Free Government Cell Phones

Lifeline phone service provides free cell phones to America's financially disadvantaged

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Safelink Wireless Free Cell Phones

California: Get a free smartphone, 1000 talk minutes, unlimited texts, PLUS 1GB of Data** each month.
Other States: Free smartphone, up to 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, PLUS 2GB data.

<< All Free Cell Phone Providers

SafeLink Wireless is the largest, oldest and best known of the companies that offer free cell phones through the government’s Lifeline Assistance program. Millions of needy Americans in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are already talking and texting on Safelink cell phones.

Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

SafeLink Wireless gives you the choice of enjoying free cell service on your own phone. Or you can apply to receive a new cell phone AND free service.

Safelink offers a variety of plans — one set for California, and a far less generous plan for residents of the other states it serves. (Before you ask, California residents get more of everything because the state pays an additional subsidy that other states don’t pay.)

Safelink Wireless Plans for all States other than California

Use your own Phone*, get Bonus Free Service

Plan #1 – Get a free smartphone PLUS 1,000 Voice Minutes ** PLUS unlimited texts, PLUS 1GB of Data** each month.

Also includes:

  • Voicemail/Caller ID/3-way Calling
  • 911 Access
  • 411 Directory Assistance at No Additional Cost
  • Nationwide Coverage on America’s Best Networks

Plan #2 – Get a free smart phone PLUS 350 Voice Minutes ** PLUS unlimited texts PLUS 2GB of Data** each month

Also includes:

  • Free Smartphone (WiFi & Data Compatible)
  • Voice Minutes & Unlimited Texts!
  • Voicemail/Caller ID/3-way Calling
  • 911 Access
  • 411 Directory Assistance at No Additional Cost
  • Nationwide Coverage on America’s Best Networks

Bring Your Own Phone (everywhere except California) and get free bonus service

Plan #1 – Get 1,000 Voice Minutes** PLUS unlimited texts, PLUS 1.5GB of Data** PLUS a free SIM card

  • 1.5GB/month for the first 3 months of service and 1GB/month thereafter
  • Free SIM card*
  • Free Every Month
  • Voice Minutes & Unlimited Texts!
  • Voicemail/Caller ID/3-way Calling
  • 911 Access
  • 411 Directory Assistance at No Additional Cost
  • Nationwide Coverage on America’s Best Networks and 4G LTE† capable

Plan #2 – 350 Voice Minutes** PLUS 2.5GB of Data** PLUS a free SIM card

Also includes;

  • 2.5GB/month for the first 3 months of service and 2GB/month thereafter
  • Free SIM card*
  • Voice Minutes & Unlimited Texts!
  • Voicemail/Caller ID/3-way Calling
  • 911 Access
  • 411 Directory Assistance at No Additional Cost
  • Nationwide Coverage on America’s Best Networks and 4G LTE† capable

Safelink Wireless Plans for California

California Plan #1 – customers receive Unlimited FREE Voice & Unlimited FREE text each month and 2 GB of FREE data.

With the SafeLink Wireless Service, features included with the plan for free are:

  • Free Android Touch Screen Cell Phone*
  • Unlimited Free Voice Minutes
  • Unlimited Free Texts Messages each month
  • Free for Internet Usage
  • Caller Id
  • Call Waiting
  • Voicemail
  • 3-way calling
  • Free 411 calling
  • Free 911 Access
  • Free calls to Customer Care

    • *Additional Data & International service are not included with the plan

California Plan #2 – Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) Plan and get extra free service

  • You get unlimited voice minutes ** PLUS unlimited texts PLUS 4GB of Data**
  • 4GB/month for the first 3 months of service and 3GB/month thereafter
  • Free SIM card*
  • Voicemail/Caller ID/3-way Calling
  • 911 Access
  • 411 Directory Assistance at No Additional Cost
  • Nationwide Coverage on America’s Best Networks and 4G LTE† capable

Do you qualify?

Are you eligible for a new Safelink Wireless phone number? Be aware that guidelines vary by state but you’ll probably qualify if you participate in a public assistance program such as any of the following:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
  • Veterans Pension and Survivor's Benefit.
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
  • Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
  • Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

If you don’t receive any of these public assistance benefits, you may also qualify if your total household gross monthly income is low enough.

Need more minutes?

Run out of minutes before the end of the month? No problem. TracFone Airtime Cards are available at Wal-Mart, CVS, Kmart, Target, Radio Shack, Walgreens, Rite Aid stores, Family Dollar and Dollar General. You can also buy minutes online.

While Safelink’s most generous free plan limits you 1,000 minutes per month (except in California, where the minutes are unlimited), you can purchase more minutes whenever you need them. We’ve thoroughly covered this subject on our page, Safelink Wireless/Tracfone Minutes. And, you’ll be able to get some very good deals with Tracfone promo code.

Compare Safelink Wireless with Other Lifeline Companies in Your State

There are many other free phone service providers you your state, Reachout Wireless is just one. In every state there are many options, often over a dozen companies to choose from. Plans and phone choices often vary substantially between providers and you owe it to yourself to look at them all. To compare plans, begin with our state-by-state free phone service page and click on your state to see what’s available.

Contact Safelink Wireless:
Safelink Wireless
9700 N.W. 112th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178

Contact information for all states other than California:

Website: www.SafelinkWireless.com
For Enrollment and Plan Changes Support: 1-800-Safelink (723-3546)
For Technical Support ONLY: 1-800-378-1684

Contact information for California:

Phone: 800-SafeLink (1-800-723-3546)
Website: https://tracfone.solixcs.com/TracFoneWeb/en/index2.html#/
California FAQ: https://tracfone.solixcs.com/TracFoneWeb/en/index2.html#/faq

Further Reading on Safelink Wireless

Which companies offer the best free texting plans? And which ones offer the worst? - Now that the FCC's new Lifeline rules have gone into effect, we though it might be interesting to see which companies are offering the best texting plans. And which ones are offering the worst plans.
Don’t enroll at a street tent: Check around before you choose a free government cell phone company - We know it's tempting to enroll with a street vendor when he says, "It's free!" But the truth is that other companies probably offer other plans that are far better than the one that guy sitting in a booth is offering you.
California Lifeline explosion: More companies, more unlimited plans, more great paid plans - The competition in free government cell phones is getting stiffer in California and that's great for consumers because more companies are now offering free unlimited minutes and text plans.
National disgrace: Why don’t military veterans qualify for free government cell phones? - Thirteen of the fourteen leading Lifeline free government cell phone companies offer absolutely nothing for veterans. It's nothing less than a national disgrace.
It’s about time: FCC demands TracFone unlock customers’ free government cell phones - The FCC just came down Safelink Wireless it like a proverbial ton of bricks for failing to comply with "consumer protection and service quality rules that Lifeline service providers are required to follow."

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Before you post your comment...

  1. If you are going to ask "how do I get a cell phone?" go here instead.
  2. If you are going to ask "how do I get a replacement phone," go here instead
  3. We are not your cell phone company. All technical questions should be asked of your vendor.
  4. Your comments are moderated, and we will manually approve those worth publishing within 24 hours.

Comments

    • The rules of the Lifeline program required your former service provider to cancel your account if it goes unused for 30 days or longer. In other words, you need to enroll again with any one of the free government cell phone companies offering plans in your state. Here’s where you can find a complete list of those companies and plans:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  2. I want to trade phones I have a Motorola cricket phone and I put my SIM from lifeline thru safelink and it asks me for the network SIM code how can I obtain this code. Thank you

    Reply

    • Put your phone back the way it was originally and use it to call 6-1-1. That will connect you to customer service.

      Reply

  5. Is it possible to get a plain flip phone instead of a smart phone? I have had a lot of issues in the past and just have a hard time using them!

    Reply

    • Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell hone to ask customer service if they offer flip phones. If not, ask if they have a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program. If so, you can purchase your own inexpensive flip phone and use it as your free government cell phone.

      Reply

  6. Hi. My name is Yadira Cabral how can get a free government phone for me and my daughter? Can we both qualify for a phone?

    Reply

    • Only one phone per household, Yadira. Click around this website and you’ll find all the information you need to enroll.

      Reply

  7. Hello! I found your website while searching phone assistance for an elderly friend. Your information service is very useful and appreciated. I have also enjoyed reading some of the comments posted, it’s comical. Thank you for the courtesy and hard work.

    Reply

    • Courtesy? You think we’re courteous? (To tell the truth, we think we’re remarkably patient and courteous, but we admit that we sometimes snap.) Thanks for the compliment.

      Reply

  8. Between 11:30 and 11:50 AM Central time I applied by phone for a lifeline cell phone. I asked the man taking the application several times to check and see if your carrier provides coverage in my physical zip code of 71050 and he kept brushing it off. Finally when he completed the application I insisted he check but then he gave me some excuse about not having the information for the new phone yet and that when they get that then we can deal with it. I told him NO, we will deal with it NOW. I am not going to wait 7-10 business days for you to send me a phone with no coverage and then have to send it back and wait 15 -30 days for you to cancel my gvmnt contract so that I can re-apply with someone that does provide coverage in my area. Again he told me that he does not have that info which makes me think he KNOWS they don’t provide coverage here but just wanted to make a sale. I asked him to let me speak to a supervisor which he declined to do. I then told him to either let me speak to a supervisor or cancel my application. At that point he said he would cancel the app, however I want to make sure he did. Since he incorrectly told me he did not have access to the info to see if you cover this area and refused to let me speak to a supervisor, I have a suspicion that he did NOT cancel my application so that he could have a sale on his record with no regards to it stopping me from being able to apply with someone that can in fact service my zip code. If this is the case please cancel my app immediately and take proper action against your employee. If it turns out this app is not canceled then I will use the weeks wasted and not being able to get a phone from someone else by complaining to every gvmnt agency I can find AND the BBB and posting on social media.

    Reply

    • It’s not OUR employee, Williams. We are an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone company.

      Reply

  9. I have a assurance wireless phone ,the first one i got wouldn’t stay charged ,so i send it back for a replacement. .assurance sent mean another one ,this one was heavy and it still didn’t stay charged and the guy on the phone promised i wouldn’t have any issues with it ,i only can use it in dire emergencies ,so i was thinking on going back to safe link wireless which i did have years ago ,because assurance wireless does not have good phone…blank,thanks for listening

    Reply

    • Happy to listen, Tammy. We’d recommend that you take a look at ALL the companies and plans available in your state BEFORE you decide to go back to Safelink. Who knows — you might find another plan that fits your needs even better. Here’s where you can find that list:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  10. Thank you for this very helpful website.

    I am inquiring on behalf of my brother who lives in Connecticut. Due to his disability, he has great difficulty using a SmartPhone or any type of touch-screen device, which is all his current provider (Assurance) will provide. Do you know if it is possible with Safelink for him to either get from them a free “flip phone” or at least allow him to buy his own flip phone and still get the free minutes?

    Thank you.

    Reply

    • We doubt if any of the free government cell phone service providers still offer old-fashioned flip phones. However, you can check to see which companies offer “Bring Your Own Phone” programs and then purchase a flip phone from a phone retailer to use as your free government cell phone. One warning: Make sure the phone you purchase is compatible with whichever service provider you select.

      Reply

  11. I am disabled and have had a safelink phone since 2012,In 2019 they asked me to show proof ,In which i did thru e-mails and thru internet.Showed them proof then they cut off my phone,1st of all i think its a disgrace to hire illegal workers who cannot speak english,Knowing ive had my identity stolen by illegals yet our gov hires these illegals who ask you for your SSN???? Then they dont know at all what they are doing,I QUALIFY!,I get SSI and Medicaid yet they cancel my service,I need my phone in case of Emergency.I dont know if they are trying to make Donald Trump look bad or ????? Is it because im white????? I will file with the BBB ,Att General /Federal Trade Commission ETC! This is BULL!!! Im definitely not a fraud yet they claim too much fraud! WTF?Ive got a feeling lawsuits are building day by day for DISCRIMINATION!

    Reply

  12. I had a lhone through assurance wireless and got it wet and i had no way of telling them. I tried to register for a new one but they wont send it because they say that i have one. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • That’s kind of a nutty response from customer service, Tommy, because they issue replacement phones all the time. Call in again and try once more. It’s doubtful that they’ll issue you a free replacement phone, but they will undoubtedly offer you one for a reasonably small fee.

      Reply

  13. My phone is not working. I have had it for a number of years. I requested a replacement about 2weeks ago but have not been answered. Could you please email as to when I can expect a phone. I am 82 years old and have had some health problems. I live alone and the phone is my lifeline.thanks
    Sandra Leaver

    Reply

    • We are not your service provider, Sandra. However, we provide the contact info you need in the article above. Use it to contact Safelink’s customer service team.

      Reply

  14. Thank you for the wealth of information provided here. I was able to resolve all of my issues with my dead government phone, including choosing and switching to a different carrier, with the information and toll free number supplied on your site. You are very much appreciated. Karen 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks, Karen. It’s always nice to hear from readers who appreciate all the hard work that goes into this website on a daily basis.

      Reply

  15. Hello to All, I’m Terry G. Watkins’s. I live in Clarkston, Michigan, 48346. Because it is my own reasion I have lost my phone (not using it as much as I should), I was asking for your help to get be back. I had a head injury and there are time’s I don’t do thing right. I could go on and on but all I’m asking is why can I not have my phone back to working? If not, would you please let me know so I’m sure I won’t let that happen again. If not I understand. I just need to know. Thank You, Terry G. Watkins

    Reply

    • We’re not Safelink, so we can’t answer your question with any sort of detail, Terry. You need to contact that company’s customer service team.

      Reply

  16. Phone will not hold a charge.. lucky if a full
    charge last an hour. Need a new battery, but it isn’t removable . Think I need a replacement phone .

    Reply

    • Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to be connected to your service provider’s customer service team. They can explain their own particular processes.

      Reply

  17. When I’m applying for BYOP theough safelink it told me to text BYOP to 611611 and then gave me this message… (Txt a number below to pick a company: 1=Straight Talk 2=Simple Mobile 3=Net10 4=Walmart Family Mobile 5=Go Smart Mobile 6=TracFone 7=Total Wireless 8=Telcel)
    I don’t kniw the differwnxe between each company and dont know which one i should choose… With the 1000 minutes.. 1.5 gb data and unlimited text, It will be the same with any company i choose correct? I tried researching some of the companies but i dont know what information i am looking for other than coverage statistics maybe? Idk do you have any input on the situation?

    Reply

    • It appears that they are giving you companies that are alternatives to the free government cell phone plan. So we don’t understand it, either, unless they are rejecting your application.

      It’s impossible for us to recommend one other another because there are so many variables.

      Sorry that we’re unable to give you any real advice in this situation.

      Reply

    • All of the companies listed in the text message you received are Tracfone subsidiaries, as is SafeLink. You said you are trying to sign up for SafeLink’s BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) service. The text message you received doesn’t explain it very well, but I think they are either:

      1 – Asking you with which of those companies you wish to BYOP.
      …or:
      2 – Asking you with which of those companies the phone you wish to use (with SafeLink) was originally branded.

      I suggest that you call SafeLink to ask about this.

      Reply

  18. I need a free cellphone for myself to use different aps so I can train my brain to be alerted all the times. How soon can I get a free android phone from you.

    Thank you

    Reply

    • You can wait forever without getting a phone from us because we are NOT a free government cell phone company. This is an independent informational website.

      Reply

  20. I am on SSI and have Medicaid and getting food stamps, it would be easier for me to have a government program cell phone and can’t afford to buy a cell phone.

    Reply

    • Check Safelink’s website for more information about its BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) program. If your phone is compatible with Safelink’s national cell network, it should be doable.

      Reply

  23. I am unemployed due to medical conditions and currently are on (SNAP) food stamp assistance. I have a Social
    Security hearing pending. I have A iPhone but I don’t have any provider and can’t use it because I have no income. I need a phone to contact my Doctors, My Lawyers, Social Security and foe emergencies and family. Please can you help me. If its not possible to activate my iPhone for this service please send me if you can a phone that I can use.

    Thank you,
    Rick

    Reply

    • If Safelink is the company you want to sign up with, you need to contact its customer service team in order to enroll, Richard. We provide the contact info on this page. Good luck.

