TerraCom Wireless - Lifeline and ACP Plans

As a participant in the Federal Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP), TerraCom Wireless offers free Smartphones along with free cellular and internet service to eligible households. Their website advertises Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, and Unlimited Data, but be sure to read the fine print. It’s not available in all areas.

Currently (October 2022), TerraCom offers service in the following states:

Arkansas, Arizona , Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

All states do not have the same plan options. Listed below are the TerraCom plans available to eligible households by state:

Oklahoma and Washington

Tribal Base Plan

10,000 Voice
Unlimited Text

Tribal Base Plan plus Data

10,000 Voice
Unlimited Text
4.5GB Data

Non-Tribal Plans

1,000 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Text

Non-Tribal Plan plus Data

500 Voice minutes
Unlimited Texts
4.5GB of Data

Kansas

1840 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Text

Voice + Data

920 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Texts
4.5GB Data

Nebraska

1350 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Texts

Voice + Data

690 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Texts
4.5 GB Data

All Other States

1000 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Texts

Voice + Data

500 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Texts
4.5 GB Data

An all of the plans listed above, the unused minutes do not roll over

Affordable Connectivity Program Plans

Regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program, TerraCom’s website explains the change that occurred with the discontinuation of the EBB program and the implementation of the ACP program. However, they’re not very clear as to the ACP plans they offer.

They’re clear that the Tribal ACP benefits are the same as the benefits received through the EBB program. That benefit is $39.99 per month. The Non-Tribal recipients will see a decrease in benefits from $39.99 a month to $30 per month.

TerraCom also explains the change in qualification criteria and that those previously receiving EBB benefits may have to requalify for ACP benefits.

How to Qualify for Lifeline and ACP

Although the TerraCom Wireless website doesn’t clearly outline the requirements needed to qualify for Lifeline and ACP, we will list the requirements below. You may also find this information on the USAC website. To qualify you must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

Lifeline: Have a household income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for ACP).

You or a member of your household is receiving benefits from one of the following government assistance programs.

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
Medicaid
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)

Signing up for Lifeline

To receive the free phone and service, you must first enroll in the Lifeline program. To do so, visit the National Verifier website and apply. Before starting your application, however, it’s best to have the necessary documents in hand to make the application process painless.

You will need not only documents that prove you are eligible such as a program Award letter or Benefits letter, but you’ll also need to prove your identity and that you are living. The image below outlines examples of acceptable forms of proof.

Once your Lifeline application is approved, you can then go to the TerraCom website to sign up for their service (When this article was written, TerraCom did not accept online applications. You had to call the Customer Service Center at 1-888-716-8880). TerraCom does not run credit checks or require you to sign a contract. After TerraCom approves. your application, your device should be shipped within 5 to 7 business days. This may vary depending on demand. If you didn’t keep track of the date of your application, you can always check the status of your application on the TerraCom Wireless website.

As TerraCom Wireless does not take responsibility for phones after they are delivered to a mailbox (i.e., a phone stolen from the mailbox), it’s best to monitor your mailbox daily until the phone is received.

If you do enroll with TerraCom Wireless you can always check the status of your application here

Do Your Homework

This person’s opinion (and it’s just an opinion): Other wireless providers offer coverage in the states listed on this page. Their offerings are clear and easy to understand. They also offer unlimited talk, text, and data. Please do your homework before signing up with any wireless provider. To view more wireless options, please visit the “By Provider” page or the State Listing page on this website.

Things to Consider

If you already have a cell number and become eligible for the free Lifeline phone, you can keep your existing phone number. Call customer support at 1-888-716-8880 to have the number ported.

Every call made or received uses airtime minutes. Additionally, one minute is deducted for incoming and/or outgoing text messages. There’s a possibility that unusually long text messages may cost more. Make sure to check your plan details.

You can always check your airtime balance on your phone by pressing *646* and pressing the talk/send key. Or, if you’re not comfortable with that method, you can call customer service to check your balance.

TerraCom’s wireless plans do not include international calling.

Only one Lifeline eligible phone is allowed per economic unit.

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: 28 November 2022