Nowadays, mobile phones have become part and parcel of our day-to-day activities. This can be attributed to the fact that they allow us to do a myriad of activities on the go. From learning online to connecting to the people you love, there are a plethora of benefits that come with mobile phones. With advancements in technology, modern mobile phones come with unique features that even allow you to work from home. Although these smartphones come with these great features, they also come with a price. If you want a high-end model, be sure that you will have to dig deeper into your pocket. Although there are individuals who may be able to purchase these cellphones upfront, some have to either borrow money or even get into debts in order to afford them.
Consequently, there has been a digital divide among families from different financial backgrounds. To mitigate the effects of the digital divide, the Federal government is now offering all eligible households a free mobile phone through its Lifeline Assistance & ACP program. One of the participating service providers in this program is Safelink Wireless. In this article, we shall take a closer look at how you can get a Safelink free government phone alongside other related ideas.
Does Safelink Give You a Free Phone
Yes. Just like we illustrated above, Safelink Wireless is one of the reputable wireless companies that provide not only free government cell phones but also affordable cell phone services. It is important to note that Safelink Wireless is owned by Tracfone and offers much-needed wireless services via the Tracfone network. As we speak, it offers these services to more than 2 million customers in more than 30 states of the US.
Although Safelink Wireless offers free government phones, not everyone is eligible to get them. Only those who qualify for the Lifeline program are eligible to get the free mobile phone alongside affordable cell phone services. Later long in this article, we shall take a closer look at the eligibility requirements for individuals who want to get a free mobile phone from this carrier.
Eligible Guideline for Safelink Lifeline Benefits In 2024
Since we have established that Safelink Wireless offers free government phones, time is ripe for you to know the eligibility requirements for you to get a free handset from this carrier. The following are the criteria that are used to determine if you qualify to get a free cell phone from Safelink Wireless.
1. You must have a low income
Earlier on, we indicated that low-income earners can now apply for Safelink free government phone and get it within a few days. To put it into perspective, your income has to stand or be below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
It is imperative to note that these guidelines vary from one state to another. Therefore, it is essential that you check the Federal Poverty Guidelines of your state and see if you meet the minimum threshold or not.
2. You are an active participant in a government assistant program
Besides having a low income, you can be a participant in a government program. In most cases, these programs are aimed at enabling financially strained families to survive and carry on with their daily lives. Some of the common programs offered by the government in the US include:
- Medicaid or Medical Assistance
- SNAP(Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program)
- SSI(Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal Pell grant in the current years
- Veterans Survivor Pension Fund
- Food Stamps
- The National School lunch programs such as free or reduced lunch program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance Program(Section 8)
- Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP)
Like we have mentioned above, eligibility differs from one state to another. As we speak, some have designated or grouped Tribal programs under the additional eligibility section. Some of the tribal programs that can enable you to qualify for a Safelink free government phone include:
- Tribal Head Start
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance(BIA)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations(FDPIR)
- Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
3. You have a disability
Individuals with disabilities can now apply for a free phone from Safelink Wireless. All you need to do is to show that you are indeed disabled and you will be good to go. As long as you have proof from a reputable hospital or medical center, be sure that you will get the device within a few days after making your application.
As far as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules are concerned, it is important to note that you can only one household can get a free mobile phone at a time. This means that you can only enroll in one Lifeline program per household.
However, if you used to receive assistance from other service providers and would wish to change your Lifeline benefits to Safelink Wireless, be certain that you will have an easy time making the swap.
All you need to do is to make a transfer request and once it is approved, trust that you will maintain your phone number and enjoy the Safelink Wireless cell phone services. Finally, it is essential to note that the Lifeline service is non-transferable.
Qualifying Guideline for Safelink Free Government Phone In 2024
To apply for this phone, you need to first visit the website, “www.safelinkwireless.com” for more details. Remember that Safelink Wireless program is not available in all cities or states. Therefore, it might be only available in some and absent in others.
Once you visit the website, you will see a prompt showing you where you can enter your ZIP code so that you can proceed. After that, click on the ‘Start’ button in order to determine whether the service is available in your region or not. If it is available, you can now start the online application and wait for the application to be approved.
In case you are a participant of a government program such as SNAP or Medicaid, you should tick on the checkbox you will see on your screen. Also, you will be required to submit a number of eligibility documents to show that you indeed deserve to get the free phone from Safelink Wireless.
