Free wireless phone service available to low-income locals

By CORI GALEANO | Forum Publishing Group

November 18, 2008

The Florida Public Service Commission has championed the effort to ensure that people of low income have telephone access through a program called the Lifeline Assistance Program.

Wireless companies are helping in the effort by offering their service at reduced rates or, in some cases, entirely free.

One such company is TracFone Wireless.

Through its program, SafeLink Wireless, the company is offering free monthly service to people who qualify based on either their enrollment in a social service program or on their income.

"There is a growing trend toward people switching from land lines to cell phones," said Jose Fuentes, director of government relations with TracFone Wireless. "Low-income households need cell phones the most because an emergency can happen anywhere."

The company is the first prepaid wireless company to offer the program completely free to users, Fuentes said.

The program is being rolled out state by state, with Florida being the third state to participate in the program so far. The program started in Virginia, then went to Tennessee, and has been in Florida since September.

"There's no bill," Fuentes explained. "You get 68 minutes per month, and if you don't use them all, they roll over. It's entirely up to you how you use the service."

A spokesperson for the Florida Public Service Commission said the program is offered to people who qualify for social services such as the free school lunch program. There is a link on the PSC Web site to determine eligibility.

"If you qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program, you can save up to $160 per year," said Bev DeMello, assistant director in the PSC office of public information. "You need to qualify under a social program or you can qualify based on income."

For information on qualifying for Lifeline Assistance, go to www.psc.state.fl.us