Are you in need of a phone yet unable to purchase one? Do you desire continued communication with your loved ones, friends, coworkers, and emergency services? Do you desire free access to the advantages of wireless technology?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in Safelink Wireless plans. Safelink Wireless is a program that provides free government cell phones and services to low-income Americans. In this article, we will explain what Safelink Wireless is, who is eligible for it, how to apply for it, what are the benefits and drawbacks of it, and how to make the most of it.
What is Safelink Wireless?
Safelink Wireless is a program that is part of the Lifeline Assistance program, which is a federal initiative that aims to provide affordable communication services to low-income households. Lifeline Assistance was created in 1985 to subsidize landline phone service for eligible consumers. In 2005, it was expanded to include wireless service as well.
Safelink Wireless is one of the largest providers of free government cell phones and service in the United States. It is operated by TracFone Wireless, which is a subsidiary of America Movil, the largest telecommunications company in Latin America. Safelink Wireless has been offering free cell phones and service since 2008 and has served over 20 million customers.
Who is eligible for Safelink Wireless?
To be eligible for Safelink Wireless plans, you must meet two criteria:
- You must have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines. For example, in 2021, this means that your annual income must be less than $17,388 for a single person or $35,568 for a family of four.
- Or you must participate in one of the following government assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Tribal Programs (and live on federally-recognized Tribal lands)
You must also live in one of the states or territories where Safelink Wireless operates. Currently, Safelink Wireless offers service in all states except Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C.
You must also not have another Lifeline service from another provider. You can only have one Lifeline service per household.
How to apply for Safelink Wireless?
To apply for Safelink Wireless plans, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of Safelink Wireless at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/
- Click on “Apply Now” and enter your zip code
- Fill out the online application form with your personal information, such as name, address, date of birth, and social security number
- Choose your preferred plan and phone option
- Upload proof of your income or program participation
- Submit your application and wait for approval
You can also apply by calling 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) or by mailing a paper application form to:
Safelink Wireless PO Box 220009 Milwaukie OR 97269-0009
You should receive your free cell phone and service within a few weeks after your application is approved.
Safelink Wireless Plans: What are the benefits?
Safelink Wireless plans offer several benefits to eligible customers. Here are some of them:
Free monthly minutes, texts, and data
Depending on your state and plan option, you can get up to 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and up to 4.5 GB of data per month for free. You can use these minutes, texts and data to make local and long distance calls, send and receive SMS messages and access the internet on your phone. You can also roll over your unused minutes from month to month.
Free smartphone or SIM card
When you sign up for Safelink Wireless plans, you can choose between getting a free smartphone or a free SIM card that you can use with your own compatible phone. The free smartphone models vary depending on availability and location, but they are usually basic Android devices that have features such as a camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. The free SIM card works with any unlocked GSM phone that supports AT&T or T-Mobile networks.
Nationwide coverage and roaming
Safelink Wireless plans use the networks of major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to provide nationwide coverage and roaming. This means that you can enjoy reliable service wherever you go in the United States. You can also make calls to Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico without any extra charges.
No contracts, bills, or credit checks
Safelink Wireless plans are completely free and do not require any contracts, bills or credit checks. You do not have to worry about hidden fees or penalties for canceling your service. You also do not have to worry about damaging your credit score if you miss a payment.
Safelink Wireless Plans: What are the drawbacks?
Safelink Wireless plans are not perfect and have some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some of them:
Limited plan options and features
Safelink Wireless plans are designed to provide basic communication services for low-income customers. They do not offer many plan options or features that other providers do. For example,
- You cannot get unlimited data or high-speed data with Safelink Wireless plans.
- You cannot get international calling or text with Safelink Wireless plans (except for Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico).
- You cannot get hotspots or tethering with Safelink Wireless plans.
- You cannot get voicemail or caller ID with Safelink Wireless plans.
- You cannot get family or shared plans with Safelink Wireless plans.
If you want more plan options or features than what Safelink Wireless offers, you might have to pay extra fees or switch to another provider.
