Terracom is one of the Lifeline companies you can get free phone service from the government without paying anything. The company may even give you a free cell phone when joining the program for the first time. But in this article, we’ll focus on how to get Terracom Wireless free tablet.
Of course, the process to apply for the tablet is pretty much the same way to get Terracom Wireless free phone. But there’s a slight difference in the eligibility. The kind of tablet Terracom Wireless gives you is also a different brand from that of the free phone, as we shall see later.
Verdict: How to Get Terracom Wireless Free Tablet Online
- Get a soft copy of the documents to prove your identity, eligibility, and physical address.
- On your phone/ tablet/ laptop/ desktop computer, visit www.terracomwireless.com
- Once on the company website, click/ tap on the bold “START APPLICATION” button
- Next, enter the zip code where you’re currently located, then hit the “GO” button
- Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to fill in your info, upload document proof, and select a plan.
About Terracom Wireless Free Tablet
As just mentioned, Terracom Wireless is an eligible telecommunication carrier (ETC)- a phone provider with the license to offer a Lifeline program. It has been operating for over a decade now, offering subsidized phone service to eligible low-income consumers.
As a phone provider, Terracom Wireless doesn’t have cellular towers. Instead, the company leases the network of a Major Carrier. And this makes it a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) or subcarrier.
What this means is that Terracom Wireless doesn’t manufacture phones or tablets. When we say Terracom Wireless free tablet, we’re referring to the device offers the MVNO has through the ongoing broadband program from the government.
Terracom Wireless Free Tablet with ACP
First, EBB (emergency broadband benefit) was the first broadband program from the government with a free tablet offer.
The tablet was part of the up to $100 discount to purchase a connected device, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stated.
Terracom Wireless was one of these companies that give free tablets with EBB. I’ve used “was” here as the government retired EBB at the end of 2021, replacing it with the affordable connectivity program (ACP).
In a way, ACP is not so much different from EBB. The monthly broadband service discount for non-tribal users is about the main difference between the two. You’d now get a monthly service subsidy of $30 instead of the previous $50.
As for the discount to purchase a connected device, the FCC retained the cap at a maximum of $100. And Terracom Wireless is still participating in the new ACP, where you can get a free tablet plus the monthly service.
Unfortunately, not everyone who applies for Terracom Wireless service will get a free tablet or monthly service discount. You must be eligible for the ACP program, which is the next part of my article.
How to Get Terracom Wireless Free Tablet
As I’ve just said, only the people eligible for the affordable connectivity program (ACP) will get Terracom Wireless free tablet. And to be eligible, it simply means you must have the necessary requirements, which start with being a US citizen.
To prove your citizenship, Terracom Wireless will need a copy of documents such as:
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Driver’s license
- Certificate of US Citizenship
- Government/ State/ Military/ Tribal ID
- Green Card or Permanent Resident card, et cetera.
Once with proof of citizenship/ identity, the next part to qualify for Terracom Wireless free tablet is to prove your eligibility.
Similar to the Lifeline program, the ACP is only available to low-income consumers in the country. Under the “low-income” requirements, you can only qualify for the program with proof of low income or participation in government-funded assistance benefits.
Apply Terracom Wireless Free Tablet with Low Income
To get Terracom Wireless free tablet with a low income, your total household amount should be within the federal poverty guidelines cap. The poverty guidelines cap for the ACP is at or below 200%, slightly higher than the 135% cap of EBB.
When applying, Terracom Wireless will require proof you’re on the required 200% low-income cap. So, you’ll need to bring forward documents such as a recent copy of:
- Paycheck stub
- Tax return
- Income statement
- Social Security benefits statement
- Retirement/ pension benefits statement
- Veterans Administration Benefits statement
- Worker’s Compensation Benefits Statement
Apply for Terracom Wireless Free Tablet with Government Assistance Benefits
A government-funded assistance benefit is the second way you could be eligible for the free tablet from the government with Terracom. As you may know, these assistance benefits are usually available to people with low or no income, anyways.
Nevertheless, not all government assistance programs are eligible for the ACP (the program with the tablet discount). The accepted programs at the time of writing include:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental security income (SSI)
- Federal public housing assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans & Veteran’s Survivors Pension
- A Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- called Food Stamps in some states
- Head Start, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, and other Tribal-administered assistance programs
- School Breakfast or School Lunch Program (including from the USDA Community Eligibility Provision).
Note: You’ll automatically qualify to get Terracom Wireless free tablet if you have an active Lifeline program. The reason for this is that all the eligibility requirements of the Lifeline program are eligible for the ACP.
