Free and Reduced Phone & Internet Programs
SafeLink Wireless® 1-800-Safelink (723-3546)
SAFELINK WIRELESS® is a program serving eligible households and is provided by TracFone Wireless, Inc. To participate in the SAFELINK WIRELESS® service, certain eligibility requirements must be met, which are set by each State where the service is provided. These requirements are based on a person’s participation in state or Federal support programs or by meeting the Income Poverty Guidelines as defined by the U.S. Government. SAFELINK WIRELESS® service is limited to one person per household.
TracFone Wireless is the largest "No-Contract" cellular service provider in the U.S. with over 20 million subscribers. TracFone Wireless is a subsidiary of América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V. ('AMX') (BMV: AMX; NYSE: AMX; Nasdaq: AMOV; LATIBEX: XAMXL), the 9th phone company in the world and the largest in all of the Americas with more than 250 million wireless subscribers.
TracFone Wireless’ formula for success is simple – exclusive focus on prepaid cell phones and service. Unlike some prepaid providers, TracFone Wireless does not require customers to enter into a service contract. Our customers enjoy the freedom we offer – No Bills, No Contracts, No Surprises – you are in control. Prepaid is all we do, and we have over 20 million subscribers because we do it better than anyone else.
TracFone Wireless believes that cell phone ownership is a right and an important tool for individual success in today's world. Everyone should have a cell phone and the right to always know what their cell phone service will cost, without paying more than they want or can afford. TracFone and maintain a cell phone as low as possible and never charges extra fees to activate cell service.
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How to qualify
How do I qualify for SafeLink Wireless®?
The Lifeline program is available to eligible consumers in selected states and territories. Actual requirements vary by state, but in general to qualify for Lifeline, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in one of the following assistance programs:
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Stamps
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
Some states have additional eligibility under the following Tribal programs:
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Contact SafeLink®
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/NewPublic/index.html
Contact us by:
Phone Numbers:
For Enrollment and Plan Changes Support: 1-800-Safelink (723-3546)
For Technical Support ONLY: 1-800-378-1684
Correspondence:
SafeLink Wireless PO Box 220009
Milwaukie, OR 97269-0009
Hours of Operation:
For Enrollments and Plan Changes:
Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. EST
Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 7 p.m. EST
For Technical Support:
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. EST (7 days a week)
If you're an existing customer, please provide us with your SafeLink Wireless serial number or your SafeLink Wireless phone number when contacting us so we can give you the best possible service.
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Call us
Call Customer Care at 1-888-900-5899 and begin the application process by talking to a Customer Care Representative.
The Lifeline Program
Access Wireless provides mobile phone service to income-eligible residents as part of the government-funded Lifeline Assistance program. Lifeline is intended to help individuals experiencing financial hardship stay connected to family members, schools and child care providers, as well as be reachable to potential employers and have a means of communicating in case of an emergency. The valuable service that Lifeline provides is designed to be a bridge for those striving for self-sufficiency.
Access Wireless provides customers with a free mobile phone and a free monthly allotment of minutes/text messages/data each month.
How to Qualify
You may automatically qualify for Lifeline service provided by Access Wireless if you participate in any of the following public assistance programs:
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Federal Public Housing Assistance/Section 8
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Medicaid
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps
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Supplemental Security Income* (SSI)
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Veterans or Survivors Pension Benefit
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Tribal Qualifying Program based on state of residence
You may also qualify for Access Wireless service based on your total household gross monthly income.
*SSI is not the same as Social Security benefits.
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How to qualify in North Carolina
You qualify for Access Wireless if you participate in one of the following assistance programs:
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135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
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Carolina Access (Medicaid)
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Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Section 8
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps/Food Assistance)
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
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Headstart (meeting income qualifying standards)
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Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
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Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
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Veterans or Survivors Pension
North Carolina Income Guidelines
For a Family of 1=$16,281
For a Family of 2=$21,924
For a Family of 3=$27,567
For a Family of 4=$33,210
For a Family of 5=$38,853
For a Family of 6=$44,496
For a Family of 7=$50,139
For a Family of 8=$55,782
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To Apply in North Carolina
Apply Online
Click here to apply online. You may upload your photo identification and eligibility proof documents or you can send those in separately. To upload them, make sure you have a JPG, TIF, or PDF file available.