      Reply

  24. I have a 39 year old daughter who we have helped on and off for a number of years. She has mental health issues and is at a point where she no longer works and is paralyzed with fears and anxieties. She doesn’t seem to have the ability to follow thru and get the help she needs so that she has the basic needs. Is soon to lose her apartment that the VA has helped provide for several 6 month time frames but they will not be able to help again so she is soon to be homeless. Need to find out how to get her a free phone plan. We bought her a Samsung at Walmart several months ago, but can no longer continue to pay her plan. Can you help me to do all I can to get some answers to direct her. Thank you. PC

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear about your daughter’s problems, PC. All the information you need is right here on this website. It’s dedicated to the subject of free government cell phones. Just click on our name at the top of this page to be taken to our home page, where everything you need is clearly laid out.

      Reply

  26. How do I get the sim card for my phone? I would like to get service. I recently had entouh but lost my phone and they dont do replacement phone. I got one, now I just need to get minutes on it.

    Reply

    • Before you do anything else, you need to speak to Safelink’s customer service team to make sure that the make and model of your phone is compatible with Safelink’s network.

      Reply

    • Unfortunately, you do not get to request a particular make and model of phoned, Isabella. You get the phone they send out at random from those they have on hand. One option might be the Bring Your Own Phone program. You can purchase and use any phone that’s compatible with your service provider’s network and it will work. However, you need to confirm with customer service that your make and model is truly compatible BEFORE you purchase it.

      Reply

    • Good question, Wanda. Most companies say delivery will take two weeks, but our readers tell us it often takes three or four weeks or even longer. But the sooner you enroll, the sooner you’ll get your free government cell phone.

      Reply

  29. Can I switch from Assurance Wireless free phone to SafeLink or another phone ? Assurance is “Terrible” had 5 phones in less than 2 months! Works every other day if lucky. Thanks

    Reply

  30. Hello I am inquiring about the cell phone assistance in Tennessee. If you could give me some insight into this program I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time,
    Katherine Spalding

    Reply

  31. I have an old flip phone, and it is hard for me to text anymore. Can my few pics be transferred to a smart phone even if I have to buy one. Can’t believe they have not upgraded that old phone. Well I guess I can’t bitch, it’s free, and only use it for emergencies. Soon to be 66, so maybe I don’t need one anyway! lol

    Reply

    • If you were to switch to a different free government cell phone, your new service provider would give you a free smartphone, which would be a huge upgrade for you. But before you do that, it seems like it would be a good idea to speak to your current provider’s customer service team. You’ve been a long-time customer and if you’re very lucky, they may offer you an upgrade for free.

      Reply

      • Its not free, they make you pay a huge shipping fee and send you a mediocre phone that gets very hot right away and constantly freezes up. Assurance wireless is bad and leaves out providing important information, dismisses your questions and hangs up the phone on you. Its also okay and fraudulent for them to be recording and monitoring their conversations with you, but not okay for you to record (which they’re already doing too) and then catch them constantly lying and leaving out that information. They tell you one thing and do another.

        Reply

        • More than 40,000 people have left comments on this website, but you are the first person to ever claim that a free government cell phone company makes customers pay any shipping fees, much less huge shipping fees. If your assertion is true, we’re pretty sure other readers will be able to confirm. Readers?

          Reply

          • Assurance wireless required a $5 shipping charge from me. I’m experiencing similar problems as others have mentioned. The android phone they provide simply does not function reliably ( or at all). The customer service representatives all play dumb, as if they aren’t hearing about the same problems from everyone. I’m on my third replacement. They all had the same problems. I gave up and just did a factory reset every few weeks until it crashed for good after 6 months. Their ONLY solution is to purchase a phone. The whole thing feels fraudulent because everyone would have to purchase a phone that should have been free! I’d like to hear from other Assurance wireless subscribers.

          • Thanks for your comment because you clarify something we hadn’t thought of in a very interesting way: It’s obvious that the customer service agents are playing dumb because, as you say, the phones suck and they obviously receive countless complaints about them day after day after day. Just look at our comments section and the same thing is true.

            It’s true that most companies charge for replacement phones and then send out phones that are equally unreliable.

            Your only real option here is to switch Lifeline companies. So here’’s an article that will tell you how to do it as painlessly as possible:

            https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers

  32. I Filled out an App 3 Mounts Ago To Get a Free Safe Link Cell Phone About Two Or Three Mounts Ago And I Haven’t Gotten It Yet I Was Suppose To Receive In 6 to 8 Weeks But I Still Haven’t Gotten It Yet When I Sent The App Off I Did Send A Copy Of My Award Letter n My SSI # With It And a Letter From My Landlord Staten That I Live Alone At The Address I Put On The App So What’s Taken So Long For Me To Get It? I Need For Emergency’s Can You Send It Soon? I Get Unlimited Texting And Internet Wi Fir How Many GBs? Will It Have a Camera On It?

    Reply

  33. I no longer qualify for service through Safelink because I cancelled my food stamps. How do I now use my Safelink phone with Tracfone minutes? I want to keep using this phone and my current phone number for work.

    Reply

    • Contact Safelink customer service. The two companies have the same owner and it should be a simple process.

      Reply

  34. Happy New Year!!!
    I have a comment for the employees who read and respond to the questions posted on this site. After reading through the about 25 questions posted here, I would like to say GOD BLESS YOU GUYS!!!!!!!! It is actually unbelievable that rather than read the information posted on this site to assist people, most apparently don’t read!!! I understand that there are a lot of people who may not understand thoroughly but wow…..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU!

    Reply

  35. I currently have qlink. The phone is terrible. Shutdown a lot and overheats. I want to change my carrier. How can I do this. I have the free government phone

    Reply

  36. Safe link is so not a good company.I’ve been with them for almost 3 years,my screen went out so I called for some type of replacement phone and they told me they didn’t give replacement phone yet my sister has one she received a few days ago.

    Reply

    • Check out all the companies and plans available in your state and apply with the one that fits your needs best. Then enroll with that company online or by phone.

      Reply

    • No, you just need to tell them that you are still eligible. You may be required to show documentation proving that you have a home address or that you still participate in one of the qualifying Federal programs but it should be that simple.

      Reply

  39. I need a flip phone because I am very hearing impaired. A smart phone will not work for me. Can I continue to use my Samsung u360?

    Reply

    • Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell phone networks, SJ. So you should contact your service provider’s customer service and/or tech support team to find out the answer to your question.

      Reply

  40. Obviously I’m not the smartest star in the world, but you need to dum it down for some of us. I clicked on how to get a phone, with no explanation at all.

    Reply

    • Really, Debra? Our “How to get one” page breaks it down into three simple steps. We don’t know how to make it any clearer.

      Reply

      • FGCP-why do you have to be so condescending to some of these folks?! Not everyone understands how this system works and it is a lot of info for oldler, non techies to absorb.

        Please show some patience with these people…kindness means a lot.

        Reply

        • We think we show incredible patience and explain the same things over and over and over again. Is it too much to expect people to read the information provided before they leave a comment asking how to do exactly what was described in the article above their comments?

          Reply

  43. I’ve been hitting a wall with the provider Safelink Wireless. They disconnected my service, and when I reapplied they declined. I asked what reason, and they said that the SNAP card I sent is not in their catalog. It’s obvious they don’t know what a SNAP card is, but I can’t get a US person to identify with me. How do I report these guys for fraud. I think they are doing this intentionally and pocket the government funding.

    Reply

  44. How will o know the phone will work @ my house? Last free state phone I received didn’t work @ my home so I would need 2 drive almost 30miles in order 2 use it.

    Reply

  45. Or someone there please contact me at 302-593-****. I have been trying for 11 months to verify my phone and now they tell me I have to reapply and I’ve done that several times all together I have sent paperwork over a dozen times would somebody please contact me and help me get my phone back online. I am disabled live alone that is the only phone that I can use have to you and have had to do without for close to 11 months now again my phone number is 302-593-****. it is a borrowed phone please do not send advertisement or anything to that phone thank you very much Michael L Hamby

    Reply

    • We can’t send you anything, Michael, because we are not a free government cell phone service provider. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact the service provider directly.

      Reply

    • Yes, but you need to tell the customer service agent that “I want to port over my current phone number.”

      Reply

    • Impossible, Leon. Each company offers a number of different makes and models of cell phones, and they are handed out randomly.

      Reply

    • Can cannot offer enrollment forms because this is an independent informational website that’s NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. You must visit the website of the company of your choice in order to enroll.

      Reply

  51. Finally had it with Safelink. Problem started 4 weeks ago when my phone disconnected during a call. Checked my minutes and it said zero. I know for a fact I did NOT use all of my free minutes during the month. I even looked back at previous call history for proof. Having no funds in the bank (I sometimes buy the $10 load up cards for Safelink directly from their website if I run out of 350 minutes) I had to run to CVS and use cash. The only Safelink cards sold there are the $15 cards for unlimited 30 day plan. I bought and activated the card. The last day of the plan was yesterday September 27. Now today, my Lifeline minutes have kicked in, 350 minutes, unlimited texts, And it says over 3 GB data. However, since I woke up this morning the data does not work. Spent almost my entire 350 minutes today talking to idiotic foreigners who just read the same script and protocols telling me to do the same thing over and over. Have you tried turning your mobile data on/off? YES Have you tried rebooting phone? YES. Have you tried removing battery? BATTERY DOES NOT COME OUT OF THIS PHONE. Have you tried calling *22890? YES. We need you to call from a different phone: DID THAT ALREADY. DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. NOT BORROWING MY NEIGHBORS PHONE AGAIN!! Asked them if there was someone I could speak to because I am sure it is NOT a coincidence that my data is not working the same day my previous plan stopped. No one seems to get that in their pea sized brain!! “Oh sir but we assure you it is not a problem, you see your data is there it says you have over 3 gigabytes”. SERIOUSLY? I KNOW THIS ALREADY. You would think maybe they would look beyond this and maybe find that something happened when my plan ended today?! I have to have a phone with data to report the jobs I do. Without data I will lose my jobs. I’m done with Stupidlink. Talking to these morons is like banging my head against a brick wall.

    Reply

    • UPDATE: I had an idea..I bought another Unlimited Minutes/ Unlimited Texts/ 1 GB DATA card for $15 + tax. This is the same card that once it ran out, my data problems began. Guess what? Now I have data again. So it took buying a $15 card to fix it. Which means from now on if I want data I will have to pay! I don’t know if this is some kinda glitch or if Safelink is doing this on purpose to get money from their Lifeline customers. So with that I will say BEWARE to anyone who’s phone runs out of minutes. DO NOT buy the $15 unlimited card or you will be stuck with it if you want to use your data!! The smaller $10 cards I did not have any problems with, though.

      Reply

    • Safelink wireless is the absolute Worst of all of the lifeline providers! Sounds like youve went through alot of wjat i did only mine went on for 2entire years! Never being able to get the problems resolved was way too stressful for me! I decided to call on my local community,my sign read “Can you hear me now? Have Safelink Wireless?
      join us this Friday at 6pm & Saturday at 2pm for a consumer discussion Right Here (because I certainly cannot CALL you)”
      The response was overwhelming
      & led to standing room only. I was shocked at the turn out especially considering I live in a smaller town. Although the issues were uniquely its own, by days end we all agreed 99% of the problems/issues lie soley with Safelink wireless’ CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS/REPRESENTATIVES & 1% cheap cellular phone quality!!
      99%!! Thats when we decided to contact the b.b.b & we began writing reviews to try & help others with our experiences having dealt with thw extreme stress of simply trying to use a service that President Obama made available low income citizens in which each attending consumer Qualified for but months & years later STILL cannot successfully use this service for longer than a few minths until a problem arises & we’re forced to call customer service/support which more times than not results in the service being completely Cancelled by a ticked off Safelink Wireless CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT. There IS NO ladder to the ones in charge that you can seek help with because when you ask for them the agent transfers you to a coworker 3 seats over or so im told. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to file a complaint about poor Customer Service or an obnoxious agent. So dont atempt it or you may end up with SERVICE CANCELLED without warning nor reason & we All know how many months it takes to reapply. I wrote a review of safelink on this site too but funny, its mot on here!! my opinion the words No Customer Service or supoort would be no different as well as save the government tons of money for paying these people for a job in which they do not / can not perform. Woohoo this was a stress relief for me 🙂

      Reply

    • Please see the very top of the page for the minutes. In California, they give a free Android phone, unlimited minutes & texting, 500 MB data; in other states you give a free phone, 350 minutes and unlimited texts and 500 MB data.

      Reply

    • We’re not Safelink, Audrea. This is an independent informational website, NOT a free government cell phone cell phone company. In other words, we can’t help you, but your service provider can.

      Reply

  55. From time to time my phone gets disconnected. No calls in, o outs, no texting. How do I find out when it will get restarted?

    Reply

    • Contact customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone. Or by calling the phone number shown in the article above.

      Reply

    • Seriously, Vivian? How about if you take a few minutes to click around this website, because it tells you everything you need to know.

      Reply

    • Probably, but you need to check with Safelink customer service to make sure the make and model are still compatible.

      Reply

    • Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to connect to customer service. They should be able to help you out.

      Reply

    • Two choices: You can either stop using the phone for the rest of the month, or you can purchase additional minutes.

      Reply

    • My phone 856 246 **** has validated for 257 days to use but I have only 7 minutes to call. What should I recover my monthly minutes. I am in life-line program. Thank you

      Reply

      • We’re not quite sure what your problem is, Giong, but you should contact Safelink customer service. You can do that by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone, but you would exhaust your few remaining minutes before you got your problem resolved. Try visiting the Safelink website to see if you can solve your problem online. If not, see if you can borrow a friend’s phone to contact customer service.

        Reply

  60. For California, is Safelink the only company to offer a GSM sim for bring your own phone?
    Are there any other companies that offer gsm SIM?
    How does safelink voice and data quality compare to the other companies?

    Also, Safelink offers 2gb a month data for California, not 500mb, or am I getting it wrong?

    Reply

  61. Need customer service to call this number 203 502-**** and help me Re activate my phone. I did not use my phone and it was shut off, but cannot activate per message I receive on my phone for weeks now. Customer service needs to call me.

    Reply

    • Sorry, Amy, but this is an independent informational website. We can’t deactivate your phone. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  62. Why does the government permit such dreadful service from its Lifeline providers? Even this site had difficulty getting an answer from Safelink and I have wasted countless hours trying to restore service that was term terminated in error by the company. I assume the insurance is paying for this service, why does it have to be so inferior (at least in the area of virtually non-existant customer service) to that of other more established cell phone service providers?

    Reply

    • Our readers probably agree with your assessment by a score of about 999 to 1, Stacy. One correction though. It’s not paid for with insurance. Every paid phone bill in America has a line-item called “Universal Service Plan” which adds a few cents to a few dollars per month to everyone’s bill. It is paid for with all those pennies and dollars.

      Reply

  64. Safe Link is just awful. Their customer service has always been bad but I ma at my wits end with them now. I sent back the paper work they sent me in in plenty of time to re-certify. Next thing I was told is that the account was cancelled. I have tried for over 6 weeks to deal with them and every time it goes bad. One rep reapplied and still I am told the account is cancelled. I called again this morning and, rather that wait on hold, I gave them my number, as requested by them and was I would get a call back in 15 to 22 minutes. It is now 1 hour and 15 minutes later and no callback. This company is the absolute worst and I am glad to be rid of them. They are making a lot of money for such terrible service and they are taking advantage of people like me who are cash strapped and cannot afford to just get a phone. It is hard enough to survive without dealing with a company who has no respect for you.

    Reply

  67. im looking to get a phone i just need information on a location to get it or how i go about getting one.

    Reply

    • You can enroll by phone or online and they will send the phone to your home, Marvin.

      Reply

    • You need to enroll with the company, Yidi. This is an independent informational website (and we provide the contact info in the heart of the article on this page).

      Reply

    • Lots of different makes and models are available, Brittney. Check out a few of the service providers’ websites to see what they are currently offering.

      Reply

    • Contact customer service (contact info provided on this page) to clear up the confusion.

      Reply

  72. When are these companies going to quit outsourcing all their customer service calls over seas? You can not understand a word they are saying!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

    • C’mon, Frederick, it’s not just these companies. Damn near every company in every industry does the same thing.

      Reply

  73. last 15 days ago i enrolled my phone in altlanticicity library office.four &six business day you will get your home address in mailbox..still idont get my wife phone?

    Reply

    • Check the Safelink website, Amita. It has a function that allows you to “Check Your Status.”

