TruConnect Wireless

Because they participate in the federal Lifeline program, TruConnect Wireless can provide free smartphones along with free service to eligible individuals. The free service includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and between 8GB and 14.GB of monthly data (depending on your state of residence). They also offer international calling.

Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs (ACP)

Although the scope of this website is about Free Government Phones as afforded by the Lifeline program, things have changed since this site was created. Now, to get the full benefit of free wireless service, it is necessary to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (the topic of a separate site). However, because TruConnect Wireless’ service plans are very much entwined with both programs, it is necessary to address the ACP here.

With the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible households/individuals are entitled to a one-time $100 discount towards the purchase of an internet-capable device such as a tablet, desktop, or laptop plus a discount of up to $30 on broadband services (phone and internet).

TruConnect Wireless Plan Offerings

TruConnect offers two different plans. One is ACP only and the other is Lifeline plus ACP. Below is a listing of what they offer by state:

ACP Only States:

Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, Wyoming

• Unlimited Talk
• Unlimited Text
• International Calling
• 8GB of 4G/LTE data, Wi-Fi hotspot
• Choice of an LTE-enabled hotspot or Google Play Certified LTE Android smartphone*
• Cost: Free

TruConnect Lifeline and ACP

Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

• Unlimited Talk
• Unlimited Text
• International Calling
• 12.5GB of 4G/LTE data, Wi-Fi hotspot
• Free Android Smartphone*
• Cost: Free

• Unlimited Talk
• Unlimited Text
• International Calling
• 14GB of 4G/LTE data, Wi-Fi hotspot
• Free Android Smartphone*
• Cost: Free

*Smartphones are subject to availability

Remember, with Lifeline, the 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.

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

Qualifying for TruConnect Lifeline Plan

As mentioned earlier, to receive the free government phone and service, you must enroll in the Lifeline and ACP programs. To do that, you must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria listed below:

1. Have a household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (150% in the state of California) to qualify for Lifeline or 200% or below to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, or


2. You (or someone in your household) participates in one of the following government assistance programs:

   California Residents

   • Medicaid and Medi-Cal
   • LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
   • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
   • Section 8 or Federal Public Housing Assistance
   • SNAP or CalFresh
   • WIC
   • National School Lunch Program (NSL)
   • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) including CalWORKs, StanWORKS, WTW, and GAIN
   • Tribal TANF
   • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
   • Head Start (Tribal only)
   • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
   • Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits

   Residents in All Other States:

   • Lifeline (to qualify for ACP)
   • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
   • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
   • Medicaid
   • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
   • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
   • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
   • School Lunch or Breakfast program, which includes USDA Community Eligibility Provision schools
   • Federal Pell Grant program recipient in the current year

Applying for TruConnect Service

Once you have confirmed eligibility, it's time to assemble all of the necessary documentation to prove it. In addition to proof of eligibility, you will need proof of identity and proof that you're alive. Apparently, people have been trying to scam the system so now you have to prove that you're living and breathing. Below is a list of acceptable proof of eligibility and proof of identity/life.

After you've assembled the necessary documentation, head over to the National Verifier website and apply for Lifeline benefits. Approval for Lifeline is an automatic approval for ACP benefits. If your documents are in order, you should get an immediate approval and receive a National Verifier ID number.

With your National Verifier ID in hand, you can go over to TruConnect Wireless to apply for benefits. Make sure to use the exact same information on the TruConnect application as you did on the National Verifier application. Not having identical information will cause your application to be rejected.

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: 14 November 2022