How to Get a Free Tablet with EBT in 2024 (Food Stamps)

Would you like a tablet but don’t have the cash to buy one? You’re in luck. The government has an ongoing program that gives free tablets to struggling families all over the US. And as one of the struggling families, you can get the free tablet with EBT.

The tablet you’ll receive has a minimum display of 8 inches, while the best is 10-inch wide. So, it’s a device you’ll enjoy in your reading, watching movies/ videos, or doing office work and schoolwork.

The wide screen of a tablet is also often easier to use than a phone for seniors, especially if partially blind. Many brands even include various accessibility features, like a screen reader, text-to-speed output, talkback (speak items on screen), captions, etc.

So, Let’s Get Started

What is EBT?

EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer, a system that allows people who receive government assistance programs, such as SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), to pay for food and other items using a card with a magnetic strip. The card works like a debit card, and the benefits are loaded onto the card each month. The amount of benefits depends on the income and resources of the recipient and their household.

Eligibility for Free Tablet With EBT

To understand if you qualify for a free or reduced-cost tablet program, consider these two main pathways:

Qualifying Programs
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Commonly referred to as food stamps, SNAP helps low-income families access food.
- Medicaid: Provides health coverage for low-income individuals, families, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Offers financial support to aged adults (65+) and those with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
- **Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA): ** Provides affordable housing options such as Section 8.
- Others: Additional government programs that might increase eligibility include:
  - TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  - Tribal-specific programs (Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered TANF, etc.)
  - Head Start
  - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Income-Based Eligibility
- Federal Poverty Guidelines: Even without participation in the above programs, you may qualify if your household income falls below a certain percentage of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG). Typically the threshold is around 135% of the FPG, but this can vary by state.

How to Get a Free Government Tablet with EBT?

To get the free tablet with EBT through the Lifeline program requires an active SNAP (or Food Stamps). The nutrition/ food welfare benefit is the only one you can get an EBT card, anyway.

If you’re not on the SNAP/ Food Stamps yet, it is straightforward to apply. You only need to meet the crucial requirements, which include:

A gross monthly income below or equal to 135% of the current federal poverty guidelines. The gross income is for all the working adults in your household. (Gross income is the total amount before tax and other deductions).
Total resource accumulation of $2500 for households with no seniors (or $3750 if your household has a senior/s). “Resource accumulation” means all the assets and monetary value your family currently has.
Must be working, have registered to work, or be in a work training program. The requirement also calls for you to maintain the necessary working period of 30 to 80 hours, depending on your state. (If you reduce your working hours below your state’s requirement or quit, your EBT account usually gets canceled).

If you have the various requirements, you can visit the SNAP website of your State to apply for the EBT card. Each State has a food card with a different name. An example are the Colorado Quest Card in Colorado, Horizon Card in Utah, Golden State Advantage EBT Card in California, and others.

The SNAP State Directory has the full list with the name of the food benefit in your state and contact information.

How to Apply Free Tablet with EBT 2024

There are two ways you can apply free tablet with EBT:

Apply from the National Verifier/ USAC
Apply from a participating ACP provider

Apply Free Tablet with EBT from the National Verifier

First, you can apply for the tablet with EBT from the National Verifier. National Verifier (NV) is a database system of USAC that processes enrollments of Lifeline to determine eligibility.

However, the National Verifier page has a “Sign Up” section where you can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The whole process is simple, as the online enrollment form gives you prompts to follow.

On the form, you only need to enter your personal information, contact details, and current physical address.

In the part of personal information, give your full name, date of birth, and last digits of your social security.

Under contact details, you’ll need to provide your email address and active phone number (optional). The details are to help USAC reach you for important reminders and updates about your ACP program.

As for the physical address, the company is not asking for your P.O. Box. It needs the name of the street, apartment/ unit, city/ town, state, and zip code of your current residence.

The physical address you provide has two main purposes:

Make sure your household is eligible for the ACP benefits
For the delivery of your order for the government tablet

Make sure the information you provide when enrolling for the ACP program matches those on your EBT account. If the details are different from those on your document proof of (EBT) eligibility, the National Verifier will decline your application.

If the National Verifier approves your application, you’ll receive the approval letter with your unique ID/ PIN. Then, you’ll use this PIN to get the free tablet from one of the ACP providers with a device discount.

How to Apply for a Free Tablet with EBT

Applying Through a Lifeline Provider

Note: Check Provider Availability: Not all Lifeline providers offer free tablets, so research carefully.

