Free Tablet With Medicaid: Eligibility & Process

Medicaid is an immensely helpful government program that helps American families access free and low-cost healthcare. However, the benefits of Medicaid are not only restricted to health facilities but there are several other advantages such as a free tablet. Let’s find out how to get it and stay connected with the digital world.

There are multiple ways that you can use to get a free tablet with your Medicaid participation. In this guide, we’ll take a look at all of them and will help you decide which one is the most suitable and convenient for you. By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to get a free or highly discounted tablet for your family.

How to Get a Free Tablet with Medicaid?

As mentioned, there are several methods that will help you get a free tablet with your Medicaid participation. The first one is through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is a Federal Communication Commission (FCC)-backed scheme that helps the underprivileged stay connected to technology.

The second one is through another FCC-supported program called Lifeline. This program also helps low-income families, veterans, people with disabilities, rural citizens, and other people in need with affordable telecommunication and technology services.

The ultimate way is to get benefits from state government-run programs that help Medicaid beneficiaries get free tablets, laptops, and other essential devices. However, the truth is that not everyone can get the latest tablet for free. Most of the schemes will only provide you a good discount if you’re eligible or you’ll get an average device that’s only great for basic tasks.

Get a Free Tablet with an Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was launched to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. The transition also expanded the benefits and eligible individuals can get a free tablet or laptop through the ACP along with highly subsidized or free access to the internet.

If you’re a Medicaid-qualifying individual or household, you can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program and get your free tablet. To submit your application, you have to visit the official website of ACP from here, enter your personal details, and upload supporting documentation.

Once you’re approved, you’ll be eligible for the free or discounted tablet. The range of benefits begins with an instant discount of $100 and depends on the status of your household income. You have to select from multiple ACP providers and each of them will give you a varying offer.

Here are some of the top tablet providers under the ACP for Medicaid users:

• QLink Wireless
• StandUp Wireless
• Unity Wireless
• Sarver Wireless
• Rogue Mobile
• Whoop Connect
• Samsung
• Amazon

Note: Due to the FCC guidelines, these providers may charge you a minimum fee of $10.01 for the tablet.

Get a Free Tablet with Lifeline Assistance Program

The Lifeline Assistance Program, often called Lifeline, was launched in 1985 and has been providing subsidized and free telephone services to low-income families ever since. However, the benefits are not only limited to that and qualifying individuals can also get a free tablet through this FCC scheme.

It’s one of the best programs for Medicaid beneficiaries to get a free tablet. Medicaid is one of the eligibility criteria for Lifeline. If you have valid documentation, you can visit the official website of Lifeline and submit your application Once your application is approved, you’ll have to select a provider to get a tablet.

After choosing your provider, you can contact them and get your free or highly discounted tablet. You can also apply for subsidized telephone services and broadband services by applying for the ACP simultaneously.

Get a Free Tablet with State Government Programs

There are several programs in every state that help the underprivileged receive free tablets. For instance, the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) is a Texas government program that helps people with disabilities and other people in need including Medicaid beneficiaries get a free tablet.

The Connecticut Government also observes a “Free Tablet Day” where low-income Medicaid participants can receive a basic tablet for free. There are similar schemes active in almost every state. You just have to find the relevant programs in your state. To do that, you can visit the nearby government office.

You can also contact local social service agencies and charity organizations to get more details about active programs in your region. Once you find a suitable option, apply for that, and get your tablet.

More Ways to Get a Free Tablet with Medicaid

Apart from government programs, there are some other charities, NGOs, and schemes that help low-income Medicaid beneficiaries get free tablets and other digital equipment. If you’re unable to receive your free tablet from the Federal or State Government, you can try your luck with the following campaigns:

1. Computers With Causes

Computers With Causes is a non-profit organization that helps low-income individuals and families with free laptops, desktops, and tablets. Their benefits are available throughout the United States. If you’re a Medicaid qualifying individual, you can contact them, and submit your application for a free tablet.

2. Computers For Kids

Computers For Kids is a program that helps provide low-cost and no-cost tablets to children primarily in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. If you’re a Medicaid-qualifying family with a student enrolled in a school, you can connect with them and receive your free tablet. They are an authorized Microsoft refurbisher.

3. Human-IT

The Human-IT is a donation-based organization that offers computers and tablets to low-income households. Being a Medicaid participant is one of their eligibility criteria. They collect donations, refurbish the devices, and then provide them to people in need.

4. The On IT Foundation

The  ON IT (Opportunities Necessary to Increase Technology) Foundation is another organization focused on providing low-cost and free gadgets to the underprivileged. They primarily help the students in Florida. If you’re in Florida and qualify for Medicaid, you can submit your application on their website.

5. Interconnection

Interconnection is the next organization that helps people in need access low-cost and free technology, primarily in Seattle. If you’re a Medicaid-qualifying individual or family, you can connect with them and apply for a free tablet. You’ll receive it quickly if the stock is available, or else, you’ll have to wait for some time.

5. Everyone On

Everyone On is a national non-profit organization that helps the underprivileged to get free and low-cost devices including laptops, desktops, and tablets. If you’re a Medicaid participant, you can visit their website, and submit your application to receive a free tablet right away.

6. SmartRiverside

SmartRiverside is a government-backed program that provides free computers and tablets to low-income individuals and families. Their services are available in several states and being a Medicaid participant is one of their eligibility criteria. If you qualify for that, you can submit your application online.

Final Take

A tablet is a highly useful device as the world is undergoing a digital revolution. It can help you in work, studies, entertainment, and several other purposes. However, not everyone can afford it but that’s not a problem anymore. People who can’t buy a tablet with their own money can get it for free these days.

There are several government, NGO, and private programs that help the underprivileged get a free tablet. Most of their campaigns have Medicaid participation as a part of their eligibility requirements. So, you can utilize your beneficiary and low-income status to get subsidized access to basic technology.

That’s all for this post. If you have any queries about getting a free tablet, feel free to use the comment box.

FAQs

1. Can you get a tablet for free with Medicaid?

Yes, it’s possible to get a free tablet with your Medicaid participation through Federal Government programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program and Lifeline. You can also get a free tablet through other campaigns such as Computers With Causes, Everyone On, Interconnection, etc.

2. How can I get a tablet for free?

If you’re trying to get a free tablet, you must belong to a household with an annual income below the Federal poverty standards and must be participating in aid programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, etc. After that, you can apply for government programs such as ACP or Lifeline to get your free tablet.

3. Is Texas free tablet legit?

The Texas Government has a program named Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) which is a voucher scheme focusing on providing specialized equipment or services to access telephone networks to people with disabilities. The Texas Free Tablet is a private website that promotes the program and doesn’t directly offer any benefit.

4. Do students need tablets?

A tablet is a highly useful device for students. It can help them in their studies as they can watch video lectures, complete their homework, and read digital books. It’s also a portable device and students can carry them wherever they go to stay connected with their studies at all times.