If your application sees the light of day, be sure that you will get the phone within a few days. In case the application is not successful, you will be notified as well and can opt to apply again or instead consider other lucrative alternatives.
8 Best Safelink Free Government Phone In 2024
Although there are many free government smartphones you can apply for from Safelink Wireless, there are some that come with incredible features. Some of these models include:
1. Alcatel MYFLIP
Unlike other phones, this one is a simple feature phone that is 4G enabled and has a large screen. Besides this, it comes with a keypad and HD voice. When it comes to the camera section, the phone boasts of having a 2MP camera that allows you to take fairly decent photos.
As far as its storage is concerned, the device comes with a 4GB ROM. Other features that make the phone great include Bluetooth, memory card slot, colour outer display, and so forth. Since it comes with a flip design, it is ideal for people who want a stylish yet a simple model to keep in touch with their loved ones.
2. Kyocera Duraforce Pro
The above-mentioned device comes with a large screen display that is 5 inches in size. With this screen display, be sure that you will have a larger interface to watch movies, play games and also operate other apps on your device. It runs on Android 6.0 and has an internal memory of 32 GB.
When it comes to the camera section, the phone boasts of having 2 cameras at the back whose capacity is 13MP and 2 MP. It also has a LED flash that allows you to take photos even in places with low light intensities.
On the front part, the phone has a 5MP camera that allows you to take decent selfies. As far as its battery is concerned, this model comes with a 3240 mAh battery that can last for hours without getting depleted.
3. Google Pixel
Just like the Kyocera Duraforce Pro, this model comes with a 5-inch screen. This screen is large enough to allow you to play games, stream videos, view maps and so forth. It runs on Android 7.1 and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor.
When it comes to the storage section, the phone has a 32GB ROM and a 4GB RAM. With these specifications in place, be certain that you will have ample space to store all your favorite photos, videos, documents and so forth. Since it has a larger RAM, this phone is less likely to hang whenever you use it.
As far as its camera section is concerned, this model comes with a rear camera of 12.3 MP and a front camera of 8MP. With these cameras in place, be sure that you will be able to take high-quality photos and videos. Finally, the phone comes with a 2770 mAh battery that can last for many hours when the phone is in use.
4. Nokia 6300 4G
Unlike other models, this phone comes with a smaller screen whose size is 2.4 inches. Although this model is a basic phone, it is 4G enabled. This means that it will not disappoint you when it comes to internet connectivity. Other networks that can work well here include GSM and HSPA.
When it comes to the memory section, the phone comes with a 4GB ROM and a 512 MB RAM. The good news is that the internal memory can be expanded up to 32 GB. The phone does not have a selfie camera but has a rear VGA camera. In addition, there is a LED flash that allows you to take clear photos even at night. Finally, the phone comes with a removable battery that has a capacity of 1500 mAh.
5. Samsung Galaxy A01
If you are looking for a phone with a large screen display, Samsung Galaxy A01 is the ultimate solution for you. To put this into perspective, this phone comes with a 5.7 inch screen display. Besides this, it runs on Android 10, which can actually be upgraded to Android 11, One UI 3.0. The device is also powered by a Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 processor.
As far as the storage space is concerned, this model comes with a 32GB ROM and a 2GB RAM. Apart from this, it comes with a dual rear camera whose capacity is 13 MP and 2 MP respectively.
There is also a LED flashlight that allows you to take high-quality photos even at night. Apart from this, there is a selfie camera whose capacity is 5MP. Finally, the model boasts of having a 3000 mAh non-removable battery.
6. LG G5
The above-mentioned phone comes with a 5.3-inch screen display that is large enough to play games, view maps, watch videos, and so much more. As far as its operating system is concerned, this model runs on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), which can actually be upgraded to Android 8.0 (Oreo). The device is powered by Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820.
When it comes to the camera section, the device does not disappoint as it comes with dual rear cameras whose capacity is 16MP and 8 MP respectively. There is also an LED flash that allows you to take clear photos even in places that have low light intensities. If you like selfies, this model is for you as it will allow you to take high-quality selfies, thanks to its 8MP front camera.
The device also comes with a 32GB internal memory that is large enough to store videos, photos, documents, and so forth. Since the device has a 4GB RAM, be sure that you will have an easy time moving from one app to another.
