The Obama Phone is a popular, unofficial name for the Lifeline Assistance program, which provides free cell phones and free minutes to needy Americans who cannot afford to buy them. The program was dubbed "Obama Phone" because of its rapid expansion during the Barack Obama presidency. The program started in the early-to-mid-1980s, long before cell phones were invented, and initially offered subsidized phone service to Americans who were living at or below the poverty level. The program has since expanded to include wireless providers in an effort to provide more Americans with access to communication.

Contrary to popular belief, the "Obama Phone" is not a free cell phone given out by the US government. Instead, wireless providers supply the "free government phones" to eligible consumers when they apply for the Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide a monthly phone or broadband internet subsidy to low-income individuals or families. The subsidy is limited to $9.25 per household per month and can apply to either fixed line or cell phone service.