups above. It provides medical coverage to a child/ children under 18 years, pregnant women, or aged/ disabled/ blind on expensive medication.

If in either of these four categories, you can apply for Medicaid benefits from your dedicated state agency. It’s also possible to apply through the Health Insurance Marketplace® (atHealthCare.gov).

Some Medicaid eligibility requirements usually vary with the state you are in. Visit the Medicaid Assistant Program Glossary for a quick link to the requirements specific to your region.

How to Get a Free Tablet with Medicaid from the Government

Once approved for the Medicaid benefit, the issuing agency from your state will mail you an approval card. The Medicaid card is what you provide at medical centers (or accepted pharmacies) to pay the bill. Your bill can be covered in either full or just a part of it if very high.

As you may know, Medicaid is one of the assistance benefits eligible for a free lifeline phone. It’s also eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which the government created as a longer-term replacement of the EBB (emergency broadband benefit).

Similar to the old EBB, the ACP program offers monthly broadband discounts to all eligible consumers. The program also includes a Device discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.

Nonetheless, a tablet is what most of these ACP providers with the “Device discount” give you. To apply for a free tablet with Medicaid, you only need proof of participation on the assistance benefit.

For proof of participation in Medicaid, don’t use your benefit ID card. Instead, get a copy of a form of eligibility or a letter from the Medicaid agency in your state.

To apply for a free tablet through Medicaid, you typically need to provide the following documents:

  1. Proof of Enrollment in Medicaid or Similar Programs: This could be a Medicaid identification card or a letter from Medicaid confirming your enrollment.
  2. Proof of Income: This may include recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a letter of benefits. These documents help to establish your financial eligibility.
  3. Proof of Residency: Documents like a utility bill, lease agreement, or a driver’s license can serve as proof of residency.
  4. Personal Identification: A government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or a state ID card.
  5. Application Form: A completed application form, which will require personal and contact information, as well as details about your eligibility for the program.
  6. Additional Documents for Specific Criteria: Depending on the program’s specific criteria, you might need to provide additional documentation. This could include medical records for certain health conditions, a prescription history, or evidence of participation in other government assistance programs.

The Best ACP Providers You Can Get a Free Tablet with Medicaid

At this time, there are 1900+ affordable connectivity program providers you can join with Medicaid. The ACP providers consist of both fixed and mobile broadband services. But the list of those you can get a tablet is from the wireless category.

Speaking of the list, I’ve verified a little over a dozen companies and the kind of tablet you can get. They include:

 Carrier NetworkFree Tablets Available
AirTalk WirelessT-MobileApple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo, etc.
Cintex WirelessT-MobileApple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo, etc
Terracom WirelessT-MobileSamsung Tab A 8.4
Easy WirelessT-MobileSky Devices Elite T8
Torch WirelessAT&TBLU M8L, FOXXD T8, Maxwest, etc.
Sarver WirelessT-MobileHP Puya Tab or Sky Devices Elite
StandUp WirelessT-MobileSky Devices Elite, Vortex Tab 8, & NUU Tab
Unity WirelessT-Mobile & AT&TBenton OXTAB 10 Tablet PC
Q Link WirelessT-MobileQ Link Scepter 8 Tab
TruConnect WirelessT-MobileCloud Mobile Sunshine TL Elite
MOOLAH WirelessAT&TMOOLAH Mobile Tab
HoopWireless  T-MobileHyundai HyTab Plus
Maxsip Telecom  AT&TBLU M8L 2022
Excess TelecomT-MobileBLU M10L PRO
   

AirTalk Wireless

AirTalk Wireless is the first ACP company you can apply for a free tablet with Medicaid. As a mobile broadband, it usually runs off the T-Mobile network. Thus, excellent in the metropolises and remote areas with the GSM network.

Unlike most, applying the ACP tablet with AirTalk gives you a chance to choose a device to get. Even better, the list of featured devices includes high-end brands, such as:

  • Apple iPad 4, with 32GB internal memory and 1GB RAM
  • Apple iPad Mini, with 32GB internal memory and 0.5GB RAM
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, with 32GB internal memory and 3GB RAM
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab E, with 16GB internal memory and 1.5GB RAM
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2020, with 32GB internal memory and 3GB RAM

Terracom Wireless

Terracom Wireless is a second service provider you can apply ACP program with Medicaid and get a tablet. It also uses T-Mobile towers to offer its broadband service, which means I’d not recommend it in rural areas like Paulina/ Hines, Oregon.

