All three major cell phone companies—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—offer 10–20% discounts for first responders. But it's AT&T that really stands out, not only for its generous pricing but also for its FirstNet program, which gives first responders priority during network congestion.
We'll go over everything you need to know about the best phone plans for first responders, including the pricing and eligibility requirements for Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
First responder phone plan discounts
| Provider | Price | Discount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $42.99–47.99/mo. (one line) $27–44/mo. per line (4 lines) |
20% |
|
| T-Mobile | $45–85/mo. (one line) $100–200/mo. per line (4 lines) |
6–10% |
|
| Verizon | $55–80/mo. (one line) $25–50/mo. per line (4 lines) |
12–15% |
|
Military and teachers get discounts, too
While some carriers' first responder plans extend to military, most are separate plans specific to active duty military members. Some carriers also offer separate discounts for teachers as well.
If you're active duty military or a teacher, jump over to our guides to see which carriers discount your phone plan:
Best first responder discounts: AT&T
AT&T gives first responders a 20% discount on their monthly bill and access to a priority network called FirstNet.
In general, AT&T isn't necessarily our favorite of the big three carriers. Its 5G network isn't as impressive as T-Mobile's, and its rural coverage can't beat Verizon's. However, we still think that AT&T offers the best cheap phone plans for first responders, hospital employees, and other emergency workers.
There are two major reasons that AT&T's first responder plans are better than others: firstly, their discount is larger. Secondly, they've teamed up with a government agency to offer a priority network that's exclusively for emergency responders. This means you'll get reliable, fast speeds, even when cellular networks are busy.
We'll talk more about FirstNet in a moment, but first, here's a look at AT&T's first responder discount:
AT&T FirstNet plans
| Plan | Monthly price | Discount | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| FirstNet Unlimited | $42.99/line | 20% |
|
| FirstNet Unlimited Extra | $47.99/line | 20% |
|
What is FirstNet?
FirstNet is a government program established in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks. It is designed so that, in the event of a national emergency, all first responders will be on the same reliable network, and their mobile calls and data will be prioritized over other non-essential customers.
Because FirstNet runs on AT&T's network, it is the only provider that offers plans with this prioritization.
Who qualifies for AT&T's FirstNet first responder plan?
AT&T's FirstNet plans are available to a very wide range of workers, including those in the following categories:
- Military
- Firefighters
- Hospital workers
- Law enforcement
- Sworn court officials
- Emergency management
- 911 dispatchers
If you're in one of these categories, your family will also qualify for discounted plans through AT&T. You can see a full list of who's eligible to sign up for FirstNet plans on FirstNet's website.
How to sign up for AT&T's first responder plans
One drawback to these first responder plans is that you can't sign up online quickly. You will need an "affiliation code" from your verified organization to sign up. You may also need the following:
- Your employee/volunteer ID or badge
- A paystub less than 60 days old
- Your 1099 from the previous year
- A signed affidavit from your first responder agency
Enroll in autopay for additional discounts
One of the easiest ways to knock a few bucks off your mobile bill is to enroll in autopay. Most companies, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, offer discounts when you enroll in autopay after your first billing cycle.
T-Mobile first responder discounts
T-Mobile offers first responder phone plan discounts of 6–10%. These discounts are available on all its flagship plans and extend to friends and family on multi-line plans.
When this first responder discount is applied to T-Mobile's lowest-tier "Essentials" plan, you can get unlimited talk, text, and data for just $45 per month. That's a darn good deal.
|
#1
|
T-Mobile
Essentials | Eligible First Responders ONLY
$45.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included
|
|
#2
|
T-Mobile
Essentials | Eligible Military ONLY
$45.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included
|
However, when you get into T-Mobile's higher-tier plans, the discount starts to seem less impressive. Here's a breakdown of all of T-Mobile's discounted first responder plans.
T-Mobile first responder plans
| Plan | Monthly price | Discount | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials First Responder | $45/line | 10% |
|
| Experience More First Responder | $70/line | 7% |
|
| Experience Beyond First Responder | $85/line | 6% |
|
Who's eligible for T-Mobile's first responder plan?
To qualify for any of T-Mobile's first responder plans, you must be a:
- Member of state or local law enforcement
- Firefighter
- Emergency medical responder
- Pensioned retiree first responder
- Parent, child, or spouse of a first responder who died in the line of duty
Federal employees are exempt from the first responder discounted rates.
