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Free Tablet With EBT Card: What You Need to Know in 2025

If you receive SNAP benefits (food stamps), you may have heard that you could qualify for discounted internet and phone services and even a free tablet. There’s a lot of misinformation online about available offers and discounts because the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which used to offer government benefits recipients a free phone or tablet with certain plans, is no longer active.

Lifeline is currently the only federal program that helps EBT households with their monthly phone and internet bills. Not all internet companies offer discounted plans through Lifeline, and only some offer a free tablet or device when you sign up. Be vigilant of scams that claim to give free tablets for SNAP participants to access your EBT information and steal your benefits.

Here’s what you need to know about discounted internet and phone services if you’re a SNAP participant or receive some other type of benefit, like Medicaid.

What Happened to the Free Tablet Program for EBT Cardholders?

The ACP was a federal benefit program that offered households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other qualifying low-income households discounted home and mobile internet services. ACP benefits ended June 1, 2024, and the program didn’t receive additional funding from Congress.

The standard ACP benefit included up to $30 off your monthly internet bill and a one-time $100 discount on a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through your internet service provider.

Many ACP households turned to Lifeline for an alternative low-cost internet plan. Lifeline doesn’t generally pay for your mobile device, but some providers might give you a free one through a special offer when you sign up.

What is the Lifeline Program?

Lifeline helps eligible low-income households save on phone and internet service. In most states, qualifying households get up to $9.25 off their monthly bill (with extra savings of up to $34.25 per month for people living on Tribal lands).

Some states supplement the federal benefit with state funds to increase the benefit amount or the types of discounted packages offered. California’s Lifeline program, for example, offers up to $19 off your monthly phone or internet bill. In Oregon, eligible households can choose from these Lifeline benefits:

  • Up to $15.25 off your monthly phone bill
  • Up to $19.25 off your monthly high-speed internet bill
  • A free cell phone and data service

Here’s how Lifeline works:

  • The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a nonprofit organization started by the federal government, verifies eligibility for participating households
  • After you qualify through USAC, you sign up with a participating service provider (a phone or internet company)
  • The phone or internet company applies the Lifeline benefit to your service and manages your plan

Only one discounted Lifeline plan is allowed per household. Anyone you live with and share money with counts as part of your household, even if you’re not related. There are certain relationships that count under a single household, including married couples and parents with dependents living together.

How to Qualify for Lifeline

You automatically qualify for Lifeline if you get SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance. If you don’t participate in one of these benefit programs, you can also qualify if your household income is under 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. When you first apply for Lifeline (and every year after), you have to show proof that you are enrolled in a qualifying government program or that you meet the income requirements in your state.

Most states can verify your enrollment status in SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs so you don’t need to bring proof. If you’re asked to confirm your status, however, an EBT card doesn’t qualify as proof on its own—you typically need to show what’s called a benefit award letter. Ask your SNAP office if you don’t know where to find one.

If you don’t recertify your eligibility within 60 days of receiving an email or notice in the mail, you’ll lose the Lifeline benefit.

If your internet service is free through Lifeline, you’re required to use it at least once every 30 days to keep your benefit active. That means you need to make a call, send a text, or use data at least once a month to stay enrolled in Lifeline.

How to Apply for Lifeline

Signing up for Lifeline if you’re already enrolled in SNAP or some other benefit program is easy—you won’t have to prove your income or go through a complicated verification process since Lifeline can check your SNAP enrollment status. And your local SNAP office may be able to help you sign up for Lifeline on the spot.

To sign up for Lifeline online in under 10 minutes:

  1. Create a Lifeline account
  2. Provide your full name, date of birth, last 4 digits of your Social Security Number or Tribal identification number, and home address

Contact the Lifeline Support Center at (800) 234-9473 if you need help with your application.

If you live in California, Oregon, or Texas, you can only apply for Lifeline through your phone or internet company.

