SafeLink Wireless is one of TracFone Wireless brands, a company owned by America Movil. However, TracFone leads among the wireless carriers that offer no-contract cell phone services. In this guideline, you will get to understand a helpful piece of information on Safelink wireless Reviews. The review section will handle all the services provided by Safelink and the eligibility required to access the Company’s Lifeline services.
Most importantly, SafeLink is a company that offers wireless services through Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to eligible individuals enrolled in government support programs like Medicaid. Through these programs, low-income-eligible households can get free monthly cell phone services and, to some extent, free government phones from Lifeline Support Services. However, to participate in the Safelink Wireless services, you must meet the eligibility requirements of every state.
Moreover, the requirements are based on a household member’s participation in state, Federal support programs, plus meeting the set Income Poverty Guidelines, according to the US Federal Government standards. If you qualify for SafeLink Wireless, you can get 250 free monthly minutes with no credit check and hidden fees. On the other hand, SafeLink customers can buy extra minutes, if necessary, after depleting the Safelink Wireless lifeline plan.
The Safelink Wireless reviews – Everything you need to know
What Carrier Does Safelink Use
SafeLink Wireless is a subsidiary of the Tracfone network, but it operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). The question of what carrier Safelink uses has concerned many customers demanding answers. Therefore, Safelink operates using Tracfone’s network since it’s under the umbrella of this carrier. Then, Tracfone uses the three major mobile networks: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.
Additionally, AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM network technology, while Verizon works with CDMA. In this case, Safelink operates on CDMA and GMS networks. However, the three networks TracFone uses deliver excellent coverage, though Verizon is generally rated the best. Regarding 5G network coverage, T-Mobile takes the lead by providing extensive coverage in areas where 5G infrastructure is developed.
What Is the Safelink Affordable Connectivity Program
Safelink Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) represents a federal government support program operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) focused on ensuring connectivity to eligible low-income households. However, this new benefit excels at connecting households to jobs, access to critical healthcare services, virtual classroom attendance, and so much more. Notably, eligible members get a free monthly broadband discount plus a discount on connected devices.
On the other hand, new Safelink subscribers applying for the program must demonstrate proof of eligibility. Besides, the eligible household should attain any of the following eligibility requirements for at least one member:
- Qualifies to participate in the federal Lifeline Program
- Has possessed a household income level at or below 200% of the federal poverty threshold;
- Participates in a Lifeline-qualifying government program
- A participant eligible in the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;
- Is a recipient of a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year
- Is a participant in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
How To Get Safelink Free Government Phone
The Federal Government, with qualifying wireless providers like Safelink Wireless, offers free government smartphones to eligible households through the Lifeline Program. However, the Lifeline program applies to eligible consumers in select states and territories. The actual requirements for Safelink free government phone vary by state, but generally, to qualify for Lifeline, customers must either possess a gross income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you qualify following your household income, your annual gross income must fall within the above range. A Household refers to any individual or group of persons living together at the same address and who cost share income and expenses. On the other hand, gross income is money gained before taxes by every member in your household (adults and children), whether taxable or non-taxable.
Another qualifying criterion is participation in any of the following assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Stamps
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Additionally, some states feature additional eligibility under the below Tribal programs:
- Tribal Head Start (only those households attaining its income qualifying standard)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Does Safelink Offer Free Phone For Their Customers
As mentioned earlier, Safelink Wireless provides free government phones, though not every customer is eligible to receive one. However, Safelink Wireless customers who qualify for the Lifeline program based on the earlier criteria are eligible to get the Safelink wireless free phone with discounted cell phone services. Apply for this free phone from the Safelink website for more details.
Safelink Wireless’s free phone program is not available in all cities or states. Hence you need to confirm availability in your state before applying. Once you launch the website, you will find a prompt directing you where you can submit your ZIP code to proceed with the application process. After entering your Zip Code, tap on the ‘Start’ button to check whether the free cell phone service is available in your state or not.
After confirming availability, you can now begin the online application and wait for the approval of your Safelink free phone. You need to tick the checkbox on your screen if you qualify based on a government program such as SNAP or Medicaid. Besides, you will be required to submit some eligibility documents to prove that you are in dire need of receiving the free phone from Safelink Wireless. If your application is successful, expect to get a Safelink Wireless free phone within a few days.
