A Guideline For Free Flip Phones For Seniors

An old woman is looking at her Flip Phone

If you are a low income senior person, then I think you obviously know why you need a flip phone. As a senior person, you may have poor hearing capability or vision, you may drop your phone several times a day for being aged, or you may need a straight forward navigation system on your phone. Whatever your demand is, it can be perfectly fulfilled by a flip phone.

In this article I describe how you may get a flip phone from a Government initiative, the Lifeline Program, eligibility and required documents for the program, the application process, the activation process of the flip phone, and a bonus section on the advantages of a flip phone in a senior person’s life. If you are interested, come with me and explore everything.

Ways To Get A Flip Phone For Seniors

You may get your Free Flip Phone from a Government Program, The Lifeline Program; or you may get it free from a charity or non profit organization.

From The Government Lifeline Program

You  can get your free flip phone from the Federal Assistance Program, the Lifeline Program. If you are an eligible low income senior citizen, you may apply for the Lifeline program to get a free flip phone with a discount of $9.25 ( For non tribal residents) and $34.25 (For tribal residents) on your monthly internet bill, or broadband internet services. 

From Charity Or Non Profit Organizations

If you are ineligible for the lifeline program, then do not get upset. You may still get a free flip phone from some Charity or non profit organizations.Such organizations are like, 911 Cell Phone Bank, Recycling for Charities, Second Wave Recycling, Eco-Call, 1 Million Project, Veterans Advantage, Charity Mobile, etc.

Select A Provider Near Your Location To Get A Flip Phone 

There are many providers that provide free flip phones to the seniors who participate in the lifeline program. So, you have to select a provider near your location to get lifeline benefits. Here I mention some providers that provide flip phones under the Lifeline Program. These are: Cintex Wireless, Assurance Wireless, New Phone Wireless, enTouch Wireless, Easy Wireless, QLink Wireless, AirTalk Wireless, TruConnect, etc.

As you get your Lifeline benefits from these providers, you have to contact them. For that, you may go to their website or contact customer care to inquire about their services.

Here are their contact details.  

Cintex Wireless

Cintex wireless is a well known Lifeline service provider. They provide free flip phones for senior citizens. You can contact them at: +1(855) 655-3097.

Assurance Wireless

If you plan to take Lifeline benefits from Assurance Wireless, then you may contact them at:
1-888-321-5880. They provide free flip phones for seniors.

NewPhone Wireless

New Phone Wireless is a reputed lifeline service provider that provides flip phones to eligible seniors. You may contact them at: +1(855) 204-3667, you may email them at: [email protected]

enTouch Wireless

enTouch Wireless also provides flip phones to eligible seniors. If you want to take Lifeline benefits from them, then you may contact: 866-488-8719. you may email them at: [email protected] 

Easy Wireless

Easy wireless is also well known for their nice service. They provide free flip phones to eligible low income seniors. You can contact them: +1(877) 476-3451

Qlink Wireless

Qlink Wireless also provides free flip phones to eligible seniors. You can contact: +1-855-754-6543. You can send them email: [email protected] 

AirTalk Wireless

You can get the free flip phone from AirTalk Wireless if you are an eligible senior. You may contact them : +1(855)-924–7825.

TruConnect

TruConnect also provides free flip phones to low income lifeline eligible seniors. You can contact TruConnect at: 800-430-0443

You can also take part in online chat on the websites of the above mentioned providers and ask them about free flip phones they provide to seniors under the Lifeline Program. 

Application Process For Getting A Free Flip Phone Under The Lifeline Program

If you are a senior, you can apply for your flip phone online, via mail or via a provider. All these application processes are in short described here:

Online Application

You may apply to get your flip phone from Lifeline in the following way:

  • First visit the Lifeline website at: nv.fcc.gov/lifeline .
  • Now choose your state and click on ‘Get Started’.
  • An application form appears and you have to complete all the fields with correct and authentic information. After filling up all the pages and fields, submit your application.
  • Once your application gets approved, you have to choose a provider near your location that offers free flip phones for seniors through the Lifeline Program. 
  • Now sign up with that provider to take the benefits.

Apply Via Mail

From the following website you can take print out of the Lifeline application form:
lifelinesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/get-lifeline/LI_Application_NVstates.pdf. 
After getting the print out of the Lifeline application form , fill it out properly, attach necessary proof documents and send to the following address:
Lifeline Support Center, 
P.O. Box 9100, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773.

