How to Get a Free Cell Phone and Free Cell Phone Minutes

SafeLink Wireless provides a free cell phone and free cell phone minutes to low income households in selected states. It's a government-sponsored program and the plan comes with free minutes every month. Additional minutes can be purchased by buying phone cards. The exact details of the plan vary by state. It is currently available only to residents of Tennessee, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia. SafeLink Wireless has plans to begin offering service to other states in the eastern United States.

Instructions

1. Visit the SafeLink Wireless website and type in your zip code to see if the program is available in your service area.

2. Click on the "Learn" tab and select "How to Qualify" to see if you qualify. Generally you will qualify if you are already receiving state or federal assistance and nobody else in your household is already participating in the SafeLInk Wireless program. Even if you are not receiving public assistance, you may qualify if your income is below a specified level.

3. Enroll in the program if you are eligible. You must provide a United States address.

Tips & Warnings

• For discounted land line telephone installation and subsidized service, visit the FCC Lifeline and Link-Up programs website or the Universal Service Administrative Company website. See the Resources section below for links to these websites.

Resources

• SafeLink Wireless
• Universal Service Administration Company
• FCC Lifeline and Link-Up programs