American Assistance - Free Smartphone and ACP Plans

American Assistance is a phone company that participates in both the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP). Because they participate in those programs, they can offer not only free government phones to qualified households, but also offer free internet service. Although they offer programs in several states, they offer Lifeline and ACP programs in some states, and ACP only in other states.

Currently, American Assistance is authorized to offer Lifeline/ACP plans in the following states:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Florida - ACP Only
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts - ACP Only
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Nevada
• New Jersey - ACP Only
• New York - ACP Only
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee - ACP Only
• Texas - ACP Only
• Utah
• Virginia - ACP Only
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

American Assistance Free Phone Plans

The American Assistance Lifeline programs include a free Smartphone along with:

All States Except California

• Unlimited Voice Minutes
• Unlimited Text Messages
• 4.5GB of Data (Internet)
• Cost: $0

California Plan

• Unlimited Voice Minutes
• Unlimited Text Messages
• 6GB of Data (Internet)
• Cost: $0

There is the option to pay for additional data/internet by purchasing one of the Top Up bundles. However, if you qualify for the ACP program, you can get additional data for free. By stacking the ACP with Lifeline plans, eligible households receive 10GB of data along with unlimited text and voice. However, if the allotted monthly amount data is not enough, you can always purchase additional data as outlined below:

• 100 MB - $4.49
• 250 MB - $5.49
• 500 MB - $8.99
• 1 GB - $15.99
• 2 GB - $24.99
• 3 GB - $29.99
• 5 GB - $44.99

For those households living in ACP Only states, the internet discount is as follows:

• Free tablet (Actually a one-time $100 discount towards its purchase which includes a $14.95 copayment)
• $30 per month on Internet service
• Up to $75 a month for households living on qualified Tribal Lands

Qualifying for the Discounted/Free Service

To benefit from the discounted and/or free plans, you must meet the income requirements necessary to enroll in the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. You must have a household income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to sign up for Lifeline or 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines to be eligible for ACP. Or,


2. You or someone in your household receives benefits from one of the following government programs:


• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Medicaid/MediCal
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Additional Programs if living on Tribal lands:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Tribal Head Start
• Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

If you’d like to find more information about Lifeline/ACP qualifying programs, visit the Consumer Eligibility page of the Universal Service Administrative Company’s website.

Signing up for Lifeline/ACP

After confirming your eligibility, the next step is to create a Lifeline application by visiting the National Verifier website. Keep in mind that you must upload proof that you qualify for Lifeline. In addition to documented proof of eligibility, you must prove your identity by uploading a copy of your ID. Acceptable forms of ID include, but are not limited to driver’s license, passport, military ID, and more.

Once your Lifeline application is approved, you can then apply for the American Assistance free phone plans. You can apply online, or call or text them at 1-877-266-7212.

A Few Lifeline Tips

1. Only one Lifeline phone is permitted per household
2. You must recertify annually to prove that you still meet the eligibility requirements
3. You must use your free phone at least once every 30 days or run the risk of losing your Lifeline benefits.
4. If your phone is lost or stolen, contact American Assistance immediately. They will suspend service to your phone to prevent someone else from using your minutes. They will then assist you in getting another phone. The replacement phone is not free.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. We do not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor do we provide service. If you have questions about phone service we suggest you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 26 November 2022