      Reply

  74. My husband was injured and is out of work because he needs surgery. He was our only income and now we are on SNAP. My question is: I have a small Lg smartphone that I can use and don’t need another one, I just need minutes. I just ran out this month because we can’t afford more minutes. Can I use it and could I possibly keep the number that is already assigned to it?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Theoretically, you can use the phone and keep the number. We’ll address each of those questions separately.

      Regarding the phone: You can use a phone that is compatible with your service provider’s national cell network. Here’s an article that will tell you more:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network

      Contact your service provider’s customer service or tech support team to find out if the specific make and model of cell phone you have will be compatible with your service provider’s network.

      Regarding keeping your current phone number: Yes, again. You can keep the number. If the phone you own is compatible with your service provider’s cell network, they will tell you how to transfer it over.

      Reply

  75. I would like to sign up for this phone service, so I can apply for jobs. I have an iPhone which can take a SIM card. I do not currently have phone service, only email. The link to the website comes up to,a blank page when I try to contact it. Can you help?
    I am on MediCal and Snap.
    Thank you,
    Brenda

    Reply

      • I have been with Safelink for at least 3 years now up until the 1st of June I did not receive my minutes. I can text all I want, but cannot call or receive calls. But I can call Safelimk I wish I could talk to a customer representative I get put on hold then after being on hold for up to 30 minutes I get cut off, Ileft them a text message about not receiving my minutes and have no response. My phone with them is my only means of communication and I desperately need my phone. I live by myself, in the country, I am retired medically disabled
        .Is there anyway I for your phone service or advise of a phone company that can help

        Reply

  79. We have had issues with this provider every month with their service not reloading the phone. We have spent hours each month with your customer service from India not understanding how to fix the problem. We have had it with your service and will be moving on.

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear about your problems, George, but this is an independent informational website that is NOT affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies.

      Reply

  80. To whom iy may concern. My nane s Roy Eugene Gilmore I am a SSI reciver of phones. I recently lost My cell phone Number 856-353-****. I live in Camden NJ. I lost my last phone. I want it to be cut off and I want A replacement phone because somebody’s using my phone and my free minutes. It’s not fair. I receive SSI and I need my cell phone very very much. This will be my second time to receive a phone. Can a manager assist me with this? I hope I Receive A replacement phone. I don’t want somebody who stole my phone to use my minutes. I need them very bad. ********@gmail.com is my email. I have to use email because you know somebody’s got mine. Plaese send me a replacement phone. I dont want to change my provider. I just want a phone. Thank you. Roy Gilmore. I’m 61 years old and I live alone. please tell how to get a replacement ASAP. Thank you. Have a nice day.

    Reply

    • You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team directly, Roy. This is an independent informational website, NOT a Lifeline free government cell phone company.

      We assume you will be required to pay a small fee to get a second replacement phone. But who knows? Maybe you’ll get the friendliest customer service agent in the world and get another one for free.

      Reply

  81. beentrying to re-certify my renewal but can not find where to do it…i did the 800 # but says i can not do it by touch phone…can anyone help me?

    Reply

  82. Just to give you an update, I called customer service and the lady said I’m not eligible because i cant prove I’m making less than the limit, yet, I’m making nothing! What about the unemployed who don’t get benefits?! This is b#&$&@ and they need to fix that. Anyway, thanks for helping 🙂

    Reply

      • I wouldn’t call it scanty, you provide more than enough information on this website. If you listed it somewhere, I probably just didn’t see it. If not, you told me by calling it a black hole. I was just making sure I understood everything correctly. So, that being said, don’t think that I thought this information was insufficient. It is VERY helpful. So, thanks again, and I feel like I should say bye cause we’ve been talking through comments for so long 🙂 so, bye 🙂

        Reply

        • Just for clarification purposes, Emily, we were referring to the information from the USAC as scanty, not our response to you.

          Reply

  83. Hello, I am writing because I recently enrolled to get a cell phone, I have been unemployed for over a year now and do not have proof of income for this reason. I do not get any other benefits. I received an email asking for income proof, and I replied to tell them but they sent me an email back right after saying arror message because I don’t have any attachments of proof. Can you please help me.

    Reply

      • After browsing through many previous comments for hours, because of your clever replies.. I have realized that my best bet is to probably contact safelink customer service. I’m sorry that you have to deal with morons assuming you are their service provider. But, at least you’re the one who replies to the idiots, rather than being one of them! 😉

        Reply

    • We wish we could, Emily, but you have unfortunately fallen into one of the black holes of the free government cell phone program. The USAC has told us that they are aware that it’s impossible to prove no income and that they are “working on a solution,” but the do not seem to have solved it.

      Reply

  84. – How can I figure out which company has better coverage in my state/area ? I am currently with Verizon.
    – Which company has an option to port my current phone number, and for how much?
    – How often do I have to re-certify for the free phone eligibility? I have Medicaid right now, but am not sure for how long.
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • There’s really not a scientific way to figure out who has the best coverage in your area. The only thing you can do is ask neighbors which company they are with and who has the best signal strength and then enroll with a Lifeline company that uses the cell network of the company that gets the best reviews from those neighbors.

      Yes, you can always keep your current phone number. No charge. Just make sure that when you enroll you tell the customer service agent that “I want to port over my current phone number.” Say it at the beginning of the call, repeat it several times during the call, and at the end of the call confirm that it has been done. (We just have very little confidence in most of the customer service agents, hence the repetition.)

      You need to recertify annually.

      Reply

    • Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone and the call will be answered by your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

    • You’ll need to contact customer service and ask if it can be reactivated. Be prepared, because they may say you’re out of luck.

      Reply

  88. Why isn’t there a way to get a replacement phone when the original phone was stolen and You have No way of Identifying Your Enrollment number or phone number ? from Safelink wireless ?

    Reply

    • If you contact Safelink customer service, they should be able to identify you based on name, address, etc.

      Reply

  89. I had a Safelink phone once but went to Qlink because they offered a Smart phone and now I regret it. I’ve replaced it once and now I’m having issues with the new one after sending it in for repairs and when I got it back nothing changed same issues with a few more I’m ready to throw it against the wall; anyway my question is am I able to get a phone through Safelink again? I’m still on Medicaid and receive SNAP benefits. Please respond back ASAP Thank you
    P.S. you should have all my information from when I applied before and nothing has changed, so if I’m eligible please tell me how to reapply.

    Reply

    • We’re not Safelink, Lora. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact the company directly.

      Reply

  91. i have a phone but it says the service runs out the end of this month january 2018 why does it say that dont mean to bother you but was wondering if i had to do something to activate again thanks sandy noyes

    Reply

    • All free government cell phone customers must re-certify each year. That means they must prove that they are still eligible. Contact your service provider’s customer service team.

      Reply

  92. Thanks to the resources on this sight I researched the available providers in California and decided on SafeLink SIM card due to the generous plan offered with unlimited talk and text and 2GB data/month, they use T-Mobile which works well in my area, availability of GSM phones and the plan upgrades are very competitive with, for example, unlimited data option only $27.60/month more. Received the SIM card ten days after signing up and it works fine so far in a $40 Verizon Moto E4 with $2 SIM unlock code from Ebay.

    Reply

    • Most of the free government cell phone companies say you’ll get your phone in about two weeks. Our readers tell us that if often takes three or four weeks and sometimes even longer.

      Reply

  94. Hello my name is Isadore Fields my phone number is (845)293-****, I am a Safelink customer and have lost my phone here in a snow storm and can’t find it. I need a replacement phone ASAP! My address has changed…please help me! Thank You!

    Reply

    • We are not Safelink, Isadore. This is an independent informational website. You need to contact Safelink customer service using the contact info we provided in the article above.

      Reply

  95. CALLING THIS COMPANY DONT WORK SO I EMAILED THEM IT WORKED…IT JUST TOOK A DAY 2 HER BACK FROM THEM.. THE NUMBER ON THIS WEBSITE THEY GIVE U IS A HOAX IT DONT GIVE U A LIVE PERSON…WELL AT LEAST TO ME IT DIDNT…I COULDNT FIND A NUMBER TO CALL TO TALK TO A HUMAN BEING..WHAT A COMPANY HUH PEOPLE!! JUST LIKE ACCESS WIRELESS THEY TOTALLY SUCK 2!! ACTUALLY THERE WORSE..1866 902 5756 THERE FAX NUMBER.. MYSPOOF@SAFELINKMAIL.COM IM TRYING TO HELP OTHERS SAFELINK HOPE U DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.. ALL I HAVE PEOPLE HOPE IT HELPS…

    Reply

    • Your current phone should work until you need to re-certify after one full year of service. Then you will need to re-enroll in the program with one of the companies that serves your new state. Here’s where you can find out all about the companies and plans available in that state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  97. Is there a way to have minutes automatically added if my elderly father runs out of minutes. I know how to do it online but would be great if it was automatic . That way he doesn’t worry that it is going to shut off. Or is there a way I could check his usage I live in another town and he is useing a flip phone.
    Thanks

    Reply

    • We are unaware of such a plan, but you should definitely contact Safelink customer service to find out. You can contact them by calling 6-1-1 on your father’s free government cell phone.

      Reply

      • Qlink wireless emails you now and then telling you how many minutes you have left and such so it might work in your favor with them if that is an option for you but you would have to set it to your e-mail address I suppose, hope that help a little.

        Reply

        • It’s FREE. The sense of entitlement astounds me when reading these forums. Why don’t you teach them a lesson and have NO phone?

          Reply

          • I totally agree with you Elizabeth. It is a very generous thing that these companies are doing. I came on here to see if I may qualify since I am 100% disabled. If I am then I would be so grateful but I do not feel entitled to receive anything. Many of these posts sound like people feel like they are entitled to everything and that they have every right to get mad when there is an issue with their FREE phone and service. These companies are being more than generous! Data and texting are NOT a necessity!! If your not thankful for what is given to you for free then go pay for a plan elsewhere on your own.

  98. we can proceed no further on your website with enrollment I’d 34814653 because it keeps saying that we cannot complete the enrollment process until I provide ss for me and my daughter Emily. We were given a fax number to send you the copies to complete enrollment but the fax number doesn’t work and I need the phone before Christmas I applied in oct can you help us by giving us a fax number that actually works? thanks Lori Hamilton

    Reply

    • Please be aware, Lori, that the comment above came directly to FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net, NOT to Safelink. To send something to Safelink, please check the article above for the company’s contact info.

      Reply

    • HI..IM DARREN..WOW! IM READING ALL THESE POSTS..UNBELIEVABLE!! U NEED TO FAX THEM OR EMAIL THEM…1 866-902-5756 FAX OR EMAIL MYPROOF@SAFELINKMAIL.COM…THATS ALL I GOT.. I A CUSTOMER SAVE AM U..JUST TRYING TO HELP SUM PEOPLE ON HERE.. WELL ITS EITHER THIS SAFELINK OR ITS ACCESS WIRELESS AND FORGET IT!! VERY BAD!! GOOD LUCK…

      Reply

  100. Hi! I have been researching which has the best coverage in my area (Monroeville/Frisco City, Alabama) And either I just can’t seem to understand the phone companies coverage map or they just aren’t easy to understand (I like to think it’s the latter but deep down know it’s not lol). Is there an easier way to see which ones actually have better coverage in my area? Thanks in advance

    Reply

    • Yes, but it’s far from scientific. Ask your friends and neighbors which company they use and how their reception is.

      Reply

  101. My name is Patricia Shell and I was admitted into the hospital for a few days. I left my phone on the table by my bed and went to the bathroom, when I got back the phone was gone. I need a replacement phone as soon as I an get one. How do I go about getting a replacement? My number is (202) 560-3144. Thank you

    Reply

  103. I live in Washington state and I’ve had the service for 7 months now and its been fine. There are areas where the free phone didn’t get a signal as well as the phone did crash allot. I replaced it with a discounted phone from their site and that phone works allot better. I noticed recently that they offer unlimited texts and 1gb of data which is cool. I always have only used around 1-200mb most months. it used to be that all you had to do was to make one call and now you have to still make one call and leave the phone on for 10 days. Still it works fine and I use it for one bus away allot of times.

    Setup was a little confusing for the new phone (sim card) because you have to talk to machine but if you fail a real person helps you. I used my old phone to call and the helper told me I need to use a another phone since they turn off the service on the old phone/sim when they register the new sim card. I’m a bit of a novice mobile user and have only had my other prepay phone since 2005. I still use that phone but since it only has a few prepay minutes I don’t use it much. I could have used that phone for the service too but at the time I really wanted more data, didn’t want to lose that number and that’s why I kept my other.

    Reply

    • Did you ever receive notification that you were officially enrolled? Have you contacted customer service to find out what happened to your account.

      Reply

  105. hello I had a free phone through you guys and you sent me the chip so I could just put it into my phone but my phone is broke and don’t work now I have no way to use it can you guys just send me a phone to put the chip in so it can work and ill have a phone to use?

    Reply

    • ALICIA…WOW PRETTY NAME!! IM DARREN EITHR TRY FAXING THEM OR EMAILING THEM…I TRIED CALLING BUT, I CANT GET THRU…SO U HAVE 2 B A LITTLE PATIENT..YIP ITS HARD 2 DO..LOL I KNOW..ANYHOW, FAX:866-902-5756 EMAIL: MYPROOF@SAFELINKMAIL.COM…ALL I GOT..IF IT WORK KUL.. GOOD LUCK

      Reply

  106. MY MINUTES DID NOT REPLENISH ON THE 1ST OF NOVEMBER, I EVEN FOLLOWED THE PROMPTS OF ADDING MY AIRTIME AND THE MESSAGE CODE KEPT SAYING SYSTEM IS UNAVAILABLE CAN YOU HELP…?

    Reply

    • We cannot help you because we are an independent informational website, NOT your service provider, Rachelle. You’ll need to contact Safelink’s customer service team by phone or online.

      Reply

    • Most companies say it takes about two weeks, Rosemary, but our readers say it often takes three or four weeks or even longer.

      Reply

  110. I worked as a street agent but my manager and I had a disagreement that we both agreed we cannot work together. I have an employee code that he has been giving out to other street agents to use so business can be generated. I would like to know how and who I can contact so I can inform them that I am no longer connected to the company so no one who could not pass the background check and drug screening can ever use my code. I do not want to be responsible if someone uses my code and commits fraud

    Reply

    • Two things, Allen: (1) This is not Safelink. This is an independent, informational website not affiliated with any free government cell phone company. (2) You actually need to fill out forms and apply in order to get a phone. Very pleasant and polite emails are not enough.

      Reply

    • Since we’re not Safelink, there’s no way for us to know, Ra. But please read our answers to hundreds of similar questions below.

      Reply

    • Google the make and model of your phone and the words “user manual.” When you find the correct user manual, you should be able to switch it to English.

      Reply

  115. Very resourceful website, got a lot of good information about free government cellphones. Appreciate the tidbits and I am excited about exploring the various sources. Thanks, L. Tortorello

    Reply

  116. I need someone from the Cooperate office to contact me about a very serious issue going on with a company that’s been issuing out Safelink phones under false pretenses my contact number is 256-263-**** number email ********@gmail.com

    Reply

    • You can get the corporate phone number by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone, Aerial.

      Reply

  117. Since June 2017, Safelink wireless collected all my details with the pretence to get me the free government phone. This is October running out, I didn’t see any phone. I guess they are a scam. I regret giving out my particulars to them

    Reply

  119. I just moved to Mississippi about a month ago with my friend And i make about $700 a month do you think i can do this?

    Reply

  120. please update this page. i use tracfone’s safelink. they increased monthly minutes from 350 a month to 500 in november 2016. . the minutes do not carry over. they also give 500mb data every month free.

    Reply

    • We assume you are a resident of California, Lilk, because residents of that state are the only ones who get 500 minutes per month. That’s what our article says AND that’s what the Safelink Wireless website says.

      Reply

  121. Yes I just moved down to fla and staying with a friend im disable for a few years now I only get 919.00 monthly do you think I could do this

    Reply

  122. I have been with SafeLink for several years and may be moving. Is this service transferable to Nebraska? If so, how do I go about doing that? I have also noted numerous comments about the phones. I have a standard old LG phone that has no fancy features. I can’t even get emoji’s to come through on texts and I see comments about everyone having Smart phones through this program. This is my second phone since the last one completely died and I never have had anything like a Smart phone. Are there other certifications to go through to get the upgrades or is there an additional cost for this?

    Reply

    • Contact your service provider’s customer service team by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.

