TracFone Wireless joins SafeLink to provide locals phone service

As technology evolves, so must government programs.

That’s why the Federal Communications Commission has updated its Lifeline program with the addition of SafeLink.

The FCC, with a strong push from President Ronald Reagan, created Lifeline 25 years ago in an effort to make landline phone service to rural and poor communities easily assessible and affordable.

But offering landline phone service only is a thing of the past.

Therefore, TracFone Wireless, the largest prepaid cell phone provider in America, is working to help low income families by offering free cell phone service through the SafeLink program.

“This is a useful tool, a means of communication that is used in times of need to provide a service in which you can feel safe and secure because you have a phone with you at all times,” said Jose Fuentes, director of Government Relations for TracFone.

SafeLink was approved by the FCC in August 2008 and presently serves over 2 million Americans.

Louisiana is one of 21 states that are currently eligible for SafeLink, and the program can potentially help 572,000 low-income households in the Pelican State.

This includes 12,629 households in Terrebonne Parish, 10,988 in Lafourche, and 8,406 in St. Mary, according to Fuentes.

“TracFone has a long record of serving the communications needs of the people of the great state of Louisiana,” he said. “We are proud to be able to now bring SafeLink Wireless to those most in need, offering them the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell phones.”

To qualify for SafeLink in the state of Louisiana, a household must participate in one of the following: Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Federal Public Housing Assistance/Section 8, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), National School Lunch (free program only), or if the total household income is at or under 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The program provides a free cell phone, 68 free minutes a month for one year, and unlimited emergency calling for one year.

Unused minutes do not expire and automatically roll over to the next month, and the program offers voicemail, text messaging, call waiting, and international calling to over 60 nations and caller ID.

Customers do not have to worry about overage charges, because the phone will cut out when the minutes run out.

“It’s like filling up your car with gas,” said Fuentes. “Once it runs out, you have to go fill it up again.”

If SafeLink customers would like to use more than their allotted 68 free minutes per month, they can add minutes by purchasing TracFone airtime cards at local retailers.

There is no discount for SafeLink customers on the additional airtime cards, however SafeLink customers will automatically receive bonus minutes on the 60-, 90- and 120-minute airtime cards.

After one year of use, customers will no longer receive free minutes and must buy TracFone airtime cards to continue using the phone.

TracFone Wireless provides and funds the cell phone itself, with no subsidy from taxpayers or the federal government.

However, the phone’s minutes and services are funded by a government entity called the Universal Service Administrative Company.

Those interested can apply by calling 1-800-SAFELINK or visiting SafeLink.com.