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SafeLink is the only offering of its kind available in Missouri with nearly 712,000 residents who qualify for Lifeline services in the Show Me State.  Asserting that free does mean free, SafeLink provides the cell phone at its own expense and service comes without contracts, monthly bills, security deposits or credit checks.

“TracFone is proud to bring this valuable program to the people of the great state of Missouri,” said Jose Fuentes, Director of Government Relations for TracFone.  “SafeLink offers the neediest families the same access and privileges many individuals take for granted when it comes to using cell phones, including contact with current or potential employers, children away from the home, or relatives in other parts of the country, not to mention vital emergency responders,” added Fuentes.  SafeLink Wireless offers low-income families accessibility, freedom and the security of knowing that should an emergency occur – wherever they are – they will stay safe and stay connected.

SafeLink provides eligible low-income households 68 free monthly airtime minutes for one year, unlimited access to 911 and the free cell phone.  Any unused minutes do not expire and automatically roll over.  The cell phone offers in-demand features: voicemail, text, call waiting, international calling to over 60 destinations, and caller ID. 

The federal "Lifeline" program was created during the Reagan Administration.  Lifeline is a federal program created by the Reagan-era Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1984. The program was enhanced under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which was supported on a broadly bipartisan basis in Congress.  The FCC’s Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable and affordable rates.  Lifeline support reduces eligible low-income consumers' monthly charges for basic telephone service.

With SafeLink, TracFone was the first to modernize Lifeline for how people communicate today.  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 on TracFone’s 60, 90 and 120 minute airtime cards. 

To qualify for Lifeline in the state of Missouri, a household must participate in one of the following: Federal Public Housing Assistance/Section 8; Federal Social Security Disability; Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP); MO HealthNet (Medicaid); National School Lunch Program (NSL); Payments Administered by the Family Support Division; State Aid to Blind Persons; State Blind Pension; State Supplemental Disability Assistance; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); Veteran Administration Disability Benefits.  In Missouri, qualified applicants must submit documentation to verify eligibility.

SAFELINK WIRELESS® SERVICE ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW BY COUNTY