If you struggle to afford a cell phone and service, you may be eligible for a program to help you stay connected. Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program that provides free cell phones and services to low-income customers. This article will explain what Assurance Wireless is, how it works, and how you can get the most out of it.
What is Assurance Wireless?
Assurance Wireless is a program that offers free cell phones and services to eligible low-income customers. It is part of the Lifeline Assistance program, a federal initiative aimings to provide affordable communication services to low-income households. The Lifeline program was established in 1985 to subsidize landline phone service and was expanded in 2005 to include wireless service.
A federal program that provides free cell phones and service
Assurance Wireless is one of the providers that participate in the Lifeline program. Virgin Mobile USA, a Sprint Corporation subsidiary, operates it. Assurance Wireless offers customers a free Android smartphone and monthly minutes, texts, and data. The exact amount of minutes, texts, and data varies by state, but the minimum is 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3 G.B. of data per month. Customers can purchase additional minutes, texts, or data at low rates.
Eligibility criteria and how to apply
You must meet certain income or program-based criteria to qualify for Assurance Wireless. You must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participate in one of the following programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (such as Tribal Head Start or Tribal TANF)
Apply for Assurance Wireless online or by phone. During the application process, you’ll need to provide proof of your income or program participation and your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Additionally, certify that you do not receive Lifeline benefits from another provider and will use your phone at least once every 30 days to keep your service active.
Benefits and features of Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless offers many benefits and features to its customers, such as:
- A free Android smartphone with a touchscreen, camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and more
- Free monthly minutes, texts, and data
- Free caller I.D., call waiting, voicemail, and 911 access
- Free access to health care resources, job search tools, education opportunities, and more
- No annual contract, no activation fee, no monthly bill
- Nationwide coverage on Sprint’s network
- The option to keep your current phone number or get a new one
How does Assurance Wireless work?
Assurance Wireless works similarly to other prepaid wireless services. When enrolling in the program, you will receive a SIM card and a phone. Before using them, activate your phone and SIM card online or by phone. To keep your service active, recertify your eligibility every year.
The network and coverage of Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless uses Sprint’s network to provide its service. Sprint has nationwide coverage in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, depending on the signal strength and availability, some areas may have limited or no coverage. You can check the coverage map on the Assurance Wireless website to see if your area is covered.
The plans and options of Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless offers different plans and options depending on your state. The basic plan includes 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and free 3 G.B. of monthly data. Some states may offer more minutes, texts, or data for free or a small fee. You can also purchase additional minutes, texts, or data at low rates if you need more than your plan offers. For example,
- You can buy 250 extra minutes for $5 per month
- You can buy unlimited minutes for $15 per month
- You can buy 1 G.B. extra data for $5 per month
- You can buy unlimited data for $30 per month
Enhance your service by choosing from different add-ons:
- International calling for $5 or $10 per month
- Mobile hotspot for $10 per month
- Phone insurance for $5 per month
Payment for these plans and options can be made using a credit card, debit card, PayPal account, or Virgin Mobile Top-Up card. To avoid running out of minutes, texts, or data, consider setting up auto-pay.
The phones and devices of Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless gives its customers a free Android smartphone when they enrol in the program. The phone model may vary depending on availability and state regulations. Some of the phones that Assurance Wireless offers are:
- ANS UL40
- Coolpad Avail
- Kyocera Hydro Reach
- L.G. Tribute HD
- ZTE Quest
These phones have basic features such as a touchscreen, camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and more. Using your own compatible phone with Assurance Wireless is an option. To do so, check if your phone is compatible with Sprint’s network and request a SIM card from Assurance Wireless. Alternatively, you can buy a new phone from Assurance Wireless at discounted prices.
Some of the phones that Assurance Wireless sells are:
- Samsung Galaxy A10e
- LG Stylo 4
- Motorola Moto E6
- Alcatel GO FLIP
What is the difference between Assurance Wireless and other Lifeline providers?
Assurance Wireless is one of the providers participating in the Lifeline program, a federal initiative providing affordable communication services to low-income households. Other Lifeline providers include SafeLink Wireless, Q Link Wireless, Access Wireless, and more. The difference between Assurance Wireless and other Lifeline providers depends on various factors, such as:
The network and coverage:
Assurance Wireless uses Sprint’s network, which has nationwide coverage in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, depending on the signal strength and availability, some areas may have limited or no coverage. Other Lifeline providers may use networks like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or regional carriers. The network and coverage may affect the quality and reliability of the service.
The plans and options:
Assurance Wireless offers different plans and options depending on the state. The basic plan includes 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and free 3 G.B. of monthly data. Some states may offer more minutes, texts, or data for free or a small fee.
Customers can purchase additional minutes, texts, or data at low rates. Other Lifeline providers may offer different plans and options, such as unlimited minutes and data, mobile hotspots, international calling, etc. The plans and options may affect the cost and value of the service.
