SafeLink Wireless® Raises Lifeline Offering - Up to 250 Minutes of Free Talk Time for Washington, D.C.'s Eligible Low-Income Families

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- America's number one prepaid cell phone provider, TracFone Wireless, Inc., announced that its federal Lifeline offering, SafeLink, will now offer participants of the program in Washington, D.C. the choice of three monthly plans, including up to 250 minutes of free monthly talk time – nearly an hour more per month than is offered by any other competitor.  

The new choices made possible by TracFone give low-income families up to 250 minutes of free monthly talk time and additional, flexible plan options give families the freedom to choose which plan is best suited for their needs to stay connected, stay safe.  Also, SafeLink is currently the only plan that gives eligible applicants the freedom to use their minutes for either texting or to make a phone call.  

Recognizing that Americans are still struggling through the worst economic recession in decades, SafeLink is renewing and further strengthening its commitment to low-income families by affording them the ability to stay connected with current or potential employers, children at home alone while their parents are at work, health care specialists, vital emergency responders, or relatives in time of personal emergencies, such as roadside vehicle breakdowns.

In addition to the free wireless cell phone customers receive at TracFone's expense, beginning August 16th, participants of the SafeLink Wireless program will have the choice of the following plans:  

• New 250 free monthly non-carryover minutes, one text per each minute and a free cellular handset.
• New 125 free monthly carryover minutes, one text per each minute and a free cellular handset.
• 68 free monthly carryover minutes, 3 texts per each minute, International Long Distance to over 100 destinations and a free cellular handset.  

Washington, D.C. customers previously enjoyed a flat allotment of 55 free minutes per month.  The new plans ensure that SafeLink customers in the District of Columbia will see an increase no matter which option they choose.

In addition to the free monthly airtime minutes for one year, SafeLink offers superior coverage area throughout the United States; quality LG, Motorola, and Samsung cell phones; 411 at no additional cost; unlimited access to 911; and in-demand features: voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID.  

Edith Taylor, 83, lives alone in one of D.C.'s older buildings.  At times, the aged wiring causes an interruption in her landline service, leaving her in a dangerous predicament.

"At my age, I don't get around too well anymore," said Taylor.  "The phone will go out and stays out for a few days at a time before it gets fixed.  With the SafeLink phone, I have a back-up for emergencies."

Taylor noticed police activity in her neighborhood a few weeks ago and grew concerned about becoming a victim of crime.  She said "having the cell phone made me feel a lot better about going outside.  I could call my son if there were any problems."

"I save my minutes for emergencies, but having more minutes gives me a real good feeling to know that I have them."

In August 2008, TracFone was the first to modernize Lifeline for the way people communicate today with the creation of SafeLink. SafeLink is offered in 24 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, with more than 64,800 households also eligible for the service in Washington, D.C.  

The prepaid feature gives customers the freedom to control the cost of their monthly telephone expense without any surprises.  SafeLink customers wishing to use additional minutes beyond their free allotment can add minutes by purchasing TracFone airtime cards at local retailers.  As an exclusive benefit for SafeLink customers, SafeLink phones will automatically add bonus minutes to TracFone's 60, 90 and 120-minute airtime cards.  However, there is no requirement to purchase additional minutes and no pressure applied to applicants to do so at any time.

Program Eligibility

To qualify for Lifeline in the state of Washington, D.C., a household must participate in one of the following:

• Federal Public Housing Assistance / Section 8
• Food Stamps
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• National School Lunch (free program only)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Medicaid
• Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)

www.safelink.com

SOURCE TracFone Wireless, Inc.