Not all US citizens can get access to mobile phone services. Therefore, through the Lifeline program, the US government offers free mobile phone services and home internet services primarily to seniors, low-income individuals, and people with disability. These services are offered through various network providers in the US. SafeLink Wireless is one of these companies. To get SafeLink free phone for seniors, one must be eligible for the Lifeline program.
SafeLink company is one of the largest telecommunication networks providers in the US, providing free government cell phones and service assistance to low-income citizens who qualify. The conditions to qualify for the free phones are listed in the article. These qualifications are necessary because some seniors are capable of getting access to the mobile phone services that they want.
This article talks about how a senior can obtain a free cell phone at SafeLink. However, before jumping to our main topic, it is crucial to know; what is SafeLink wireless, the mobile phone plans and deals they offer, the eligibility for the free mobile phone program, some of the free phones provided by the company, and many more.
What Is SafeLink Wireless
SafeLink Wireless is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator started by the US government to provide free mobile phone services to low-income mainly. The company provides different models of SafeLink free phones from Motorola, Nokia, LG, and Kyocera to qualified individuals participating in federal government assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Medicaid, Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and many more.
We already know that SafeLink is a mobile virtual network operator; therefore, it does not have any physical branches to offer its operation. The company provides services for both GSM and CDMA network-operated mobile phones. SafeLink wireless relies on T-Mobile AT&T companies to offer the GSM network services. It also depends on Verizon, Sprint Corporation, and US Cellular for the CDMA network.
So, what are GSM and CDMA network technologies? The Global System of Mobile (GSM) is a standard created to provide the protocols used by second-generation mobile phones. At the same time, The Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a second and third generation of network technology where numerous signals occupy one transmission channel, optimizing the available bandwidth.
What Is the Lifeline Program
It is a US federal government assistance program that provides eligible low-income households with free monthly data, unlimited texting, and free monthly minutes. The government of the US initially introduced the program to provide free government mobile phones to low-income individuals. However, it was upgraded and improved to offer free home cell phones and affordable monthly plans for seniors.
The lifeline program provides a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income customers and up to $34.25 per month for those subscribers on Tribal lands. Customers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service, but they may not receive a discount on both services simultaneously. The program also supports broadband Internet service and broadband-voice bundles.
The lifeline assistance program also offers free home phone service. The program is entitled to cover the cost of monthly home phone service. The free home cell phone service is particularly beneficial for seniors who are not interested in mobile phones or cannot easily use a cell phone.
What Are the Qualifications for the Lifeline Program
The seniors are given priority in this program since most are on social security and assistance programs. Some have meager incomes and are prone to diseases; hence they require emergency services. Through different carriers such as SafeLink wireless, the lifeline program offers SafeLink government phones to the seniors, mainly for emergency services.
For a senior or any other individual to participate in the Lifeline program, they must qualify for some specific conditions, which include;
- The household must be considered a low-income household; that is, the individual’s income is at or below the federal government poverty level or no more than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- The individual participates in other federal government assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance, temporary assistance for needy families,
- school lunch program, Medicaid, some tribal programs, head start, and many more.
What Is the Best Free Phone for Seniors at SafeLink
Several companies offer free cell phone services to seniors through the lifeline program. Some of the network service providers in the US that offer the Lifeline program are SafeLink Wireless, US Cellular, ReachOut, Assurance Wireless, Budget Wireless, and many others. The SafeLink company provides different models to qualified individuals.
Mobile phones from most manufacturers can work with the SafeLink network, provided they use SafeLink SIM cards. However, it is known that the Doro 8050 is the best and easy-to-use mobile phone on the market for seniors. Doro company specializes in making phones for seniors. It means that the smartphone is built with seniors in mind. Some of the other best free cell phones for seniors include;
- GreatCall Jitterbug Flip.
- Consumer Cellular GrandPad.
- GreatCall Jitterbug Smart2.
- Consumer Cellular Doro 7050.
- Apple iPhone SE.
- Samsung Galaxy.
- Alcatel Go-Flip 3
- Motorola Moto G7
What Are the SafeLink Free Plans for the Senior
It has been seen that the company uses three of the largest network providers in the US is, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T; therefore, SafeLink wireless provides the best mobile phone plans and deals to the customers with nationwide coverage of up to 99% of the US landmass. The company provides most of its services through the lifeline program.
Other than the lifeline program, SafeLink wireless also provides some of its mobile phone’s services such as unlimited plans and SafeLink free tablet through the ACP program. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal government program operated by Federal Communications Commission to ensure that eligible households have access to the best mobile phone services. A lifeline program member is also qualified for the ACP program.
SafeLink offers tons of mobile phone plans and services, from unlimited text, minutes, and data to free mobile phones. However, If you need more talk time minutes, the company provides a top-up option. The customer can purchase more minutes online at safelink wireless or visit one of the SafeLink wireless retail stores that sell top-up cards.
Some of the SafeLink Wireless free cell phone plans for the seniors are listed below;
i) A Free Touch Screen Phone
These smartphone plans are offered differently for different states in the United States. For example, the state of Puerto Rico receives 500 free touch screen phones, and the state of Utah has 750 free smartphones. However, states such as Kentucky get unlimited services. The plan comes with;
- Free talk-time minutes
- Unlimited text messages
- 4.5GB of mobile phone data every month.
ii) A Free Android Touch Screen Phone
This plan is known as the California Lifeline plan from SafeLink Wireless. This SafeLink wireless free plan offers;
- Unlimited free talk-time minutes
- Unlimited text messages
- 6 GB of mobile phone data every month
iii) The Unlimited Plan
SafeLink introduced a fantastic plan for both new and existing customers in the year 2021. The plan comes with;
- Unlimited text, talk, and cell phone data nationwide.
- The plan also offers 10 GB or 15 GB Hotspot data which varies in different states.
Apart from the fantastic free SafeLink wireless plans named above, the company offers the SafeLink bring your phone (BYOP) plan. It is a plan that enables new customers to use their old mobile phone when switching to the SafeLink wireless network, saving on purchasing a new mobile phone.
However, to use BYOP, you must have a SafeLink wireless SIM Card; the phone must be compatible with the network or unlocked. Using the BYOP option is straightforward and concise; open the SafeLink wireless website, enter your ZIP code, and click APPLY NOW.
How Can a Senior Get a Free Cell Phone from SafeLink
It is very simple for a senior to get a Safelink wireless free phone. It is important to note that for any senior to qualify for free cell phones at SafeLink, they must qualify for the Lifeline program. Therefore, there are some simple steps that eligible seniors at SafeLink can use to apply for free mobile phones. This includes;
- The online application is through the SafeLink Wireless website.
- Seniors who are not well-versed with technology can decide to enroll in the program by calling the SafeLink Wireless customer care service for enrollment support. The number is 1-800-Safelink (1-800-723-3546).
- The applicants can also send their application by regular mail to SafeLink Wireless, PO Box 220009, Milwaukie, OR 97269-0009.
Bottom Line
SafeLink Wireless is a federal government network provider that operates as an MVNO to offer flexible and affordable mobile phone plans and deals. The US government initiated the company to offer free cell phones and home internet services to seniors and low-income people. The free government phones, and home internet services are provided to qualified members only through the Lifeline program.