Let me tell you something most people don‘t know.

Every major cell phone carrier has discounted plans for low-income Americans. But they won’t put these plans on their homepage. They won‘t run Super Bowl ads about them. You have to know they exist — and know how to ask.

The good news? If you’re reading this, you probably qualify. And the savings can be significant — from $9.25 off your monthly bill to completely free phone service.

Here‘s exactly what’s available and how to get it.

The Federal Program: Lifeline

The biggest and most established program is called Lifeline. It‘s a federal program run by the FCC that’s been helping low-income Americans afford phone and internet service since 1985.

What you get: A monthly discount on qualifying phone, internet, or bundled service from participating providers.

How much: Up to 9.25 per month for most eligible households. If you live on Triballands, you could get up to 9.25 per month for most eligible households. If you live on Triballands, you could get up to 34.25 per month.

Who qualifies: You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, OR if you or someone in your household participates in any of these programs:

SNAP (food stamps / EBT)
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Certain Tribal Assistance Programs

One per household: Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household. You can apply it to either phone service OR internet service — but not both.

The catch you need to know: You have to recertify your eligibility every year. If you don‘t, you’ll be de-enrolled. Also, if your provider doesn‘t charge you a monthly fee (because the discount covers the full cost), you must use your service at least once every 30 days to keep it active.

How to apply: Go to Official website of lifeline to check your eligibility and apply. You’ll need to verify your income or program participation with documents dated within the past 12 months.

Carrier-Specific Low-Income Plans

Beyond Lifeline, some carriers have their own low-income offerings. Here‘s what’s available right now.

Metro by T-Mobile: 50% Off for 6 Months

Metro recently launched a multi-month prepaid offer that lets new customers pay 120 up front for six months of service — that‘s 50120 up front for six months of service —that‘s 5040 plan. You get unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mobile‘s network, taxes and fees included.

Who it‘s for: People who can pay a lump sum to lock in savings. The regular monthly cost would be 240 over six months; you pay 240 over six months; you pay120.

How to get it: Bring your own phone and sign up online or in a Metro store.

Sezzle Mobile: $29.99 for Unlimited 5G

Sezzle (yes, the “buy now, pay later” company) launched a mobile phone plan in February 2026. It runs on AT&T’s network and costs just $29.99 per month for truly unlimited 5G data, talk, text, and HD streaming — plus Canada and Mexico roaming included.

For context, the average single-line mobile plan in the U.S. costs between 70and70and100 per month. That‘s a massive difference.

How to get it: You need to be a Sezzle user. The plan is managed entirely within the Sezzle app, and you can cancel anytime with no fees.

Other Low-Cost MVNOs (Not “Low Income” but Still Cheap)

Even if you don’t qualify for Lifeline, you can still save money by switching to a discount carrier. These companies use the same networks as the big carriers but charge a fraction of the price.

Carrier	Price	Network	What You Get
Mint Mobile	$15/month (intro)	T-Mobile	5GB data, hotspot included
Visible	$25/month	Verizon	Unlimited data, hotspot
US Mobile	$15/month	Verizon/AT&T/T-Mobile	10GB data, customizable
Tello	$14/month	T-Mobile	5GB data, rollover data

All of these plans include 5G access where available.

What About Free Phones?

Some Lifeline providers offer free smartphones when you sign up for their service. These are usually Wi-Fi-enabled Android phones with hotspot capability.

However, FCC rules only require that providers offer Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones — not that every provider gives them away for free. You‘ll need to check with specific Lifeline providers in your state to see what devices they offer.

TAG Mobile, for example, is a national Lifeline provider that offers free or discounted devices with their plans.

What’s Ending Soon (Important)

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — a separate federal program that gave $30/month toward internet bills for 23 million Americans — is ending. Funds are expected to run out by late May 2026.

If you were using ACP, you‘ll need to switch to Lifeline or find another low-cost option. Your internet provider may have its own low-income programs, so call them and ask.

Your Action Plan: How to Start Saving Today

Step 1: Check if you qualify for Lifeline.
Go to Official website of lifeline. The eligibility checker takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2: If you qualify, apply.
You’ll need to provide proof of income or program participation documents dated within the last 12 months.

Step 3: Find a participating provider in your state.
Once approved, you can choose from Lifeline providers available where you live. TAG Mobile is one national option.

Step 4: If you don‘t qualify for Lifeline, switch to a discount carrier.
Mint, Visible, US Mobile, or Tello can cut your bill by 50-70% compared to Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile postpaid plans.

Step 5: Tell a friend.
Most people don’t know these programs exist. Share this with someone who could use the savings.

The Bottom Line

Carriers don‘t advertise these plans because they make less money on them. That’s the honest truth.

But that doesn‘t mean you shouldn’t use them. If you qualify, you‘re entitled to the discount. The FCC created Lifeline specifically to help people like you stay connected.

Five minutes could save you $9.25 a month — or more. That’s money back in your pocket for doing almost nothing.

Go check. You might be surprised.

Your Cell Phone Carrier Has a “Low Income” Plan You Probably Qualify For. They Don‘t Advertise It.