Alabama Residents Can Get FREE Government Phone Service Using ACP Benefits
Are you ready to break free from your monthly cell phone bill? Your journey to cost-free monthly cell phone service starts with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a highly popular government benefit initiative that opens the door to UNLIMITED* Data, Talk & Text for Alabama residents.
I know what you’re wondering: is the ACP a legitimate program? You can rest assured that the answer is yes; this federal assistance program is, in fact, the real deal. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) purposefully designed it to help relieve Americans from the burden of steep internet bills.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government realized that the Internet is no longer a luxury; it’s a vital necessity for staying connected in our rapidly evolving society. We rely on internet connectivity and mobile communication on a daily basis, from applying for jobs to scheduling healthcare appointments.
However, accessing these reliable communication services poses a significant challenge for many Alabama residents. The U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that in 2021, around 800,848 people in Alabama were living in poverty1, and approximately 889,233 households in Alabama are eligible for ACP benefits2.
Enter Q Link Wireless, a premier provider of Lifeline and ACP services offering FREE UNLIMITED* cell phone service on one of the nation’s largest 4G LTE/5G networks.
Suppose you’re one of the millions of Americans living in Alabama who receives benefits from government programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid. In that case, you instantly qualify for FREE monthly cell phone service with Q Link Wireless.
What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, is an FCC initiative initially known as the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB). The EBB was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to help American households and individuals afford reliable internet services.
On December 31, 2021, the EBB officially became the ACP and was modified to serve a post-pandemic world more effectively. Today, there are approximately 21.7 million households enrolled in the ACP2.
Over 20 state governors have prioritized ACP adoption and are strategically developing initiatives to raise awareness and close the digital divide.
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the ACP and manages the program’s centralized application system, known as the National Verifier (NV), under the direction of the FCC. USAC is an independent, not-for-profit organization appointed by the FCC responsible for verifying consumer eligibility for the ACP and recertifying ACP benefit recipients annually.
What Benefits Does the ACP Offer Residents in Alabama?
The ACP provides eligible Americans with the following benefits:
- A monthly internet service discount of up to $30.
- A monthly internet service discount of up to $75 for consumers living on Tribal lands3.
- A one-time $100 discount for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from a participating provider (requires a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50).
Can You Use ACP for Your Cell Phone?
YES!
If your household qualifies as low-income, you can get FREE cell phone service with Q Link Wireless, the #1 Online Lifeline Provider in the U.S.
After you sign up online for FREE cell phone service and get approved, you can apply your ACP benefits to your mobile service and start enjoying UNLIMITED* Data, Talk & Text for $0 a month.
The best part is that Q Link Wireless uses the same network as the major carriers, so you’re guaranteed to get the same reliable nationwide coverage, but at no cost.
Much like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid, having FREE wireless phone service through the ACP is a benefit only available to select Americans who qualify for the program.
It provides a unique opportunity for low-income households to afford reliable communication services and stay connected to the things that matter. So, take advantage now and see if you qualify.
Please note that the FCC allows for a maximum of one ACP benefit per household, which cannot be transferred between individuals.
How Do You Qualify for ACP Benefits in Alabama?
Eligibility for the ACP is based on annual household income or participation in a government program like SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid. Remember that you’ll need to submit all required supporting documents with your ACP Program application using USAC’s secure NV system to get approved quickly.
Currently, there are approximately 51.6 million households eligible for ACP benefits across the U.S., with roughly 889,233 ACP-eligible households in Alabama. It only takes a few minutes to find out if you qualify!
What Are the ACP Income Qualifications for Alabama Residents?
One of the primary ways to qualify for ACP benefits is based on your annual household income, which must be 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines4. The table below shows the income guidelines per household size.
2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Household Size5 | All 48 States, D.C., and Territories |
| 1 | $29,160 |
| 2 | $39,440 |
| 3 | $49,720 |
| 4 | $60,000 |
| 5 | $70,280 |
| 6 | $80,560 |
| 7 | $90,840 |
| 8 | $101,120 |
| For each extra person, add this amount: | $10,280 |
What Defines a Household in Alabama?
A “household,” as defined by the FCC and USAC, is any group of people who live together and share money, regardless of their relationship. So, when we say that ACP benefits are limited to one per household, it does not mean per address. In fact, multiple people who live at one address can each receive an ACP discount and FREE UNLIMITED cell phone service as long as they qualify.
