Safelink Wireless is a brand provided by TracFone Wireless and serves eligible households with Safelink affordable connectivity program. However, you must attain some eligibility criteria to participate in this program. These requirements depend on a person’s participation in state, Federal aid programs or attaining the Income Poverty Guidelines listed by the US Federal Government. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is initiated by the federal government and operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Notably, this new program replaces the expired EBB program and ensures connectivity to eligible households. Through Safelink ACP, households connect to critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, jobs, and so much more. Only one member per household qualifies, and a household is not permitted to receive ACP benefits from several providers. Besides, ACP is non-transferable to anyone, and you must notify Safelink Wireless within thirty (30) days if you no longer qualify to get the ACP benefit.
On the other hand, all new subscribers must demonstrate that they are eligible for Safelink free government phones. In some states, your eligibility gets confirmed via a state database, and where a database lacks, you must produce proof of eligibility. You must demonstrate that you score the income qualifications or participate in a qualifying program listed below. In short, the Affordable Connectivity Program enables low-income households and individuals in need access to affordable internet access.
Qualification Criteria For Safelink ACP
Generally, the qualification criteria for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are uniform for all the participants. The benefits are available through the qualifying internet service providers. You must qualify by income or have a household with at least one member receiving benefits from any of these programs.
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Free & Reduced School Lunch or Breakfast Program
- Federal Pell Grant
However, some states feature additional eligibility through the following Tribal programs.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households attaining its income qualifying standard)
- Tribal TANF
Most importantly, if you’re not participating in any of the above programs, you may still qualify if the household income equals or does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Documentation Needed For The Safelink Wireless ACP
When you apply to the ACP program through Safelink Wireless, you can enjoy the benefits through Safelink bring your own phone. However, the provider will prove your identity and automatically ascertain your eligibility. If the process fails, you will have to give some additional documents that show you qualify for the program.
Thus, based on your eligibility criteria, you may have to submit any of the following documents:
i) An official document showing your participation in qualifying government-sponsored programs. The document must indicate your full legal name, the name of the qualifying program, the name of the issuer, and an issue date within the last 12 months. Qualifying documents include:
- Benefit Award Letter
- Approval Letter
- Statement Of Benefits
- Benefit Verification Letter
ii) An official document showing that your annual income lies at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This document must entail your full name and your gross annual income. Qualifying documents include:
- Latest income statement from your employer or a paycheck stub
- Social Security statement of benefits
- Previous year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- Divorce decree
- Child support award
- Retirement/pension statement of benefits
iii) An official document showing your identity. This document must comprise your Full name and year of birth. Qualifying documents include:
- A valid government, military, state, or Tribal ID,
- Birth certificate,
- US driver’s license, passport, certificate of US citizenship or naturalization, Permanent resident card or Green Card,
- Government assistance program
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
iv) An official document showing your address. This document must feature your full name and your physical address. Qualifying documents include:
- Driver’s license, valid government, state, or Tribal ID
- Utility bill, mortgage, or lease statement
- Recent W-2 or tax return
Difference Between Safelink EBB & Safelink ACP
SafeLink is the only TracFone brand currently participating in the new ACP program. However, the former EBB and the ACP program provide similar benefits, although there is a difference in device discount for Safelink and the monthly discount. Safelink currently doesn’t offer a discount for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer; hence, Safelink Wireless free tablet can be a better alternative if you are looking for such a device.
On the other side, the EBB or Emergency Broadband Benefit program previously was an FCC program made to help families struggling to get internet service during the last attacked pandemic. This program provided both monthly broadband discounts and device discounts.
Besides, the benefit offered eligible households a discount of up to $50 on monthly broadband service and $75 for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Like ACP, the eligible customers received a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer from a qualifying wireless provider by contributing more than $10 and up to $50 toward the device buying price.
Additionally, EBB was a temporary program that benefited millions of Americans. The government modified it to a new, long-term ACP program, which also ensures that households can afford the internet they require for daily essential services and activities. The notable difference between EBB and ACP is that ACP gives a slightly lower monthly discount of $30 for non-Tribal households and additional eligibility criteria.
Application For Safelink Wireless Affordable Connectivity Program
Applying for the SafeLink ACP or any other ACP program is simple. You need to follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Ensure you are ACP-eligible by adhering to the eligibility criteria above. Additionally, ensure you are a resident of one of the states where your participating ACP provider delivers its services.
- Step 2: Proceed to ACP benefit and submit an application or print out a mail-in application. Then, call Safelink to choose a plan and have the discount transferred to your bill. Alternatively, you can also apply directly through your preferred ACP provider’s website. To apply for SafeLink ACP the website and follow the instructions.
- Step 3: Wait for several days for Safelink to inform you whether or not your application was successful. Afterward, enjoy your ACP benefits.
Benefits You Can Get From Safelink ACP
Generally, ACP provides discounts of up to $30 monthly toward broadband internet service for qualified households and up to $75 monthly for households living on qualifying Tribal lands. This program also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.
To get the connected device, you must contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price if you are eligible. See more on the Safelink phone upgrade if the free smartphone offer is insufficient for your lifestyle. However, ACP participation through SafeLink offers the below ACP benefits for eligible customers.
- Free unlimited talk (to Canada, Mexico, and all US states)
- Free unlimited text (to Canada, Mexico, and all US states))
- Unlimited data (25 GB of high-speed data)
- Up to 5 GB of hotspot data
- A free smartphone
Final Words
SafeLink Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a service dedicated to millions of Americans by the federal government. The program only applies to customers who participate in a qualifying government program above or who meet the eligibility requirements based on their household income.
However, this program offers two types of discounts, discounts on monthly broadband service, plus a free smartphone from Safelink. Notably, not all ACP providers provide both kinds of discounts, and some providers only avail discounts on monthly services.