      Reply

  124. I re certified by phone, I was deactivated shortly afterwards and they said they had no record of the call. I filled out the info on the re certify application, sent it in. Again they said I didn’t qualify, they needed some papers that I sent in and all I get is a run around, often from someone I can’t understand. It has been very frustrating for more then a month, nearly two months now, after spending hours and hours on the phone.

    Reply

  125. I am interested in receiving a government issued cell phone. I am currently on Medicaid and unemployed due to medical problems

    Reply

    • Visit the Safelink website and look for the “Check Your Status” function. That will allow you to find out exactly where you are in its system.

      Reply

  127. I recently lost my phone and just now able to find the website I’ve tried calling and don’t know where to go from there what’s the customer service number

    Reply

    • Here’s a list of all service providers, Crystal. Scroll down until you find your provider, click on it, and you’ll be taken to a page that includes the contact info you need.

      Reply

  128. i have truconnect now. i wish i had known this before: Don’t enroll at a street tent: Check around before you choose a free government cell phone company

    Reply

    • Over and over and over again we urge our readers NOT to enroll at a street event. Sorry to hear about your problems, Nub, but thanks for reinforcing that idea.

      Reply

  130. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE SAFELINK. They sure are not safe in any means. I have qualified since 07/17/17 and was going to use my own phone since it was newer android smartphone. They sent me the sim card needed which did not work. I call thjem and spend 3 hours on the phone for them to tell me that I needed a Verizon compatible sim card, So with this, I purchase 2 sim cards which dont work either. So I call again and spend nearly another 2 hours to find out that I was suppose to get a T-Mobile sim card, so I wait again to get it to find it doesnt work either and is the same sim card as the original one. So I call again for them to tell me that it is my phone and need to buy a new phone. Ok wait a minute, wasnt this suppose to be FREE???? So now since I was going to use my own phone, I now have to cancel their horrible unused service (since I dont have a working phone) and have to wait 60-90 days to apply somewhere else.
    Wow what a rinky dink company that is suppose to be a bigger one to use??? I dont know what to do since I cant a english speaking customer service rep or supervisor that knows what they are doing.

    Reply

    • This is not Safelink, Delma. This is an independent informational website. You need to speak to Safelink customer service or check its website’s “Check Your Status” function.

      Reply

  133. try to avoid them , all the customer service calls go straight to INDIA and I can never understand them due to how fast they talk, I have nothing against people from india, but they are VERY HARD to deal with on the phone , it is just a different culture and they talk a mile a minute

    Todd
    ohio st univ

    Reply

    • We can’t cancel it because we’re not your service provider, Linda. Contact Safelink customer service directly.

      Reply

  135. I just received a recertification form from Safelink Wireless.

    Both SNAP and Medicaid are scratched out with a line through them so I guess may no longer be qualifications for lifeline benefits.

    I called Safelink and they said it’s not yet in their system so I continue to qualify but they don’t know for how long.

    Wow! cutbacks are a reality.

    Reply

  136. I enrolled at a street tent yesterday. I received no information as to who to call for information, etc., etc. The phone has been registered but I have NEVER used it. How do I go about cancelling my service? Do I have an account??

    Reply

    • Does the phone work? If so, you can call 6-1-1 to cancel your service. If it hasn’t been used, put it in airplane mode or turn it off and don’t use it for the next 30 days. Your account should then be terminated automatically.

      Reply

  138. Have had Lifeline land line via AT&T for couple years, pay about $4.30 month for very restricted calling plan. My apartment building has security system using only landline phones, which is why I got this setup, to let delivery people get access for deliveries.

    Can I get a new smart phone and your plan, or would I have to cancel my existing Lifeline landline? I live in Federal subsidized housing and get food stamps. Thanks for your help!

    Reply

    • Yes, you would be required to cancel your Lifeline landline. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household.

      Reply

  139. How do I go about receiving a free sim card as stated under All states other than California for the BYOP Plan?
    Thank you for your time.

    Reply

      • I did but was told to go to a retailer and purchase a sim card. I am curious as to why it states free sim card.

        Thanks again.

        Reply

        • Not a clue, Scott. That is very odd. Please call them back and ask them to explain the discrepancy between what they advertise and what they told you, and please report back. We’d love to hear the explanation.

          Reply

        • never mind ended up purchasing at local retailer and now up and running. Thank you for your time and help. 🙂

          Reply

  140. Life Wireless has IPASS with VPN. What is VPN? Does it have something to do with speed and do all providers have it or is this something special that Life Wireless has? (I am trying to avoid giving effusive praise but it’s tough.) Thank you again.

    Reply

    • We didn’t know what a VPN is because it doesn’t really have anything to do with the Lifeline free government cell phone plan. Here’s what we found:

      “A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks, like WiFi Hotspots and the Internet. VPNs are most often used by corporations to protect sensitive data.”

      We could ask our tech guru what that all means, but it’s really beyond the scope of our mission statement here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net.

      Reply

      • So would your response be similar regarding IPASS (as stated previously)?
        Also, does your tech guru take/answer any inquiries? Or can you direct me to someone or a similar resource?

        Once again, thank you very much for looking into VPN for me

        Reply

        • Tech guru will barely answer our questions. He says he’s busy doing tech things that we wouldn’t understand. He’s probably right.

          Reply

  141. Need to get a replacement phone from safelink just need to talk to someone the # on their site has nothing for a replacement and no one live person to talk to is there some other way we can get a replacement

    Reply

  142. Tell me if I’m off about this: Would a newer company/provider to the ‘game’ be more likely to offer more than the older established ones in order to drum up business? And could that be trusted or would I need to be hesitant and suspicious? What would the drawbacks be? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Interesting theory, Stuart, but we don’t see any correlation between more minutes/texts and how long a company has been in the Lifeline business.

      Reply

      • Tell me if I’m off about this: Would a newer company/provider to the ‘game’ be more likely to offer more than the older established ones in order to drum up business? And could that be trusted or would I need to be hesitant and suspicious? What would the drawbacks be? Thank you.

        First of all, thank you very much for responding. What I’m saying is that if the older more established providers are offering free unlimited minutes, free unlimited text and 500 MB, maybe a newer provider might offer unlimited data in order to compete, no?

        Reply

        • Nope. No one is offering unlimited data. Not the older, more established companies nor the newer companies. It’s especially true these days, because a number of older Lifeline companies have gone out of business. That leaves plenty of customers for the remaining companies and very little reason to innovate or offer more.

          Reply

  143. I want to thank you for going through the trouble and doing all of this work. Previously I was frustrated that all of the info I was reading was really too general for waht I was looking for. So far this looks like what I was looking for; I’ll read on to see if it is. Again, thank you very much.

    Stuart Hassel

    Reply

        • And while we’re on a roll here, would you mind if I asked a couple of other things?

          What about the ‘G’ business (Internet? Broadband?) Is it assumed that all of these deals are going to be 3G? (I guess 4G would be assuming too much?)

          Tag Mobile offers unlimited 2G/3G data. What kind of deal is that? Would I be better off getting 500 MB 3G data?

          And finally, at least for now, Life Wireless mentions VPN (IPASS). It seems this is good to have but that quality varies. Do all of the other providers have VPN? (I assume IPASS is exclusive to Life Wireless?) Would you mind explaining this to me? (There’s so much to consider, isn’t there?)

          Once again, thank you very much!!!

          Reply

          • The plans that offer “unlimited” data generally offer a little bit of high-speed data, but after that limit is reached, all further data is “throttled,” making it too slow to be really effective for a lot of things people want unlimited data for (such as gaming or downloading films from Netflix). So although they are correct when they say they offer “unlimited” data, much of it is not high-speed.

    • Finally, a touch of gratitude! I was also pleased to find this site as it has a wealth of relevant info. The complaints/rudeness demonstrated by recipients is staggering and disheartening. I get that people are frustrated (I am too) but is really unfair. Equally thrown by every other comment being a request for account specific questions. The staff on this site calmly reiterate “We are not a provider, we’re an information site”. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It seems no one takes a second to READ the plethora of guidance provided. Oh well… had to vent and agree with this comment on the great service you provide. Thanks!

      Reply

  144. The thing is the person I want to apply for does not have a job, so there is no pay stub, and she also does not have any income, so there is no tax return file. I want to know what other documents I should upload to support.

    Reply

    • Does this person participate in any government assistance programs? If so, that paperwork should suffice.

      Reply

        • We give up. Contact customer service at any of the free government cell phone companies offering service in your state and customer service should be able to help you out.

          Reply

  145. If I want to get a safelink wireless sim card through low-income way, what documents do I need to provide for the income?

    Reply

          • No, our prior answer was poorly worded. You still need to prove that you have no income with a tax return, a pay stub, proof that you participate in one of the government programs, etc.

  147. I am a lifeline safelink customer living in California. I have 500 MB
    of data, I want to buy more data and I checked your website. It said I can buy more data ( something like 1000+500=1500) for $10.00 per 30 days. I don’t have credit card, I want to pay cash, where can I pay.
    My zip code CA 91733.
    Thank for your help.
    Dan Pham

    Reply

    • That’s a question only your service provider can answer, Dan. Call 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone to reach customer service.

      Reply

  150. My sister is currently with Safelink. The phone is too complicated for her to use. Can she get a flip phone in lieu of this smart phone. Her phone number is 850 319-****. Her name is Mary ******.

    Reply

    • Possibly. You’ll need to discuss it with Safelink customer service. You can contact them by calling 6-1-1 on her free government cell phone.

      Reply

  151. I have been on the phone for two hours trying to find out why my phone has been deactivated . Of course I’m beyond frustrated here and having to repeat my info three or four times . And on top of that the rep whom only gives out first name ( last name not allowed to give ) cursed at me . I requested to speak to a supervisor and was transferred and complained about the rep whom cursed at me and his words were ( only a first name basis given to me ) ( their last name is not allowed to give out ) you here what you want to here and he could not do anything about it . This is where I became furious . What kind of staff do they employ there . ?

    Reply

  152. My gov phone was stolen couple months ago and I don’t no my enrollment I’d or number I have memory loss from having seizures . Would u Please help u can reach me at 515-421-**** this is the best way to contact me or email me at ********@gmail.com thanks for u time Robert Young

    Reply

    • FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is an independent informational website, Robert. We are NOT affiliated with Safelink nor any other Lifeline Assistance company. You need to contact your service provider’s customer service team directly.

      Reply

  153. I just got a message from safelink saying I could now use my phone for the internet without using any minutes but I don’t know how to do that. It said go to home and click on WEB but I can’t find that.

    Reply

    • Do a Google search for your make and model of phone and the words “user manual,” Rita. You’ll quickly find the user manual and you can look up exactly the info you need.

      Reply

  154. You give me a list of providers then you list them (some) of not that good or going under. It worries me sometime down the road the provider goes belly up-then what. I realize you can’t say, but who would be the best provider?

    Reply

    • There is just no way to answer that question because there are so many variables, Hector.

      Reply

  155. Why is it I have dealt with your Agents for almost a month & keep getting told different thing’s to do & application never gets accepted? & to have the last agent so RUDELY > Disconnect from our conversation when telling her I wanted to try financial way as so far nothing else your agents have told me works!!!!

    Reply

    • “Our” agents haven’t told you anything, Claude, because we are an independent informational website, not a free government cell phone company.

      Reply

      • With all due respect if your not safe link then your correct you did not say anything!

        But safe link “Their” lying through teeth as each time I have contacted “Safe Link”/ the agent on phone or the agent on web site has instructed me to do certain action Like sending incorrect documents in & to come to find out through a manager @ safe link none of them knew what they were talking about// & I quote “” as cannot get the service with SSDI”” using as your income .
        If they knew what they were talking about it would of been 2 application’s & not 3 going on 4! w/ screw-up from assurance their sister Co.
        It should of only been one App.

        Now why can’t one get help with a free cell phone being on SSDI? It don’t make sense ! not just for me but for a lot of other’s on fixed income who cannot work like on SSI Who can!! & still collect !

        Reply

        • Unfortunately, we don’t make the rules, Claude. If we did, you’d be able to get a free government cell phone.

          Reply

  156. I lost my safe link cell phone yesterday. The cell phone number is 941-275-****. I need a replacement phone. I have a medicaid card. I am using a computer which belongs to a friend.

    Reply

  157. Are Safelink wireless Currently offering free government cell phpnes to those who Qualify ?

    If so…they are sending out Android cel phones ?
    The service comes with 350 anytime voice minutes.. Plus unlimited tects..plus 500 mb of data monthly (1000 mb data a month for the first 3 months if the qualifing client obtains their own unlocked gsm cel phone ) ??

    Thanks in advance

    Reply

  159. I put in my zip code to apply for safelink, but its not offered in my area? I live in California. How do I find a company easily without going thru site after site?

    Reply

  161. I have a Safelink account.
    I lost my phone and applied for a new phone. No problem. My new phone showed up at my door about two weeks later, but they sent me TWO PHONES. One phone has service, the other does not. Am I missing something? I tried calling Safelink, but they don’t seem to have any options for this.
    Should I just harvest it for parts, or should I try to get it back to them?

    Reply

    • Under normal circumstances, we’d tell you to return the phone, but we worry that if you return one phone they may misinterpret it and think you want to cancel your service. If we were you, we would call customer service to discuss with a supervisor. If you still can’t get any information, we’d recommend that you just hold on to the extra phone in case they ever contact you to return it. We doubt that they will, but you’d be wise to prepare for that eventuality. What a strange situation.

      Reply

  162. If you kindly give me a phone so I can to use a phone.Because I do not job no income.
    I have a dream that I will be use a smart phone.
    This is dream no real.
    and than as you wish.

    Reply

    • Sorry, Bali, but we are not Safelink. We’re an independent, informational website. You need to contact Safelink directly using the contact info we provide on this page. Good luck.

      Reply

  163. I recently received a phone and I’m very happy with it, however, when a call is made the previous owner of the number shows up on caller I.D., therefore, no one I knew was answering the calls. I spoke with someone at Safelink yesterday and after trying to explain my situation and he advised I just keep the previous owners name. I asked he could give me a different number and he finally did, but now it only shows my city and state, not my name. He said the phone service I am using doesn’t allow my name to appear in the caller I.D. I asked him how the previous owner of the numbers name was allowed and he said it was probably a large corporation, and I informed him it was a hair braiding salon. He said there was nothing more he could do. Is there a way that my name can be listed on my caller I.D. He said to also inform everyone I call that my name won’t show up when I call them…just the city and state.

    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Did they really tell you that, Jane. What a crazy answer. How about if you Google the make and model of your phone and the words “user manual.” Once you find your user manual, you should be able to find the information you need.

      Reply

    • Yes, you can, Gretel. However, you need to make sure you tell the customer service, “I want to port over my current phone number.” Make sure they note that you’ve said those words to assure that you keep the number you want.

      Reply

  165. Safelink is the worst company to deal with. I submitted my documentation for re-certification 2 weeks before the end date (4/1/2017). However, it still states “waiting for approval”. So, my phone has no service at this point. I called on the weekend (borrow my friend’s phone) and worked with an agent for (approx.) one hour and 45 minutes without any result. She suggested me to call during the week. I called during the week and the 1st agent transferred me to the 2nd one. The 2nd agent transferred me to the 3rd one. The 3rd agent transferred me to the 4th one. The 4th one was supposed to transfer me to the 5th agent but the 5th agent did not come on the line. I waited for about an hour but the 5th agent had never shown up. If you want to deal with this kind of frustration, then go ahead get your phone from this company. I am going with a different company. There are about ten companies that provide this kind of services.

    Reply

  166. I just received a vortex phone from a Safelink vendor, but it says that there was no way that I could use wifi and I am having a hard time trying to find out my phone number on my phone. What do I need to do?

    Reply

    • Contact Safelink customer service by calling 6-1-1 on your free government cell phone.

      Reply

  167. I lost my safelink phone. here the number 1-573-202-**** and I saw that there a free government smart phone and I apply for it and I don’t know it the same as safelink phone I had. so please let me know if it is the same provider or not

    Reply

    • It’s impossible for us to know if Safelink is your provider, Paula. But if you contact Safelink customer service they will be able to tell you.

      Reply

  169. I have a safelink phone,,,but was told I need to get new provider. have minutes but phone is turned off. how do I get new provider and why do I need to in the first place.

