Are you one of the many people out there that currently receives governmental assistance such as food stamps or government housing? Perhaps you are not receiving government assistance but have an income less than 135% below the poverty guidelines. If you meet either one of these criteria, you may qualify for a free cell phone with approximately 65 minutes of airtime per month.

Safelink wireless is a cell phone provider operated by Tracfone that receives funding through the universal service fund. The free cell phone that you would receive is given to recipients by Tracfone. Safelinks roots originate nearly 20 years ago when the lifeline program was created. The lifeline program was set up by the FCC to insure that low income individuals and families had affordable access to telecommunications by offering them a discount on their landline service.

Tracfone took the concept of lifeline and converted it into the 21st century by extending the free land line service to cell phones. They took the allowed dollar amount per month through the lifeline program and converted it into cell phone air time. This conversion equates to approximately 65 airtime minutes per month.

Individuals who recieve the free cell phone then have the option to buy additional minutes through safelink. This is where Safelink makes their money by selling additional minutes to their customers. Airtime cards for the service are currently not available specifically for the safelink phone however, you can use Tracfone minutes purchased at retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens, Target, CVS, Eckards, Radio Shack, or Riteaid. You can also purchase airtime online directly through the Tracfone website of by calling their 800 number.

The Safelink program has recently been scrutinized by people and referred to as the “Obama Phone”. This myth has been busted by Healthy Financial Habits. As mentioned in a previous article the Safelink phone was created prior to the Obama administration. President Obama had nothing to do with this program.

The Safelink wireless phone can be beneficial to those individuals who truly need a phone for emergency situations such as the elderly. Elderly people who receive government assistance also need quick access to a phone if they have to dial out in the case of an emergency. The phone has also helped younger job seekers by allowing a point of contact for potential employers to call. It is difficult for an employer to contact an individual if they do not have phone service.

Author: Greg Jackson

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