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Government Free Mobile Phones

By Byron Edwards


The telecommunications companies in US and the government of US have formed a partnership to provide free government phone to people living under poverty line in US. Many people are under misconception that this scheme was introduced by the ruling government. But this service has been active since the Regan period in 1984.

This program was popular in the name of LifeLine in the original days. It offered discounts on landline phone bills for people who cannot afford it. Later, when mobile phones became popular, it was expanded to cover cell phones also under the name SafeLink Wireless. Later, free government phone was supplied to income-eligible people under this scheme with free talk time up to 70 minutes for a month. TracFone service provider provides this free talk time.

For a person to participate in this program, they should live in a state which supports and participate in the SafeLink program. Their total household income (for a three member family) should be less than $2,289 a month. They should have a valid postal address in America and should be enlisted in any one of the public assistance programs like food stamps or Medicaid. Senior citizens and disabled people also can receive free cell phone provided their income is below the guideline set by the government.

A person can apply for this free government phone through SafeLink website. They can check whether their state participates in the program by entering their zip code in the page. If they are eligible they can apply online or download the form and mail it to the SafeLink Wireless people. The application requires them to fill simple data like name, address, a contact number, birth date (useful for senior citizens), social security number and details regarding other federal government assistance received like Medicaid. Certain states will require you to attach documents like income tax return, copies of the previous month pay slips and letter from employer.

Once the details are submitted, the applicant will receive the government cell phone within one week if they are eligible and their application is accepted. The phone comes with free talk time and can be used on arrival. It has all the facilities available in general mobile phones like voicemail, caller ID, call waiting services and free 911 calls. This scheme received great welcome among the people who cannot afford to buy a phone on their own.




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