How to Apply for a Free Government Laptop: Eligibility and Scams

There is no single federal website where you can apply for a free government laptop. The closest thing, the Affordable Connectivity Program’s one-time device discount, ended on June 1, 2024, and has no federal replacement.¹ What exists instead is a small group of nonprofits, some of them government-funded or working with government agencies, that give away or heavily discount refurbished computers to households below roughly 200% of the federal poverty level, or to people already enrolled in benefits like SNAP or Medicaid. You apply directly to those organizations, not to a federal agency.

Where to Apply

Four national nonprofits handle the bulk of low-cost and free computer distribution:

Compudopt gives away genuinely free refurbished computers loaded with essential software through periodic events in the communities it serves.²
PCs for People sells refurbished desktops starting around $30 and laptops starting around $50 in-store to income-eligible households, with a limited number of free desktops sometimes available.³
Human-I-T offers laptops starting at $139 with a one-year warranty and free tech support included, plus an optional Microsoft Office add-on for $15.⁴
Computers 4 People matches applicants with donated devices as inventory allows.⁵

Read “free” carefully. A few programs charge nothing, but many ask a modest fee between $30 and $150. That’s still a small fraction of retail, but it’s worth knowing before you start.

Whether You Qualify

Most programs offer two ways to prove eligibility. You can show household income at or below the threshold, or you can show you’re already enrolled in a qualifying benefit program.

Income

The typical ceiling is 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.⁶ For 2026 in the 48 contiguous states, that works out to roughly $31,920 for one person, $43,280 for two, $54,640 for three, $66,000 for four, and $77,360 for five. Alaska and Hawaii use higher thresholds: a single person qualifies with income up to $39,900 in Alaska and $36,720 in Hawaii.⁷ A handful of programs use 150% or 250% instead, so check each one.

Benefit Enrollment

If you already receive certain benefits, that enrollment usually stands in for income verification. Common qualifying programs include:⁶

SNAP (food assistance)
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
TANF
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
National School Lunch Program (free or reduced-price lunch)

Some programs also accept WIC, Social Security Disability, or energy assistance like CARE.⁴

Students, Veterans, and People With Disabilities

Students at accredited colleges, trade schools, or workforce training programs often qualify regardless of the income thresholds above. You’ll usually need a student ID, acceptance letter, or current transcript. Many colleges also run their own laptop lending or subsidy programs through financial aid, so ask your school first.

Veterans can qualify through programs designed for former service members, with a DD-214 discharge document as the standard proof. Some organizations prioritize veterans experiencing homelessness or transitioning to civilian life.

People with disabilities can qualify through additional channels using a provider letter, a disability benefits statement, or other official verification.

A Note on Lifeline

You may see advice pointing to the federal Lifeline program. Lifeline discounts phone or internet service by up to $9.25 a month (up to $34.25 on Tribal lands), but the FCC states plainly that it “does not subsidize any hardware associated with the Lifeline program.”⁸ It will not get you a laptop. If you’re enrolled in Lifeline, though, you already meet the income test for most of the nonprofit programs above, so use your Lifeline documentation when you apply.

Documents to Gather Before You Apply

Pull your paperwork together first. Requirements vary, but most programs ask for some combination of the following:

Proof of identity: driver’s license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate.
Proof of address: utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your current residence.
Proof of income or benefit enrollment: prior-year tax return, Social Security or VA benefits statement, or a letter confirming your participation in a qualifying program like SNAP or Medicaid. Documents typically must include your full name and be dated within the last 12 months.⁹⁶
Proof of enrollment for students: student ID, acceptance letter, or transcript.

Not every program accepts the same documents. Human-I-T, for one, does not accept pay stubs and requires tax returns for income proof.⁹ Check the specific requirements before assuming your paperwork will pass.

Protecting Your Information

These applications ask for sensitive information: Social Security number, tax returns, benefit letters. Confirm the organization is legitimate before handing anything over. The Social Security Administration recommends asking why your number is needed, how it will be used, and what happens if you refuse.¹⁰ When uploading, check that the site uses “https://” in the address bar. If mailing copies, never send originals.

How to Apply and How Long It Takes

Most programs accept applications through their websites. You create an account, fill out a form covering your household and situation, upload your documents, and write a short explanation of why you need a computer. Some organizations also accept in-person applications at local offices or community centers.

Then you wait. Processing runs from a few weeks to several months because these organizations depend on donated equipment and availability fluctuates. Computers 4 People notes that applicants “may experience a short waiting period” while being matched with a donated device.⁵ Applying to more than one program at the same time is allowed and improves your odds.

Some programs ship, others require pickup at a distribution site, and shipping costs may or may not be covered. Compudopt distributes through giveaway events, so check whether one is scheduled in your area before applying.

What You’ll Actually Receive

Set expectations before the box arrives. These are refurbished machines donated by businesses, schools, and government agencies, wiped clean, repaired if needed, and loaded with a fresh operating system. Most are several years old but reliably handle web browsing, email, schoolwork, and video calls. Compudopt includes essential software.² Human-I-T includes a one-year warranty and a year of free tech support.⁴ Don’t expect a new machine or gaming performance.

Avoiding “Free Government Laptop” Scams

Searching this phrase puts you in scammer territory. Fraudsters know people are looking, and they build convincing websites and social posts to match. Watch for:

Upfront payment requests. No legitimate program asks for a “processing fee” or “shipping deposit” by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Fake government websites. Real federal sites end in.gov or.mil. A site claiming to be a government laptop program on a.com,.org, or.net domain should be verified independently before you enter anything.¹¹
Unsolicited contact. If someone calls, texts, or emails you offering a free government laptop, it’s a scam. You apply to these programs; they don’t come find you.
Requests for remote access to your existing computer. No program needs that to process an application.

Go to the established nonprofits by typing their addresses directly rather than clicking links in emails or ads. Suspected scams can be reported to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

1
Congress.gov. The End of the Affordable Connectivity Program – Options for Consumers and Congress
2
Compudopt. Compudopt – We Provide Free Computers and Programming
3
PCs for People. Purchase a Laptop or Desktop Computer
4
Human-I-T. Low-Cost Computers for Families In-Need
5
Computers 4 People. Apply
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PCs for People. Eligibility for PCs for People
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines
8
Federal Communications Commission. Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications
9
Human-I-T. Eligibility Requirements
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Social Security Administration. How You Can Help Us Protect Your Social Security Number and Keep Your Information Safe
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get.gov. get.gov