Safelink Wireless - ACP/Lifeline Programs

Safelink Wireless is a popular and long-time participant in the Lifeline Program. Now, with the introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Safelink has broadened its services to qualified households that are enrolled in both the Lifeline and ACP programs.

With SafeLink, eligible households now get free talk minutes, free texting plus 25GB of high-speed data. They also include 5GB of hotspot data.*

*Offers may vary by state.

Safelink Wireless is currently offering lifeline/ACP service in all states except American Samoa, Guam, and the North Mariana Islands. Although they do offer service in Alaska, some areas might not be within their coverage area.

SafeLink Wireless Lifeline and ACP

If you bring your own phone, the following service plans are available to you:

ACP Only Plan:

Unlimited Talk
Unlimited Texts
Calls to Canada & Mexico
10 GB High-speed data
5 GB Hotspot

Lifeline Only Plan:

350 Voice Minutes
Unlimited Text
4.5GB Monthly Data
Fee Sim Card

Lifeline and ACP Plan:

Unlimited Talk
Unlimited Text
Calls to Canada and Mexico
25GB Monthly high-speed data
up to 5 GB hotspot

All plans include nationwide coverage, voicemail, caller ID, 3-way calling, 911 access, and 411 directory assistance at no additional charge.

If you don’t bring your own phone and qualify for a free phone from Safelink Wireless, the only plan available to you is the Lifeline + ACP Plan.

Lifeline/ACP Eligibility

To participate in any of the above plans you must be enrolled in Lifeline and/or ACP. Since the eligibility requirements for both plans are similar, it makes sense to enroll in both if you meet the eligibility requirements.

If you receive government assistance benefits from one of the following programs, you’re eligible*:

Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Stamps
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

*Please note - California residents have additional government assistance programs that make them eligible. Please see California Lifeline Eligibility page on CA.gov.

In Tribal Land states, there are additional eligibility programs such as:

Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Trial Head Start (if the household meets income qualifying standard)
Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)

If you do not participate in any of the above programs, but have a household income that is either at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you are eligible for Lifeline

ACP Eligibility

To qualify for Affordable Connectivity Program, the eligible government assistance programs are pretty much the same as those that qualify you for Lifeline. The major difference is the household income level. With ACP, the household income level is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Applying for SafeLink Services

After meeting the eligibility criteria, go to the Lifeline National Verifier site to apply for Lifeline. You will need documented proof that you are eligible as you will have to upload copies of such documentation.

Along with the proof of eligibility, you must upload proof of your identity. Not just proof of identity but proof that you are alive. See what National Verifier deems as acceptable forms of proof below:

Once enrolled in Lifeline, go to SafeLInk Wireless, type in your zip code, and start the application process. Keep your documentation handy because you’ll need it for the SafeLink application also.

After you’ve completed your application, you can always check your enrollment status and the status of your phone order on the Safelink site.

Things to Note:

You will have to recertify annually to prove that you still meet the eligibility requirements.

If you received a free phone and de-enroll from the program, you do not have to return the phone.

If you want to make international calls, you’ll need to purchase the Global Calling card.

The monthly minutes are applied to the phone within the first three days of the month as long as the phone is powered on.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This site was created to help people find information about free government phones. The ower of this site does not mail, activate or repair free government phones nor provide phone service. If you have questions about phone service it is suggested that you contact the phone service provider directly.

Last Modified: 17 January 2023