The phones and devices:
Assurance Wireless provides its customers with a free Android smartphone when they enrol in the program. The phone model may vary depending on availability and state regulations. Customers can also use their compatible phone with Assurance Wireless if they prefer.
Other Lifeline providers may provide different phones and devices, such as flip phones, iPhones, tablets, etc. The phones and devices may affect the features and functionality of the service.
These are some of the main differences between Assurance Wireless and other Lifeline providers. However, other differences may depend on the customer’s needs and preferences.
Therefore, it is advisable to compare different Lifeline providers before choosing one that suits you best. You can check the eligibility requirements, coverage map, plans and options, phones and devices, customer reviews, and more of each provider on their website or by contacting them directly. You can also visit www.lifelinesupport.org to learn more about the Lifeline program and its providers.
Discuss benefits and drawbacks based on Assurance Wireless.
Assurance Wireless is a program that offers free cell phones and services to eligible low-income customers. It has many benefits and drawbacks that may affect the customer’s satisfaction and experience. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of Assurance Wireless:
Benefits:
- It provides free monthly minutes, texts, data, and a free Android smartphone to low-income customers who qualify for the Lifeline or Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
- It also provides access to various resources and opportunities that can help customers with health care, job search, education, and more.
- It has no annual contract, activation fee, monthly bill, or credit check.
- It allows customers to keep their current phone number or get a new one.
- It has nationwide coverage on Sprint’s network.
Drawbacks:
- Depending on the signal strength and availability, it may have limited or no coverage in some areas.
- It may have lower speeds or reduced service quality during network congestion or deprioritization.
- Depending on availability and state regulations, it may have limited phone models or features.
- It requires customers to recertify their eligibility every year to keep their service active.
- It may have customer service or technical issues that are not resolved quickly or satisfactorily.
Assurance Wireless history
Assurance Wireless has evolved from previous models or releases to provide improvements, address issues, or help users make purchase decisions. Here are some of the ways that Assurance Wireless has changed over time:
It has expanded its coverage and availability to more states and territories:
According to Wikipedia, Assurance Wireless was founded in 2009 and offered service in 10 states. As of December 2020, Assurance Wireless service is available to qualifying residents of 41 states and territories.
It has increased its free monthly minutes, texts, and data for its customers:
According to its website, Assurance Wireless offers 250 minutes, unlimited texts, and 2 G.B. of data per month for free. Now, it offers 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and 3 G.B. of data per month for free. Some states may offer more minutes, texts, or data for free or a small fee.
It has added the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to its service:
According to its website, Assurance Wireless now combines the Lifeline Assistance Program with the ACP to give customers unlimited voice minutes, text, data, and 10 G.B. of mobile hotspots. The ACP is a federal program enacted to reduce broadband service bills for eligible consumers and help these households stay connected to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms.
It has switched its network provider from Sprint to T-Mobile:
According to WhistleOut, Assurance Wireless used Sprint’s network for coverage since 2020. However, after the merger of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile U.S. was officially completed in April 2020, Assurance Wireless became part of the T-Mobile family. It started using T-Mobile’s network for coverage.
It has improved its customer service and technical support:
According to Reddit, some customers have reported that Assurance Wireless used to have customer service or technical issues that were not resolved quickly or satisfactorily. However, some customers have also reported that Assurance Wireless improved customer service and technical support.
These are some ways that Assurance Wireless has evolved from previous models or releases to provide improvements, address issues, or otherwise help users make a purchase decision. However, there may be other changes that are not mentioned here.
Therefore, checking the latest information and updates on the Assurance Wireless website or by contacting them directly is advisable. You can also compare Assurance Wireless with other Lifeline providers to see which suits you best. You can visit www.lifelinesupport.org to learn more about the Lifeline program and its providers.
How to get the most out of Assurance Wireless?
Assurance Wireless is more than just a free cell phone service. It is also a lifeline that can help you access various resources and opportunities to improve your quality of life. Here are some tips and tricks to optimize your phone usage and get the most out of Assurance Wireless:
Tips and tricks to optimize your phone usage
- Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to save your data usage. You can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, work, school, or public places such as libraries, cafes, or restaurants. You can also use Wi-Fi calling if you have poor cellular reception. Wi-Fi calling allows you to make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of using a cellular network. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi Calling > Turn On to enable Wi-Fi calling on your phone.
- Use mobile hotspots if you need internet access on other devices. Mobile hotspot allows you to share your phone’s internet connection with other devices, such as laptops, tablets, or gaming consoles. To use a mobile hotspot on your phone, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering > Turn On. You must purchase the mobile hotspot add-on for $10 monthly from Assurance Wireless. You will also need to monitor your data usage carefully, as mobile hotspot consumes a lot of data.
