American Assistance, brought to you by American Broadband & Telecommunications, is a lifeline service provider that offers affordable communication solutions to eligible households across several states and Puerto Rico. The Lifeline Assistance program is supported by the Universal Service Fund (USF), an initiative established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure that all Americans have access to essential telecommunications services at reasonable rates.
This Lifeline Provider aims to bridge the digital divide by providing qualified customers with discounted or free monthly service for landline or wireless voice communications. American Assistance currently operates in multiple states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. However, it’s important to note that coverage is not available everywhere, so potential customers are encouraged to check availability in their specific area by contacting American Assistance directly prior to filing the formal application.
If your income level qualifies you for Medicaid or food stamps, you may be eligible to receive a FREE SMARTPHONE with a no-cost service plan that will provide you with unlimited minutes and unlimited text messages per month. It is a beautiful program for those who are in need of assistance.
Many Americans, not using American Assistance yet, wonder how exactly does the free cell phone program work and how can I obtain a free cell phone with free service? It is essential to understand that, not everyone will qualify for this particular assistance program and eligibility will vary from state to state.
How to Qualify For American Assistance Lifeline Program
The American Assistance Lifeline program is designed to provide affordable communication services to eligible low-income consumers. Here’s how you can qualify for this program:
Program-Based Eligibility: One way to qualify is through participating in certain government programs. If you, your dependent(s), or someone in your household participates in one of the following programs, you may be eligible for Lifeline:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program
- Income-Based Rural Electic Grant Program
- Federal Public Housing Authority
Income-Based Eligibility: Another way to qualify is if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. For example, as of 2021, a household size of one must have an income of $17,428 or less to qualify.
To determine if you’re eligible based on income, you can use the “Do I Qualify” free tool available at our website. You’ll need to consider your household size and gross monthly income.
Tribal Eligibility: If you live on a Tribal lands recognized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you may also qualify for Lifeline based on participation in certain programs or income levels, even if your income is above 135% of federal poverty guidelines.
To apply for Lifeline, you’ll need to provide proof of your eligibility. This could include a copy of your approval letter for one of the qualifying government programs, or documents that prove your income level, such as tax returns or pay statements.
Once approved, Lifeline offers discounts on monthly residential telephone service charges and/or broadband internet access service charges. The exact benefits vary by state and provider. Be sure to check with your service provider about specific details in your area.
Applying for American Assistance’s Lifeline Program
Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the eligibility criteria for the Lifeline program, offered by American Assistance, you can proceed with the application process. The Lifeline service provides a discount on monthly phone or internet service for qualified households.
To apply online, follow these steps:
- Access the Application Portal: Begin by visiting the following link to start your application: https://registration.americanassistance.com/?referralId=5258. This will take you to the secure and user-friendly application portal.
- Create an Account (if needed): If you don’t have an account, click on ‘Create New Account’ and follow the prompts to set up your username and password. If you already have an account, proceed with logging in using your credentials.
- Gather Required Documents: Before starting your application, ensure you have the following documents at hand:
- A valid form of identification (like a driver’s license or passport)
- Proof of address (such as a utility bill or lease agreement)
- Proof of eligibility: This could be an income statement, unemployment benefits letter, or proof that you participate in certain assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid.
- Fill Out the Application: The online application will guide you through providing details about your household, income, and the services you’re applying for (phone, internet, or both). Ensure all information is accurate and complete before submitting.
- Upload Documents: You’ll be prompted to upload copies of the documents mentioned earlier as proof of identity, address, and eligibility.
- Review and Submit: Carefully review your application for any errors or omissions. Once satisfied that everything is correct, click ‘Submit’. You will receive a confirmation once your application has been successfully submitted.
After submitting your application, you’ll receive a Lifeline Application Number (LAN). Keep this number safe, as you’ll need it to track the status of your application and for any future correspondence with American Assistance or the Lifeline Support Center.
