Assurance Wireless
Free phone 41 states
- Free smartphone
- Unlimited texts
- Unlimited talk
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Free cell phones in Ohio
11 Lifeline providers offer free or discounted phone service to eligible Ohio households. Compare plans below, then apply directly with the provider.
Lifeline providers in Ohio
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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Life Wireless
Free phone 30 states
- Free smartphone
- 500 minutes
- Unlimited text
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Q Link Wireless
Free phone 26 states
- Free SIM card
- 1000 minutes talk
- Unlimited texts
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Tempo Communications
Free phone 20 states
- Free cell phone
- Unlimited Talk
- Unlimited text
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American Assistance
Free phone 16 states
- Free smartphone
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
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FeelSafe Wireless
Free phone 5 states
- Free smartphone
- 500 free minutes
- 500 free text
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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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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.
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ATT Mobility
Discounted 16 states
AT&T Mobility company offers a discount Lifeline program. Check out the discounts that are available to you from each state.
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Who qualifies in Ohio
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 Ohio at a glance
Ohio residents can choose from 11 Lifeline providers: Assurance Wireless, Safelink Wireless, Access Wireless, Life Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Tempo Communications, American Assistance, FeelSafe Wireless, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and ATT Mobility. 8 of them advertise a free phone with service, while 3 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 Ohio 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 1,303 carrier stores in Ohio 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 Ohio
Prefer to shop in person? Browse 1,303 carrier stores.