Many households are cutting the wires, abandoning conventional telephones and using their cellular phones as their only phones.
Now a federal program that pays for basic landline telephone service for low-income households has been adapted to provide basic wireless phone service as well.
According to its Web site, www.fcc.gov, the Federal Communications Commission has offered the Lifeline program, which uses money from communications companies, paid into what’s called the Universal Service Fund to help low income families pay for basic phone service.
TracFone Wireless, a prepaid cellular phone provider, said it now offers a program that uses the FCC’s Lifeline program to provide a free cellular phone and up to 68 minutes per month of service in several states, including Missouri.
Jose Fuentes, Director of Government Relations for TracFone, said as many as 18,000 households in Jasper County alone may qualify for the program.
“SafeLink offers the neediest families the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell phones, including contact with current or potential employers, children away from the home, or relatives in other parts of the country, not to mention vital emergency responders,” Fuentes said.
He said SafeLink provides eligible low-income households 68 free monthly airtime minutes for one year, unlimited access to 9-1-1 and the free cell phone. Any unused minutes do not expire and automatically roll over. The cell phone offers in-demand features: voicemail, text, call waiting, international calling to over 60 destinations, and caller ID.
Rich Nordell, director of the Jasper County Emergency Services Dispatch Center, said it’s important that everyone have access to 9-1-1 service and this is one way to get that service to people who normally wouldn’t have the money to afford it.
The federal "Lifeline" program was created during the Reagan Administration in 1984. The program was enhanced under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF), which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable and affordable rates. Lifeline support reduces eligible low-income consumers' monthly charges for basic telephone service.
To qualify for Lifeline in Missouri, a household must participate in one of the following: Federal Public Housing Assistance/Section 8; Federal Social Security Disability; Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP); MO HealthNet (Medicaid); National School Lunch Program (NSL); Payments Administered by the Family Support Division; State Aid to Blind Persons; State Blind Pension; State Supplemental Disability Assistance; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); Veteran Administration Disability Benefits. In Missouri, qualified applicants must submit documentation to verify eligibility.
TracFone said Jasper County has the fifth largest number of households among counties in the state that could qualify for this program.
To learn more about the SafeLink Wireless service, including eligibility requirements and additional features and benefits, people can call 1-800-SAFELINK (1-800-723-3546), or visit www.safelink.com.
