TruConnect Wireless

Because they participate in the federal Lifeline program, TruConnect Wireless is able to provide free smartphones along with free service to eligible individuals. The free service includes unlimited talk, text and up to 3 GB of monthly data (depending on your state of residence). They also offer international calling to a few select countries.

TruConnect’s Lifeline plan is available in over 20 states with new states being added. As of this writing, they offer services to residents of Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

If TruConnect doesn’t operate in your state, visit our States Listing to find other Lifeline participants offering service where you live.

TruConnect Lifeline Plans

If you choose TruConnect as your Lifeline provider, here’s what you’ll get:

California Residents:

Up to 3GB data | Unlimited Talk | Unlimited Text | Unlimited international calls to Canada, China and Mexico

States other than California:

2 GB Data | 1,000 Talk Minutes | Unlimited Texting | Unlimited international calls to Canada, China and Mexico

If you need more talk time or data than the Lifeline plan provides, you can purchase additional time. Currently, $5 will purchase 500 talk minutes and $10 an additional 1,000 talk minutes. Similarly, if you want more data, $5 buys 500 MB and $10 buys 1GB.

Remember, with Lifeline, the basic plans are free with no credit check, no fees and no contract. You are also free to switch from another Lifeline carrier to TruConnect if you wish. To do so you must speak to one of their customer service representatives and they’ll help you with the switch.

Type of Phones

As of this writing, there is a limited selection of Android phones. However, if you currently have a phone that you like and would like to use it with your TruConnect plan, you can bring your own phone.

Qualifying for TruConnect Lifeline Plan

To receive the free government phone and service, you must have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines (150% in the state of California). Or, you (or someone in your household) must participate in one of the following government assistance programs:

California Residents

• CalFresh, Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid/Medi-Cal
• Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
1. California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
2. Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (StanWORKs)
3. Welfare-to-Work (WTW)
4. Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)
• Tribal TANF
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program

Residents in All Other States:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Live on federally-recognized Tribal lands and participate in any of the following:
1. Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
2. Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
3. Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
4. Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Applying for TruConnect Service

Once you have confirmed eligibility, it's time to assemble all of the necessary documentation. In addition to proof of eligibility, you will need proof of identity. Whether you use a state issued drivers license or military ID, you need a government issued (state or federal) identification card to prove you are who you say you are.

If you live in one of the states subject to National Verification, you can begin the application process by visiting CheckLifeline.org. Once approved through CheckLifeline.org, you can then go to TruConnect to complete the application process.

If you live in a state not yet subject to the National Verification process, you can go directly to TruConnect to apply.

Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive your free government phone along with the appropriate talk/text data. If you should have any questions regarding your application or service, contact a TruConnect customer service representatives.

Lifeline Stipulations

1. Only one Lifeline account per household
2. You must use your phone service at least once every 30 days or run the risk of losing your Lifeline benefits.
3. You must recertify annually to prove you are still eligible for benefits. You can recertify on the TruConnect website.

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: 7 June 2021