Assurance Wireless
Free phone 41 states
- Free smartphone
- Unlimited texts
- Unlimited talk
View plans
Free cell phones in Iowa
10 Lifeline providers offer free or discounted phone service to eligible Iowa households. Compare plans below, then apply directly with the provider.
Lifeline providers in Iowa
Free-phone providers first, then by coverage.
Safelink Wireless
Free phone 40 states
- Free smartphone or BYOP
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
View plans
Access Wireless
Free phone 34 states
- Unlimited Talk
- Unlimited Text (15 GB of High Speed)
- Hotspot Data Included
View plans
Life Wireless
Free phone 30 states
- Free smartphone
- 500 minutes
- Unlimited text
View plans
Q Link Wireless
Free phone 26 states
- Free SIM card
- 1000 minutes talk
- Unlimited texts
View plans
Tempo Communications
Free phone 20 states
- Free cell phone
- Unlimited Talk
- Unlimited text
View plans
Tag Mobile
Free phone 18 states
- Free smartphone
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
View plans
Terracom Wireless
Free phone 12 states
- Free smartphone
- 1000 voice minutes
- Unlimited text
View plans
U.S. Cellular
Discounted 16 states
You usually a monthly discount of $9.25 per month In 26 US states. In West Virginia you can get a discount of $11.25.
View plans
Verizon Wireless
Discounted 4 states
Verizon Wireless Lifeline offering is quite limited. If you qualify for their discount, you will get $9.25 per month off the bill.
View plans
Who qualifies in Iowa
Full requirementsBy benefit program
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
By household income
135% of the 2026 poverty guidelines
| 1 person | up to $21,546/yr |
| 2 people | up to $29,214/yr |
| 3 people | up to $36,882/yr |
| 4 people | up to $44,550/yr |
Lifeline in Iowa at a glance
Iowa residents can choose from 10 Lifeline providers: Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless, Access Wireless, Life Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Tempo Communications, Tag Mobile, Terracom Wireless, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless. 8 of them advertise a free phone with service, while 2 offer discounted service instead. Assurance Wireless has the widest reach, serving 41 states.
If no one in your household receives a qualifying benefit, you can still qualify on income: up to $21,546 a year for a single person, or $44,550 for a family of four. Qualifying programs in Iowa include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income.
Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household. If you already have Lifeline with another company, you can transfer it to any provider listed above, or visit one of 380 carrier stores in Iowa to compare paid plans in person.
Independent information
We are not a carrier or a government agency. Apply only on the provider's official website or through the Lifeline National Verifier.
Phone stores in Iowa
Prefer to shop in person? Browse 380 carrier stores.