    Reply

    • I really need a cell phone because I’m a fairly new widow, am handicapped and a senior citizen. I have one now but am going to have to drop it because I can’t afford it any longer. I live off my social security check which is only $950.00. I’m barely getting by.
      Please, please help me!
      denise lackey

      Reply

      • Happy to help, Denise. It sounds as if you qualify for a free government cell phone, so here’s where you find a list of all the companies offering plans in your state:

        https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

        Click on your state to get the list. Then check every company on the list in order to find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone, etc). Then use the contact info we provide on that service provider’s page to reach the company’s customer service team.

        Reply

  171. Can we sign up for your connection service but purchase our own phone? Costco is selling Apple i7 with rebate which makes is free right now; just have to pay taxes. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell networks, Leota. Contact Safelink customer service before you buy another phone to confirm that it will work with the Safelink cell network.

      Reply

  172. My Elderly mother who is part of SafeLink purchased​ a smartphone, can she also access free Wi-Fi with the smart phone such as a library? Thank you very much for your help

    Reply

    • She should be able to access the internet in tens of thousands of places with public wifi, Becky.

      Reply

  173. Hi,
    My name is Gina Skarphol. I have been looking for my safelink cell. I can’t find it. That’s the reason. I don’t know my safelink number. I can’t make a call coz it was misplace and deactivate. I was calling 611 but only machine no customer service. I need help. Pls text me. Thank you. Gina

    Reply

  174. have a govt issued trac phone 570 710 **** it expired jan 31 2017 ,i wanted to add airtime bit it asks for a promo code and a pin number ,I have no idea what the pin number would be nor do i have a proo code, how do i add minutes to this phone ?

    Reply

  175. …first off I would like to give a huge compliment to the individuals who reply to these comments ….your patience is astounding….i found your website to bee very informative and easy to navigate…thank u

    Reply

    • Could you please call our wives to tell them how patient we are, Shannon? Be prepared for a lengthy argument.

      Reply

  176. I am on medicare and medicaid and would like to have a free cell phone. I don’t think it is as easy and 1-2-3 to order a phone We have one cell phone we pay for and my husband takes it with him when he is out of the house. When I am left home alone I really feel I could use another cell in case I fall again. Then I could call for help. Please help me

    Reply

    • It really is pretty simple, Joanne. First of all, you qualify for a free government cell phone because you are on Medicaid. Now all you need to do is select a service provider. Here’s where you can find a complete list of all the companies and plans in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Check each of them out carefully to find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, best smartphone, etc). Then all you need to do is enroll (it’s a pretty simple process) using the contact information we provide on each service provider’s page.

      Reply

  177. Everytime I try to apply it says already account active. Now a while back I applied and was approved. BT I never received a phone I always receive emails saying it’s has been shipped but nothing ever comes. So what’s going on

    Reply

    • We have no way of knowing the specifics of your account because we’re not Safelink, Laura. You need to contact the company’s customer service team by phone or online as soon as possible. Ask to speak to a supervisor.

      Reply

  178. I want to use a smartphone instead of the basic free phone Safelink sent me. So I am trying to bring my own phone to Safelink. Nothing but headaches. I have a Verizon Moto G that I previously used on PagePlus. While on the Safelink site I click upgrade phone and I get taken to the Tracfone site. I click activate. I click the Verizon compatible phone box. I then enter the MEID. It then says “Invalid ESN Number”. I asked Safelink CS and they tell me “your MEID is good you just need to activate your phone”. I told him about the invalid ESN and he says “that’s because you’re phone is already registered. Just activate it now please”. HUH? Is there something I am missing here or does this make no sense at all? Just how do I activate it when it keeps saying Invalid ESN Number and does not let me move forward from that point? Any Safelink members having the same problem? It is a CDMA phone and far as I know that means I do not need to order a SIM activation kit, correct?

    Reply

    • We try not to give technical advice, HM, because we don’t want to lead you astray. Unfortunately, you need to contact tech support to get your question answered accurately. Have you tried calling them at 1-800-378-1684?

      Reply

    • Contacted CS again and fortunately this guy was more knowledgeable. It took almost 8 hours for the switch to complete but it is a success. Now the only problem is my plan has 500 Data 500 Min 500 Text. I thought I was supposed to have unlimited texts?

      Reply

      • We don’t know where you live, HM, but unlimited plans are only available in California and Oklahoma.

        Reply

        • Thanks for clearing that up. I live in Tennessee and thought that I had read somewhere that I was supposed to get 500 MB data, 350 minutes talk, and unlimited texts.

          Reply

          • This is more information than you asked for, HM, but the reason residents of Oklahoma and California get unlimited minutes is because the Lifeline companies are paid much more per customer than in other states.

  180. Hello, I received a letter that Safelink in Oregon will end as of April 1, If I move to Vancouver WA, will I continue having free cellphone service? Is the service ending only in Oregon?

    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Your phone will probably continue to be active and work, Vasilily. However, you’ll eventually need to re-enroll with the same company or a different one when it’s time for you to re-certify after one full year.

      Reply

  181. I was a safelink participant when I was in Florida. When I moved to Michigan, my phone no longer worked. Did I do something wrong?

    Reply

    • Safelink offers service in both states, but you may be in an area that doesn’t get a Safelink signal. Or it could be a thousand other things that we could never guess. We’d suggest that you contact Safelink’s customer service team to track down the real problem.

      Reply

  182. Do you have flip phones!? I’m to old to use a smartphone. I get 560 a mouth in SIS. I’m sure I would quaflie. I’m 71 yrs.old.

    Reply

    • We don’t have any phones, Roy. Because we’re not a Lifeline free government cell phone service provider. We’re an independent website. You need to contact one of the companies in your state. Here’s where you can find all those companies, their plans, and their contact info:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  183. I purchased a Samsung S7 Edge unlocked for USA in late November 2016 (G935U) and was pleasantly surprised to see Safelink finally allows unlocked Android phones. I signed up online, chose the Bring Your Own Device option and quickly went through the six steps in about one minute and within a week had the SIM delivered. I followed the instructions and was up and running in around five minutes. Everything works. No added software dialers. Works just like any other big service provider on your phone. I think my service is T-Mobile here in New Jersey.

    Reply

    • That’s good to hear, New. We hope all our Safelink readers find it as simple as you did.

      Reply

  184. I have had the most excellent service with SafeLink for the past 18 months in Arizona, but the unlimited texts on the little free Alcatel phone were all but useless. Press the A key THREE TIMES to get a C? Rite. So a week ago I bought a used AT&T Android off eBay and began the BYOP switchover process. I ordered the AT&T SIM because my Droid was still LOCKED to AT&T. I worried about that, but it turned to be NO PROLLEM! My SafeLink plan was changed from the Alcatel’s T-Mobile to the Droid’s AT&T, perhaps by chance, or perhaps by the excellent TracFone staff knowing the situation??? The SIM would only be free for NEW members, but the $1 plus $6 shipping via Fedex was fine, as long as things worked… It got here in 4 days and I slapped it in and tried to follow the steps online to get it switched. I was a computer engineer for 29 years, and these steps were from TracFone, but they simply wound up in a loop. So I called TracFone support, identifying myself as an ecstatic SafeLink member. WOW, they answered two different calls right away on a weekday afternoon and bingo bango bongo, I had voice on my Droid in about 2 hours after my old Alcatel went down (in 2-3 minutes). Texts started working the next morning. I was able to get Data and MMS working myself with the texted instructions to set up an APN, pretty simple. My former minutes/texts/data were carried over as if I had bought them (although they were free), and my new monthly 350/unlim/500MB plan will ADD (without rollover) to those each month. I am happy as a clam with SafeLink, and I would do the BYOP again any time. Using UNLIMITED TEXT and MMS per month is so sweet I can taste it, since texting is 95% of my communications. Having 500MB of data per month is great for being out of the house. I’m staying with the oldest and biggest house: SafeLink.

    Reply

    • You are my hero! Having had a very rough few years, including the loss of my job while caring for my terminally ill mom. =( The storm of adversity being relentless has made going back to work quite tough. Anyway, I’ve been without a cell phone for 4+ months and recently learned I’d qualify for this program. I’m a bit behind on such things as never needed them before. I’ve scoured online for hours trying to find the right company, but hearing from a fellow Arizonan was exactly what I needed to take the plunge! Also, it seems being able to get support locally or add minutes/data would be a huge bonus. Have you had any issues with reception? I’m in north Phoenix, so am not in the boonies or anything. Now, just praying my Verizon Galaxy 7 edge will work with them! I’m not exactly customer of the year with them, so am cautiously optimistic it won’t be locked. Anyway, THANKS for posting!

      Reply

  185. I am hoping you can shed some light on Q-Link. I’ve had their service (and original, cheap flip phone) since 2014. I have tried to contact them numerous times and no one ever answers the phone. When i email with problems I get a canned response that doesn’t help. Do they actually have living people working for them? I have tried to switch to another service but can’t since I’m already listed in the database. I’m sure if I told Q-Link I want to drop their service it wouldn’t make any difference, or they would shut it off before I get a new one. This is the only phone I have, what can I do?

    Thanks,
    Beth

    Reply

    • We don’t know what else to tell you, Elizabeth. Maybe some of our readers can give you better advice. Readers?

      Reply

  186. I have helped my friend apply for safe Link free phone over a year ago. They sent him envelope and a form to fill. We filled it out and sent all the docs, but until now he has never get either a phone nor any correspondence from them. We called and called until we got tired. We sometimes think that they might have stolen his identity because they requested we send them copy of I.D and of social security card.

    Help please!

    Reply

    • How about if you contact one of the other free government cell phone companies in your state. Explain the situation and ask if your name shows up on the NLAD (National Lifeline Assistance Database). If it does, then you need to contact Safelink to discuss the fact that you never received a phone. If it doesn’t, you are free, that means you do not have a Safelink account and are free to enroll with someone else. Here’s where you can find that list of companies and plans in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

      • I’m having the same problem with SafeLink for CA, I called Assurance Wireless, and was told I needed to contact the national lifeline. Number is 888-641-8722.

        Reply

    • Póngase en contacto con el equipo de servicio al cliente de su proveedor de servicios. Podrán cancelar su cuenta.

      Reply

  189. Safelink is having problems with text messaging on smartphones not working properly. Not sure if it’s because of the new unlimited texting or what. But I’ve been trying to resolve this for two weeks now. I think they’re finally aware of the issue, I hope. Their customer service is awful. Makes you pull your hair out!.

    Reply

  190. I have a LG Tracphone that I pay $23 every three months to keep active. I am wanting to switch over to the Safelink free phone. Will I be able keep my same phone # if I make the switch? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Yes, you can keep the same number. Just make sure you tell the service rep that you want to “port over my current phone number” in your initial call.

      Reply

  193. IF YOU ARE SAYING YOU CANT GET FREE PHONE, THATS INCORRECT. IVE HAD ONE FOR 8 YRS. IM DIDABLED AND ON MEDICARE OR SSDI OR SSI, FOOD STAMPS. IF YOU HAVE ONE OR MORE YOU QUALIFY. CALLING IS HORRIBLE, I SUGGEST GETTING AN APPLICATION OR DO IT ON BROWSER. READY SAFELINK.COM. ITS A B I T H!!! YOU MUST USE MODERN BROWSERS OR IT DOESNT WORK, TOM S.

    Reply

  196. Too bad they don’t offer it for those of us on Disability. I have low vision as well. I don’t get Medicaid, but I do get Medicare.

    Reply

    • Most companies say it will take two or three weeks for delivery, but many of our readers say it takes four weeks or een longer. The record is held by a reader who told us it took six months. But you can go to the Safelink website, click on “Account” and then click on “Check Enrollment Status” and that should give you the information you’re looking for.

      Reply

  198. When I got out of prison in August of 2016 I applied for food stamps and got food stamps then went with Q Link and tried to get a free government phone they gave me the run around. They kept asking for verification which I sent of my SNAP benefits which I provided on three separate occasions their final answer was it was going to take 60 to 90 days for them to process my application I never heard back from them. I am currently homeless unemployed I get map which is the medical assistant program I only qualified for 3 months of food stamps so I go to food pantries to get food. If I had a phone maybe I could get a job so I could get a job that I could get an actual place to live.
    I don’t know what if anything can be done to help me out but any assistance or information that you can provide me with would be much appreciated thank you

    Reply

    • It’s outrageous that you should have gone that long without an answer. We’re going to guess that the problem revolves around the fact that you’re homeless and you must have a permanent address to qualify. Yeah, it’s a huge flaw in the Lifeline system because homeless people probably need a phone more than anyone else.

      If you live in a homeless shelter, you can work around the permanent address issue. Here’s an article that explains how:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/qualify-in-group-home-shelter

      Keep in mind that there are lots of other Lifeline free government cell phone companies and one of the others might offer you an even better plan than the one you applied for. You can find all those companies in your state at this link:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  199. I’m trying to apply for this to help me. I do get other assistance such as SNAP and TANF for my daughters and myself but am having a bit of a hard time with having to pay for a phone as well. Trying to apply for this but getting nothing but a run around its very frustrating.

    Reply

    • What kind of runaround are you getting, MPerez? If you’re having trouble enrolling with Safelink, there are lots of other service providers you can try. Here’s where you can find all the service providers in your state. Make sure you check them all out carefully, so you find the plan that fits your needs best (most minutes, most texts, most data, etc).

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  200. How do you report someone that is getting a phone but does not get any of the assistance.this is not right for people to get a cell phone and don’t get assistance that is fraud isn’t it

    Reply

  202. Sent phone that does not get cellular data in this area. Called and was told nothing can be done, asked what to do with phone and no one had answer.

    Reply

    • Call in again and ask for a supervisor, Guy. The rep you spoke to gave you an unacceptable answer.

      Reply

  203. For 9 MONTHS I have been trying to re-enroll in the Safelink program, but these ass-wipes are total clueless. I have sent all the info they have wanted 6 TIMES and they claim they have not received it, even tho the last one was signed for.

    This company needs re-evaluated….

    Reply

    • Sorry, Peter, but we are not Safelink so we cannot upgrade your phone. You need to contact the company online or by phone.

      Reply

  205. Can anybody tell me if minutes come off of my phone automatically even if I don’t use the phone? It seems the phone loses minutes when I am not even using it.

    Reply

    • Unless there’s something defective with your phone, minutes should not come off when the phone has not been used.

      Reply

  206. Not that it would make a difference to most but, Who Is SAFELINK anyways. If you want a Made In The USA point of reference then.

    Safelink aka Tracfone, Parent Company is América Móvil.

    Safelink Wireless service is provided by Tracfone Wireless, Inc.
    Tracfone is a subsidiary of Mexico’s largest telecommunications company América Móvil.

    If and only if there are any profits being a Lifeline Provider then where do the profits end up? Good question Steve but, leave it up for a Lifeline subscriber of Safelink to question it themselves…
    Steve

    Reply

  207. how do I get a smart phone from safelink. I’ve already got a very small piece of crap phone I cant hardlytext on. I don’t have the money to buy a compatible phone

    Reply

  208. I,m a bit confused. I just signed up for my phone and there was a page for phone upgrades, but I thought everyone gets a smartphone after December 1, 2016?

    Reply

    • Just because you get a smartphone doesn’t mean there are better, newer, more fully-featured smartphones available.

      Reply

  209. I tried to enroll online and my address was rejected as being invalid. I’ve been living her for 15 years and get mail delivered here daily. What’s up????

    Reply

    • It’s impossible for us to tell you exactly “what’s up,” M Jewett, but if we had to guess we’d say that someone else has used your address to enroll for a free government cell phone. There are several other possible answers, but that would be our guess. Contact Safelink again and ask them to explain why you were rejected.

      Reply

  210. Our granddaugther has Safelink phone but wants a smartphone cause the phone that she has is just to hard to send texts from!! We have a Samsung S3 from AT&T that she would like to have but we don’t know if it can be used with Safelink

    Reply

    • You’ll need to contact Safelink’s customer service or tech support team to get an accurate answer to that question, Jose. Not all cell phones are compatible with all cell phone networks.

      Reply

    • Ahhhh, lovely Corona, California, the heart of the Inland Empire. We know it well.
      We strongly recommend that you do NOT enroll for a free government cell phone at a street tent or booth, Edward. There have been too many cases of fraud and abuse coming from these places. Instead, we urge you to enroll by phone or online. Much safer that way.

      Reply

    • Yes, it is, Sandy. They need your social security number and birthday to identify you and make sure you are who you say you are. And they need your address to make sure no one else at that address already participates in the program. The Federal Communications Commission requires them to do these things to curb fraud and abuse.