For example, a group of seniors at an assisted living facility or college roommates sharing a house who do not share money can each be considered a household. However, a couple living together and sharing income is considered one singular household and would only be allowed one ACP benefit.
Alabama seniors have a huge advantage when it comes to qualifying for the ACP and should apply for FREE phone service as soon possible to start saving money each month.
What Are the Qualifying Government Benefit Programs for the ACP?
The second way you can qualify for the ACP is if you or someone in your household participates in one of the following government benefit programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Lifeline Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
- Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/Section 811
- Public Housing
- Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit Programs
- Federal Pell Grant for the current award year
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program, or enrollment in a Community Eligibility Provision School
- Tribal Specific Programs
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribal Head Start (must meet the income qualifying standard)
Can Seniors Get FREE Cell Phone Service in Alabama?
Alabama seniors can enjoy FREE wireless phone service like any eligible low-income American. So long as you participate in government assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Lifeline, Veteran’s Pension or Survivors Benefit, or have an annual income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can easily qualify for ACP benefits and enjoy FREE UNLIMITED Data, Talk & Text with NO monthly bills, NO hidden fees, and NO contracts!
How Do You Get FREE Cell Phone Service in Alabama Without Paying?
You can enjoy FREE cell phone service without paying a monthly bill through the FCC’s government benefit program (the ACP) if you meet the annual household income qualifications or if you already receive benefits from a federal assistance program such as SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid.
How Do You Find Out if You Qualify for ACP Benefits in Alabama?
The fastest way to find out if you qualify for ACP benefits in Alabama is to sign up online with Q Link Wireless, one of the best government benefit service providers in the U.S., using the NV secure application system. Make sure to have all your information on hand to help speed up the approval process. Don’t worry; it only takes a few minutes!
How Do Get FREE Cell Phone Service with ACP Benefits?
Once you’re approved, you can apply your ACP discount to your mobile service and enjoy FREE monthly cell phone service with UNLIMITED Data, Talk & Text on one of America’s largest 4G LTE/5G networks.
You can even take your favorite entertainment on the go by using your $100 ACP internet device discount to get a New Tablet^. Don’t forget this requires a one-time co-payment of $10.01 per FCC regulations. Even so, a New Tablet^ for just $10.01 is still extremely affordable and a hard deal to beat!
Can You Keep Your Phone Number with Q Link Wireless?
Yes! Thanks to Q Link Wireless’ Bring Your Own Phone and Bring Your Own Number programs, you can keep the same mobile device and phone number you know and love. Be sure to check out Q Link Wireless’ Help Center for instructions on how to make the transfer.
Can You Buy a New Phone from Q Link Wireless?
If you’re an Alabama resident who’s in the market for a new phone, Q Link Wireless has you covered. With one of the largest selections of phones in the industry, you’ll find an affordable mobile device that meets your needs. Take advantage of Q Link’s amazing deals and offers on brand-name phones, and if you need help financing, you can make easy, flexible payments over time with Affirm.
Eliminate Your Phone Bill With FREE Cell Phone Service in Alabama
Now that you have this knowledge, it’s time to make your cell phone bill a thing of the past. Enjoy FREE and reliable nationwide 4G LTE/5G coverage in Alabama with no monthly bills, contracts, hidden fees, or credit checks!
Disclaimers
*UNLIMITED Data & Talk is an offer funded by the ACP. See Terms & Conditions. Must qualify.
^ACP discounted device offer is subject to product availability. Customers will be notified of device shipment and must contribute a co-payment of $10.01. Tablet offer varies by state. ACP Terms & Conditions apply.
References:
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; “U.S. Poverty” – https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17826
2. EducationSuperHighway; “ACP Enrollment Dashboard” – https://www.educationsuperhighway.org/no-home-left-offline/acp-data/
3. Eligible Tribal Lands for Lifeline and the ACP – https://www.lifelinesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/get-lifeline/fcc_tribal_lands_map.pdf
4. 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines for ACP – https://www.usac.org/about/affordable-connectivity-program/application-and-eligibility-resources/how-to-prove-income/
5. What is a Household? – https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/what-is-a-household/
