Jul 2, 2009

Too Good To Be True?

From SafeLink:
SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers.

And on another SafeLink page:

The process to qualify for Lifeline Service depends on the State you live in. In general, you may qualify if...

You already participate in other State or Federal assistance program such as Federal Public Housing Assistance, Food Stamps and Medicaid.

OR
Your total household income is at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines set by your State and/or the Federal Government.
AND

No one in your household currently receives Lifeline Service through another phone carrier.

You have a valid United States Postal Address. In order for us to ship you your free phone you must live at a residence that can receive mail from the US Post Office. Sorry, but P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted.

In addition to meeting the guidelines above you will also be required to provide proof of your participation in an assistance program, or proof of your income level.

I have a real problem getting up with many of my low income clients because they lack telephone service. Social Security has the same problem since they are dealing with the same population. Is this legit?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks pretty legitimate. Many providers have been offering discounts on landline phones under the LifeLine program.

This program for wireless states it is available if you are not already participating in another LifeLine program.

I didn't see where it states how many minutes are included. I doubt it will include much air time, as the basic premise of the program is to assure that low income individuals have a phone in the event of an emergency.

Most of the landline programs provide free phone installation and a discount on basic monthly service. But they do not provide monthly service for free.

Anonymous said...

It looks like it is basically a free phone, and a basic prepay plan where some minutes will be credited to the account each month for free.