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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 Residents
When it comes to affordable cell phone services, California residents are fortunate to enjoy some of the most advantageous deals available under government assistance programs. The cellular service providers in California tend to offer a more substantial monthly subsidy compared to what is available to users in other states. As a result, Californians generally receive greater allowances for texts, calling minutes, and data. Below is an overview of what individuals in California can anticipate from their plans.
- Complimentary unlimited text messaging and unlimited talk time, along with 500MB of data at no charge.
- Unlimited texts and talk, plus 1.2 GB of data for only $10 monthly.
- Unlimited texting and calling, in addition to 4GB of data for a monthly fee of $17.60.
- Unlimited text messaging and calls, along with 10GB of data for a monthly cost of $32.60.
Plans for Other States
For individuals residing outside of California, as well as in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, the Lifeline assistance program offers different benefits. Here’s what you can generally expect from the government cell phone assistance plan in these regions.
Bring Your Own Device Option
If you opt to bring your own compatible GSM smartphone, you will receive a free SIM card, unlimited text messaging, 350 free minutes per month, and 1GB of data for the first three months, followed by 500MB per month thereafter.
Free Smartphone Provision
Alternatively, you can receive a complimentary smartphone that is equipped with data and Wi-Fi capabilities. This option includes unlimited text messaging and 353 minutes of calling each month along with 500MB of data.
Understanding the Program
Signing up for SafeLink Wireless is straightforward and free, with no contracts involved. Prospective users can easily apply online or call a designated number for assistance. Once enrolled in the program, participants can take advantage of various features that come with their SafeLink Wireless phone.
- Standard features such as call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail services.
- Capabilities for making international long-distance calls.
- Unused minutes may roll over to the next month, depending on the specific plan chosen.
- The phone remains active for a full year after it is shipped. However, annual recertification of eligibility for the program is required.
Residents of California benefit from a higher number of texts and calling minutes, along with access to more advanced smartphones, such as Android devices, whereas individuals in other states typically receive basic cell phones.
Additional Minutes Availability
In the event that you exhaust your minutes before the month concludes, there are options to stay connected. You can purchase TracFone Airtime Cards, which are readily 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 acquired online.
While the standard plan generally provides an average of 350 minutes monthly, you have the freedom to buy additional minutes as needed. This option can be explored further on our SafeLink Wireless/TracFone Minutes page. By utilizing Tracfone promo codes, you may also be able to access exclusive deals related to the program.
In conclusion, whether you reside in California or another state, there are various options available for obtaining affordable cell phone services through government assistance programs. By understanding the specifics of each plan, you can choose the one that best meets your communication needs.
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