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Apply By Mail
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Download and print an application and mail the completed form to the address below. If applicable, download and print the Independent Economic Household (IEH) Worksheet and return the the completed form with your application.
NORTH CAROLINA LIFELINE APPLICATION IEH WORKSHEET
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Be sure to attach photocopies of your photo identification and proof of program or participation or income documentation.
Mail:
Access Wireless
One Levee Way
Suite 3106
Newport, KY 41071
Call us
Call Customer Care at 1-888-900-5899 and begin the application process by talking to a Customer Care Representative.
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Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers
by The Federal Communications Commission
https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline
888-641-8722
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Call us
The Lifeline Program is a federal program that provides a monthly discount on landline or wireless phone service. The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. Consumers with proper proof of eligibility may be qualified to enroll.
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To participate in the program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in one of the following assistance programs:
•Medicaid
•Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
•Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
•Federal Public House Assistance (Section 8)
•Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
•Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
•Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
•Head Start (if income eligibility criteria are met)
•State assistance programs (if applicable)
Customers can no longer use the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the NSLP free lunch program to prove their eligibility for Lifeline.
Tribal Lifeline:
If you reside on Tribal lands and participate in one of these programs, you may be eligible for an additional $25 per month of Lifeline support, plus the Tribal Link-Up benefit:
•Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
•Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
•Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
•Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
•Tribal lands include any federally recognized Indian tribe's reservation, Pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions, Hawaiian Home Lands, or Indian Allotments.
Federal rules prohibit eligible low-income consumers from receiving more than one Lifeline discount per household. An eligible consumer may receive a discount on either a wireline or wireless service, but not both. A consumer whose household currently is receiving more than one Lifeline service must select a single Lifeline provider and contact the other provider to disenroll from their program. Consumers violating this rule may also be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is responsible for data collection and maintenance, support calculation, and disbursement for the low-income program. USAC’s website provides information regarding administrative aspects of the low-income program, as well as program requirements. If you are eligible, apply for a discount through a participating company in your area. To apply, please go to our website.
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Connect2Compete
by Cox Communications
https://www.cox.com/aboutus/connect2compete
Connect2Compete opens a world of opportunity for families that have a K-12 student and receive government assistance. Eligible families can receive internet in their home for a reduced cost. There are no deposits or annual contracts and installation and modem rental is included.
Qualifying families:
- Have at least one student in grades K-12 lives in your household
- Your household must be participating in one of these government assistance programs: the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), SNAP, TANF or Public Housing
- Have not subscribed to Cox High Speed Internet service in the last 90 days
- Have no outstanding Cox bills or unreturned equipment
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Internet Essentials Families Program
by Comcast
https://www.internetessentials.com/
Access to high-speed Internet at home opens up a world of knowledge and opportunities for you and your children. Internet Essentials from Comcast brings affordable Internet home. You may qualify if your child is eligible for the National School Lunch Program.
Once you're approved for Internet Essentials you can also get a desktop or laptop computer for a reduced cost.
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Spectrum Internet Assist
by Spectrum
https://www.spectrum.com/browse/content/spectrum-internet-assist.html
844-525-1574
Spectrum is proud to be the fastest-growing Internet, TV and Voice company. We believe that everyone should have access to reliable, high-speed Internet. Through the Spectrum Internet Assist program, qualified households can receive:
- High-speed 30 Mbps Internet with no data caps
- Internet modem included
- No contracts required
- Add in-home WiFi for $5 more per month
To qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist, a member of the household must be a recipient of one of the following programs:
- The National School Lunch Program (NSLP); free or reduced cost lunch
- The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP
- Supplemental Security Income ( ≥ age 65 only)
- Offer not valid for current Spectrum Internet subscribers