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Safelink Wireless

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The minutes provided by Safelink Wireless can be used for making local and domestic long-distance calls, as well as for text messaging. The choices available may vary depending on your state and what best aligns with your communication preferences and requirements.

  • Lifeline + ACP

    Free smartphone or BYOP

    Unlimited talk

    Unlimited text

    Calls to Canada and Mexico

    25GB high speed data

    Up to 5GB of hotspot data

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  • ACP Plan

    Free SIM card

    Unlimited talk

    Unlimited text

    Calls to Canada and Mexico

    10GB data

    Includes 5GB of hotspot data

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  • Lifeline Plan

    Free SIM card

    350 voice minutes

    Unlimited texts

    4.5GB data

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Qualification

To qualify for Safelink Wireless, participants must meet one of the two eligibility criteria: income-based or program-based qualification.

1. Income-Based Qualification:

A subscriber qualifies for the program if their household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These guidelines are updated annually, and the specific income thresholds depend on the household size and location. Here’s how it works:

  • Income Thresholds: The Federal Poverty Guidelines set income limits based on the number of people in the household. For example, a family of four in a high-cost area may have a higher income limit than a similar family in a lower-cost area. Individuals whose incomes fall below this threshold are eligible for the program.
  • Financial Assistance: By offering a free mobile phone to those below this income threshold, the program helps ease the financial burden for households already struggling to meet basic needs. Access to a free phone helps them stay connected to healthcare, job opportunities, and social support systems.
  • Communication for Daily Needs: For individuals facing financial difficulties, a mobile phone can be a critical tool. Whether for job applications, healthcare appointments, or connecting with family and friends, a phone is essential for maintaining communication and accessing services.

2. Program-Based Qualification:

Alternatively, individuals can qualify for the free mobile phone program if they are enrolled in one of several government assistance programs. These programs provide crucial support to low-income individuals and families, and enrollment in any one of them automatically qualifies a person for the program. Below are the programs that qualify participants:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):

    • SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides financial assistance to low-income families to help them purchase food.
    • If an individual or family is receiving SNAP benefits, they automatically qualify for the free mobile phone program. This ensures that those already receiving food assistance can also stay connected to other critical services.
  • Medicaid:

    • Medicaid offers healthcare coverage to low-income individuals, including children, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.
    • Those enrolled in Medicaid automatically qualify for the program, which ensures they can stay connected to healthcare providers, make appointments, and receive medical services when needed.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

    • SSI provides financial support to elderly, blind, or disabled individuals who have little or no income.
    • People receiving SSI benefits automatically qualify for the mobile phone program, allowing them to stay in touch with family, medical professionals, and social services.
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA):

    • FPHA assists low-income families with housing costs, ensuring they can afford safe and stable housing.
    • If an individual or family receives FPHA benefits, they automatically qualify for the free mobile phone program, which helps them stay connected to landlords, housing authorities, and other vital services.
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits:

    • This program provides financial assistance to low-income veterans, their spouses, and dependents.
    • Veterans and their families who are enrolled in this program qualify for the free mobile phone, helping them stay connected to healthcare services and community support networks.
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA):

    • The BIA provides financial support to Native American individuals and families, particularly those living on reservations.
    • Those enrolled in the BIA General Assistance program are eligible for the free mobile phone program, ensuring that people in remote areas have access to essential communication.
  • Tribal Head Start:

    • This early childhood education program is designed for Native American children and their families.
    • Families with children enrolled in Tribal Head Start qualify for the program, ensuring that parents stay connected to their child’s education and community services.
  • Tribal Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF):

    • TANF provides temporary financial aid to Native American families with children who are experiencing financial hardship.
    • Enrolled families automatically qualify for the mobile phone program, which helps them access work opportunities, childcare, and other critical services.
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR):

    • This program offers nutritious food to low-income households on Indian reservations.
    • Participation in FDPIR qualifies individuals for the free mobile phone program, helping them stay connected to health and social services.

    By meeting one of these two criteria—either qualifying based on income or enrollment in one of the listed government assistance programs—individuals become eligible for the free mobile phone program. This initiative is designed to help low-income individuals and families access essential services. A mobile phone is an important tool for staying connected to healthcare providers, job opportunities, family, and emergency services. Ultimately, the program helps reduce the digital divide and improves the quality of life for those who need it most.

Am I Qualitified?

Special plans

Exclusive Plans for California Residents

Residents of California are fortunate to benefit from some of the most generous offers available regarding free government cell phone services. This advantage stems from the fact that cell phone providers in California frequently provide a monthly subsidy that surpasses the federal average found in other states. As a result, California residents enjoy enhanced access to texts, minutes, and data. Below is a summary of what one can anticipate from a typical plan available in California.

  • Unlimited text messaging and unlimited calling, plus 500MB of data at no cost.
  • Unlimited text messaging and unlimited calling with 1.2 GB of data for a mere $10 each month.
  • Unlimited text messaging and unlimited calling, coupled with 4GB of data for $17.60 per month.
  • Unlimited text messaging and unlimited calling, along with 10 GB of data for $32.60 per month.

Plans Available in Other States

For individuals residing in states other than California, as well as those in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, here’s a breakdown of what one can generally expect from the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program.

Bring Your Own Device Option

If you choose to bring your own compatible GSM smartphone, you will receive a complimentary SIM card, unlimited text messaging, and 350 minutes of free calls each month. Additionally, you will enjoy 1 GB of data for the initial three months, followed by 500MB each subsequent month.

Complimentary Phone Offer

Alternatively, you can opt for a free smartphone that includes both data and Wi-Fi capabilities. This option provides unlimited text messaging and 353 minutes of calls each month, along with 500MB of data.

Overview of the Program

The SafeLink Wireless program is designed to be user-friendly, requiring no contracts to be signed. Enrollment is straightforward; individuals can apply online or by calling a designated number. Signing up for this program is both quick and easy, and participants can expect to enjoy several features with their SafeLink Wireless device, including:

  • Essential features such as call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail.
  • International long-distance calling options.
  • The ability to carry over any unused minutes, depending on the selected plan.
  • The handset remains active for one year from the date of shipment, with an annual recertification process to confirm ongoing eligibility for the program.

California residents benefit from an abundance of texts and minutes, as well as access to superior cell phone models compared to those available to individuals in other states, who generally receive basic devices. In fact, California participants often receive modern Android smartphones.

Additional Minutes Options

In situations where you exhaust your allotted minutes before the month concludes, there are options available to ensure you remain connected. You can purchase TracFone Airtime Cards from various retailers such as CVS, Walmart, Target, Kmart, Walgreens, RadioShack, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, and Dollar General. Additionally, these minutes can also be acquired online.

The standard plan provides an average of 350 minutes each month; however, users have the option to buy additional minutes as needed. More information, including promotional offers, can be found on the SafeLink Wireless/TracFone Minutes page, where you can utilize TracFone promo codes to access some excellent deals on the available plans.