To sign up for California Lifeline:

  1. Find a participating internet or phone service provider.
  2. Tell them that you qualify for Lifeline because you currently participate in one of these public assistance programs or because your monthly household income is under the California Lifeline income limits.
  3. Your service provider will send you the necessary forms to complete your application—make sure you send it in before the due date so you aren’t charged the full-price rate.
  4. You’ll receive a notice to renew your application 105 days (around 3.5 months) before your benefit expires.

To sign up for Oregon Lifeline:

  1. If Access Wireless by i-wireless is available in your area, contact the provider directly to sign up for a free Lifeline plan. Otherwise, apply through the general Oregon Lifeline online application for a discounted plan.
  2. Oregon Lifeline will verify your eligibility and send you a letter in the mail confirming the status of your application.
  3. Once your application is approved, it may take up to 60 days from the time you applied to see the discount on your phone or internet bill.

To sign up for Texas Lifeline:

  1. Complete the Texas Lifeline application online, by email, or by mail.
  2. Attach proof of your enrollment status for eligible benefits (like a copy of a SNAP award letter) or total household income and a copy of your latest internet or phone bill.
  3. You’ll receive an email with the status of your application as soon as it’s reviewed.
  4. Applications are processed the last week of each month, so you should see the discount on your internet or phone bill the month after you apply.
  5. You must re-apply at least every seven months—you’ll receive an application to re-apply two months before your benefit expires.

States Offering Free Devices Through Lifeline

These are some states that offer free devices with their Lifeline plans. Contact your provider for more information.

California

TruConnect offers a free smartphone with a Lifeline plan for qualifying customers in California that includes 6 GB of data and unlimited talk and text.

Oregon

Areas where Access Wireless by i-wireless is available are eligible for a free smartphone with a Lifeline plan that includes unlimited free voice minutes, unlimited text, and 5 GB of data.

New Jersey

Qualifying households in New Jersey can receive a free smartphone and free wireless phone service with free data, monthly minutes, and unlimited texting. Apply online through Assurance Wireless and Safelink Wireless.

New York

New York households participating in Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Section 8, HEAP, TANF or other NYS assistance programs automatically qualify for Safelink Wireless’s free phone program.

Tips for Getting a Tablet with EBT in 2025

While dedicated tablet programs through ACP are no longer available, here are some strategies to explore:

Non-Profit Organizations

Several non-profit organizations offer free or heavily discounted tablets to low-income individuals, including those with EBT cards:

  1. PCs for People: Provides refurbished computers and tablets at significantly reduced prices for eligible low-income individuals.
  2. Human-I-T: Offers technology at reduced costs to qualifying individuals.
  3. EveryoneOn: Connects low-income individuals with affordable technology options.

Provider-Specific Programs

Some providers might still offer special promotions that include tablets:

  1. Contact Lifeline providers in your state to ask about any current promotions or device offers.
  2. Check with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T about any current tablet promotions for low-income customers.

Alternative Resources

If you need a tablet for specific purposes:

  1. Local Libraries: Many libraries loan tablets or allow in-library use of tablets.
  2. Community Centers: Some offer device lending programs or computer labs.
  3. School Programs: If you have school-aged children, check with their school about technology assistance programs.

Beware of Scams

Be extremely cautious about websites or individuals claiming to offer “free tablets for EBT cardholders.” Common signs of scams include:

  1. Requests for your EBT card number and PIN
  2. Upfront fees to “process” your application
  3. Websites with no physical address or legitimate contact information
  4. Offers that seem too good to be true

Conclusion: Options After ACP

While obtaining a completely free tablet is more challenging after the end of the ACP program, Lifeline benefits can help you save on monthly internet and phone bills, freeing up funds that could be applied toward purchasing a tablet over time. Some Lifeline providers may occasionally run special promotions that include free or discounted devices, so it’s worth asking when you sign up.

Your best resources are legitimate non-profit organizations, state-specific programs, and official Lifeline providers. Always verify the legitimacy of any program before providing personal information, especially anything related to your EBT benefits.