Low data speed and quality
Safelink Wireless plans use 3G or 4G LTE networks for data service. However,
- The data speed is capped at 8 Mbps for LTE devices and 3 Mbps for non-LTE devices.
- The data quality is dependent on network congestion and signal strength.
- The data service may be throttled or suspended if you exceed your monthly limit.
This means that you might experience slow loading times, buffering issues or interruptions when using data on your phone. You might also not be able to access some websites or apps that require high-speed data.
Customer service issues
Safelink Wireless plans are operated by TracFone Wireless, which has a reputation for poor customer service. Some common complaints from customers include:
- Long wait times on phone calls or online chats
- Unhelpful or rude representatives
- Language barriers or communication difficulties
- Errors or delays in processing applications or requests
- Lost or damaged phones or SIM cards
If you encounter any problems with your service, you might have a hard time getting them resolved by customer service.
Safelink Wireless Plans: How to make the most of them?
Safelink Wireless plans are a great way to get free cell phone service if you qualify for them. However, you might want to make some adjustments or improvements to get the best experience possible. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your Safelink Wireless plans:
Tips to save minutes, texts and data
If you want to conserve your monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data, you can try these strategies:
- Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to access the internet on your phone without using data. You can find free Wi-Fi hotspots at public places such as libraries, cafes, restaurants or hotels. You can also use apps such as Wi-Fi Finder or Wi-Fi Map to locate nearby Wi-Fi networks.
- Use free calling or texting apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Viber or Facebook Messenger to communicate with your contacts without using minutes or texts. You can also use these apps to make video calls or send multimedia messages. However, you will need to use data or Wi-Fi to use these apps.
- Use online services such as Google Voice, Gmail or Outlook to get a free phone number or email address that you can use to make or receive calls or texts on your phone. You can also use these services to check your voicemail or send faxes. However, you will need to use data or Wi-Fi to use these services.
- Use compression apps such as Opera Mini, UC Browser or Onavo Extend to reduce the amount of data that your phone uses when browsing the web or using apps. These apps work by compressing the data before sending it to your phone, which can save up to 90% of data usage. However, you might notice some loss of quality or functionality when using these apps.
Tips to upgrade your phone or plan
If you want to get a better phone or plan than what Safelink Wireless offers, you can try these options:
- Buy a new phone from Safelink Wireless or another provider that is compatible with your service. You can choose from a variety of models and brands that have more features and capabilities than the free phones. However, you will have to pay for the full price of the phone upfront or in installments.
- Buy more minutes, texts or data from Safelink Wireless or another provider that is compatible with your service. You can choose from different packages and prices that suit your needs and budget. However, you will have to pay for these services every month or as you go.
- Switch to another Lifeline provider that offers better plans or features than Safelink Wireless. You can compare different providers and their offers on websites such as Free Government Cell Phones or Lifeline Phone Service. However, you will have to cancel your Safelink Wireless service and apply for a new one with the new provider.
Tips to troubleshoot common problems
If you encounter any problems with your phone or service, you can try these solutions:
- Restart your phone by turning it off and on again. This can fix many issues such as frozen screen, slow performance, low battery, or poor signal.
- Update your phone software by checking for updates in the settings menu of your phone. This can improve the functionality and security of your phone and fix some bugs or glitches.
- Reset your phone by restoring it to factory settings in the settings menu of your phone. This can erase all the data and settings on your phone and make it new. However, you will lose all your personal information and files on your phone, so make sure to back them up before doing this.
- Contact customer service by calling 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) or visiting https://www.safelinkwireless.com. You can also chat online with a representative or send an email through the website. You can ask for help with any questions or issues that you have with your phone or service.
