Assurance Wireless — free government phone guide

Operated by T-Mobile US · Network: T-Mobile · 49 states served

A federal Lifeline-supported service operated by T-Mobile. The carrier participates in the federal Lifeline program nationwide and historically participated in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) before federal funding for that program was paused in 2024. The Lifeline benefit remains active and is the basis for the free monthly service profiled below.

What you get with Assurance Wireless

Assurance Wireless ships qualifying customers a free smartphone — typically a recent entry-level Android model, with periodic upgrades to mid-range Samsung and Motorola devices as inventory rotates — and provides the following monthly allotment at no cost: 25 GB of high-speed data, unlimited talk minutes, and unlimited text messages. The plan piggybacks on the T-Mobile network, so coverage and speeds in your zip code mirror that underlying network.

There is no contract, no credit check, no deposit, and no recurring monthly bill. The federal Lifeline subsidy of roughly $9.25 per month is applied directly to your account — most enrollees never even see an invoice. As long as you continue to qualify for Lifeline (and complete the annual recertification, which takes about five minutes online), the service stays free.

How Assurance Wireless compares

Within the Lifeline carrier landscape, Assurance Wireless distinguishes itself in three ways. The data allotment of 25 GB is on the higher end of what Lifeline carriers offer — adequate for messaging, navigation, light streaming, and video calls when on Wi-Fi. The free phone selection is standard for the program — a current entry-level Android. And the underlying network (T-Mobile) gives subscribers solid metropolitan and suburban coverage, with rural performance varying by state.

States where Assurance Wireless primarily enrolls

While the federal Lifeline benefit is technically portable nationwide, Assurance Wireless actively markets to and accepts new enrollments in the following states. Tap any state to read the dedicated guide for that pairing:

• Assurance Wireless in Alabama
• Assurance Wireless in Arizona
• Assurance Wireless in Arkansas
• Assurance Wireless in California
• Assurance Wireless in Colorado
• Assurance Wireless in Connecticut
• Assurance Wireless in Delaware
• Assurance Wireless in District of Columbia
• Assurance Wireless in Florida
• Assurance Wireless in Georgia
• Assurance Wireless in Hawaii
• Assurance Wireless in Idaho
• Assurance Wireless in Illinois
• Assurance Wireless in Indiana
• Assurance Wireless in Iowa
• Assurance Wireless in Kansas
• Assurance Wireless in Kentucky
• Assurance Wireless in Louisiana
• Assurance Wireless in Maine
• Assurance Wireless in Maryland
• Assurance Wireless in Massachusetts
• Assurance Wireless in Michigan
• Assurance Wireless in Minnesota
• Assurance Wireless in Mississippi
• Assurance Wireless in Missouri
• Assurance Wireless in Nebraska
• Assurance Wireless in Nevada
• Assurance Wireless in New Hampshire
• Assurance Wireless in New Jersey
• Assurance Wireless in New Mexico
• Assurance Wireless in New York
• Assurance Wireless in North Carolina
• Assurance Wireless in North Dakota
• Assurance Wireless in Ohio
• Assurance Wireless in Oklahoma
• Assurance Wireless in Oregon
• Assurance Wireless in Pennsylvania
• Assurance Wireless in Rhode Island
• Assurance Wireless in South Carolina
• Assurance Wireless in South Dakota
• Assurance Wireless in Tennessee
• Assurance Wireless in Texas
• Assurance Wireless in Utah
• Assurance Wireless in Vermont
• Assurance Wireless in Virginia
• Assurance Wireless in Washington
• Assurance Wireless in West Virginia
• Assurance Wireless in Wisconsin
• Assurance Wireless in Wyoming

How to enroll with Assurance Wireless

1. Visit the official enrollment portal at assurancewireless.com. We always recommend going to the carrier’s own website rather than a third-party form.
2. Confirm your eligibility through the National Verifier — either by entering your participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or the Veterans Pension, or by uploading proof of household income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guideline.
3. Upload a government-issued photo ID and one piece of recent mail confirming your address.
4. Choose a phone number — you can keep your existing number by porting it from another carrier — and select your free phone from the available inventory.
5. Wait for the SIM and device shipment, which typically arrives within 5–10 business days. Activate by following the included instructions.

Customer service & support

Reach Assurance Wireless by calling 1-888-321-5880 or by signing in to your account at assurancewireless.com. Account self-service typically includes recertification, address changes, replacement SIM ordering, and device upgrade requests. Some carriers — including this one — also support live chat in addition to phone support during business hours.

Frequently asked about Assurance Wireless

Is Assurance Wireless really free? Yes. The federal Lifeline subsidy fully covers the monthly bill, and the carrier provides a free smartphone to first-time enrollees as a sign-up incentive.

Can I keep my current phone number? Yes. During enrollment, choose the “port my number” option and provide your old account information; the transfer typically completes within a few business days.

What happens if I move? You can keep your Assurance Wireless account if the carrier serves your new state. If not, you can transfer your Lifeline benefit to another approved carrier; only one Lifeline service per household is allowed at a time.