How To Get Safelink Free Phones For Seniors
There is no specific age category to get a Safelink-free phone. Regardless of your age, a senior citizen or not, the eligibility requirement for a free government cell phone is the same. However, Safelink Wireless understands that giving seniors free cell phones is an efficient way to take care of senior citizens. As seniors age, health issues crop up, making it essential to have a cell phone. Safelink free phones for seniors help them constantly communicate with friends and family during emergencies.
To get started, any eligible senior must apply for the lifeline assistance program through Safelink and get approved. Again, there are two essential qualifications to be eligible for the free phone program from Safelink. A senior citizen can qualify for a Safelink free phone if their household annual gross income level is at or below 135%, according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The second qualification criteria are if a senior citizen or a household member is currently a beneficiary of a government assistance program.
The following is a list of government-aided programs that qualifies a senior citizen for a free Safelink cell phone:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- Medicaid.
- Supplementary Security Income (SSI).
- Bureau Of Indian Affairs General Assistance.
- Food Stamps.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance.
- Low-income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP).
- National School Lunch Program.
- Tribal Head Start.
- Food Distribution On Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
How To Get Safelink Wireless Free Tablet
The only way you can get a Safelink wireless free tablet is through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). If you qualify for ACP, you can benefit from free tablet offers available to eligible low-income families. However, this newly developed program offers beneficiaries free monthly broadband and a discount on connected devices such as laptops, tablets, or desktop computers.
ACP gives you a $100 discount on the purchase price to obtain a free tablet. However, you must pay a range between $10-$50 to get the said discount. A member is eligible for a Safelink Wireless free tablet through qualification by income level or if a household member receives benefits from one of these programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Food Stamps)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for (WIC) Women, Infants, and Children
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Pell Grant
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
- Federal Free & Reduced School Lunch or Breakfast Program
Some states offer the following Tribal programs as part of the qualification requirements:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Head Start (only those households attaining its income qualifying standard)
- Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Additionally, customers not participating in any of these programs may still qualify by submitting documentation that shows their annual gross household income level is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
What Phones Are Compatible with Safelink Wireless
SafeLink Bring-Your-Own-Phone (BYOP) program allows new customers joining this carrier to bring a compatible or unlocked cellphone. However, most GSM and CDMA smartphones are Safelink compatible phones. If you want to use your current compatible cell phone with Safelink, the carrier will send you a new SIM Card to enable your current phone to work with the SafeLink Wireless services.
After receiving your SIM card, you will place it in you bring your own phone to enable the device to receive your monthly minutes. Ensure you have a compatible or unlocked GSM cell phone to participate in the SafeLink Bring Your Own Smartphone plan. To confirm if your current phone is compatible with the Safelink network, text the word BYOP to 611611.
If you decide to switch to Safelink, you must run a cell phone compatibility check to ensure that your device is compatible with the Safelink SIM card. On the other hand, if you bring another Safelink cell phone, the compatibility won’t be an issue as the devices are automatically sold and locked to the carrier.
How To Upgrade Safelink Phone For Free
One of the reasons behind upgrading a mobile device is to get the most up-to-date phone model. Through SafeLink Wireless, you can find the latest phones with the best features from a collection of Safelink phone upgrades. However, to qualify for a free phone upgrade from SafeLink, you must sign up with the company and be eligible.
Also, you can opt to bring your phone or select from various devices offered when you upgrade. Most importantly, your cell phone must be compatible with the SafeLink wireless network. One key consideration when doing a Safelink phone upgrade is about 5G. Safelink is embracing the 5G technology in the same effort as any other service provider. Thus, you require a 5G compatible phone to connect to this technology permanently and avoid paying for a new upgrade phone shortly.
On the other hand, you can:
- Proceed to shop.safelinkwireless.com/shop and pick up the phone of your choice.
- Add the upgrade phone you’ve chosen based on your desired specifications to your shopping basket.
- Go to the checkout and submit a promo code.
- Finish the payment and wait for 2 to 5 business days for delivery of your device.