Free Government Cell Phone Plans
Safelink Wireless plans are one of the options for free government cell phone plans that are available to low-income Americans who qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program. However, they are not the only option, and there are some alternatives that might offer better service or features. Here are some of the similar alternatives to Safelink Wireless plans and how they compare and contrast:
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Assist Wireless:
Assist Wireless is another provider of free government cell phone plans that operates in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, and Oklahoma. It offers up to 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and up to 4.5 GB of data per month for free, depending on the state and plan option. It also offers a free smartphone or SIM card that works with any unlocked GSM phone. Assist Wireless has a similar coverage and roaming as Safelink Wireless, as it uses the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. However, it also has some drawbacks such as limited plan options and features, low data speed and quality, and poor customer service.
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Assurance Wireless:
Assurance Wireless is another provider of free government cell phone plans that operates in all states except Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. It offers up to 350 minutes, unlimited texts, and up to 4.5 GB of data per month for free, depending on the state and plan option. It also offers a free smartphone or SIM card that works with any unlocked CDMA phone. Assurance Wireless has a similar coverage and roaming as Safelink Wireless, as it uses the networks of Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. However, it also has some drawbacks such as limited plan options and features, low data speed and quality, and poor customer service.
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enTouch Wireless:
enTouch Wireless is another provider of free government cell phone plans that operates in all states except Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. It offers up to 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and up to 10 GB of data per month for free, depending on the state and plan option. It also offers a free smartphone or SIM card that works with any unlocked GSM phone. enTouch Wireless has better coverage and roaming than Safelink Wireless, as it uses the networks of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. However, it also has some drawbacks such as limited plan options and features, low data speed and quality, and poor customer service.
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True Wireless:
True Wireless is another provider of free government cell phone plans that operates in Arkansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Texas. It offers up to 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and up to 3 GB of data per month for free, depending on the state and plan option. It also offers a free smartphone or SIM card that works with any unlocked GSM phone. True Wireless has a similar coverage and roaming as Safelink Wireless, as it uses the networks of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. However, it also has some drawbacks such as limited plan options and features, low data speed and quality, and poor customer service.
Safelink Wireless Plans History
Safelink Wireless plans have evolved from previous models or releases to provide improvements, address issues, or otherwise help users in making a purchase decision. Here are some of the ways that Safelink Wireless plans have changed over time:
- Safelink Wireless plans started in 2008 as part of the Lifeline Assistance program, which was a federal initiative that subsidized landline and wireless services for low-income households. At first, Safelink Wireless plans offered only 68 minutes of free air time per month and no texting capabilities.
- In 2010, Safelink Wireless plans increased their monthly minutes to 250 and added unlimited texting to their service. They also started offering free smartphones or SIM cards to eligible customers.
- In 2012, Safelink Wireless plans expanded their coverage and roaming by using the networks of major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. They also added free calls to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico to their service.
- In 2016, Safelink Wireless plans increased their monthly data allowance to up to 4.5 GB per month, depending on the state and plan option. They also added a rollover feature for unused minutes from month to month.
- In 2021, Safelink Wireless plans became part of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which is a federal program that provides more benefits and support to eligible customers. They also increased their monthly hotspot data allowance to up to 10 GB per month, depending on the state and plan option.
In conclusion, Safelink Wireless plans have evolved from previous models or releases to provide improvements, address issues, or otherwise help users in making a purchase decision. They have increased their monthly minutes, texts, and data allowance, offered free smartphones or SIM cards, expanded their coverage and roaming, added free international calls and hotspot data, and joined the Affordable Connectivity Program. These changes have made Safelink Wireless plans more attractive and competitive for low-income Americans who need a cell phone and service for free.
Safelink Wireless Plans Reviews
Safelink Wireless plans are a free government cell phone program for low-income Americans who qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program. They offer basic communication services such as minutes, texts and data, as well as a free smartphone or SIM card. However, they also have some drawbacks that might affect the user’s experience. Here are some of the pros and cons of Safelink Wireless plans from a user’s perspective:
Pros:
- Safelink Wireless plans are completely free and do not require any contracts, bills or credit checks. This can save the user money and hassle in the long run.
- Safelink Wireless plans use the networks of major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to provide nationwide coverage and roaming. This can ensure that the user has reliable service wherever they go in the United States.
- Safelink Wireless plans allow the user to make calls to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico without any extra charges. This can be convenient for the user if they have family or friends in these countries.
