FREE CELL PHONE FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE: SAFELINK WIRELESS

The following information was previously e-mailed to Social Service staff.

SafeLink Wireless was created by TracFone Wireless, Inc. when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved the company to offer Lifeline - a public assistance program that ensures telephone service is available and affordable for low-income subscribers. SafeLink Wireless recently became available to eligible consumers throughout Massachusetts, the forth state in the nation where this valuable program is offered. SafeLink is expected to serve millions of low income families with this free telecommunications services.

Benefits (in Massachusetts)

• You get one free cell phone and a choice of three different calling plans:
  • 250 free minutes per month, no carryover of unused minutes, one text = one minute
  • 125 free minutes per month, carryover of unused minutes, one text = one minute
  • 80 free minutes per month, carry over of unused minutes, three texts = one minute, international long distance to over 100 destinations
• You can make local calls and national long distance calls with all plans (one plan also includes international calling).
• You can use your minutes for voice calls or texting.
• You can buy additional minutes.
• Voicemail, caller ID, free 911, and call waiting are included.
• Calls to Customer Service (1-800-977-3768) and Tech Support (1-800-378-1684) are not free.

The SafeLink service will be provided to qualifying individuals/families for up to one year. Participants may renew service and will be required to re-submit eligibility through a new application upon their year completion. If the participant no longer qualifies, they will be notified and will be able to keep the cell phone and continue service as a regular TracFone customer (i.e., by paying regular rates).

Eligibility (in Massachusetts)

Recipients of the following benefits are eligible:

• Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC)
• Food Stamps Benefits
• Fuel Assistance
• MassHealth (Medicaid)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
• National Free School Lunch
• Federal Housing/Section 8 Assistance

  OR

Total household income is at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines (in 2008 $1,171 a month individual or $1,576 for a couple).

AND

• No one in the household currently receives Lifeline Service through another phone carrier.
• The applicant has a valid United States Postal Address. In order for the company to ship the free phone, the applicant must live at a residence that can receive mail from the US Post Office. P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted.
• In addition to meeting the guidelines above, applicants will also be required to provide proof of participation in an assistance program or proof of income level.

Application

More information and the applications are available at www.SafeLinkWireless.com.

-Thanks to Ambika Panday, GBLS for forwarding information and Matt Silvia, for notifying us that the program is in fact currently operational.

Please see the Telephone Discounts & Plans page for more information.

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