Essential Guide to Qualifying for Free Obama Phones

Obtaining a free Obama phone is straightforward if you meet certain eligibility criteria. These include participation in specific government assistance programs or having a low household income. Checking your qualifications for a free government phone, which offers varying amounts of free minutes and texts, is quick and easy.

Are you enrolled in any of the following assistance programs?

If so, you may qualify for a free Obama phone:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Federal Public Housing Assistance

Veterans Pension and Survivor Benefits

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Food Distribution on Indian Reservations

Tribal Head Start

Not enrolled in these programs? Don’t worry, there’s another way to qualify based on household income.

Is your household income within the qualifying range?

If your household's annual earnings are low enough, you can qualify for a free Obama phone even if you’re not enrolled in assistance programs. This process involves verifying your total household income and submitting necessary documents. Household income refers to combined earnings of all members for the previous year, and must be below 135% of the Federal Poverty Level.

In some states—including Texas, Rhode Island, Ohio, New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, Kansas, Florida, and Arizona—the threshold extends to 150%. Factors like state regulations and company offerings may influence available minutes, texts, and eligibility details, so check local guidelines.

This federal-sponsored program is managed by individual states, which may have slight variation in eligibility criteria and services provided.