- Safelink Wireless plans offer different plan options and phone models depending on the state and availability. This can give the user some flexibility and choice in selecting their service.
Cons:
- Safelink Wireless plans have limited plan options and features compared to other providers. For example, they do not offer unlimited data or high-speed data, international calling or texting (except for Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico), hotspot or tethering, voicemail or caller ID, family or shared plans, etc. This can limit the user’s functionality and enjoyment of their service.
- Safelink Wireless plans have low data speed and quality due to network congestion and signal strength. The data speed is capped at 8 Mbps for LTE devices and 3 Mbps for non-LTE devices, and the data service may be throttled or suspended if the user exceeds their monthly limit. This can affect the user’s browsing, streaming or downloading experience on their phone.
- Safelink Wireless plans have poor customer service according to many reviews. Some common complaints from customers include long wait times, unhelpful or rude representatives, language barriers or communication difficulties, errors or delays in processing applications or requests, lost or damaged phones or SIM cards, etc. This can frustrate the user and make it hard to get their problems resolved.
Conclusion
Safelink Wireless plans are a great option for low-income Americans who need a cell phone and service for free. They offer many benefits such as free monthly minutes, texts and data, free smartphone or SIM card, nationwide coverage and roaming, and no contracts, bills, or credit checks. They also have some drawbacks such as limited plan options and features, low data speed and quality, and customer service issues.
However, you can make the most of your Safelink Wireless plans by following some tips such as saving minutes, texts, and data, upgrading your phone or plan, and troubleshooting common problems.
If you are interested in applying for Safelink Wireless plans, visit their website at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/ and fill out the online application form today. You might be surprised by how much you can save and enjoy with a free government cell phone.
FAQs
How do I check my balance on my Safelink Wireless plan?
You can check your balance by dialing *611 from your Safelink Wireless phone or by logging into your account on the website.
How do I add more minutes, texts, or data to my Safelink Wireless plan?
You can add more minutes, texts, or data by buying them from Safelink Wireless or another provider that is compatible with your service. You can also earn more minutes by referring friends or family members to Safelink Wireless.
How do I change my Safelink Wireless plan?
You can change your Safelink Wireless plan by calling customer service at 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) or by logging into your account on the website.
How do I replace my lost or stolen Safelink Wireless phone?
You can replace your lost or stolen Safelink Wireless phone by calling customer service at 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) or by visiting https://shop.safelinkwireless.com/rma/ You might have to pay a fee for the replacement.
How do I cancel my Safelink Wireless service?
You can cancel your Safelink Wireless service by calling customer service at 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) or by visiting https://support.safelinkwireless.com/en/topics/service-cancellation/all/ You will have to return your phone and SIM card if they were provided by Safelink Wireless.
How do I recertify my eligibility for Safelink Wireless service?
You have to recertify your eligibility for Safelink Wireless service every year by providing proof of your income or program participation. You can recertify online at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/en/#!/recertifyAnonymous or by calling 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546).
How do I transfer my number from another provider to Safelink Wireless?
You can transfer your number from another provider to Safelink Wireless by providing your account number and PIN from your previous provider when applying for Safelink Wireless service. You should not cancel your previous service until the transfer is complete.
How do I transfer my number from Safelink Wireless to another provider?
You can transfer your number from Safelink Wireless to another provider by providing your account number and PIN from Safelink Wireless when applying for a new service. You should not cancel your Safelink Wireless service until the transfer is complete.
How do I unlock my Safelink Wireless phone?
You can unlock your Safelink Wireless phone by requesting an unlock code from customer service at 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) after meeting certain requirements such as having an active service for at least 12 months and having no unpaid balances.
How do I contact Safelink Wireless customer service?
You can contact Safelink Wireless customer service by calling 1-800-SAFELINK (723-3546) Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 10 PM EST and Sunday from 8 AM to 7 PM EST. You can also chat online with a representative Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 11:45 PM EST at https://www.safelinkwireless.com/en/#!/contactUs or send an email through the website.