Step 1: Choose Your Lifeline Provider: Research the list of available Lifeline providers in your area offering the free tablet program. Consider the tablet models they might offer and any additional costs.

Step 2: Contact the Provider: Visit their website, call their customer service, or visit a physical store if they have one.

Step 3: Follow Their Enrollment Process: Each provider will have its own application process. Common options include:

Online Form: Fill out an application on their website.
In-Person Application: Visit a store and complete the process with an agent.

Step 4: Provider-Initiated Verification: They might take your details and submit them to National Verifier on your behalf.

Step 5: Provide Proof of Eligibility: Be ready to provide documentation proving your EBT participation or qualifying program enrollment.

Select a Tablet: If approved, choose your desired tablet from the available options the provider has.

Companies that Give Free Tablets with EBT from the Government

In this section, I’ve covered briefly various Lifeline providers you can get free tablets with EBT. The chart below also includes the kind of tablet you get with each company to help you shortlist your options.

	Method of Enrollment	Free Tablets Available
AirTalk Wireless	Online & Agents	Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo, etc.
Cintex Wireless	Online & Agents	Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo, etc
Terracom Wireless	Online, Physical Stores, & Agents	Samsung Tab A 8.4
Unity Wireless	Online & Agents	Benton OXTAB 10 Tablet PC
Sarver Wireless	Online, Physical Stores, & Agents	HP Puya Tab or Sky Devices Elite
Maxsip Telecom	Online, Physical Stores, & Agents	BLU M8L
Excess Telecom	Online & Agents	BLU M10L PRO
Torch Wireless	Online & Agents	BLU M8L, FOXXD T8, Maxwest, etc.
MOOLAH Wireless	Online & Agents	MOOLAH Mobile Tab
HoopWireless	Online & Agents	Hyundai HyTab Plus
Easy Wireless	Online, Physical Stores, & Agents	Sky Devices Elite T8
StandUp Wireless	Online & Agents	Sky Devices Elite, Vortex Tab 8, & NUU Tab
Q Link Wireless	Online & Agents	Q Link Scepter 8 Tab
TruConnect Wireless	Online & Agents	Cloud Mobile Sunshine Elite

AirTalk Wireless

AirTalk Wireless is my overall favorite of the Lifeline providers you can get free tablets with EBT. It’s a wireless phone brand of HTH Communications, one of the largest refurbishment companies here in the US.

HTH Communications is the main reason AirTalk gives away high-end tablets in the Lifeline program. Some of the tablets you can get include:

Apple iPad 4
Apple iPad Mini,
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
Samsung Galaxy Tab E
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2020

Cintex Wireless

Cintex Wireless is a second cellular brand of HTH Communications. It was like AirTalk a few months ago, whereby you could choose the tablet to get. Then, the tablets offered included well-known brands like iPads, Samsung Tabs, Lenovo, et cetera.

Sadly, however, Cintex no longer lets you choose the tablet to get. When you apply, the company sends whatever is in stock.

So, you can receive an Android tablet or an Apple iPad model.

Terracom Wireless

Terracom Wireless is the third Lifeline provider you can apply for a government tablet with EBT. The company is more convenient than most as it has multiple ways you can use to enroll.

That is, you can enroll online, at the dedicated Terracom stores, or from the agents who often camp outside local centers.

Furthermore, the tablet Terracom gives you is a Samsung Tab A 8.4. The tablet is the 2020 edition (last I checked). But it still performs decently well, thanks to the Exynos chip, 32GB internal memory, and 3GB RAM in place.

Unity Wireless

Unity Wireless is another wireless broadband provider in the ongoing Lifeline program you can get a tablet with food stamps. The broadband is quite more reliable, as the company has a network deal with both AT&T and T-Mobile.

Moreover, the free Android tablet you receive is the Maxwest Nitro 8. The tablet has a 10-inch screen for cinematic viewing, plus 32GB of built-in memory and 3GB for smooth performance.

Sarver Wireless

Sarver Wireless is also participating in the Lifeline program in case you don’t want to use the others. It even has a device discount that brings you a tablet to make the most of your service

The tablet Sarver gives you is an HP Puya 10.1” Tab. And just as the name, the device has a 10-inch display for a better view. Then, the internal memory is 32GB ROM and 3GB RAM.

If the HP Puya is out of stock, chances are Sarver will send the Sky Devices Elite T10. It’s also a decent tablet, with 32GB internal memory and up to 3GB RAM.

