SafetyNet Wireless
In California, you will get unlimited text, unlimited minutes, and 1GB of data. Customers that are located in other states will get a free cell phone, 700 minutes of talk and 500 minutes of text.
SafetyNet Wireless is a company that is subsidized by the government to provide cell phones which are provided through the FCC Lifeline phone service. Currently, you can get service in Georgia, California, Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. New states will probably be added to this program in the future.
California Plans
California offers the best plan currently with unlimited text and unlimited minutes. California is the most competitive state which participates in the lifeline assistance free government cell phone program. SafetyNet is expanding this program and giving customers 100MB of data which they get for free. In other states, you tend to get fewer text, fewer minutes, and no data so California is the best plan. Here is what you can expect through this program.
California Lifeline Unlimited Plan
You will pay nothing while on this plan and you will also get your free government cell phone. You get unlimited text and unlimited talk on the program.
California Lifeline Unlimited + 1GB Data Plan
This plan will also cost you no money. You get your free government cell phone and unlimited text and talk. You will also get 1GB of data each month on the program.
Lifeline Unlimited & 1.5 GB Data Plan
This plan will cost you $1 per month and you can upgrade the planet for more data if you prefer. You'll get a free device that is data capable and you will have to pay a prepayment of $20.
California Lifeline BYOD (4 mo.) Promo** Plan + 6GB FREE
this is a promotional plan and when you bring your own device to SafetyNet Wireless you will get unlimited text and talk each month. You also get 1.5 GB of data for 4 months. After the four months are over the plan will give you one GB of data as well as unlimited text and talk.
Plans in Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania
The plans in these states different from the ones in California and you don't get as much.
Lifeline Basic
With this plan, you get 500 texts per month as well as 750 voice minutes. You don't have the ability to roll over on use minutes to the next month and there is no data.
Lifeline Unlimited
You'll get unlimited text and unlimited talk for $10 each month. There is no data that comes with this plan.
Lifeline Unlimited Text + 1GB Data
With this plan, you get 500 minutes of talk, unlimited text, and also 1GB of data which will cost you $10 per month.
Lifeline Unlimited Talk/Text + 1GB Data
This plan gives you unlimited text and unlimited talk as well as one gigabyte of data and it will cost you $20 per month
Qualifications
There are several ways that you can qualify for the program. If you are already participating in other government assistance programs you can qualify. You also qualify for the program if your household income is low enough to qualify. Here are the programs that will help you qualify for the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone.
All States
· Medicaid
· Food Stamps or SNAP through The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
· SSI or Supplemental Security income
· Section 8 of the Federal Public Housing Assistance
· BIA or Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance
· Veteran's pension and survivor's benefit
· Tribal TANF or Tribal Administer Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
· Tribal Head Start if you meet the income qualifying standard
· FDPIR or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
California Qualifications
· Food Stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or CalFresh
· Medi-Cal
· LIHEAP or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
· CalWorks or California Work Opportunity and Responsibility To Kids
· WTW or Welfare to Work
· StanWorks or Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
· GAIN or Greater Avenues for Independence
· Category A of Healthy Families
Please note that the programs of our just for California. for the other states, you will have to check the qualifying programs in each state. Click here to find the programs in your individual states
Qualifications based upon income
In most states, you'll qualify if you have income which is at or below 135% as outlined by the federal poverty guideline. this guideline can be difficult for most people to understand so it is outlined in the table below for your reference.
|
INCOME BASED ELIGIBILITY FOR 135% STATES |
|
|
Members in Household |
Annual income |
|
1 member |
$16,389 |
|
2 members |
$22,221 |
|
3 members |
$28,053 |
|
4 members |
$33,885 |
|
5 members |
$39,717 |
|
6 members |
$45,549 |
|
7 members |
$51,381 |
|
8 members |
$57,213 |
|
For each additional member add $5,832 annually |
|
The income is different for the state of Michigan which uses 150%. For Michigan, you shouldclick here.
Things to Keep in Mind
In California, SafetyNet is a new program and it competes with many other programs in the lifeline assistance free government cell phone program. While this program might be fine for you, please check the States page and find other programs which might be better for your references. Programs, plans, and features may vary state-to-state so it is up to you to find something that meets your needs.
Contact SafetyNet Wireless
SafetyNet Wireless
2323 Curlew Rd, Suite 7B
Dunedin, FL 34698 USA
Tel. 1-888-224-3213
Fax. 1-800-700-4736
Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Saturday and Sunday