enTouch Wireless Free Government Phones

Because they participate in the federal Lifeline program, enTouch Wireless can offer eligible individuals a free cellphone along with free talk, text and data. The Lifeline program was originally created to help low-income individuals/households afford the cost of telephone services through monthly discounts. With the advance in technology, many companies now offer free cell phones with free service. enTouch Wireless is one of these companies.

enTouch Wireless currently offers (as of June 2019) service in the following 34 states:

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

If they don’t offer service in your state, check out our State Listings to find other Lifeline phone providers that operate in your area.

enTouch Wireless Lifeline Plan

Currently, enTouch offers four Lifeline service plans that come along with the free cellphone as follows:

All States excluding California

1,000 Talk Minutes | Unlimited Texts | 100MB of 4G Data

Unlimited Talk Minutes | Unlimited Texts | 15 GB 4G Data

California Only

Unlimited Talk Minutes | Unlimited Texts | ½ GB Data

Unlimited Talk Minutes | Unlimited Texts | 25 GB Data

If the monthly talk/data time offered on the above Lifeline plans are not enough, you always have the option of purchasing additional time/data (TopUp). There are varying plans that range from $5 to $50. Purchasing additional time is as easy as logging into your account, calling Customer Service or visiting a MoneyGram location.

Qualification Criteria for enTouch Wireless (All states except Ca)

If you’re a non-California resident and participate in one of the following government assistance programs or have an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you qualify for the enTouch Wireless free phone program:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Tribally Administered TANF
• Tribally Administered Head Start (meeting income-qualifying standards of Head Start)
• Veterans Pension of Survivors Benefit

Qualification Criteria for California Residents

Below is a listing of qualifying assistance programs for California residents:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance / Section 8
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Greater avenues for Independence (GAIN)
• Low-Income Heat & Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid (aka Medi-Cal)
• National School Lunch Program (NSL) Free Program Only
• Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (StanWORKs)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (a.k.a. CalFresh, Food Stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Tribally Administered Head Start (meeting the income qualifications of Head Start)
• Tribally Administered TANF
• Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit
• Welfare-To-Work (WTW)
• Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)

How to Apply for enTouch Wireless Lifeline Program

With the rollout of the National Verification program, you should see if you live in a state subject to the program. If you do live in a state participatingin the National Verifyer program, you can visit CheckLifeline.org to begin the application process. Once approved through the National Verification program, you can then complete the process by visiting or calling enTouch Wireless.

For applicants not yet subject to National Verification, applying is as simple as visiting the enTouch Wireless site, entering your zip code, email address and clicking the “Apply Now” button. However, before doing that, take a few moments to accumulate the necessary documentation. Having the documentation in hand before applying makes the process run smoothly. Proper documentation is needed whether or not you're subject to National Verificatoin.

You’ll need to have proof of program eligibility such as an award letter or program ID card or a letter from the agency confirming that you are indeed receiving benefits. You will also need proof of your identification. Using a state-issued ID card such as a driver’s license will do (see website for additional acceptable forms of ID). In addition, you’ll need proof of income. Once you’ve accumulated that information, it’s time to apply.

If you prefer paper application rather than signing up online, enTouch offers the ability to download and print a state-specific application. Once it’s completed, mail it and the necessary documentation to the address indicated in the application.

How Long Before the Phone is Shipped

enTouch will send a confirmation email when the order is processed and shipped. According to their website, orders take 48 hours to process. Shipping can take as long as 3-5 days if you choose standard shipping, and much faster if you choose overnight shipping.

Things to Know

1. All documentation must be dated within 12 months of the application date.


2. If you have an existing phone and wish to keep your number, notify Customer Service. They should be able to transfer your number.


3. Use it or lose it. You must use the phone at least once every 30 days. If you don’t use it for 60 days, your Lifeline service will be deactivated.


4. Only one Lifeline account per household.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. We do not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor do we provide service. If you have questions about phone service we suggest you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 7 June 2021