Frequently Asked Questions

American Assistance is a provider of the Lifeline program, a government initiative designed to make phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. We offer plans with FREE voice minutes, FREE unlimited text, and FREE data to eligible customers.

This service is free through the Lifeline program, which is a U.S. government-supported program. As a participant, you will never receive a bill or be charged for this service. There are no bills, long-term contracts, or activation fees for qualified customers.

Our free Lifeline plan includes:

• Unlimited Talk (Voice Minutes)
• Unlimited Text Messages
• 6GB of High-Speed Monthly Data
• A FREE Apple or Samsung Smartphone (for qualified new customers)

There are two ways to qualify:

1. Program Participation: You are eligible if you or a member of your household participate in a qualifying government program, such as:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• …and several others.

2. Income-Based: You can also qualify if your total household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You will need to provide proof of income (like a pay stub or tax return) to apply this way.

Federal regulations state that only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household. A “household” is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses.

This means you cannot have Lifeline service from two different companies, and you cannot have both a Lifeline landline and a Lifeline wireless service. You must choose one.

You will need to provide personal identifying information (like your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number) to check the National Verifier. You may also need to provide proof of your eligibility, such as a copy of your benefit card for a qualifying program or a recent pay stub if you are applying based on your income.

Qualified customers may receive a free Apple or Samsung smartphone. The exact model depends on availability at the time of your application approval.

Yes, our service is provided on a major nationwide network. While coverage is not available in every single location (no carrier is), our network covers over 99% of Americans. You can check the service in your specific area by entering your ZIP code on our application page.

In most cases, yes! You can “port” your existing phone number to our service. You will need to provide your account information from your previous carrier during the application process. This will not work if your old number is from another Lifeline service.