Another thing, you’ll need proof you participate in a government assistance benefit when applying for the Terracom Wireless tablet. The documents you bring forth can either be:
- A recent statement of the eligible government assistance benefit
- A letter of approval/ verification of the eligible assistance benefit.
If a student, you can qualify for the Terracom Wireless tablet with Pell Grant or breakfast/ lunch program. But like any other applicant, you’ll need to forward your documents to prove your citizenship/ identity.
If you, a student, don’t have any of the identity documents we mentioned earlier, you’ll need proof of emancipation status. The documents you bring can be either a copy of the certificate or a letter of emancipation.
Important Note:
When you apply for ACP with any broadband provider, the National Verifier (NV) is usually responsible for verifying your documents. NV determines your eligibility based on the documents you sent as proof of identity, eligibility, and physical address.
As for the proof of physical address, some of the documents you sent for identity and eligibility can show where you live. A perfect example is a government-issued ID, tax return, and statement of assistance benefit.
In case the National Verifier isn’t still able to verify your physical address, you’ll need to provide additional documents. Some of the best additional documents you can provide are a copy of a utility bill or a statement of lease or mortgage.
Methods How to Get Terracom Wireless Free Tablet
In a nutshell, there are three main ways how to get Terracom Wireless free tablet: online, by call, or at physical dealers.
Out of the three methods, the online approach is the easiest way to apply for the Terracom Wireless tablet.
To apply, you only need to:
- Gather everything you need- a soft copy of the documents to prove your identity, eligibility, and physical address. The soft copy can be a vivid photo caption or a PDF scan
- Go to www.terracomwireless.com using your internet-enabled smartphone, tablet, or laptop/ computer
- Once on the company page, tap/ click on the “START APPLICATION” button. Then enter the zip code of your location
- Next, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the enrollment.
I apologize for cutting short the online application for Terracom Wireless free tablet at step 4. At the time of writing, Terracom is still not accepting online applications- for whatever reason that may be. The company website still shows the error “TerraCom is unable to accept Lifeline and ACP applications through our website at this time….”
Method 2: Apply Terracom Wireless Free Tablet by Call
The second way you can apply Terracom Wireless free tablet is to call the customer support number 888-716-8880. Once connected, the customer rep will ask for your details to confirm your identity and place of residence. Then she will help you enroll.
As for the documents to prove your identity, address, and eligibility, the Terracom agent will ask you to send them via mail or email.
Method 3: Apply Terracom Wireless Free Tablet at Dealer
Surprisingly, this may be the most convenient way to apply for the free tablet from the government with Terracom Wireless right now. The method is as simple as visiting the authorized Terracom dealer with your documents. Then the customer representative will help you register, and even issue the device instantly.
To find a Terracom Wireless store in your area, input your details on the Store Locator and hit the “PROCEED” button. The search will display all the stores in your city or state.
Besides these dealer stores, you can apply for the Terracom Wireless free tablet from authorized traveling salespersons. The sales agents usually have camps in local places, including outside malls, campuses, community centers, etc.
What Kind of Tablet Does Terracom Wireless Give You?
Like other companies participating in ACP, Terracom Wireless doesn’t advertise the brand of free tablet they give on the ongoing offer. The company also never replied to my email when I asked about it.
But after extensive research and replies from enrolled customers, the kind of free tablet Terracom Wireless gives you is a Samsung Tab. Many customers enrolled with the company seem to have received the Samsung Tab A 8.4 (2020 Edition).
The Samsung tablet is a pretty decent model, with technical specs such as:
- A 32/ 3GB built-in memory
- 8.4-inch Full HD+ display
- A slot for a MicroSD card
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac) protocol
- Up to LTE cellular connectivity
- An 8MP camera that records video in 1080p@30fps
As much as I’d want to, there’s no guarantee this is the Terracom Wireless free tablet you’ll also get if approved today. The tablet Terracom sends largely depends on the stock available, and the manufacturers they have partnered with for this offer.
Don’t Forget there’s an FCC Co-Payment Fee
If still interested, that’s how to get Terracom Wireless free tablet from the government. The deal is still with the affordable connectivity program (ACP), the longer-term replacement of EBB. So, I’m hoping it’s going to be available for a few more years to come or even permanently if the government finds a way like they did with the Lifeline program.
That said, do remember the Terracom Wireless free tablet isn’t 100% FREE. The service provider, just like most others participating in ACP, charges a small co-payment fee the FCC has demanded.
The co-payment fee on Terracom is currently $10.01, which is within the FCC requirement of “less than $50 but more than $10”.
