“I live in a homeless shelter so I can’t get a free government cell phone.”
“My only address is a post office box, so they won’t give me a free government cell phone.”
“Help. I qualify for a free government cell phone, but I can’t get one because they don’t like my address.”
We’ve received literally thousands of comments and emails in the last few years from low-income Americans who are perfectly qualified to receive a Lifeline free government cell phone except for one thing — a quirk in the Lifeline Assistance regulations that disqualify them simply because of their addresses.
Now it looks like the Federal Communications Commission is finally taking it’s first small, but serious look at how to solve the problem.
Domestic Violence Privacy, Shared Addresses for Lifeline Applicants…
On November 21, the FCC asked for comments on how the National Lifeline Accountability Database (otherwise know by the initials NLAD) can accommodate addresses for participants of address confidentiality programs (ACPs).
We threw a lot of initials at you in that last paragraph, so let’s clarify the issue. An ACP allow a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse to keep his or her home address confidential. That means it won’t end up in public records.
ACPs are issued and administered by the states and give victims alternate, shared mailing addresses for use on public documents (such as voter registration or, more important in this case, an application for a free government cell phone).
What’s a “shared mailing address”? Good question. They typically include a post office box that can be accessed by an individual who has the correct code.
This would be an important development, or should we say improvement, to existing Lifeline regulations, which do not permit a PO Box to be used as a residential address for the purposes of applying for or receiving free government cell phones.
The Federal Communications Commission is looking for comments. They want to know if you think the old, restrictive rules that prohibit the use of PO Boxes should be waived for those unfortunate individuals who participate in ACPs.
Comments are due December 5, 2013; reply comments are due December 12, 2013.
We urge you to contact the FCC and make your voice heard. While we completely understand the reason the regulation was initially proposed and passed, we’ve heard from too many people who have fallen into the unintentionally-created cracks caused by this regulation.
And while they’re at it, we urge the FCC commissioners to address the broader problems created by the same regulation.
In other words, make it easier, not tougher, to get these phones into the hands of people who so desperately need them.
The Public Notice here: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db1121/DA-13-2240A1.pdf
Emma Wainford King says
Firemen and Paramedics arriving multiple times across the street with 911 call from lifeline for assistance but it’s the wrong address. This has happened 3 times in 1.5 weeks. How do we fix the lifeline address problem so the people who need the help are getting the emergency personnel to their home
Free Government Cell Phones says
How is this a Lifeline problem, Emma?
SANDY BARRAS says
i was a safelink customer for 5 years. no problems, reception is great. Overnight without talking to me, Safe Link cancelled my phone. Because more than one person lived at same address..Yes they do, it’s a NURSING HOME. I HAVE A PRIVATE ROOM, NO ONE ELSE USES MY PHONE. I AM BED BOUND, CANNOT WALK, VISION IMPAIRED. MY PHONE IS MY LIFE LINE TO FEW FAMILY AND FRIENDS. i WENT TO ANOTHER CELL COMPANY, TRIED THEM FOR ONE WEEK, NO RECEPTION, ZERO TOWERS NO SERVICE. WHEN i WENT BACK TO SAFE LINK TO EXPLAIN, THEY SAID I HAVE TO WAIT TILL JULY 2018. ONE UPPER MANAGER NAMED STEPHEN UNDERSTOOD, GAVE ME MY PHONE BACK IN 450 MINUTED, SAID I WOULD GET IPHONE, TWO WEEKS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. even offered to use brother’s address, stephen accepted that, then said no, cant use another address.
Free Government Cell Phones says
They were incorrect to cancel your free government cell phone because you qualify by living in what is considered a group home. The problem is that you went to a different company and the rules say that you must stay with that company for a full year. It sounds as if you may qualify for an exemption to that rule. So you need to check with the USAC, the organization that runs the free government cell phone program, to see if they can help you. Find them at USAC.org
Lisa VerBeck says
I’ve had a Safelink phone for a little over 3 years now. I recently left my son’s father and went to stay with my brother (who lives in my parents house, which they bought in 1977). When I called to changed my address my service was cut off because they said someone else at that address was receiving a lifeline phone. No one in my family has a lifeline phone, nor would they qualify for one because they don’t participate in government assistance. The NLAD did an investigation and my phone was turned back on about a week later. Soon thereafter I had to re-certify for the year, so I applied online and got a message saying someone else as that address is receiving a lifeline phone and the NLAD will have to do and investigation!!!!!!!!! We just went through this not even a month before!!!! This happened on 7/6 and it still has not been turned back on. The FCC won’t even investigate, much less prosecute whoever has illegally used my families address to obtain free government services, or even help me clear up the mistake!!! I made a report with the Federal Trade Commission (Yeah, THEY are willing to do something), but who knows if it will go anywhere. I mean, what kind of idiots are running the National Lifeline Accountability “DATABASE”?????? A Database is supposed to keep records, yet they can’t even update it and remove the fraudulently acquired phone from my address!!!! And before anyone wants to get smart about the fact that I should be lucky I even get free minutes and a free phone, I don’t use their standard Tracfone and It was cut off with minutes that I had PURCHASED!
Rebecca Foreman says
I ordered and was approved for a free cell phone and service from qlinkwireless.com well over a month ago, and have never received it. I have called the phone number/emailed on the website but get nothing but an automated response saying my phone is “pending shipment.” They don’t have a live person to answer my questions. I think they are a fraudulent company.
Shelly says
I have applied repeatedly and, of course,I ran into this exact problem! Can you please notify me when I can try again and this problem has been resolved? It would make such a difference for those of us on disability and a fixed income. I don’t know how they expect my family to survice on $1200 a month with all my medical bills, but they sure do!
I’m very happy that this problem is finally being looked at, I just hope they resolve it.
Thanks,
Shelly Groller
pat says
I live in Nebraska, why aren’t we on the state list?
Is there any CLOSE time ne. will be added?
I could really use this phone service!
I can’t afford a cell phone, I’d really appreciate having one…
Thank You,
Marian says
I live in a subsidized housing complex that doesn’t have mailboxes. So I have to get my mail at the Post Office from a Post Office box.
Maria Hart says
I am having a problem with Assurance right
now, because of where I live. I live in an
Assisted Living Facility. Assurance will not
Re certify me, because they claim that I have
2 phones.
The previous Occupant of the room, had an
Assurance Phone. They passed away and I
cannot get Assurance to believe me.
Thank you
Maria Hart
mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com says
December 19, 2013
POB – Postal boxes provide those who do not have a permanent place of dwelling a permanent, safe and reliable place to receive mail. This is not a debatable issue – it is mainstay and baseline.
Telephones
Free Government Cell Phones is vital to those individuals and family members that do not have a means of contact.
Mary Glass – Chair/CEO
Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC
http://www.mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com
Not only do they need the telephone, the telephone needs to be updated to the point that they are connected for basic address of needs; i.e., health monitoring capabilities and text messaging.
David Geary says
Hello,
I had the same problem with the address. I have had a lifeline phone from Assurance wireless
for 2 years and went to do my annual renewal and they said someone else had a phone at this address.
I am the only one living at this address. So I went thru a runaround with Virgin Mobile on this and still
am not sure they got it straight.
What a hassle.
Sherry says
It would have been much better if the article had been posted before the time for comments had closed.
I have a different situation – I live in a town with no mail delivery. Everyone has to have a post office box, in order to get mail. I have managed to figure out how to “cheat” the system but it took months and a few employees at one of the companies servicinng Arizona helping me out. No one should be excluded because they can’t get mail any other way.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Uh, comments aren’t closed. They are moderated.