Besides, apart from the online method, you can upgrade your cell phone by going to the nearest SafeLink store. The following are some of the best SafeLink phone offers when you upgrade:
- OnePlus 9 pro
- Google pixel 5 5G
- Apple iPhone 13
- Motorola edge 5G
- Nokia XR20
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G
- Motorola RAZR 5G
- Samsung galaxy Z FOLD 3 5G
What Is The Process Of Safelink Phones Replacements
SafeLink replacement applies only for stolen or lost cell phones. However, if your mobile phone gets lost or stolen, contact SafeLink support at 1-800-723-3546 and file a report to avoid third-party use. The next step is to initiate the process of Safelink phone replacements through the following process.
Below is the General Safelink Replacement Cell Phone Procedure:
- Contact customer support at 1-800-723-3546 OR 1-800-378-1684 and report your issue. Then, inform the representative of the approximate last date of use. In this case, please describe how and where you lost the phone or how it got stolen.
- Give the customer representative your device’s serial number or ESN on your activation card. If you cannot find the activation card, give the representative your cell phone number.
- Request to keep your current phone number or apply for a new one. After the representative flag your cell phone as lost or stolen, you can request for a copy of the report to be sent to your email address. Then, confirm on your email address if you have received the email and a cell phone replacement confirmation number.
- Afterward, Safelink replacement mobile device will be mailed to you within 3 to 10 business days, cost-free. Confirm the package to ensure that your replacement cell phone, charger, battery, SIM card, and activation card are available when your device arrives.
How Can You Get Back Safelink Wireless Lost Phone
If you realize you have lost your Safelink Wireless mobile phone, contact 1-800-723-3546 or 1-800-378-1684 immediately and report the incident. Your device is lost or stolen. However, all reported lost or stolen cell phones are permanently deactivated; hence before reporting, ensure you’ve thoroughly searched for your lost phone. For Safelink wireless lost phone, everyone receives only one free replacement cell phone, a refurbished model.
Additionally, suppose you receive a free replacement cell phone due to a previous device being lost or stolen. In that case, you obtain only 10 minutes of lost airtime, and all extra airtime you have will not be replaced. Besides, if your cell phone is lost or stolen while in transit, SafeLink follows its cover company’s (TracFone) rules by providing a ONE-TIME service to offer you a replacement phone and airtime.
Sometimes, you may misplace your phone and think it’s lost. Thus, knowing the following tricks can help you trace back your lost phone if it’s turned on.
- Call your number using another phone and call yourself.
- Use Google Android Manager and find your Android phone.
- You may use ‘Find my iPhone’ or iCloud to find your lost phone if you have an iPhone.
If none of the above tactics has worked for you or if you are sure that your cell phone got lost, you can initiate the process of Safelink phone replacement to continue enjoying SafeLink service.
Does Safelink Give Bring Your Own Phone Program For Their Subscribers
If you are glued to your current phone and want to join Safelink services, you can switch to the Bring Your Own Phone option. However, Safelink bring your own phone to enable you to activate SafeLink Service using a compatible and unlocked cell phone that you bring (BYOP). Cell phones from nearly every manufacturer will operate on the Safelink network, provided they use a SIM card. Most importantly, you must possess a compatible or unlocked GSM cell phone to participate in the SafeLink BYOP plan.
If you have a compatible cell phone and are eligible for Safelink Service, Safelink will mail you a free SIM Kit to use with your current cell phone and receive the Lifeline discount. However, if your cell phone attains the following criteria, your cell phone will operate with SafeLink:
- A cell phone with a SIM card.
- An unlocked cell phone. If your cell phone says, “Restricted,” “Contact Service Provider,” or doesn’t enable you to make calls or open your phone book, the cell phone is most likely locked. In this case, you can contact your previous carrier to unlock your mobile phone.
- A T-Mobile GSM, AT&T GSM, Verizon CDMA, U.S. Cellular CDMA, Sprint CDMA, or GoSmart Mobile phone.