Not everyone on a multi-line plan must meet the above criteria for your family to qualify for T-Mobile's discounted first responder plan. Only the primary account holder must qualify and provide proof of their first responder status.
How to sign up for T-Mobile's first responder plans
Once you've signed up for one of T-Mobile's first responder plans, you'll need to provide proof of your eligibility within 45 days of activation. You can do this either:
- In person at a T-Mobile store
- On the T-Mobile app
If you are an active first responder, T-Mobile will accept one of the following:
- Your employee or volunteer ID
- A paystub less than 60 days old
- Your EMS/EMT certification
- A signed affidavit from your first responder agency
If you are a pensioned retiree, simply provide your pension statement. Children, parents, or spouses of a first responder who died in the line of duty should dial 611 from their T-Mobile phone for assistance with the verification process.
Verizon first responder discounts
Verizon offers a 12–15% discount for first responders, depending on what plan they pick. Verizon boasts on its website that it's "putting first responders first," and its generous discounts back that claim.
While Verizon can't compete with AT&T's prioritized FirstNet plans, its discounts are more robust than T-Mobile's. Plus, those in rural parts of the United States will enjoy Verizon's unparalleled coverage.
|
Verizon
Unlimited Welcome (First Responders)
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price is for eligible First Responders with AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
Unlimited Welcome (Nurses)
$55.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price is for eligible Nurses with AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
Unlimited Plus (First Responders)
$70.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price is for eligible First Responders with AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
Unlimited Plus (Nurses)
$70.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price is for eligible Nurses with AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
|
Verizon
Unlimited Ultimate (First Responders)
$80.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price is for eligible First Responders with AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
The cheapest Verizon plan for first responders is the Unlimited Welcome plan, which costs just $55 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 5G data.
You can also get a first responder discount on Verizon's other flagship postpaid plans. Here's a closer look at what these plans offer.
Verizon first responder plans
| Plan | Monthly price | Discount | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Welcome | $55/line | 15% |
|
| Unlimited Plus | $70/line | 13% |
|
| Unlimited Ultimate | $80/line | 12% |
|
You can save even more on your Verizon bill when you get a multi-line family plan. Your first responder discount applies to up to 4 lines.
Bundle to save even more with Verizon
Do you also have a Verizon Fios internet plan? You're in luck—the carrier extends first responder internet plan discounts to home internet customers as well.
Who qualifies for Verizon's first responder discount?
You can qualify for Verizon's first responder discount if you are an active state or local employee, volunteer, or retiree of any of the following:
- Firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMT), and emergency medical services (EMS)
- State troopers, sheriffs, sheriff's deputies, and local police
- Next of kin of first responders killed in action
Currently, federal law enforcement employees are ineligible for the Verizon first responder discount; however, active federal employees may qualify for the carrier's federal employee discount program.
You can also receive only one Verizon discount on your account at a time. For example, if you already have a military discount from Verizon, you can't add the first responder discount.
How to sign up for Verizon's first responder discount
To take advantage of the first responder discount from Verizon, you'll need to verify your service online. Be prepared to provide either:
- A volunteer ID or badge
- A statement of volunteer service
- Your recent paystub
- Your pension paystub
You'll also need to be the primary account holder or manager; however, exceptions apply to immediate family members of (i.e., spouses or children) if the first responder was killed in the line of duty.
First responder plan discounts: FAQ
Do first responders get discounts on cell phones?
First responders do not always get discounts on new cell phones, but they do often get discounts on cell phone plans. For example, AT&T offers a 20% discount to first responders who sign up for the company's FirstNet priority plans.
Which carrier offers the best first responder discount?
AT&T offers the best discounts for first responders. What's more: AT&T has a special program called FirstNet, which gives first responders priority on AT&T's mobile network, even in times of congestion.
Can family members use first responder phone discounts?
Family members who are on a multi-line plan are usually eligible to receive first responder discounts, as long as the primary account holder can prove eligibility. With AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, the first responder discount can extend to at least 4 lines.
Do first responder discounts apply to prepaid plans?
In most cases, prepaid plans do not offer first responder discounts. These discounts are generally reserved for carriers' flagship postpaid plans.
How do I verify my first responder status for a phone plan discount?
Each carrier has a slightly different process to verify eligibility for first responder discounts, but usually it involves presenting a recent paystub or a current photo ID badge from an eligible employer. You can see the full requirements for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon's first responder discounts in the article above.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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