Free Government Phone in Wisconsin
If you live in Wisconsin and receive benefits like BadgerCare Plus or FoodShare, you may qualify for a Free Government Phone with unlimited talk, text, and data.
Quick answer
Yes. Eligible households in Wisconsin can get a Free Government Phone through the federal Lifeline program. You qualify if someone in your household receives BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or the Veterans Pension, or Tribal benefits — or if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Who qualifies for a Free Government Phone in Wisconsin?
You, a dependent, or someone in your household must participate in one of these programs:
- BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Medicaid) (Medicaid)
- FoodShare (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance / Section 8
- Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
- Tribal programs (for residents of Tribal lands in Wisconsin)
- Household income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
Not sure? Use our eligibility checker.
Lifeline income limits by household size
Maximum yearly household income (135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, 48 states + DC). Bars show household size.
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Source: 2025 HHS Poverty Guidelines × 135%. Alaska and Hawaii limits are higher. Limits update yearly — confirm on USAC's Lifeline site.
How to apply in Wisconsin
- Check eligibility using the programs above or your income.
- Apply online with the Free Link Wireless application.
- Verify your eligibility. Your eligibility is confirmed through the Lifeline National Verifier, run by USAC. In many cases, Wisconsin benefit records can be checked automatically.
- Get your phone. We ship free to any Wisconsin address, and you can keep your current number.
Tribal Lifeline in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has federally recognized Tribal lands. Eligible residents of those lands can receive enhanced Lifeline support of up to $34.25 per month and may also qualify through Tribal programs such as BIA General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Head Start (income-qualifying), and FDPIR. Learn about Tribal Lifeline.
Service across Wisconsin
Free Link Wireless serves eligible customers statewide, including Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha. Service runs on a nationwide 4G LTE and 5G network — see our coverage page for details.
Popular phones in Wisconsin
Apple
Free iPhone 8 Plus
$0 – $200* device co-pay
- 4G LTE
- 5.5-inch Retina HD
- Dual 12MP (Wide + Telephoto), 2x optical zoom
See all Free Government Phones →
Neighboring states
- Free Government Phone Minnesota
- Free Government Phone Iowa
- Free Government Phone Illinois
- Free Government Phone Michigan
- All states
Wisconsin Free Government Phone FAQs
Can I get a Free Government Phone in Wisconsin with BadgerCare Plus?
Yes. BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Medicaid) is Wisconsin's Medicaid program, and Medicaid is a Lifeline qualifying program.
Does FoodShare qualify for a Free Government Phone?
Yes. FoodShare (SNAP) is Wisconsin's SNAP program, which qualifies your household for Lifeline.
How many Free Government Phones can a Wisconsin household get?
One. Lifeline is limited to one benefit per household in Wisconsin and every other state.
How long does it take to get a Free Government Phone in Wisconsin?
Many applicants are verified quickly. After approval, phones typically ship within a few business days, depending on where you live in Wisconsin.
Get your Free Government Phone in Wisconsin
Check eligibility in about two minutes, then apply online. No contracts, no credit checks.