Program provides free phones
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
Approximately 300,000 low-income families across the state — including many in Fauquier — are currently eligible to receive free cell phones through a new, government-supported program.
“The phones will be available to [households] throughout Virginia. Anyone can sign up,” said Jose Fuentes, the director of government relations for TracFone.
The cell phones distributed through the program aren't refurbished models that can only be used in emergencies. Instead, he said the purpose of the program is to extend all of the benefits of cell phones to people who can't afford them.
“These phones allow people to be in constant contact with friends, family, or work,” Fuentes said.
Each phone comes with caller ID, call waiting and voicemail. Users can send text messages and make international calls to more than 60 countries. Users get 68 free minutes of airtime without charge for the first year. Callers who exceed 68 minutes of free airtime can buy prepaid SafeLink Wireless airtime cards from Family Dollar and other stores.
In order to be eligible for the service, applicants must meet specific criteria. Generally speaking, they receive some other type of government assistance including but not limited to Medicaid, food stamps, federal public housing assistance (Section 8) or supplemental security income. Their household income cannot exceed 135 percent of federal poverty income guidelines.
In order to participate in the program, prospective applicants must provide proof that they meet the low-income qualification. Acceptable documents include a federal or state income tax return from 2007, a Social Security statement of benefits, a Veterans Administration statement of benefits, three consecutive months of payroll statements or paycheck stubs from 2008.
Participants can renew their service after one year, although they will be required to submit additional documents as proof of eligibility at that time.
People who are no longer eligible or choose to opt out of the program after one year can still keep their phones and use prepaid airtime cards from TracFone.
For more information, call (800) 977-3768, or visit www.safelinkwireless.com. Applications are available at the site, along with a place to provide information if you'd rather have an application mailed to you.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com