Illinois Residents Can Get FREE Government Phone Service Using ACP Benefits
Are you ready to stop paying your phone bill? Your journey to FREE phone service in Illinois begins with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a widely popular government benefit program that can qualify you for UNLIMITED* Data, Talk & Text every month!
This federal assistance program is not a scam. Its purpose is to ensure that low-income Americans can stay connected without the burden of high bills. Because in today’s fast-paced world, staying connected is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity.
From job applications to healthcare appointments, the Internet and mobile communication have become integral to our daily lives. However, for many residents of the Prairie State, accessing these vital services can be a significant challenge.
For 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that roughly 1.5 million Illinois residents were living in poverty1. In addition to this, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.9 million households in Illinois that are eligible for ACP benefits2.
Q Link Wireless is a leading Lifeline and ACP service provider that offers FREE UNLIMITED* cell phone service on one of the nation’s largest 4G LTE/5G networks to qualifying Americans.
If you’re among the millions of Illinois residents who receive benefits from government programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid, you can instantly qualify for FREE monthly cell phone service.
What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, is a program developed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides discounts for internet service to low-income Americans.
On December 31, 2021, the ACP replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to help households across the country pay for reliable internet access.
Today there are approximately 21.7 million households enrolled in the ACP and roughly 52.6 million ACP-eligible households2 across the U.S.
If you receive government benefits, then you most likely qualify for the ACP and can apply your discounts toward your mobile service to unlock FREE monthly phone service with UNLIMITED* Data, Talk & Text.
What Are the ACP Benefits?
The ACP Program provides eligible Americans with the following monthly discounts:
- A discount of up to $30 per month for internet service.
- A discount of up to $75 per month for consumers living on Tribal lands3.
- A one-time $100 discount toward an internet device such as a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from a participating provider (requires a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50).
How Do You Get FREE Phone Service in Illinois Through the ACP?
If you qualify for ACP benefits in Illinois, you are eligible for FREE phone service every month with Q Link Wireless. Don’t know if you qualify for this government benefit program? No problem! You can apply and receive your approval within minutes with no credit check required.
Once you use your ACP discount toward your mobile service, you can start enjoying your UNLIMITED* phone service for $0 a month. And for a one-time co-payment of $10.01, you can also take home a New Tablet^ for on-the-go entertainment.
The best part is that ACP service companies like Q Link Wireless use the same nationwide networks as the leading major carriers, so you’ll have the same reliable coverage but at zero cost to you.
Much like the SNAP and Medicaid programs, having FREE monthly phone service is an exclusive benefit available to select Americans. Keep in mind the FCC grants up to one ACP benefit per household, and it is non-transferable between individuals. We’ll talk more about what is considered a “household” in a moment.
How Do You Qualify for ACP Program Benefits in Illinois?
You can qualify for the ACP either based on your annual income or by participating in other government programs like SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid.
When you sign up online for FREE UNLIMITED* phone service with Q Link Wireless, you will need to provide all required information using the ACP’s centralized application system, National Eligibility Verifier (National Verifier, or NV), where you’ll be able to track your progress and receive confirmation of your benefits.
ACP Income Qualifications for Illinois Residents
To qualify for the ACP Program through income, your annual household income must be 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines4. These income thresholds vary based on the size of your household and the state in which you live.
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 Is a Household?
The term “household” can be a little misleading, so let’s clarify what it actually means. USAC defines a household as a group of people who live together and share money, regardless of how they are related to each other. ACP benefits are limited to one per household, but that doesn’t necessarily mean one per address.
For example, multiple people living under the same address, such as roommates or seniors at an assisted living facility, who do not share money can each be considered their own household. In contrast, a married couple who lives together and shares income is considered one household.
Qualifying Government Benefit Programs for the ACP Program
One of the more common ways you can qualify for the ACP Program and FREE phone service in Illinois is through participation in federal assistance programs. If you or someone in your household receives benefits from any of the following government programs, you may qualify for the ACP.
- 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)
Get FREE Government Phone Service in Illinois
If you live in Illinois and have read this far, congratulations, you’re one step closer to getting FREE phone service every month!
The next step is to sign up online with Q Link Wireless and use the ACP’s secure NV application system to provide all required information in order to prove that you meet the income requirements or are a recipient of federal assistance benefits.
After you qualify, you can use your government benefits to receive FREE UNLIMITED* monthly cell phone service by applying your ACP discount to your mobile service. By using your $100 ACP internet device discount, you can also get a New Tablet^ for a one-time co-payment of $10.01.
You’ll then get a FREE SIM Card Kit in the mail with FAST & FREE Shipping and pay ZERO activation fees! No contracts or credit checks required!
Q Link Wireless’ Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) and Bring Your Own Number (BYON) programs even lets you keep the same phone and number that you know and love.
Plus, when you successfully transfer your number and purchase a New Tablet^ for $10.01, you can also get a FREE phone with your FREE service!
If you’re looking to upgrade your device or need a reliable phone, however, Q Link Wireless can make that happen too. With one of the largest phone selections in the industry, you’ll be able to find the perfect phone that meets your needs at an affordable price.
Shop Q Link Wireless’ Phone Deals!
Apply for FREE Phone Service & Start Saving
Imagine having dependable nationwide 4G LTE/5G coverage for $0 a month – no bills, no hidden fees, no contracts, or credit checks.
Does it sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. That’s just what happens when you maximize your government benefits and put them to good use.
Don’t pay another cell phone bill for as long as you qualify for the ACP Program. Apply now to start enjoying FREE UNLIMITED* connectivity on one of America’s largest networks every month.
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/