Apply Via a Provider 

You can also apply via a provider for the lifeline program. For this, go to your preferred provider’s website and find out the application section. Then apply from there by filling up the application form and uploading necessary documents. If your application is approved by the lifeline authority then you get the Lifeline benefits from that provider.

Eligibility For Getting A Free Flip Phone For Seniors From Lifeline Program

A senior person can be eligible for the Lifeline Program in two different ways. He/she can be eligible through Income or by participating in certain government programs. These two types of eligibility are described below:

Income-Based Eligibility

For the income based eligibility you must have an annual household income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you cannot be eligible through income based eligibility criteria, then you may try for the program participation based eligibility.

Participation-Based Eligibility

You or your household must be enrolled in at least one of the following federal assistance programs to be eligible for the Lifeline Program:

  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), 
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Tribal-specific programs such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Special Circumstances

In certain cases, individuals who face unique hardships or emergencies might also be considered for the program, even though they don’t meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria.

Proof Documents To Get A Free Flip Phone From Lifeline Program.

If you want to get benefits of the Lifeline Program, then you must submit proof documents of your Income based or program participation based eligibility. You also need to provide official unexpired documents to prove your identity, age, or address. You may go to the following URL to know details about these eligibility proof documents: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/documents-needed/

Activation Process of Your Android Flip Phone

You can activate your Android Flip Phone in the following Process:

  • First insert the SIM card in the SIM slot properly. You may locate the SIM slot on the side or back of your flip phone. Gently insert the SIM card in the SIM slot.
  • Your next step is to connect to a Wifi network. If you have a Wifi network on your location , then connect to it by entering the password. It ensures smooth installation during the setup process.

Now follow these prompts to set up your phone.

  • First , you have to select your region and language.
  • Add your Google account by entering your Google account email address and password. If you don’t have a Google account, you can create one during the setup process. Review and accept the Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
  • Now choose a secure screen lock method so that you can protect your phone. The lock method can be a PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint lock (if your phone has that feature).
  • In the activation process you may have to enter a SIM activation code. You may get this code on the packaging of your SIM card.
  • You may need to restore your data from your previous phone to this new flip phone. You can transfer data using Google Drive, Manufacturer’s Specific Tools, etc.

After completing the above mentioned steps, your Phone is now fully activated. You can now personalize your settings, download necessary apps, and customize the phone as you like. 

Advantages of A Flip Phone That You Get As A Senior From The Lifeline program 

It is interesting that a senior person prefers to choose a  less expensive flip phone over a more advanced smartphone. The question may arise why a senior person does that. The answer is easy. They feel easy, comfortable and confident using a flip phone rather than a complicated Smartphone. If we consider a flip phone, we get a lot of advantages from it for seniors. If you are a senior , then you have got the following advantages.

  1. A flip phone has a spacious dial pad. So, seniors can dial numbers easily, thus make calls and write text messages easily, which is very comfortable and handy for a senior person.
  2. A flip phone has long battery life. This feature is obviously helpful for seniors. A flip phone’s power may last for several days with a single charge and it reduces the need for frequent charging. So, seniors may be assured that the power of their phone does not run out quickly. 
  3. Flip phones are generally more durable than smartphones. So, occasional drops and rough handling cause less damages or sometimes no damages.The flip design helps to protect the phone’s screen and buttons from damages. So, this type of phone is suitable for  seniors.
  4. Some flip phones that are specially designed for seniors come with an SOS or emergency button. The button is capable of dialing preset numbers or sending alert messages.So, in an emergency, a senior only has to press it and get emergency help and support.
  5. Certain flip phones designed for seniors come equipped with additional features that help seniors to be safe and sound. These flip phones come with large fonts and icons. This helps the seniors with vision limitations to read the texts of the screen and use the phone easily.
  6. A flip phone designed for seniors has hearing aid compatibility. This feature ensures clear audio for individuals who use hearing aids.
  7. Flip phones are basic in nature and more affordable than smartphones. This feature makes it a suitable choice for Lifeline service providers and charities that aim to provide free phones to eligible clients.
  8. A flip phone is easily portable, it is lightweight and can be taken anywhere easily.

Final Words

A flip phone is like a blessing to a senior person’s life. If a senior person can utilize all the features of a flip phone properly, then it can simplify his / her life and make his/her life leading much easier. I think every eligible senior citizen deserves a flip phone from the Lifeline program in our country.