Contacting American Assistance Customer Care
If you’re having trouble with your Lifeline service or need assistance with the application process, American Assistance offers several ways to reach their customer care team.
Phone: The easiest way to contact customer care is by giving them a call. Their toll-free number is 1-877-266-7212. You can dial this number at any time during your application process or for issues with your Lifeline service. They also have specific hours for phone support: Monday through Friday, 8AM to 11PM EST, and Saturday, 10AM to 6PM EST. Unfortunately, they are closed on Sundays.
Email: If you prefer written communication, you can reach out to them via email at [email protected]. This option might be useful for detailed explanations or if you need a record of your correspondence with the company.
Text Message: American Assistance offers text message support as well. You can send your questions to 1-877-266-7212, or you can even take pictures of any necessary documents and send them to this number for quicker processing.
Fax: For those who prefer the traditional method, you can fax your documents along with a cover page containing your name and email address. The toll-free fax number is 1-877-211-3705.
Mail: If you need to send physical copies of your proof documents, you can mail them to American Assistance at the following address: American Assistance Attn.: Customer Service 1480 Ford Street Maumee, OH 43537
For any specific issues during the application process, they have a dedicated number: 833-200-9280.
American Assistance Free Lifeline Plan
Applicants should have a general idea as to if they will be eligible for a free cell phone and plan through American Assistance. There is a basic plan available that is completely free of charge. The American Assistance free Lifeline plan offers the following benefits:
- No Monthly Bill: There are no recurring charges for qualified Lifeline customers.
- No Annual Contract: You’re not locked into a long-term commitment.
- No Money Down or Purchase Necessary: There’s no upfront cost or required purchase to get started.
- Free SIM Kit: A free SIM card kit is provided to activate your service.
- Unlimited Monthly Minutes & Text Messages: Enjoy unlimited voice minutes and text messages at no extra charge.
- Free 4G Data: You’ll receive 4.5GB of free 4G data per month (6GB in California).
- Limited Geographic Availability: The Lifeline service is available only in certain areas, not nationwide.
This plan is supported by the Universal Service Fund and provided by American Broadband & Telecommunications for qualified Lifeline customers, allowing them to stay connected without worrying about bills or contracts.
Customer Reviews
When it comes to reviews and feedback about American Assistance as a Lifeline provider, users highlight both the pros and cons of the service.
Pros of American Assistance
- Prompt Service Issue Resolution: “They quickly resolved my service issue after I left a review.”
- Easy Enrollment Process: “The enrollment process was simpler than expected, thanks to their clear instructions.”
- Generous Promotional Credits: “I received promotional credits for the inconvenience caused by a temporary network outage.”
- Loyalty Rewards: “As a long-time customer, I appreciate the rewards and perks they offer for my loyalty.”
- Competitive Pricing with Lifeline + ACP Benefits: “The bundle deal with Lifeline and ACP benefits is a great value for low-income households like mine.”
- Many appreciate the effort made by American Assistance to keep customers informed about the 30-day usage requirement to maintain service eligibility, as this helps prevent unexpected de-enrollment.
However, there are also some common complaints. Here are a few points that come up frequently.
Cons of American Assistance
- Limited Texting Options: Customers sometimes express frustration because American Assistance does not allow free text messaging between subscribers, which can be inconvenient for those relying on this service for essential communication.
- Character Limitations: The strict 160-character limit for text messages can be challenging for users who need to send longer messages or those wanting to include multimedia content.
- Usage Verification: While the 30-day usage requirement ensures that the service is being utilized, some find the process of maintaining eligibility cumbersome. This can lead to confusion and, in some cases, accidental loss of service if the requirements are not met.
Overall, while American Assistance aims to provide essential communication services to those in need, there is room for improvement in user experience, particularly regarding flexibility and customer communication.
You get a set number of minutes and texts and 6gb of data. They do not have the same quality as everyone else and the phones have bad antennas.