      Reply

    • We’re not Safelink, Bruce. We’re an independent website. You’ll need to contact that company’s customer support or tech support team to solve your problem.

      Reply

    • Yes, you get to keep the same phone number when you upgrade. You can even keep the same phone number when you switch service providers IF you say, “I want to port over my current phone number.”

      Reply

  215. i applied online but had trouble sending financial info. Please email me *******@gmail.com with so that I can e-mail versus texting.

    Thank you

    Reply

    • We’re not your service provider, Debra. We’re a website with no affiliation to the free government cell phone companies. Try getting a hold of Safelink’s customer service team.

      Reply

    • It was always possible to upgrade your Safelink phone, Josh. But it’s no wonder you missed it, because Safelink has a terrible website.

      Reply

  218. Hello, as a struggling single mother on SSDI and food stamps, I am thrilled to find this program!! Am I able to use the old iPhone I already own, or will I have to use a phone they issue out? Thanks for your time!

    Reply

    • Maybe, maybe not. Not all phones are compatible with all cell networks, Katie. You’ll need to contact customer service or tech support to determine if your current phone will work. Of course, there are a number of companies offering the Lifeline program in every state, so you have choices. You can always call several companies until you find one that is compatible with your phone. Here’s where you can find all the companies in your state:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states

      Reply

  219. I had a safe link but my eyes are bad so now I need one I can see. that and mine got shut down so I got assurance phone that im having shut of fits to confusing.

    Reply

    • There is a National Lifeline Assistance Database that’s supposed to list everyone who receives the service. If you are rejected for service, you may be able to get the service provider to tell you if someone is using your name and social security number at a different address.

      Reply

  221. I qualified for the service and showed my SSDI and Disabled Veterans benefits form. After 2 weeks and no phone I found the agent and they need proof of my birth date. The ONLY form I have is a county probation ID and was told unacceptable. Really? I showed proof of my disabilities and a county govt. ID with DOB. Serial # 3100**** may help you. Could someone help me out with a phone?

    Reply

    • Do you know what forms Safelink will accept as proof of your date of birth? Does it need to be a birth certificate or will other forms of ID work — such as drivers license or veteran’s documents?

      Reply

    • No, Janice, we did NOT receive your application. There’s a simple reason for that — we’re not your service provider. We’re an independent website. You need to contact Safelink customer service to find out the status of your application. Good luck.

      Reply

  224. Hi,

    What’s the deal with Budget Mobile? I went to use my phone and it was deactivated even tho I used it within the required number days. I tried to login to my account and got this message.

    “Sorry, there was an Problem retrieving your full account detail. We apologize for the inconvenience. If the problem persists, please Contact Us.

    Problem Details
    YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO SAFELINK.”

    This happened with NO communication and no warning. Thank god I am not having an emergency. This is very shoddy treatment and is quite humiliating!

    Reply

    • We’re getting lots of reader comments indicating that something is going on with Budget. This should be big news, but so far there is no definitive answer.

      Reply

  226. Hi. I’m a mother who’s trying to find my daughter. I opened up a line with an government phone for her recently.
    She left out of town to work for a few days and said she will be back. My daughter never misses a day without letting me know she’s ok. But I received a call from her number and heard some strange noises on her end. And since then I havent heard from her. I’m very concerned. Is there any way I can get help to find my daughter’s location through the phone?

    Reply

    • Maria, we’re really sorry to hear about your missing daughter. There’s nothing we can do to help you, and most likely Safelink will not be able to either. Best of luck to you.

      Reply

  227. I thought I was going to receive a headset with my tracphone but I didn’t. Where can I buy one that works for the tracphone I was send yesterday October 4, 2016 if that means a different model for those in the know. Bless!

    Reply

  229. I have a safelink phone for my oldest son but can my other 2 boys get a phone they are at the age where I need to he able to get a hold of them. I get foodstamps, LEAP, state insurance, my kids get free breakfast and lunch at school. Any feedback would be great thank you for your time.

    Reply

    • Unfortunately, Dorothy, they cannot. The rules of the Lifeline program say you can only have one phone per household.

      Reply

  231. mi mama recive food stamps and medicare y llamamos hace meses para q ella recibiera el cellular de gobierno gratis y hasta hoy no ha recibido nada q se puede hacer al respecto porque ella es senior y necesita uno.

    Reply

  232. I don’t understand how to sign up for this. Your website is confusing. I need to get this phone for my mother who is on social security and Medicaid. I can’t even tell what type of phone is available. I cannot call from work so I was hoping to sign her up online. Where is the link? I have already compared plans and looked at the others. This is the one I want

    Reply

    • You have stumbled upon one of the great mysteries of the Lifeline Assistance program, Karen. Each company stocks numerous brands and models of phones and they hand them out randomly. So you never know which phone you’ll get. We’ve provided links to each company (phone AND website) on the page dedicated to that company. Like on this page, for example, down toward the bottom of the article.

      Reply

  233. I live in santa clara California. I just recieved a safelink phone. How many min and text messages and data do i get free per month?

    Reply

    • We have no way of knowing what plan you enrolled in, Dashiki. You’ll need to contact Safelink customer service to get your question answered.

      Reply

    • We’re not your service provider, Sandra. We’re an indepedent website. You’ll need to contact your service provider to get your missing minutes.

      Reply

  238. what location near the 40219 in louisville ky can i locate a tent vendor friday 8-19-16? thank you for the response.

    Reply

    • It’s almost impossible to tell you where and when street tents or booths will be set up, Tina. The people working the booths are independent contractors which means that even the Lifeline companies themselves do not know where or when they will be set up. Your best bet — for numerous reasons — is to enroll online or by phone.

      Reply

  239. BUENOS DIAS QUISIERA SABER COMO PUEDO CAMBIAR MI TELEFONO SE ME CALLO Y SE ROMPIO LA PANTALLA NO PUEDO LLAMAR YA QUE SE VE LA MITAD DE LA PANTALLA ES DE SAFE LINK EL NUM ES 7875481254

    Reply

    • You must contact Safelink directly, Juan. We are not affiliated with Safelink nor any other free government cell phone company.

      Reply

  245. I love safelink, but I see ads on Facebook about safelink smartphones, I would love to have one of those, if I can’t get one through safelink, can I use a smartphone that was given to me , it was a boost mobile phone, os there any way that I can use my safelink sim card in it? That would be awesome

    Reply

    • Safelink will not guarantee that you’ll get a smartphone, but you can always get a smartphone by paying a small upgrade fee.

      In regard to the SIM card issue, it all depends on the make and model of your phone and the network on which your service provider operates. You’ll need to talk to customer service or tech support before buying another phone.

      Reply

        • Upgrade fees vary from company to company and phone to phone, Stephanie. First thing you need to do is check your service provider’s website to see if the upgrade fee is revealed there. If not, contact its customer service team to get the answer.

          Reply

  246. Need a new phone for 276-229-**** please. Prefer touch screen smart phone. Other phone is getting to where it don’t want to charge.

    Reply

    • All we offer is news and information, David, because we are an independent website that’s not affiliated with any of the free government cell phone companies. To find out which phones are offered by Safelink, you must visit its website or call it customer service team.

      For information on the smartphone upgrade policies of each of the major companies, read this article:

      https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/which-lifeline-cell-phone-companies-offer-smartphones

      Reply

      • You need to contact your service provider directly, Alice. This website is not affiliated with any Lifeline Assistance company.

        You can find Safelink’s contact info toward the end of the article on this page.

        Reply

  248. I need a PUK code to unlock my phone. The number I call keeps hanging up on me. Please I need help.

    Reply

  249. The service of Safelink is awful! I applied for my mom’s first in her life free cell phone, which she is eligible for. However, the Safelink requested the proof of her eligibility. I have her required documentation twice by all means of communications: 2 times I have attached the files and it was successfully attached. Two times I have emailed those documents following 2 different and confusing instruction about subject line and body of the email. Twice I have sent the documentation by mail. No results. The case is still on pending status by July 3 from May 27. And I keep receiving the letters with request of proof of her identity, which I have already dome 6 times.
    It looks that those people just like to make a fun of my old mom, who desperately need this phone for her life safety.
    This Company, Safelink, MUST be removed from this type of service and from the government’s advertising and promoting their business web site. They fail to provide this service!

    Reply

  250. I just got let go from my job my wife still works. We have a 20 month old son and and we are expecting another within the month. Can I apply for a phone for the time I am looking for work and filing for unemployment in order to lower our household budget.

    Reply

  251. I live in North Carolina and I am interested in becoming a distributor and signing people up that need this service. Are you hiring currently?

    Reply

    • You will need to contact Safelink directly using the contact info provided on this page.

      Reply

    • You can only choose from available numbers, John. You should call Safelink customer service to discuss it.

      Reply

  255. i already have a free cell which i was unaware i already had one
    how do i cancel my Safelink approval

    Reply

  256. I would like to say what I would do just to be able to go to work & always reply back is your crazy you have the life just sit home & wait for your check to deposit. Trust me it’s NOT A WALK IN THE PARK & YOU’RE NEVER PREPARED how much it affects your entire life & in ways you could never imagine. I’m very thankful for your company & being a great provider when I lost my last but of pride watching my wife each am leaving ewofk @ 4:00am 12-14 he shifts and coming home to assist me & I’m suppose to be there to take care and provide for her and then say you can finally become stay home mom & her health nearly took her from me & she lost her job by being terminated & that changed her mentally & then we would next be told were LOOSING house we bought 6 yes prior. I begged her to drop my iPhone service from her acct. & check into what info I was told about today & she did & chose your vimosby which being honest have overall been wonderful but to respect what you do for those in honest need I feel I need to make complaint about the women wk’s there which I’ve got a lot of respect for women in the working world especially if they are anything like my wife when I met her rshe was recently divorced raising 3 yr old son no support & her familtbhad lost their 17 yr old son bug depression anxiety etc was forced down while on the clock & she went above & beyond expected duties & her son doing great living like a king! Every time she has tried to help me do this request via phone every female that got our call was so rude & talked to her as if she was trash & I’d get so frustrated hearing that & her maintain professional manner until I’d beg her just cancel the call I’ll just continue to suffer & listen to Dr tell me with the disabilities affecting my hands that small type cell phone is only going to worsen your situation. So I’m being showed ads about possible opprto upgrade to a smartphone or larger type of phone. I’m willing to pay if price is as high as what we would have to pay thru at&t.Any guidance you xeoffer I thank you in advr& look forward to get your reply.
    Thank YouFreddie Horsley

    Reply

  257. Safelink is great they let you use an unlocked phone and can port your number over. I live in California so my plan is unlimited talk/text with 500mb of data, similar to the MetroPCS plan for $30 I was paying. Very happy with my BYOD phone and free plan (network is At&t in my area) so in my opinion Safelink Wireless is the best.

    Reply

      • Safelink cancelled my service without warning after a month, they told me at first that Lifeline cancelled it (this was a lie) and to call them. When I called Lifeline they said they don’t have control over that and that Safelink never turned in the paperwork to Lifeline” I had no account with them at all” after talking with six different customer service people I found one to actually look at my account, he stated that I had another past Lifeline account (not true Lifeline said I never had an account with them) I think he just wanted me to get off the phone. Anyways way too much trouble to get service again so just going back to my $30 a month MetroPCS plan. I thought about filling a complaint but I really don’t want the service with anymore so why bother.

        Reply

  258. Hello I would tp know if I can get a new safelink phone mailed out to me. My phone I have now doesnt work well. I can’t make calls only text messages. You can reach me at 302-363-**** Sybil T***** 817 ***** st wilmington, Delaware. Thank you.

    Reply

    • If your phone doesn’t work you should contact Safelink’s customer service team by phone or online, Sybil. They are the only ones who can solve your problem.

      Reply

  259. How do I get an instruction manual for Safelink Tracfone Model A207BG Alcotel One Touch ?

    Reply

  260. I am now a safelink customer with a new cell , the transition so far has been effortless thank you. I have come from the the now defunct Reach Out Wireless and their awful customer service and sham. I predicted one year ago that their time was limited as complaints flooded the FCC offices and the ICC and Illinois State Attorney General and the BBB. However in the last part of June of 2016 ROW would flood your phone with ads about their closing and service interruption to your area by zip code , mine was May 22 of 2016 and it would prevent you from calling , you could not use your phone each time you dialed a number it reverted to a safelink ad repeatedly that boast of 500 free mins for several months and a TOUCH SCREEN PHONE, NOT A SMART PHONE, A TOUCH SCREEN PHONE – I was very suspicious of this ad so I recorded it with a time date with safelink claiming that you would get this deal, and its on my camera as a video clip with audio and date and time. And to my surprise I received a tracfone without a sim card to port the old number into my new NON-TOUCHSCREEN phone from safelink and furthermore you offer no paid unlimited talk and text options like ROW did , and I picked you because of the false advertising you presented that repeatedly interrupted service on my row phone when I was entitled to service still for I paid for unlimited talk and text through May 29th 2016, so i had to contact row 4 times to turn my phone back on to full service as you continued to block my calls with a robo caller ad, So ROW ripped me off and now your company which is sending me a new sim card to port out my old number to a $9.95 phone that is not what you advertised , this is called bait and switch to sway choices to select your service and then you get the shaft – well im educated and this practice is its illegal in the State of Illinois and 48 other states – this practice is also actionable – so i believe you will not print this but be aware I had enough nonsense with row over the past 3 years and i contacted the FCC and ICC many times to forge a complaint that lead to the legal department of ROW and I am not going to go through this again , I want what you promised that made me choose you a TOUCHSCREEN phone and the 500 mins ( of which you have supplied but that only upholding 50% of your promise to potential clients. A advertisement constitutes a contract that should benefit both parties and this one does not by falsely advertising a touch screen phone safelink has misled the american public and unless this is corrected I will file with the FCC and send the clip of the ad where you promise services and equipment that you did not deliver or provide in any way shape or form. As I stated earlier ROW was awful and now this is not a good start with a new company and i am no one’s fool . So please do the right thing and keep your promise to provide what you claimed and deliver such. I am already looking for a class action attorney to take on ROW and their deceptive and fraudulent conduct. You don’t get shut down by the FEDS if you’re doing things right. I trust you will do the right thing, and please do not underestimate me because I have reached my saturation level with these so called lifeline providers and the sham that comes with the service and the broken promises, do the moral thing and make this right. James Ostrowski in chicago phone number 773.865.**** and or by email duffencory2012@*****.com, my enrolment ID is 2665**** today is May 5th 2016 and this dialog has been copied for further reference. Be well and good luck on your continued success. I remain, James Ostrowski

    Reply

  261. Hi, Reachout is no longer servicing my area. Will I be able to keep my number with Safeline or Assurance? Also, when I apply it ask if I have a line already. When I put yes, it states I am not approved.

    Reply

    • Yes, you should be able to keep your own number. Make sure you tell them you want to “port your phone number.”

      Before you enroll with Safelink, are you sure Safelink is the best plan for you? We’d suggest that you check out all the companies in your state to see if you can find more minutes/texts/etc.

      To do that, click on the “States” link at the top of this page. Then click on your state. You’ll find a complete list of free government cell phone providers. Click through them all to find the plan that best fits your needs. (You might even find one that allows you to speak to a live customer service rep.)

      Reply

  262. I had received a new tracfone without activation card in the package and need some help to activate this new one
    By telephone I must wait more than 30 minutes and i expending to much minutes waiting.
    Thanks for your attention.
    Jose Aquino.

    Reply

    • It really is unfortunate, Jose, that Safelink charges minutes for calling its customer service line and then makes customers wait so long. The only choice you have might be to borrow someone else’s non-Lifeline phone to make the call. Sorry to be the bearers of bad news.

      Reply

  263. Never mind my previous question; I guess it resolved itself for now. Sorry for the inconvenience. His phone is from Safelink.
    Linda

    Reply

  264. I need a new phone the one I have does not let me get incoming calls anymore. I have tried to log into safe link but its not letting me so I am writting to you. I also was wondering if you have a safe link phone with a camera on it ? my information is suzette ***** 209 **** st johnstown pa **** last 4 of ssn. I was wondering how to recerify when I can’t get into the web site everything is the same and i still have my disability.

    Reply

  266. The phone company that provides my free service is cutting the service. They are giving us only two options: access and safelink. access is not working and safelink is not accepting my address. I live in Chicago CHA housing. The building has more than 200 senior citizens and every time I tried to fill forms on the website, I CAN NOT do it. Please I need a phone. I do not have access in case of an emergency. Thank you; Arminda

    Reply

    • Very frustrating for you, Arminda. We assume your former service provider is ReachOut Wireless. If so, visit the company’s website. They actually show a total of seven alternate providers.

