Can you still get a free government phone and tablet combo?
Rarely. Most phone-and-tablet combos depended on the Affordable Connectivity Program, which ended in June 2024. Today you can pair a free Lifeline phone with a tablet from a nonprofit, school, library or discounted provider offer.
- Lifeline pays for service, not devices
- The ACP's $100 device discount ended with the program
- Libraries lend tablets and hotspots for free
Can you still get a free phone and tablet together?
During the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), many providers offered a free phone plus a discounted tablet. The ACP ended in June 2024 when funding ran out, and most phone-and-tablet combo offers ended with it.
Today a government phone and tablet combo is rare, but you can still assemble one: get a free phone through Lifeline, then get a tablet from a separate source.
How do you build your own combo in 2026?
| Piece | Best source | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Phone + service | Lifeline provider | Free |
| Tablet | Provider tablet offers or nonprofits | $0–$20 co-pay |
| Home internet | Low-income internet plans | From ~$0–$30/mo |
| Hotspot | Library lending | Free to borrow |
Not sure which option fits you?
Answer 5 quick questions and the Phone Finder matches you with programs, providers and deals.
Who qualifies?
Eligibility is simple on paper. Either you are enrolled in a qualifying benefit program, or your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty line.
Qualifying programs
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (including Section 8)
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
On federally recognized Tribal lands, these also qualify: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Tribal Head Start (income-qualified households).
Income limits
| Household size | Maximum yearly income (135% of poverty guideline) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,128 |
| 2 people | $28,553 |
| 3 people | $35,978 |
| 4 people | $43,403 |
| 5 people | $50,828 |
| 6 people | $58,253 |
| 7 people | $65,678 |
| 8 people | $73,103 |
| Each additional person | add $7,425 |
Figures are based on the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC, rounded. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. USAC updates the limits each year, so check lifelinesupport.org for the current figures.
Want an instant answer? Use the Lifeline eligibility checker. It takes under a minute.
Where to look for a free tablet?
- Lifeline and ex-ACP providers still selling tablets at a discount
- Nonprofits that refurbish donated devices
- Schools and colleges that lend devices
- iPad programs for students and people with disabilities
Protect yourself: Never pay upfront to “unlock” a free government iPhone. If a site asks for card details before checking eligibility, leave it and see our scam guide.
What happened to free tablets under the ACP?
The ACP offered a one-time device discount of up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop or tablet, with a co-pay of more than $10 but under $50. Providers used it to offer “free government tablets” for about $11–$20. When ACP funding ran out, the device discount ended too, and so did most tablet offers.
Lifeline never included a device discount, which is why combo offers today depend on individual provider promotions rather than federal money.
Apply for the phone half first
- Check you qualify Confirm your benefit program or income using the eligibility checker.
- Pick a provider Choose a Lifeline provider that serves your area. Compare phones, data and coverage on our provider comparison.
- Apply through the National Verifier Apply on the provider's site or at checklifeline.org. Many applications are approved automatically by database checks.
- Upload proof if asked If the automatic check can't confirm you, upload a benefit letter or income proof. See documents you need.
- Activate your phone or SIM Your phone or SIM ships in about a week. Activate it and use it at least once every 30 days so the service isn't cancelled for non-usage.
Once your Lifeline phone is active, use our tablet guide to find the tablet half.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a free government phone and tablet combo?
Rarely. Since the ACP ended, few providers bundle both. You can combine a free Lifeline phone with a tablet from a nonprofit, school or discounted provider offer.
Does Lifeline pay for tablets?
No. Lifeline discounts service, not devices. Tablets come from provider promotions or other programs.
Can I use Lifeline on a tablet?
Lifeline can apply to a broadband service, including some tablet data plans, but you get only one Lifeline benefit per household.
Sources & last update
Last reviewed . We check program rules against official FCC and USAC guidance and update pages when rules, income limits or offers change. Spot something out of date? Tell us.