As far as its battery is concerned, this one comes with a 2800 mAh battery. There is also a rear-mounted fingerprint and other sensors such as accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass and so forth.
7. Apple iPhone 8
First and foremost, this model comes with a 4.7 inch screen display. Besides this, it runs on Ios 11, which can be upgraded to Ios 15.2. This model is powered by Apple A11 Bionic processor and has a RAM of 2GB.
When it comes to the internal storage space, the model boasts of having a capacity of 64GB. With this kind of storage space, you will be able to store photos, videos, documents and so forth.
As far as the camera section is concerned, this device comes with a single 12MP camera on its rear side and a 7MP camera on the front side. To optimize its security, the phone comes with a fingerprint, which is mounted on the front side of the phone.
Other sensors that come with this device include gyro, accelerometer, compass, proximity and so forth. Finally, it comes with an 1821 mAh non-removable battery that can store charge for many hours without getting depleted.
8. Samsung Galaxy A21
If you are looking for a phone with a larger screen interface, this device is the best option for you. This is because it boasts of having a screen display of 6.5 inches. Besides this, it runs on Android 10 and is powered by Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 processor.
When it comes to the memory section, the phone comes with an internal storage of 32GB and a slot where you can insert an SD card. It also has a 3GB RAM, which makes it fast and smooth to use.
The phone also comes with 4 cameras at the back, which has a capacity of 16MP, 8MP, 2MP and 2MP respectively. To enable you to take great photos at night, the phone comes with a LED flash. For great selfies, the phone comes with a 13MP front camera.
The device also comes with a fingerprint which is mounted at the back of the phone, alongside other sensors such as gyro, accelerometer, compass and proximity. Since it comes with a 4000 mAh battery, be sure that it will last for many hours without getting depleted.
Read More: Safelink EBB Program For Low-income & Pandemic Affected Families
Features of Safelink Wireless Service
Safelink Wireless services come with tons of features that make it ideal for people from low-income families to remain connected with their loved ones. To start with, you can be assured that you will get a free phone if you qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program. Other incredible features that make it great include:
- 3 GB of data
- Unlimited free voice minutes
- Unlimited free text messages each month
- Caller ID
- 3-way calling
- Voicemail
- Free 911 access
- Free 411 calling
- Safelink offers micro, nano and traditional SIM cards
- Free calls to customer care.
- Activation and annual verification of Safelink phones
- Free roaming services
FAQs
Can SafeLink phones be upgraded?
Yes. However, you need to sign up with Safelink and be an eligible member. Better still, you can opt to bring your old phone and then choose from the number of handsets available by then. Ideally, your desired phone should be compatible with the Safelink wireless network. This way, you can be assured that you will enjoy all the features and benefits of this carrier.
How do I know if my phone is compatible with SafeLink?
If you want to check whether your phone is compatible with Safelink Wireless, you should text the word BYOP to 6116111.
Is TracFone and Safelink the same thing?
Well, it is imperative to note that Safelink is a subsidiary of TracFone Wireless, which is essentially owned by America Movil. As we speak, it has more than 225 million customers from all corners of the world. This makes it the 5th largest wireless company globally. Devices that work well with TracFone Wireless can also work optimally with Safelink Wireless.
Can I upgrade my SafeLink phone to a smartphone?
Yes. However, you need to upgrade your Safelink wireless services. Here, you will get a free smartphone and start enjoying the Safelink Wireless services in a better way. As you purpose to receive any phone upgrade from Safelink Wireless, there is a need for you to be a member of the Safelink wireless services first.
Which network does Safelink use?
Safelink Wireless relies on the network of TracFone, which operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
Does SafeLink offer unlimited data?
Yes. You will enjoy not only free unlimited data every month but also unlimited text and talk.
Does SafeLink have ACP program?
Yes. As we speak, Safelink Wireless is one of the reputable companies that offer the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program is aimed at cushioning all the people who have been affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, Safelink offers not only Lifeline services but also the ACP program
Final Verdict
Safelink Wireless has become a lifesaver for people who come from low-income families. Currently, they can be able to apply for the Lifeline Assistance program and be able to get a free device alongside other affordable cellphone plans. Better still, they can get a free device through the ACP program. Consider applying for a free government phone from this carrier, and you will be able to lower your communication costs drastically during this pandemic and beyond.
