by Nicole Erlandson

Created on: September 26, 2008

SafeLink Wireless is a Government Supported program that provides free cell phone service and free air time to low income families who have support from a governmental program. Yes, it is free!

SafeLink Wireless is a company conbined with Tracfone and the government who sends you one free cell phone and free air time every month. No more then 68 minutes a month, it is consider to be use for emergency use only [2 minutes per day]. One cellphone per house hold. You can add air time if you like at most local convient stores. If you would like to buy more air time, look for Tracfone cards. They range any where from $10 to $100. Safelink airtime cards will be here soon. The phone is a Motorola that has Caller ID, Call waiting and voice mail. There is no contract. This service is offer to families who had low income AND who are getting support from the following governmental programs:

Federal Public Housing Assistance / Section 8
Food Stamps
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
National School Lunch (free program only)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Medicaid
Bureau of Indian Affairs Programs (Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Head Start Subsidy, NSLP)

At this time SafeLink Wireless is only being offer in Florida and I belive a few other states. Soon to be and many other states! Website link is below. You can find out in minutes weither or not you are eligible! You will get the phone in about 3 days. Good luck!

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPubl ic/home.aspx

Another great tip for families can not get the SafeLink Wireless service but do not earn enough for a Wireless Phone for ememgency use's try a minute phone. These are called Prepaid phones or pay as you go. You can buy one just about anywhere and the airtime too. There are also some companies who offer two phones in one but you half to buy airtime for each phone. There is no contract also but the minutes can become expensive base on how much you use. Some of the companies who offer this type of phone service is Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, Tracfone, Verison Wireless and Net 10. Please check in your city for local more options.

Family plans could also lift the switch. All of these plans have pros and cons. T-Mobile has a thing where you are able to take or put on minutes (as seen in T.V). One of the main concerns with these top companies with there individual or family plans they have contracts. Some times Minutes are overdrawn inwhich can pill up another bill and cause debt. Contracts usually run 2 years. Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, Tracfone, Verison Wireless. Please check in your city for local more options.

Last and finally are the unlimited plans. These are unlimited talk. Most charge extra for texting, picture text messaging and/or internet. There are plans for these. There are aboustly no contracts with these plans. They also have family plans. Example of one is: John [father] pays $50 per month for his Cell Phone service. His decided to add his son for an extra $20 a month. These family plans run on so much more per line.

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