The SafeLink Wireless service will provide eligible low-income
households a free cell phone, mobile access to emergency services and
free 68 minutes of airtime, monthly, for one year. The cell phone offers
in-demand features: voicemail, text, call waiting, international calling
to over 60 destinations and caller ID.
To learn more about
SafeLink Wireless, including
eligibility requirements, please call
1-800-977-3768 or visit
safelinkwireless.com.
TracFone also offers free low-income services in TN. In February 2009, SafeLink began offering free cell phones to low-income households in Georgia. They began offering free cell phones for low-income households in Florida in 2008.
“As a part of everyday life, many of us take cell phones for granted but
they are a vital method of communicating with the world around us,” said
Jose Fuentes, Director of Government Relations for TracFone. “For the
over 1.3 million households that qualify for Lifeline services in Ohio,
SafeLink provides a modern necessity that could help them secure
employment, communicate with their child-care provider, reach hospitals,
fire departments, or police in the event of an emergency and they would
receive that help at absolutely no cost. No other company is doing
that,” added Fuentes. SafeLink Wireless offers low-income families
accessibility, freedom and the security in knowing that should an
emergency occur - wherever they are, they will stay safe and stay
connected.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Lifeline program
in 1984 and worked to update the service after the crises of Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, as well as the tragedy of September 11th. At the dawn
of the 21st century, modern universal telephone service is necessary not
only to ensure that the U.S. maintains a rapid, efficient, nationwide
communications network, it is important for the purpose of national
defense and to promote safety of life and property. By approving the
SafeLink Wireless program, the FCC took action to enhance its Lifeline
program and keep the right to communicate in pace with technology.
As technology continues to evolve, the digital divide remains a serious
concern that may leave few options for those who lack the financial
means to afford any sort of telephone service. The SafeLink program
works to fulfill Lifeline’s original goal to bridge this gap and to
disprove the notion that access to wireless communications is a
privilege or luxury.
The Funding and Delivery of Lifeline
Lifeline is part of the Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund
(USF), which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) and is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications
services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and
affordable rates. Over 1700 carriers are eligible to provide the program
but TracFone is the first pre-paid company to have elevated the program
to modern day communications. The Lifeline program is not funded from
federal taxpayer dollars, but rather from contributions to the USF by
telecommunications carriers collected in part from the Universal Service
Charge billed to cell phone users.
By FCC design, telephone carriers deliver Lifeline assistance to
low-income communities and traditionally, Lifeline customers receive a
simple discount on their monthly landline telephone bill. The SafeLink
program reshapes the Lifeline model by applying the USF subsidy towards
a wireless minute allocation that becomes free monthly airtime for the
customer. As TracFone provides the mobile handset at its own expense and
does not require contracts or monthly bills, SafeLink customers now have
access to a completely free offering of the Lifeline program.
If a customer wishes to use additional minutes beyond their monthly
allotment, minutes can be added through prepaid SafeLink airtime cards
and TracFone airtime cards that can be purchased at local retailers. The
prepaid feature gives customers the freedom to control the cost of their
monthly telephone expense. Unused minutes do not expire and
automatically rollover.
SAFELINK WIRELESS® SERVICE ELIGIBILITY
OVERVIEW BY CITY
Top 10 Ohio state counties with the most eligible Lifeline
participants:
| Counties | LOW-INCOME POPULATION | |
| Cuyahoga | 177,612 | |
| Franklin | 114,435 | |
| Hamilton | 99,692 | |
| Montgomery | 66,948 | |
| Summit | 63,565 | |
| Lucas | 60,511 | |
| Stark | 46,871 | |
| Mahoning | 37,135 | |
| Lorain | 29,478 | |
| Trumbull | 29,240 |
Program Eligibility
To qualify for Lifeline in the state of Ohio, a household must
participate in one of the following:
- Section 8/Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Free National School Lunch Program (NSL)
- General Assistance/Disability Assistance
- Home Energy Assistance (HEAP)
- Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI)
- Ohio Works First or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
-
Or if the Total Household Income is at or under 150% of the Federal
Poverty Guidelines
Applicants applying via income must prove by sending a copy of a
document that proves subscriber income level. The following are examples
of documents that are accepted:
- 4 months of consecutive pay stubs
- Letter from your employer
- Last year’s income tax return
- Employer W-2 form
The SafeLink Wireless service will be provided to low-income families
for up to one year, with one person per household receiving the free
cell phone and benefits. Participants may renew service and will be
required to re-submit eligibility documentation upon their year
completion. If the participant no longer qualifies for this free
service, they will be notified and will be able to keep the cell phone
to continue enjoying the benefits as a regular TracFone customer.
Existing TracFone customers qualifying for the SafeLink Wireless service
may keep their current cell phone, and receive bonus minutes (one-time
bonus only) for choosing to keep their current cell phone.