      If you’re not with ReachOut please let us know who you are with and we’ll try to help.

      Reply

    • Arminda, I found out when you’re applying, don’t put any symbols on the address lines, no commas or periods or number sign, etc.

      Reply

  267. I want to get back on Safelink Wireless. I was on it before. But dumb me went to Budget Mobile.I still have my phone. The # is 870-405-****. Budget Mobile phone just fell to pieces. I was not happy at all….

    Reply

  269. I’ve had a safelink phone for awhile and the service had been good until the phone aged and became unreliable. I found an LG 306G at my local Rite Aid store. This became an adequate phone for me and I was very happy with it. Thanksgiving came and I got a fantastic deal on an Android phone for $10.I found at Giant Eagle Supermarket regular $ 60. when I tried to switch it to my account Safelink said I had to have a 3G phone so I was not able to switch phones. For the next 3 months I got IMPORTANT MESSAGES that my service would be discontinued if I did not do this or that. I did this and that. I went online to assure this or that had been done. I filled out hard copies of this and that and mailed them in and end of every month it was the same thing over again, Eventually I was disconnected end of Jan this year and have filled out applications online and faxed back proofs of this and that and mailed back proof of qualifications and cannot re-establish phone service although I am thankful that text service continues. There customer service for this program seems nonexistent and AS long as everything works that is fine as I am sure that is an expense that only continues and increases as long as you offer it, but when the information on the computer is not enough to solve your issues………….well that is another story. So while I have been very happy with Lifeline service and Safelink the future is in the air. If I can re-establish phone service Hooray !! If not I will switch vendors perhaps, or figure out how to make more money. So if your happy with your service don”t buy a better phone no matter how good of a deal it is. If safelink thinks you have enough money to buy a sixty dollar phone…………

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear about your problems with Safelink. Keep us posted on your progress because it’s an important issue to our readers.

      Reply

  270. hello. yesterday i uploaded some photos they were photos of my social security card,my drivers license, and my medicaid card. I then sent them to the email address that was listed there and so i was wondering if you could do me a favor and check and see if they were successfully sent correctly because i checked on my status today and it still said my app. is still pending due to documentation that was needed. i would appreciate it if you could email me back with the answer today. thannk-you so much! have a nice day sincerely, laurie ann algera here is my enrollment number if needed: 264*** sslast 4 digits is; ****

    Reply

    • You’ve made a common mistake, Laurie. FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is an independent website and is NOT affiliated with Safelink nor any other Lifeline Assistance company. You will need to contact that company’s customer service team by phone or online.

      Reply

  271. I sign up to get a cell phone. Haven’t received cell phone or any think. I was at the doctors today. And one of your agency was there. I tryed to do a application. And it wouldn’t let me. It said to contact safelink I did. And it give me the run around.. My name is Jennifer ********. 421 ***** Dr Los Angeles California 90017. My contact number is. 213)804*****. Thank you

    Reply

    • This website is not affiliated with Safelink Wireless, Jennifer. If you want to solve your problem, you must contact that company’s customer service team directly by phone or online. Good luck.

      Reply

  272. I am currently with reachout wireless. I have been advised that they will no longer service the are where i live.
    Can I keep my current phone and phone number when I transfer service?

    Reply

  273. I just wanted to follow-up. Captel technology is available all over the United States. Hearing impaired persons can even register for a free Captel phone (however, they would have to still have to pay for a telephone carrier, so only the physical phone and caption service is free) Captel telephones are landlines. That doesn’t help the person that is away from their home, maybe using medicaid transport and calling for a pick-up.
    However, the Captel application is free for downloading onto smartphones that meet certain technological requirements. Not only does Captel on a smartphone allow deaf people to make and receive phone calls, but the phones can be used as a substitute for hearing aids or sign language. For example, you can sit next to your doctor, he can call you on your smartphone, and you can read everything he is saying. You don’t need to read lips, learn sign language, or have a cochlear implant. To reply, just speak. It allows you to have a normal conversation by reading, rather than hearing, what the other person has to say.

    Reply

    • Thanks for the very informative update, Marilyn. Many of our readers will appreciate it as much as we did.
      Good luck finding a free government cell phone company that offers the service in your state. Please send us another update telling us about your progress. Once again, we know many of our readers will appreciate it.

      Reply

  274. I have been online trying to get recertified for my free phone, I can’t seem to find the right page, can you help me,please

    Reply

    • Safelink has made its website harder to navigate than many sites. We cannot get to the recertification page because we are not Safelink customers. Here’s what we’d suggest: Call Safelink’s customer service team while you have your computer in front of you. Ask the agent to talk you through the steps to get to the recertification page. Good luck. Please let us know how it goes.

      Reply

  275. I just tried to sign up with safe link , it won’t let me put my town in the address area ? So I can’t apply

    Reply

    • If you have run into an online glitch, call Safelink’s customer service team at the number shown in this article. Good luck.

      Reply

  276. I am a deaf person who needs to use a smartphone compatible with captel requirements. How can I register for a telephone and make sure that what I receive is caption friendly (as opposed to a general cell phone).

    Reply

    • We’ve never been asked this question before, so we did a little research. You didn’t say where you were from, but based on your IP address it appears that you are in Muskegon, Michigan. We also dug deep into the Terms & Conditions found on Safelink’s website.

      We found no references to Captel (a term we’d never seen before), but we did find two references to hearing impairment:

      “As required by Public Utilities Code § 2881, TracFone California LifeLine customers who are deaf or hearing-impaired or who have speech disabilities will have access to California Relay Service.”

      “TracFone will provide access to two California LifeLine discounted telephone lines to Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants or teletypewriter users as required.”

      Based on those two terms, it appears that Captel is available only in California. We do not want to steer you wrong, though, and would urge you to call Safelink’s customer service team to confirm our findings. Best of luck, Marilyn.

      Reply

  277. The customer service is horrible.When dealing with customers, HIRE AMERICAN’S WHO CAN SPEAK AND ENUNCIATE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. IN ADDITION EXERCISE PROPER ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS!!!! I don’t recall being treated so rudely by any company’s customer service.

    Reply

  279. I have a Safelink phone. It has been deactivated because I failed to use my phone last month. I have been unable to activate it .My phone number is 508-381-****. I tried to follow directions by phone and on line with no success.

    Reply

    • You must speak to Safelink’s customer service team to straighten out your problems. Good luck.

      Reply

  280. i understand I m your system. However I recived my phone through Budget Mobile. They are a terrible company who refuses to recognize that with age eye sight lessen. I am 86 my phone is so small I cant read the numbers. How can I get out of Budget Mobile and go to a responsible and responsive company. A times I to ask my neighbor to dial for me as I cant read the keys. Smaller than newsprint.

    Reply

  281. wheres my phone i applied a week ago at one of your vendors from a Lindsey Silveira who i also left my name, email address and phone number with for an application to b emailed to me. but its now been a weekend still no phone or even a denial letter…whats going on????

    Reply

  282. I had a cell phone and tried to cancel it through safe link it was stolen told me they could not find me in there computer. I go and try and get another one. They told me I have one already. I’m not the only one that has this problem.

    Reply

  283. I have had this before and my minutes just quit last yr even when I still am on assistants. so I tried to get Qlinks, and have sent my info more then twice. and still nothing is going through, all they say is pending. Well, I really would like to know why this is not going through like it should. please let me know \

    Reply

    • Continue calling customer service until your issue is resolved. We know it’s not the answer you wanted to hear, but it is your only solution.

      Reply

  284. Need to up grade phone ,i have had my phone for a very long time . I am hoping to keep my same number too ,email if you can help .

    Reply

    • Be aware, Melissa, that FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is not affiliated with Safelink nor any other service provider. If you want to upgrade your phone, call the Safelink customer service team.

      Reply

  285. I need a replacement phone. I dropped mine and can barely see the screen. My address is the same. ***** Carter Drive Homer, La. *****

    Reply

  286. Can I purchase a larger phone , or an android phone , a friend will give me one but will it work on the safe link system??? as I am a big man and these little phones they pass out are real hard to use?

    Reply

    • Most companies allow you to upgrade to a smart phone. Will the specific phone and model your friend will give you work with Safelink? The only way to know for sure is to call the company’s tech support department.

      Reply

  287. I have a government free phone will cancel too get your phone its looks better. can I do that. I applied for yours

    Reply

    • Please be aware that the phones shown by any company are probably not the phones you will receive. Each company stocks a variety of refurbished phones that are handed out randomly as each customer enroll in the program.

      Reply

  288. Two weeks ago I send in a new application to update my account. I found out today, I am no longer in the system. Is there anyone who can help me through this process?
    Charlene Harris

    Reply

    • Charles, we are an informational website, not Safelink. You must contact the company directly to solve your problem. Good luck.

      Reply

  289. I need a cell phone but do you give out a phone that is not a track phone? I have had track phones in the past, but they do not come in at my residence, and I need one that will work there. I have had to travel seven miles down the road to use the phones that you have sent me in the past,…….
    Soi do you give phones that are not track phones???????????????

    Reply

  290. I TOLD YOU BEFORE I DON T HAVE MY CELLPHONE WITH SAFELINK IT GOT STOLDING FROM ME I ASK TO SEND ME A NEW ONE YOU NEED YOU CAN CALL ME AT 301-232-**** AOUT IT OKAY MR. HARRY ****** ***** JUNIOR

    Reply

  292. Safelink is a horrible company that makes Illinios residents jump through hoops to get their service if they get it at all. I completed my first application with them 12/24/15. It is now 3/2/16 and i still have no phone. i have had to fill the application out again because my first proof was denied and i was accused of altering the information because no one with and illinois food stamp card has a name appearing on the front and hasn’t for years and they are claiming that i altered the card because it has no name and also that illinois is also saying that it is invalid which isn’t possible because i use it all the time. now i have sent in proof with a new application with my midecaid card and am being told that that is invalid as well because they don’t seem to know that illinois offers 6 different insurances (i picked harmony) for people with medicaid. they are also claiming that illinois is saying that that card is invalid as well but it’s mighty funny that it was valid at my doctor’s appointment yesterday and will be valid at my physical therapy appointment tomorrow. i have done everything they have asked of me many times over the last few months and i still have no phone and have been accused of presenting fraudulent information and lied to and of course still no phone. be careful dealing with these people and all calls are directed everywhere but the USA i’ve talked to people from India, Mexico, and even France from the accents i’ve heard so don’t let the Texas address fool you they are certainly outsourcing what should have been american jobs but taking american government funds for their services

    Reply

    • Sorry to hear about your problems. Don’t give up. Try applying with another company if you are not getting what you need from Safelink.

      Reply

    • Since your comment was left on our Safelink page, we assume you are a Safelink customer. You must get in touch with Safelink to resolve your issue.

      Reply

  294. Good Day I Billy Broom Would Be Most Dearly Honored And Happy To Get A Most Wonderful Coolpad Free Government Phone It Would Be A Most Glorys Blessing To Me And Would Truely Help me To Be better Abel to Keep in Tuchman With My Family’s And Friends And Get Help If Needed Zhou Can I Best Post In Thy Needed Information To Be Blessed To Be honored To Get A most Glorys phone .

    Reply

  296. I’ve been trying to get in contact to get one of these phones only because my mother is is sick in the nursing home.You can reach me on this # 606 909-**** my ss ***-**-**** .Thank you so much…

    Reply

  297. Cell phone locked in my employer’s house for the next two (2) weeks. How can I call my phone and check my voice mail messages. I never created a retrieval code. Is there a default (general) code as mine has not been programed. Or, if I did can it be deleted (by you or me) and a new one created? Please advise! …and Thank You. Mike

    Reply

  299. I had Safelink from 2009 to 2013, but (1) it takes umpteen attempts to dial out without getting an infuriating EMERGENCY ONLY on the screen, even in emergencies; (2) coverage is spotty, calls drop a LOT; and (3) the “annual recertification” came unpredictably at anywhere from 1-9mos, never a full 12mos. It was shut off twice because they said I didn’t recertify. I didn’t get a notice or I would have done it. I need my phone to get calls for work assignments as a temp, so when it was shut off, I couldn’t take calls for work — which causes a big hassle having to contact the agency to let them know I still want work. After the 2nd time, a relative felt sorry for me and set me up with a phone, but I don’t get enough work assignments to help pay that bill, plus I need internet for my other job, but it barely pays the internet bill. The only reason I bother is because it’s wrong to take assistance without working. Really, I’d be better off not working. Anyway, I need a phone now, so I can get jobs that don’t pay enough to be able to afford a phone bill. In fact, it pays so little that Section 8 Housing doesn’t charge me rent, and gives me a check to pay part of my utilities. That’s what our country is coming to. Oh…and I have a Bachelor’s Degree. Total waste of money. I’ve been in deference on my student loans since 2003. They’ll never get paid. I was working until the aftermath of 9/11 dismantled my department.

    Reply

  301. i have had this trackphone given to me free from the gov.t i have it now for years and years , the button on the phone hardly work and b4 it goes altogether. may i request for a replacement phone??and how do i go about doing that dominick thank you cell754 281 ****

    Reply

  302. i have valid phone number and i want to close down the servicve becuase i am out of u.s.a for mone then 180 days how i can request the safelink to close down my services.

    Reply

  303. Why the hell is this system not recognizing my address as a real address ????? I live in a two story , two apartment building in a regular neighborhood !!!!
    **** Augustine Ave. 1st Fl.

    Reply

  304. MY HUSBAND AND I AN NO LONGER IN THE SAME HOUSE HOLD AND I TOLD HIM TO SIGN UP FOR SAFELINK, WE SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM!!! HE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED A PHONE NUMBER BUT CANT GET PASSED THE LOG IN PAGE BECAUSE HIS ADDRESS ISNT BEING RECOGNIZED SO WE TRIED USING A DIFFERANT ADDRESS SO HE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO A CELL PHONE. TO NO AVAIL THIS IS NOT WORKING, SO WE SENT IN THE PAPER APPLICATION AND HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING, I ADVICE THIS GET RESOLVED OR WE WILL USE A DIFFERANT COMPANY. HIS NAME IS CRAIG PAQUIN AND HIS HOME ADDRESS IS ******* HERMANSVILLE MI, i REALLY HOPE THIS BECOMES RESOLVED SOON!!

    Reply

  305. im already a safe link cust. i need a new phone tho and cannot afford to buy one. is there a program that would enable me to get a new/refurbished one for free???

    Reply

  306. I just tried to apply for a phone and got a notice that I had already applied with a different server? To my knowledge I Have not, I recently started getting food stamps and Medicaid due to loss of income and can no longer afford my $40. Per month cell phone.

    Reply

  307. I need a free cell phone
    My adress is : ****** Blvd,orlando Florida 32801
    It’s a shelter …I’m homeless please

    Reply

  310. I have assurance wireless now free life line but I get all the time drop calls can i switch to your company But its important that I keep my same number for my doctors can you help me get your service I get SSI food stamps and xhelp on my prescription I need to know how many minutes a month and I get unlimited text message sending and receiving them if I can get yours but I have to get your phone before I can Quite due to health problems and I live alone and that the only source of making and receiving calls how many minutes a month do you offer and is it unlimited text? please email me asap as I can not take these drop calls the address *************** saint lucie Fl 34983 first tell me how many minutes a month and is it unlimited text? will be waiting to hear from you My cell number now is 772 343 **** and I must have that number thank you Have a nice Day
    Marlene Ganz Paulin email me or mail info to my address my new minutes **** tomorrow and I dont want to go thru another month like I did
    Thank you
    Marlene Ganz Paulin

    Reply

  311. Hello, I’m your grateful customer for some last years.
    Because my old phone doesn’t work good I’d like to upgrade my free SafeLink phone number 508 202 5765 with my AT&T ZTE Z341 Unlocked GSM phone (serial number is 861831000******) with transferring my benefit to my new phone without changing my phone number.
    Please inform me how to do it?
    Unfortunately till now I’d not received an answer for my mail to SelfLink on 1/1/2016. I’l wait your answer to me by e-mail.
    Thank you for your time.
    Sincerely
    Albert Shmidt 1/10/2016

    Reply

  313. THIS IS A BIG SCAM!!! I received my phone and it never worked. I called support and they could’t find a problem. So i have a phone i can’t use. I waited months for the phone and it won’t work. THANKS SAFE LINK AND THANKS TRACPHONE.

