Phones are not a privilege. They are necessary. And they are particularly necessary for someone facing criminal charges — who need to be in contact with their attorney, etc.

For people whose income is 135% or less of the federal poverty guidelines might qualify for reduced-cost cell phones, phone service, and a good amount of data with the help of Lifeline (NOTE: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) recently ended).

2026 Income Limits for Lifeline (135% of FPL) > To qualify for Lifeline, your annual household income must be at or below the amounts listed for your household size.

Household Size	Missouri
1 person	$21,546
2 people	$29,214
3 people	$36,882
4 people	$44,550
5 people	$52,218
6 people	$59,886
7 people	$67,554
8 people	$75,222
Each add’l person	+$7,668

Here is MSPD HDS’s how to apply for this program (again, ACP is discontinued).

And here are my series of posts regarding all HDS’s resource handouts.

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Holistic Defense Services (HDS) is a program within MSPD that focuses on addressing the underlying social, economic, and health issues that contribute to a client’s involvement with the criminal justice system. HDS aims to provide comprehensive support to clients, beyond traditional legal representation, to help them overcome barriers and achieve better outcomes.

Here is a like to all of HDS’s “How To” Guides > here