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Phone Number800-723-3546
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Email—
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LocationPO Box 160490 Hialeah, FL 33016-9997
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Office Websitehttps://www.safelinkwireless.com/
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.
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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
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Special plans
Exclusive Plans for California Residents
Residents of California are fortunate when it comes to accessing free government cell phone services. The cellular providers operating within the state tend to offer more substantial monthly subsidies than those available in many other regions. As a result, Californians enjoy enhanced benefits, including a greater allocation of texts, minutes, and data plans. Below is an overview of what you can typically expect from cell phone plans available in California:
- Unlimited text messages and unlimited talk time, along with 500MB of data at no cost.
- Unlimited text and talk, plus 1.2GB of data, all for just $10 per month.
- Unlimited text, unlimited talk, and 4GB of data for a monthly fee of $17.60.
- Unlimited text messages and talk, as well as 10GB of data for $32.60 per month.
Plans for Other States
For individuals residing in other states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, the Lifeline Assistance program provides a different set of benefits related to free government cell phone plans. Here’s what those plans typically include:
Bring Your Own Device Option
Participants in this program can expect to receive a free SIM card, unlimited text messaging, 350 free minutes each month, and 1GB of data for the first three months. After that, users will receive 500MB of data each month. It’s important to note that participants must possess a compatible GSM smartphone to take advantage of this option.
Free Smartphone Provision
Alternatively, you can opt for a free smartphone equipped with both data and Wi-Fi capabilities. This plan also includes unlimited text messaging and 353 minutes of talk time monthly, along with 500MB of data.
Understanding the Program
The SafeLink Wireless program is structured to be straightforward and user-friendly. There is no contract to sign, and signing up is completely free. You can easily apply online or by calling their customer service number, making the enrollment process quick and hassle-free. As a participant in the SafeLink Wireless program, you can expect to enjoy various features, including:
- Common functionalities such as call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail.
- International long-distance calling options.
- The possibility for unused minutes to roll over to the next month, subject to the specific plan chosen.
- The mobile device remains active for one year following its shipment, with the requirement to recertify your eligibility for the program annually.
In comparison, California residents enjoy more extensive minute allocations and text messaging options, along with superior smartphones, typically Android devices, while residents of other states may receive more basic cell phones.
Additional Minutes Availability
If you find yourself running low on minutes before the end of the month, rest assured that you are not left in the lurch. You can purchase TracFone Airtime Cards, which are conveniently available at various retailers such as CVS, Walmart, Target, Kmart, Walgreens, RadioShack, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, and Dollar General. Additionally, these minutes can also be purchased online for added convenience.
The standard plan typically offers around 350 minutes per month, but you have the flexibility to purchase additional minutes as needed. More information and options are available through our dedicated Safelink Wireless/Tracfone Minutes page, where you may even find promotional codes to enjoy special deals on the program.
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