Safelink Wireless Unlimited Plan a Complete Guide To You
Safelink offers the best cell phone plans on America’s largest networks. All Safelink wireless plans cost a fraction of the cost other phone providers offer. If you successfully enroll in the SafeLink Program, you will obtain a free monthly allowance of airtime minutes, as approved in your state. Eligible Safelink customers will receive 350 free nationwide minutes and 4.5GB of monthly data, plus unlimited text messaging.
However, Safelink Wireless’s $15 Unlimited Plan is for customers who upgrade to the Unlimited Talk and Text plus 2 GB of data. Eligible customers get 2 GB of Data in total (not including their remaining Data balance). Besides, to enjoy 4G LTE speed, you must possess a 4G LTE- capable device and 4G LTE SIM. The actual coverage, availability, and speed may vary between locations.
Through the Safelink $15 Unlimited 30 Days Plan, you can enjoy unlimited talk and text and 500MB of data for 30 Days through the upgrade option. However, SafeLink Wireless features the following month (30 Day) plan refill 4G LTE with Instant Payment:
- $15 Plan for Unlimited Talk and Text 2 GB of Data
- $20 Plan for Unlimited Talk and Text 4 GB of Data
- $30 Plan for Unlimited Talk and Text 14 GB of Data
- $39 Plan for Unlimited Talk and Text 40 GB of Data
Can I Use My Safelink Sim Card On Another Phone
Safelink provides its customers the chance to use their current cell phone through the Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) option. However, you must run a compatibility check to ensure your cell phone works with its SIM card. If you meet the Safelink BYOP eligibility, Safelink mails you a free SIM card activation kit that you can put and use in another unlocked and compatible phone. If you ask, can I use my Safelink sim card on another phone, you can follow the below steps to get started:
- Find the SIM card tray on your current Safelink cell phone. If you have a newer cell phone, you should locate the slot on your cell phone’s edge. You will require a unique sim ejector tool or a paper clip to open the slot. However, if you have an older phone model, you may remove its back cover and remove the battery to find the SIM card slot.
- After accessing the SIM card slot, you can take it out and then find the SIM card slot on your other phone. Ensure to confirm the size of that slot. If it is not the exact size as your current cell phone, you’ll have to ensure to use the correct size SIM adapter.
- Immediately you insert the SIM card into your new phone, just put it on, and you’re good to go. If the cell phone is compatible and unlocked, you will connect with your Safelink services.
How Do I Check Safelink Wireless Application Status
To track the status of your SafeLink Wireless application, you can utilize the Online SafeLink enrollment status tool at Safelink Website. However, another option is to call the customer support team at 1-800-723-3546. To check the tool’s application status, input your SafeLink enrolment ID. This ID is the one you received when you first applied for the Safelink services.
On the other hand, if you cannot locate the enrolment ID, submit your date of birth, Social Security number, last four digits, and your ZIP Code. Then, tap on the button ‘Go,’ and you will see detailed information about the status of your application. You can get tracking information on the enrolment status tool if your application receives approval. However, the tracking information feature details that can assist you in knowing the expected delivery date of your cell phone.
How To Activate Safelink Wireless Phones For Free
Upon enrollment in the SafeLink Program, you may have the option to use your own phone (Bring Your Own Phone or “BYOP”) or purchase a new SafeLink Phone. During Safelink wireless activation, you must accept the phone number assigned to you by SafeLink. To activate a Safelink Wireless phone for free, you must manually insert your Safelink SIM card into your cell phone immediately after it arrives in the mail.
Regardless it’s packed with your Safelink free phone or not; you first must check compatibility with the Safelink network. Then, turn your cell phone on and input the PIN code sent to you. However, if you are activating your Safelink account for the first time, proceed to Safelink Activate and complete the activation steps.
On this website, scroll down until you see the “Activate Now” option. To activate your device, tap on the “Activate” button on the next page. Afterward, you’ll get prompted to input your phone number and follow the next steps until the end of the activation process.
Bottom Line
Safelink Wireless is a renowned Lifeline provider in the United States. Lifeline is a government benefit program that offers eligible customers free cell phones and services. However, you may submit income or program participation documentation to prove eligibility during enrollment. This guideline has the best Safelink Wireless reviews to help you understand the broad scope of the Safelink Wireless service provider.