If your area has good coverage, though, Terracom Wireless gives away a free Samsung tablet in the ACP program. The kind of tablet they would give you when I checked last was a Samsung Tab A 8.4 (2020 Edition). It (the tablet) has pretty decent features, including 32GB internal memory and up to 3GB RAM.

To make it even better, you can apply the government tablet with Terracom online, by call, or in person. In the latter, you can apply either at the dedicated Terracom dealers or the agents camped outside malls, campuses, and community centers.

Unity Wireless

Unity Wireless is the third decent service provider you can apply ACP tablet with Medicaid. It’s better coverage-wise than the other two as it has network deals with T-Mobile and AT&T. So, you get to join the network that works best in your area or situation.

Unfortunately, you can only apply Unity Wireless tablet online or with agents outside community places (if you can find one). If approved, you’ll get an Android tablet, most likely OxTAB 10.

The OXTAB tablet has quite lovely specs, including an extra-wide 10-inch display, plus 32GB built-in memory and 3GB RAM.

Sarver Wireless

Sarver Wireless is a California-based ACP provider you can get both broadband and device discounts with Medicaid. The broadband provider, like most, has made a network deal with T-Mobile GSM network.

When you apply the ACP tablet with Sarver Wireless, chances are that you’ll get the HP Puya 10.1” Tab. If this is unavailable, you may get Sky Devices Elite T10, which has 32GB internal memory and up to 3GB RAM.

Maxsip Telecom

Maxsip Telecom is another ACP provider you can get a free tablet with Medicaid and broadband service through the AT&T network. The company is based in New York, albeit you can apply from any of the US states and territories.

If in the backcountry or unable to leave your home, it’s easy to apply for a Maxsip tablet online. Alternatively, you can visit one of the local kiosks partnered with the service provider to apply in person.

If approved, the free Android tablet Maxsip Telecom often sends is BLU M8L (2nd Gen). The tablet has decent specs, like 32GB internal memory and up to 3GB RAM. But in case this is unavailable, you’ll get the original BLU M8L tablet, with 32GB built-in memory and 1GB memory.

Excess Telecom

Excess Telecom is certainly not the most famous provider of ACP programs. However, it also gives a decent free Android tablet from BLU.

Not that Excess Telecom has advertised on their website the kind of tablet they give you. However, I was able to initiate a quick online chat with one of the reps, who confirmed they sent out the BLU M10l Pro. It’s a decent tablet, with a 10-inch display, 32GB internal memory, and 3GB RAM.

When you apply for the Excess tablet but the M10l Pro is not available, you’re likely to receive older BLUs. The older BLU tablets include the M8L or M8L-Plus the ACP provider used to send out a while back.

Ps: Excess Wireless uses T-Mobile towers for native coverage.

Cintex Wireless

Cintex Wireless is yet another ACP provider with broadband service through T-Mobile. The company is a brand of HTH Communications, making it now a step-sister to the AirTalk Wireless.

A year ago, Cintex was much like AirTalk, with high-end tablets and the option to choose what to get. However, this option is not available currently.

So, when you apply the ACP tablet offer with the company, they will send whatever is in stock. That means you may get an Apple iPad, Samsung Tab, or any other Android device.

Torch Wireless

If AT&T is the best network in your area, Torch Wireless is a decent company to get the ACP programs. The company website is missing quite a pack of information regarding this offer. Nonetheless, they do have an online chat that connects you to a customer rep within seconds.

I was able to connect with a Torch Wireless agent who confirmed the tablet you get is one of the following:

  • BLU M8L, with 32GB internal memory and 1GB RAM
  • FOXXD T8, with 16GB internal memory and 2GB RAM
  • XMOBILE X8, with 32GB internal memory and 3GB RAM
  • Maxwest Nitro 8, with 32GB internal memory and 3GB RAM
  • Maxwest Astro 8q, with 32GB internal memory and 2GB RAM
  • Hyundai HYTAB PLUS tab, with 32GB internal memory and 3GB RAM

Easy Wireless

Easy Wireless is yet another mobile provider you can get the ACP broadband service and device discount with Medicaid benefit. It’s also on the T-Mobile network, which means your service will have good coverage in metropolises.