- Use data saver mode if you want to reduce your data usage. Data saver mode prevents apps from using data in the background and limits data usage on some apps while using them. To enable data saver mode on your phone, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage > Data Saver > Turn On. You can also customize which apps can use data freely or sparingly in data-saver mode.
- Use battery saver mode if you want to extend your battery life. Battery saver mode reduces your phone’s performance, brightness, and vibration and turns off features such as location services, syncing, and notifications. To enable battery saver mode on your phone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver > Turn On. You can also set battery saver mode to turn on automatically when your battery level reaches a certain percentage.
Customer support and resources of Assurance Wireless
If you have any questions or issues with your service, you can contact customer support by calling 1-888-321-5880 on any phone or dialling 611 from your Assurance Wireless phone. You can also visit the website at www.assurancewireless.com or email [email protected].
Assurance Wireless also provides various resources to help you with health care, job search, education, and more. You can access these resources by dialling 211 from your Assurance Wireless phone or visiting www.lifelinesupport.org.
Some of the available resources are:
- Health care: You can find information and referrals for health insurance, medical care, mental health, substance abuse, dental care, vision care, and more.
- Job search: You can find information and referrals for job training, employment services, resume writing, career counselling, and more.
- Education: You can find information and referrals for adult education, GED preparation, literacy programs, financial aid, scholarships, and more.
- Housing: You can find information and referrals for housing assistance, rent subsidies, homeless shelters, transitional housing, and more.
- Food: You can find information and referrals for food stamps, food banks, soup kitchens, meals on Wheels, and more.
- Utilities: You can find information and referrals for utility assistance, weatherization programs, energy conservation, and more.
- Transportation: You can find information and referrals for public transportation, carpooling, ride-sharing, bike-sharing, and more.
- Legal: You can find information and referrals for legal aid, consumer protection, civil rights, immigration, etc.
FAQs and common issues of Assurance Wireless
Here are some of the frequently asked questions and common issues that Assurance Wireless customers may have:
How do I check my balance and usage?
You can check your balance and usage by dialling 611 from your Assurance Wireless phone or logging into your account online at www.assurancewireless.com. You can also sign up for text alerts that notify you when you run low on minutes, texts, or data.
How do I add more minutes, texts, or data to my plan?
You can add more minutes, texts, or data to your plan by purchasing a Virgin Mobile Top-Up card from a retailer, or by using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account online at www.assurancewireless.com, or by calling 1-888-321-5880 from any phone. You can also set up auto-pay to avoid running out of minutes, texts, or data.
How do I change my plan or add-ons?
You can change your plan or add-ons by logging into your account online at www.assurancewireless.com or calling 1-888-321-5880 from any phone. You can dial 611 from your Assurance Wireless phone to access the menu options for changing your plan or add-ons.
How do I recertify my eligibility every year?
To recertify your eligibility every year, you can log into your account online at www.assurancewireless.com or call 1-888-321-5880 from any phone. You’ll need to provide proof of your income or program participation and your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
Additionally, you must certify that you do not receive Lifeline benefits from another provider and will use your phone at least once every 30 days to keep your service active. A reminder will be sent to you by mail, email, or text before your recertification deadline. Failing to recertify your eligibility every year will result in the loss of your service.
How do I activate my phone and SIM card?
To activate your phone and SIM card, follow the instructions included with your phone and SIM card package. Alternatively, you can visit www.assurancewireless.com/activate or call 1-888-321-5880 from any phone.
During activation, you’ll need to provide your phone number, SIM card number, and PIN. Additionally, it’s important to set up your voicemail and personal identification number (PIN) for security purposes.
How do I troubleshoot my phone or service issues?
You can troubleshoot your phone or service issues by following the steps below:
- Make sure your phone is charged and turned on
- Make sure your SIM card is inserted correctly
- Make sure you are in an area with good coverage
- Restart your phone
- Update your phone software
- Reset your network settings
- Contact customer support if the issue persists
Conclusion
Assurance Wireless is a great option for low-income customers who need a free cell phone and service. It is part of the federal Lifeline Assistance program that provides affordable communication services to eligible households. Assurance Wireless offers free monthly minutes, texts, data, and a free Android smartphone. It also provides access to various resources and opportunities that can help customers with health care, job search, education, and more.
To apply for Assurance Wireless, customers must meet certain income or program-based criteria and provide proof of eligibility. Customers must also recertify their eligibility every year to keep their service active. Assurance Wireless works on Sprint’s network, which has nationwide coverage.
Customers can also choose from different plans and options to suit their needs. Customers can also use their compatible phones with Assurance Wireless if they prefer. Assurance Wireless is more than just a free cell phone service. It is a lifeline that can help customers stay connected and improve their quality of life.