    Reply

  314. I HAVE APPY FOR THA SAFE LINK I SENT IN MY PAPER AND YOU SAID YOU HAD RECEIVED THEM THATS BEEN TWO WEKKS AGO AND IVE STILL NOT HEARD ANY THING MORE ABOUT IT CAN YOU PLEASE EXPAIN WHY I HAVENT HEARD FROM YOU THANK YOU VERY MUCH

    Reply

  315. i just upgraded my safelink trac phone…received my five hundred minutes but now i’m being charged for sending/receiving text messages that were once unlimited texts…can someone please tell me why i’m being charged all text messages?

    Reply

  316. My account says cancelled and i don’t know why. Can someone help me. Please call 469-616-****. Thanks.

    Reply

  319. I need HELP from SAFELINK. I tried twice to get the 350 minutes for $10 deal that was sent tome in a message on my phone. I have tried to buy the minutes online as directed at the link provided. It has not worked. What are you willing to do SafeLink to assist me???????

    Reply

  320. My safelink phone has been lost. I can’t get no one on the phone at customer service. How do I get a new one? Please help. Thanks Terry.

    Reply

    • Was it was lost or was it stolen? Make up your mind. It can’t be both ways. Like duh.. Won’t matter what you say now, I wouldn’t believe you. What are you 12 years old? Or one of those new “refugees” ?? Do tell.

      Reply

  326. I have had so much trouble trying to activate my Safelink Tracfone…can someone help me? My case manager is not available to help me…I’m afraid of having my free phone taken away from me…It works, I can’t make phone calls…I have the activation code, it’s charged up but I can’t call on it to activate it…I have a landline and tried calling the number to get a real person to help me, but all I get is the menu run around…I don’t know how to unlock the phone and use it to call…is there a real person around who can help me? Also, there was no PIN # anywhere in my phone package…Thank you for quick response! And who is my vendor? I applied by USPS mail through, assurance/safelink…that’s all I know.

    Reply

  328. I went to my local office in Lancaster Sc try to help my uncle get a government phone but they told me they no longer work in the Area of Kershaw Sc and Lancaster SC. Is this true

    Reply

  331. i have a safe link phone for over 3 years, my problem is that my phone will not completely charge,I’ve tried several chargers and no change

    Reply

  333. For some years I use free SafeLink cellphone. Now I’d like to exchange my Tracfone cellphone for my ZTE Z431 Unlocked phone without changing my phone number 508 202 ****. Please inform me how to do it? Thank you, Albert

    Reply

  335. I currently have a Safelink TracFone model LG 320G Serial #***********, my ID #*****. I would like to upgrade to a newer & better cell phone. I believe I qualify, but I’m not sure. Can you please help me? I’m 76 years old, get easily confused when reading all the information posted on your site.. My sole income is from Social Security which is only $1044 per month.

    Reply

  336. I THINK THIS IS NOT RIGHT BECAUSE YOU SEND ME A NOTICE TO REDO MY PHONE AND CALL AND YOUS GIVE SUCH A STUPID HARD TIME.BECAUSE TELL YOU PHONE I HAD GOT BROKE THATS WHY WAS NOT GETTING USED SO ASK FOR NEW ONE AND YOUS REFUSE TO EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HEALTH TROUBLE THATS NOT RIGHT SO EITHER DO SOMETHING OR WILL GET MY DR. IN ON IT .

    Reply

  337. I am already a user of the Safe Link phone service. I was eligible due to having food stamps and medicaid, in which i still have both. I have not been able to receive my minutes for this month due to my phone being stolen. && I have tried several times to call the number provided for a replacement phone and seem to get no where. I used my phone to make mine and my children’s Dr. appointments as well as having it in case of an emergency at my sons school, i could be gotten in contact with. I haven’t had a phone in a couple of weeks. & it does no good to call the number given. The number that i had was 423-314-7298. I just need a replacement phone!! Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  339. I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER FOR THIS COMPANY A FEW YEARS AND HAD BEEN GREAT. HOWEVER, THIS YEAR 2015), THIS COMPANY TURNS TO BE THE WORST COMPANY TO DEAL WITH. I SUBMITTED ALL MY INFORMATION (RE-CERTIFICATION WITH MY FOOD STAMP AND MEDICAID) BOTH BY MAIL AND ONLINE BUT KEEP GETTING RE-CERTIFY REQUEST EVERY MONTH. I TALKED TO SAFELINK AGENT EVERY MONTH AND HE/SHE ASSURES ME THAT MY RE-CERTIFICATION IS COMPLETED. HOWEVER, TODAY, I GET ANOTHER TEXT TO RE-CERTIFY MY ELIGIBLE AGAIN. THIS IS THE 6TH TIME THIS YEAR FOR THIS. I AM LOOKING INTO DIFFERENT COMPANY. THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR ME EVERY MONTH TO DO THIS.

    Reply

    • I have been having the same problem. When I got some one they told had to reapply and it would take 72 hours for them to get it. then they will decide if I still am able to get the phone.

      Reply

  341. I received my cellphone last Monday ,thank you so much . How can I call to my home country which is not in the lists for countries for international call.? Hope you will help me .

    Reply

  342. Ive been waiting on a replacement phone for over a month. My phone was lost. I am getting the run around. I need to no if im going to receive it or not. Going on 2 months now

    Reply

  345. I have had my alcatel phone with safelink as my provider for several years. it has several scratches on the screen, so much that I can no longer see thru it. I was wondering can safelink give me a replacement phone and I keep my same phone number?

    Reply

  346. I am glad we have a option like this I need one likeknow thanks for offering a service of such

    I saw my friend with the pone we both live on a fix income this would be great to have so I could make my doctors appointment and my friends and emergency calls

    Reply

  350. I have a tracphones can I transf my minutes to this phone the glass is broken ony Alcatel free phone
    My new phone is a net10 tracphone ZTE-Z990G

    Reply

  351. These guys are total idiots! Every time I call them for any reason, I’m told I need to re-certify because my account is cancelled. Funny, I’m calling on my free phone & my phone says I have 877 service days that expires on 4/1/2018! Then there’s this drone agent that totally ignores what you’re saying & talks over you reading what obviously is a script. You would think if someone is a representative in customer service that they could at least speak English that is understandable. So far, not impressed with Safelink Wireless & I’ve been on this program for 3 years.

    Reply

  352. I have a free phone but my mom would like to by my a more updated phone that can take pictures for Christmas. Am I able to switch my number to a new phone? If so does it have to be a certain type or brand?

    Reply

  354. When I try to get into my account it says I don’t have to reapply but I don’t have an enrollment ID so it won’t let me go any further. I need a replacement phone because mine no longer charges. I’ve had it for years. I go to the site on how to get a replacement phone but it doesn’t give you info on how to get one just what they will replace. And it doesn’t give you a phone number to contact so how do you actually talk to a rep.

    Reply

  356. I would like to keep my same number. I would hate to go through the aggravation of having a different phone #. So if you will I would like to keep the same #.

    Reply

  357. I have looked at the instruction card and no where does it say how to change the time. My phone did not update when the time changed recently. Please help. Thank you

    How do you change the time on a Samsung phone? I cannot find any instructions.

    Reply

  358. I have looked at the instruction card and no where does it say how to change the time. I only get 12hr or 24hr settings. My phone did not update when the time changed recently. Hepl!!!!

    How do you change the time on a samsung phone? I cannot find any instructions.

    Reply

    • Ms. Duncan, have you received any instructions on how to reset the time on the Samsung phone. I’m having the same problem. Thank’s

      Reply

      • go to tools in the menu, then go to world clock move the clock to your time zone then hit options and save, then turn your phone off and on it should up date.

        Reply

  359. I’m trying to apply for a free government phone for my son that is on medicaid and food stamps.
    He cannot drive, he has seizures and had a couple of strokes. He lives alone and has no phone or car.
    His medicaid number is ********. His birth date is *** **,1971

    Reply

      • Thanks for alerting us to the commenter posting their medicaid number. We’ve redacted it. We try to catch all instances of people posting benefits numbers, social security numbers, telephone numbers, etc, but we get so many comments sometimes one slips through. People: this is a public commenting system; please DO NOT POST PERSONAL ACCOUNT NUMBERS, PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES.

        Reply

  360. My phone is loss, I would like to replace it w/a slider phone if possible. I’ve also relocate to 23222 in RVA. How to obtain a safe link cell

    Reply

  362. I got the regular minutes on my new phone but it deducts time every time I text, therefore my minutes are gone. I was informed that it would be free text and when I try to contact them it is so difficult, there is no email for help, no chat, nothing but an 800 number that gets you either on hold or they are closed. what is the dealll

    Reply

  365. My Son go to a Higscool and he realy need Internet for his homework. In the name of my Family and my self, Thank you, for any help you can ofer to ass. (the Tovar Davila’s Family).

    Reply

  367. My Safelink Samsung phone is not working. My buttons are not working. Where can I get it repaired or do I have to replaced it? If I must replace it, what must I do? If I must get a replacement, I would like the same Samsung model I have now.

    Reply

  368. I received a flyer from your company Safelink but I already filled out my application on 10/2/15, I would appreciate it very much if you could check into it. I really need the phone considering my husband was diagnosed with cancer and we have to deal with several appts and we need it for transporation. I need the help.

    Reply

  369. I’m on ssi and snap .I have medical problems so I need a phone so I can get a hold of my doctor and get Ride to go to them

    Reply

  370. I am trying to get a Kyocera smart phone from Glink wireless… not sure what service to sign up for. Please help!

    Reply

  371. I had a free cellphone for 2 months with safelink and it was stolen 1 month ago. I didn’t know the number and called to report it 7 times but the overseas people in your customer service said I have no account!

    Please help me get a replacement. I need the phone desperately.

    Reply

  372. most of my contacts is family,and doctors appointments been had this government free phone a long time can’t afford a new one,how can i get a better free government phone at no cost.

    Reply

  373. In late June 2015 I applied via internet for the free cellphone via Safelink. Shortly after that I received from Safelink a letter asking me to send in a copy of my Income statement from Social Security and I did so. We have never heard anything since then and am wondering what I need to do. I am also a Disabled Veteran.

    Please let me know.

    Thank you.

    Reply

  374. My income is 600.00 per month. I have food stamp assistance and can no longer afford my cell phone bill. I wanted to see if I qualify for a free phone. please respond if I am able to get one.

    Reply

  376. I’ve heard that a household can get more than one free phone. Is this true? If so, how do I apply for an additional phone for another family member?

    Reply

  382. I’ve been researching different websites trying to familiarize myself with the free mobile services available. Due to some unexpected health issues I’m currently unable to work. A friend let me know that the government offered this free to qualified people. And your website has been very helpful. Thank you so much! But I have to say I was shocked at some of the comments people actually send you! I was so thankful and couldn’t believe that free mobile service was even available! And to see so many people complaining about something free just was so unbelievable! You people that update this site must be saints! Lol! People never seem to stop wanting more more more!

    Reply

  383. Dear sir or madam, I came new from Afghanistan I am refugee in Durham NC.
    I need to apply for the free phone program. Thx

    Reply

  385. I have sent in the my proof to get a phone. I have not received a phone. you gave me a id. 8272070. would you let me know what the holdup is . Thank you Louise Bell.

    Reply

  386. I have been trying to get this stupid safelink phone you sent me to work.. I have spent a week trying toactivate and make falls from this phone for a week.. I spent two hours on and off hold nothing was accomplished.

    Reply

  387. Who and how do I notify someone when i no longer qualify for public assistance? Case is being closed….so I do not qualify for the free phone any longer.

    Reply

  390. My safelink phone I have had for a little while and today it’s sayingUnregistered SIM , I don’t understand ….what do I need to do?

    Reply

  391. Not a reliable phone. Constantly getting message “Emergency Calls Only”, even at home. Also getting a lot of messages from people I don’t know that I have to spend time deleting. If I accidentally view one I am charged a minute of air time. I’ll be looking for another phone service.

    Reply

  392. The worst company ever! 2 months are out of my life))) Was constantly on the phone with Safelink. Every day get different information. Service is listed as active, but still haven’t received any phone from them. Do not use this horrible company!

    Reply

  394. I have tried repeatedly to apply for a phone through Safelink for 3 yrs. Unsuccessfully, mI might add! this last time i applied in June. submitted my proof along w the required piece of paper AND wrote my enrollment number on my proof….. Nothing! Two wks later I recieved the same letter, wanting proof AGAIN and sent it back AGAIN w my enrollment number once again…… 2months later i am still waiting w/o any explanation but my application is pending!!! this is aggrivating!! what do I need to do to get a REAL person on the customer service line? Why can’t my app EVER be processed in a timely manner?
    And NOW, when I try & post a comment, this thing is SO stupid, it tells me it is a duplicate comment & wont post it! IT IS NOT!!!i am losing ALL patience w SAFELINK the longer I wait on satisfaction from them.

    Reply

  395. I need to upgrade my phone, I have the small one, I have text but can’t use it, I have trouble with my hands , and the phone is so small I can’t text

    Reply

    • It looks like they may have changed their phone number. We’ve updated the page, but here is the info:

      For Enrollment and Plan Changes Support: 1-800-Safelink (723-3546)
      For Technical Support ONLY: 1-800-378-1684

      Reply

  397. i have reduced medical thru coventryone. is that the same as medicaid? or will it help me qualify for a phone? on the income i have questions. do i have to include my husband’s income? we have a rental house but do not make much profit from it, after taxes, insurance and repairs. someone can call me at 712-210-****

    Reply

  398. I’ve heard many good things about safelink. Please help me to be able to receive my phone. I appied before and I was approved. But I never got it.

    Reply

  399. I would like to know how much money is considered low income, also I don’t have any gov. help but I don,t have a car and I do have a disabled led I had a hip replaced and when I went home I fell and broke my femur and they had to wire my bone and one of the wires is growing into my bone causing extreme pain in my back down to my knee. I do take Cabarrus transportation for my DR . appointments thank you for reading and I hope you can answer this question

    Reply

  404. Please READ before you post your comment. It is unbelievable the questions asked here when it is clearly stated over and over that this sight is not affiliated with the individual phone service providers. This site gathered all the necessary information in one place so you can make an informed decision regarding which service provider to choose. They CAN NOT ANSWER your questions about your service, minutes or any other problems you have with YOUR service provider. Direct your questions where they can be answered. Asking how you get a phone or can you help me get a phone is completely covered on this site. It’s like asking for a glass of milk when it’s sitting right in front of you. I do not have anything to do with this site. I am just simply trying to choose a service provider and had to get this off my chest. Take a little time and inform yourself so everyone’s time is spent productively.

    Reply

    • Thank you for that Paula. And, this is after we simply delete most of the question that simply say, “How I get phone?” In addition, we delete dozens of comments a day that have the commenter’s personal information: phone number, address, SS#, etc. Please everyone, these are public comments.

      Reply

  405. Hi,

    I qualify for a safelink phone. Any Idea if I can bring my current Tracfone into the Safelink program?

    Not finding any answers on Google!

    Reply

  408. I received a flyer for the second time asking for proof of my program or incmoe and just want to follow up to make sure you received the first one I mailed out to you because the voucher number is is the number again.
    Do I need to complete another one?
    Thank you,
    Elsa Navejas

    Reply

  409. My local phone co. offers lifeline assistance for a landline(not sure if it’s free). Is one allowed landline assistance(local phone co.)…and a lifeline cell phone via Safelink, or do I have to go with one or the other? I’m in Kentucky.

    Reply

  410. Have had my Motorola trac phone for some time now and it’s been great. Showing signs of wear and tear and I need to get another one. How do I do that thru safelinkwireless?

    Reply

  411. I received a letter from you say you want Id that I don’t have to receive and keep my phone I receive social security and medicare not medicaid

    Reply

  412. I am in need of a phone due to the fact I have no ability to contact employers about job oopenings. CAs well I can get friebds to transport t work. I just need an opportunitybto show mymdoo

    Reply

  414. APPLED THR U A SAFE LINK REP HE SENT A COPY OF FOOD STAMP CARD HAVE NOT HEARE OR RECEIVED ANY THING NO PHONE NOTHING THAT WAS A WEEK AGO ,DANIEL VAR EY HC ** box **** digress ** ***** 304-752_**** please reply how long does it take the REP said I w as approved and should have received phone by this,Mon or Tuesday.

    Reply