Assurance Wireless
Free phone 41 states
- Free smartphone
- Unlimited texts
- Unlimited talk
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Free cell phones in New York
5 Lifeline providers offer free or discounted phone service to eligible New York households. Compare plans below, then apply directly with the provider.
Lifeline providers in New York
Free-phone providers first, then by coverage.
Safelink Wireless
Free phone 40 states
- Free smartphone or BYOP
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
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Access Wireless
Free phone 34 states
- Unlimited Talk
- Unlimited Text (15 GB of High Speed)
- Hotspot Data Included
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T-Mobile
Discounted 27 states
Most Lifeline discounts are around $10 per months. Once this is applied you will pay around $9.99 per month or even less.
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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.
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Who qualifies in New York
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 New York at a glance
New York residents can choose from 5 Lifeline providers: Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless, Access Wireless, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. 3 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 New York 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 1,846 carrier stores in New York 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 New York
Prefer to shop in person? Browse 1,846 carrier stores.