Maxsip Telecom

Maxsip Telecom is yet another you can check out for the free government tablet with EBT. It’s a New York company, albeit you can get the Lifeline benefits from all other US states and territories.

As for the application methods, Maxsip has partnered with local kiosks you can visit to apply for Lifeline in person. If not, the online enrollment form is pretty easy to follow through on your own.

Once the National Verifier approves your details, Maxsip Telecom gives BLU M8L (2^nd Gen) for the tablet discount. The device has 32GB internal memory and up to 3GB RAM, which is more than enough for most tasks.

Alternatively, Maxsip Telecom can send you the BLU M8L tablet they used to give away earlier. It’s still a good device, albeit with 1GB of RAM (and 32GB built-in storage).

Excess Telecom

Excess Telecom also has a decent free Android tablet in the ongoing ACP program. The service provider has also made a deal with BLU.

The Excess Telecom tablet you receive is the BLU M10Pro, which has a 10-inch display, 32GB built-in memory, and 3GB RAM.

If that’s out of stock, Excess will most likely send their backup stock of either BLU M8L or M8L-Plus

Torch Wireless

Torch Wireless is a wireless broadband company that runs off the AT&T network. It’s also participating in the ongoing ACP and Lifeline program, whereby you even receive a tablet discount.

The kind of tablet Torch Wireless gives you if approved for the Lifeline program is either:

BLU M8L Tab, which has 32/ 1GB memory
XMOBILE X8, which has 32/ 3GB memory
Maxwest Nitro 8, which has 32/ 3GB memory
Maxwest Astro 8q, which has 32/ 2GB memory
Hyundai HYTAB PLUS tab, which has 32/ 3GB memory

MOOLAH Wireless

Moolah Wireless is still another wireless broadband provider you can join if within AT&T coverage zones. It offers the full ACP bundle of a monthly service discount and a one-time tablet.

The kind of tablet Moolah Wireless gives you is their branded MOOLAH Mobile Tab. And while you may have never heard of it, it’s a decent device with a 10-inch display, plus 32GB built-in storage and 3GB RAM.

Hoop Wireless

Hoop Wireless is a newly launched wireless broadband provider you can apply for the Lifeline program. It also offers a tablet discount, provided you select the “Internet Tablet plan” when applying.

The Hoop Wireless free tablet you get is a Hyundai model. And it’s a decent device, with a 10-inch screen, 32GB built-in storage, and 2GB RAM.

Other Low-Cost Tablet Options

EveryoneOn (https://www.everyoneon.org/)

Focus: Connecting low-income households with affordable internet service with and sometimes with the option of low-cost devices.
How they work: Partners with internet service providers nationwide to offer discounted plans (often around $10-$20 per month). They also work with device refurbishers to provide low-cost computers and tablets.
Eligibility: Varies by specific offers, but often aligns with participation in benefits programs like SNAP, Medicaid, etc.

PCs for People (https://www.pcsforpeople.org/)

Focus: Providing affordable refurbished computers, laptops, and tablets. They also offer low-cost internet options in some areas.
How they work: PCs for People sources used electronics, refurbishes them to high standards, and sells them at significantly reduced prices.
Eligibility: Income-based (below 200% of the poverty level) or current enrollment in a government benefits program.

Human-I-T (https://www.human-i-t.org/)

Focus: Broader focus on digital inclusion, including low-cost internet, devices, and digital literacy training.
How they work: They offer refurbished devices, provide hotspots, and partner with internet providers for affordable plans. Their programs vary from state to state.
Eligibility: Can be income-based or participation in specific programs. Their website often has location-specific information.

The Mandatory FCC Fee for the Tablet

While there are hundreds of other ACP providers, these are the few I could find the kind of tablet they give with EBT.

AirTalk is still the overall best company on the tablet discount as they have a wide catalog of devices you can choose from. Then, the catalog includes even high-end brands like Apple, Samsung, and Lenovo Tabs.

That said, the free tablet with EBT isn’t all FREE. The FCC has asked all the companies that offer a $100 device discount with ACP to charge their applicants a minimum copayment fee.

As per the FCC policy, this minimum copayment fee for the tablet should be less than $50 but more than $10. Hence, the reason you find many providers charging $10.01, $11, or $20.

Conclusion

The Lifeline Program provides a fantastic opportunity for low-income families to access essential technology. For those receiving government assistance through programs like SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or others, obtaining a free or significantly discounted tablet is a real possibility.