Several individuals in low-income families in the US lack an internet-connected device due to its affordability. For this reason, the government and other providers introduced ways to get free iPads with phones to bridge the digital gap. These devices are available after passing the eligibility requirements and submitting the required documentation.

An iPad is a very versatile digital device that’s ready for any task. Whether you’re gaming, browsing, or expressing your creativity, this device easily gets all these activities done. A free iPad with a phone can be helpful to low-income households in applying for jobs, students in researching schoolwork, or people who want to apply for social services from the government.

How to Qualify

If you qualify for Lifeline, you may be eligible for free devices from the US government offered by participating wireless providers. Applicants eligible for this program may get a free phone, including an iPad paired with phone plan services. 

There are some criteria for providers of free iPads with phone use to determine who qualifies for these devices.

Based on Your Income

You can get Lifeline offers if your household yearly income is not more than 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The threshold depends on the number of household members and the state.

Government Aided Programs

You can qualify for Lifeline if you or a member of your household receives benefits in one of the following Federal programs:

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously called Food Stamps
  • Medicaid

Tribal Aided Programs

For Tribal lands residents, you can be eligible for Lifeline if your household income equals 135% or below as per the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Besides, you can qualify if you or a member of your household receives benefits from the following:

  • Any of the above-stated assistance programs
  • Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Head Start (for households with income-qualifying standards only)

Survivors

Under the Safe Connections Act (SCA), survivors experiencing financial constraints may get emergency Lifeline support for up to 6 months. If you’re a victim of human trafficking, domestic violence, and related crimes, you can get free or discounted internet, phone, or bundled services.

How to Prove that I Qualify

There are three methods of application: through a Wireless provider, online, or mail. However, if you apply for a free iPad with a phone online or by mail, you must prove eligibility based on age, program participation, income, address, and more.

Show Proof of Participation

If you apply based on participation in one of the above state Federal or Tribal qualifying programs, submit a letter or an official document as proof. The papers should capture your legal name, the program name or the government, the date issued (within the past 12 months or future expiration) or the tribal agency that gave the document.

Document Include the following:

  • Statement of benefits
  • Benefit verification letter
  • Benefit award letter
  • Approval letter

Income Proof

If you qualify for a free iPad with a phone through your income, you must submit a document indicating your annual income following the Federal Poverty Line. The papers must have the applicants’ full names and the annual income.

To show documentation of income that does not cover an entire year, such as current pay stubs, the documentation 

Documents include:

  • Prior year’s state, federal or Tribal tax return
  • Employer’s current income statement or a paycheck stub (must comprise three months in a row within the past year)
  • Veterans Administration statement of benefits
  • Statement of Benefits for Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation 
  • Federal or Tribal participation notice letter in General Assistance
  • Child support award, Divorce decree, or other official document showing income details

Address Proof

Your documentation must include the applicant’s full name and physical address. However, if you are correcting this error via an online application, you may use the mapping tool in the application for USAC to find your address.

On the other hand, if correcting this error by mailing an application to USAC, you may show a map that precisely shows your physical address or location, featuring latitude and longitude coordinates if you live on Tribal lands.

Other Documents include:

  • Mortgage or lease statement
  • Most current W-2 or tax return
  • Utility bill
  • Driver’s license or other valid government, state, or Tribal ID

How Do I Submit the Proof Documents?

After filling in your application, you can submit it together with your proof documentation by any of the below means:

1. Online

Sign in or register a new account at the National Verifier website and upload copies of your documentation proof.

2. Mail

Complete the cover sheet at Lifelinesupport.org and send copies of your proof documentation to the address below.

  • Lifeline Support Center
  • PO Box 1000
  • Horseheads, NY 14845

3. Contact your phone or internet company

You can contact your company and request them for assistance with submitting your documentation proof.

Who Provides iPad with Phone?

The following are some of the Lifeline program participants and the best providers of free iPads to low-income households in the US.

  • FeelSafe Wireless
  • Access Wireless
  • Assurance Wireless
  • Airtalk Wireless
  • Standup Wireless
  • Cintex Wireless
  • True Wireless
  • American Assistance
  • Life Wireless 
  • NewPhone Wireless 
  • Qlink Wireless
  • TruConnect

Benefits of iPad to Users

  1. Run powerful apps effortlessly. The iPad works with apps like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office; thanks to a powerful processor, you can use them easily.
  2. You can use and work on multiple apps simultaneously without lags. With Slide Over or Split View, you can open multiple apps at once and interchange content between apps with a touch or a trackpad.
  3. You can take excellent notes with Apple Pencil. Whether you’re taking notes in class, updating a journal, or researching, the iPad is always ready for the task. 
  4. With an iPad, you can transform your handwritten notes into typed text. You can write your notes and, within a few taps, copy and paste them as typed text.
  5. Draw amazing shapes by hand with an Apple Pencil and let shape recognition convert them into their ideal form.
  6. Sign documents. On iPad, you can fill in a form or sign a document right with your fingertip or Apple pencil, then send it with just a tap. 
  7. Handwrite notes in any text field using Scribble. You can use Apple Pencil to write a quick message and automatically convert it to typed text.
  8. With an iPad, you have a professional recording studio on the go. You can easily use Audio apps like Logic Pro for iPad to learn, practice, record, and create. 
  9. iPad makes editing your photos and videos easy with excellent built-in or third-party editing apps. You can use Final Cut Pro for iPad to deliver professional videos.
  10. Stay connected socially by using Facetime and other video conferencing apps to attend office meetings and chat with relatives and friends.
  11. Using the back camera, you can use the built-in document scanner to scan a document, mark it and forward it all from the same device.

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Summary.

Every household in the US can access technological infrastructure regardless of their income status. If you qualify for Lifeline, you stand a chance to get a free iPad with a phone. Ensure you participate in one of the government-supported programs, such as Medicaid, or that your income level matches the Federal Poverty threshold. Besides, have documentation proof to show that you qualify based on either of these criteria.