Free Tablet with Phone
In the United States, eligible low-income households can often obtain a free tablet with phone service through federal assistance programs and carrier promotions. Programs like the FCC’s Lifeline assistance and the recently concluded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) have provided discounted or free phone and internet services, along with subsidized devices, to qualifying individuals. At the same time, Lifeline-certified wireless carriers such as Q Link Wireless, Assurance Wireless, and Cintex Wireless have offered special bundles that combine a free smartphone with a low-cost or free tablet for applicants who enroll in their plans. By leveraging these resources, many families have been able to get internet-connected tablets at little or no cost. This article explains how Lifeline and ACP enabled free tablets, outlines carrier promotions that pair phones with tablets, and provides guidance for qualifying households seeking internet access and connected devices.
Lifeline and the ACP: Free Government Tablet Opportunities
Lifeline Program
Lifeline is a long-standing federal program that helps reduce monthly phone or internet bills for eligible low-income individuals. It provides up to a $9.25 monthly credit toward phone or broadband service, helping households afford essential communication. While Lifeline itself does not explicitly provide tablets, many participating providers bundle free smartphones and service plans with the Lifeline benefit. In practice, this means eligible subscribers often walk away with a free or inexpensive phone. In recent years, some providers also used Lifeline in tandem with the ACP to make tablets available.
Affordable Connectivity Program
Launched in 2021, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) expanded federal internet assistance by including support for connected devices. It provided qualifying households with monthly internet discounts—up to $30 for most and $75 for those on Tribal lands—along with a one-time subsidy of up to $100 toward the purchase of a tablet or computer. In other words, a qualified family could pay as little as $10–$50 and get a $100-valued tablet. For example, an ACP-enrolled household might buy a $110 tablet for just a $10 copay, with the program covering the rest. These rules effectively allowed many low-income Americans to receive a nearly free government tablet.
Although the ACP program ended in early 2024 due to funding limits, Lifeline remains active. Devices and service discounts received through the ACP remain with those users. Eligible individuals can still apply for Lifeline service to get monthly discounts and, through participating carriers, possibly free devices.
In summary, the combination of Lifeline and the former ACP meant that qualified people could receive a free government tablet with phone service through government support. Lifeline provided the service subsidy, and the ACP’s device credit made tablets highly affordable. Even though ACP has ended, many providers continue to help customers access affordable devices through their Lifeline plans or remaining stock.

Free Tablet With Phone: Carrier Promotions
Besides government programs, several wireless carriers have run promotional offers that include a tablet when customers sign up for a phone plan under Lifeline or the ACP. These offers vary by provider and state, but key examples include:
- Q Link Wireless. Q Link, a leading provider under the Lifeline program, offers qualifying users a free smartphone along with unlimited talk, text, and data services. In effect, households could receive a free tablet with phone service by applying the $100 ACP discount toward the tablet price. Today Q Link continues to offer unlimited phone service for qualifying low-income applicants.
- Assurance Wireless. As T-Mobile’s Lifeline brand, Assurance Wireless has provided free monthly service and free devices to qualifying users. Under the ACP, Assurance offered new eligible customers free unlimited voice, text, and data plus a free Android smartphone upon enrollment. While Assurance mainly advertises phones, the ACP device benefit also allowed customers to access low-cost tablets through participating retailers.
- Cintex Wireless. Cintex is a regional Lifeline provider that has marketed bundled device deals. Qualified customers could receive a tablet at virtually no extra charge. For example, Cintex advertised a generic Android tablet priced at $10.01 and even iPads at no cost after applying ACP benefits. These devices were often bundled with phone service, giving customers both a phone and tablet in one plan.
- Other Lifeline Providers. Companies like StandUp Wireless, TruConnect, Access Wireless, and EnTouch Wireless have also offered free phones and tablets through Lifeline or ACP-supported plans. These promotions vary, but often promote free phone with tablet combinations. Always review a provider’s current offerings on its official site, as promotions can change based on location and availability.
- Free Tablet With iPhone Deals. Some mainstream carriers have offered free tablet with iPhone promotions. For example, Verizon offered a free Apple iPad to customers who activated a new iPhone on an unlimited plan. While these deals are not limited to low-income individuals, they showcase opportunities for customers to get both a phone and tablet at no cost through promotional bundles.
In short, qualifying for a free tablet with phone through carriers usually means enrolling in a Lifeline-supported plan. Providers like Q Link, Assurance, and Cintex offer phones and tablets at little or no cost, thanks to past ACP subsidies or current Lifeline support. Occasionally, major carriers advertise similar bundles for all customers.
How to Qualify for a Free Tablet With iPhone
To be eligible for a free tablet and free phone, applicants must meet certain income guidelines or participate in specific federal assistance programs. The common qualification criteria include:
- Individuals may qualify for benefits if they participate in government assistance programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits. Eligibility can also be based on income, with households typically required to have an income between 135% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, depending on state-specific criteria and the program involved.
- Being part of Tribal assistance programs may also provide enhanced benefits.
Application Process for Free Tablet With Phone
Applying for a free tablet with iPhone is straightforward:
- Confirm Eligibility: Visit the official Lifeline support site or a participating provider’s site to check if you qualify.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather proof of eligibility such as:
- Program participation documents (e.g., Medicaid card, SNAP letter)
- Proof of income (e.g., tax return, pay stubs)
- Submit Application:
- Apply online through the National Verifier or directly with a Lifeline provider like Q Link or Assurance Wireless.
- Upload all required documents securely through their application portals.
- Receive Approval: Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive a free phone and possibly a discounted or free tablet from the provider.
- Annual Recertification: Lifeline benefits must be renewed each year to continue receiving service and device support.
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Conclusion
For many eligible Americans, the combination of Lifeline discounts and the former Affordable Connectivity Program created a path to secure a free tablet with phone. Lifeline provides a monthly service credit, and ACP’s $100 device subsidy enabled tablets for a nominal fee. Carriers like Q Link and Assurance capitalized on these programs to give customers free smartphones and very low-cost tablets.
Today, Lifeline remains active as a government program that can help consumers receive a free government tablet and free phone plan. While ACP is no longer accepting new enrollees, many carriers still provide similar benefits under Lifeline. Meanwhile, major carriers occasionally offer promotional bundles like a free tablet with iPhone deals.
Anyone seeking a free tablet and phone should first check Lifeline eligibility. If qualified, applying through official programs or approved providers can result in affordable access to essential communication devices and services.