The good thing here is that you can apply the Easy Wireless tablet online or at the dedicated local stores. It currently has about fifty stores, all of them distributed in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.

On their website, Easy Wireless only states the tablet you’ll be getting is an 8-inch model (of $120 value). But I’ve also learned the tablet you get is a Sky Devices T8, with 32GB internal memory and 2GB RAM.

StandUp Wireless

StandUp Wireless is one of the names synonymous with government assistance programs. The company is most famous for the free Lifeline phone service it offers through T-Mobile. But you can also apply for the ACP program, which includes both broadband and tablet discounts.

The tablet StandUp Wireless gives you is the Vortex Tab 8, with 32GB internal memory and 3GB RAM. If that’s unavailable, you can expect Sky Devices or NUU Tab, both of which have 32GB internal storage.

MOOLAH Wireless

Moolah Wireless is another good option you can enjoy the ACP program through the AT&T network. Of course, the company doesn’t have the best broadband allowance (only 3GB of high-speed data, then drops to 2G speeds).

When you apply for the ACP program, though, MOOLAH also gives you a tablet to use with the service. The tablet you receive is a MOOLAH Mobile Tab, with a 10-inch display, 32GB internal memory, and 3GB RAM.

TruConnect Wireless

Are you still looking for an ACP provider with a tablet discount? TruConnect Wireless is another Lifeline provider on the ACP program you can join with Medicaid. It offers service through the T-Mobile towers, which means the coverage is best in highly populated areas.

When you apply for the ACP with TruConnect, there’s an optional free government tablet. The carrier has no clear details on the kind of tablet you receive. Even worse, the company never replied to my email upon asking about it.

Fortunately, after extensive research, I believe the tablet TruConnect gives you is the Cloud Mobile Sunshine Elite tab. It is certainly not comparable to an iPad or Samsung Tab. But it has specs like an 8-inch display, 16GB internal memory, and 2GB RAM that are okay for a senior.

Hoop Wireless

I’m not going to lie I’ve ever heard of Hoop Wireless a week ago. A deep check on the company shows they started recently- around 2022. So, it never got to offer the emergency broadband benefit free tablet available between May to December 2021.

That said, Hoop Wireless seems like a decent company to apply for the ACP program. The broadband discount includes up to 30GB of high-speed data before dropping to lower speeds. Then, you can also get a tablet discount if you select the “Internet Tablet plan” during enrollment.

More to love, Hoop Wireless is very transparent as they have listed the tablet to expect if approved. The tablet you receive is a Hyundai model, with a 10-inch display, 32GB internal memory, and 2GB RAM.

QLink Wireless

Although last on my list, Qlink Wireless is one of the most sought-after providers of broadband benefits from the government. It offers the wireless service through the T-Mobile, which many on the Trustpilot board seem to like.

Furthermore, you can get a Qlink free tablet if approved for the broadband benefit. The tablet you get is the branded Qlink Scepter 8, with 16GB internal storage and 2GB RAM.

Qlink seems to have only made the tablets deal with only a single manufacturer- Hot Pepper. So, where the second-generation Sceptor 8 Tab is unavailable, they may send the first-gen model they used to give away before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need to pay anything for an ACP tablet with Medicaid?

No, not in all cases you’ll need to pay for an ACP tablet with Medicaid. Of course, there’s the “co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50” The FCC has asked ACP providers to charge applicants for the tablet discount. But some like the MOOLAH Wireless do not charge even that, giving you the tablet 100% FREE.

Does T-Mobile give a free government tablet with Medicaid?

No, T-Mobile does not give a FREE government tablet with Medicaid. The cell phone provider is not participating in the ACP program (with the tablet discount) directly. It offers the program through its brands, MetroPCS and Assurance Wireless. Then, the two only offer a monthly broadband discount without a tablet.

Where can I get a free tablet with Medicaid?

In a nutshell, the best place to get free tablets with Medicaid varies from one person to another. I mean, it all depends on what you want. The five best options include: