Anyone currently receiving public benefits may be eligible for discounted telephone service through federal Lifeline and Link-Up programs. In Massachusetts, these programs are available through Safelink Wireless for cell phones, or through Verizon and Granby Telephone for landlines. Applicants are eligible for only one discounted telephone line per household.
- Safelink Wireless operates a "Lifeline Assistance" program that provides a free cell phone and 80 free minutes a month to eligible individuals (who may choose to add more minutes using TracFone cards). Safelink states that online applicants can expect their free phone to arrive in 5-7 days. Apply online at the Safelink Wireless webpage or call 1-800-977-3768 to apply by mail or fax.
- Verizon administers discounts for existing landlines or to set up a new landline. Under the Verizon program, a landline that normally costs $19.64 per month costs a Lifeline customer $7.35. Though it takes Verizon approximately 90 days to process Lifeline requests, the discount is retroactive to the date of application.
To apply for Verizon's discounted landline service, call 1-800-870-9999 for English (or for languages other than English or TTY, see Verizon’s contact page.) Follow the menu options to order a "new service." Verizon will then mail the consumer an application.
- Granby Telephone Company offers landline service in the Granby, Holyoke and Chicopee areas. Call (413) 467-9911 for an application to their Lifeline program. Under the Granby Telephone program, applicants can receive a $10 discount for a new installation and a $13.50 discount on their monthly bill.
Individuals who already participate in any of the following are eligible for the programs described above:
- MassHealth
- Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children
- Social Security Income
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program/Fuel Assistance
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Transitional Aid To Families with Dependent Children
Thank you to HAN members Ana Martinez, Nikki Riel, and Sonia Negroni for providing information about this resource.
landline phone
I was told you could get a landline phone free if you recieve foodstamps. I would like to find out more about this. I know you have cellphones but where I live the service really sucks. I also need to know whether it is just local calling because my daughters Dr's are all out of town. If this is legit and I can only call local how am I suppose to be able to call them if I need to?
Hey There!!
They do have a home telephone service out there specifically for low income. Contact me at my email JonathanMotte1981@yahoo.com If you have www.myspace.com, yahoo messenger, www.facebook.com,www.tagged.com, and/or www.myyearbook.com then you can add me too all of your accounts as well,, just remind me where i know you from. I will research for the best one, but in the meantime I will wait on a email from you to my yahoo email address. I look forward to giving you the information needed to get phone service. But the one I have, which I believe is called affordable phone service, now that's the company's name i believe. But it cost me about $9.00-$11.00 per month, most of the time its free unless i use to many long distance minutes. But you get I believe 275 free long distance minutes. But just email me and maybe we can become friends as well. TTYL
Sincerely,
Jonathan Warren Motte
IT NOT FAIR!!
I BEEN TRYING TO GET A PHONE FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW AND I CAN'T BECAUSE EVERY WHERE I MOVE THEY SAY" ONLY ONE PHONE PER HOUSE HOLD" DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE MOVE AROUND I DON'T THINK ITZ FAIR BECAUSE I REALLY NEED A PHONE IM A SIGLE MOTHER WITH 2 KIDS LIVING ON MY OWN WITH THOUSANDS OF BILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH ABSOULUTLY NOT ENOUGH OF MONEY 2 LIVE!!!! SUM1 NEEDS 2 FIGURE THAT OUT........
Life Line
Life Line:
This is not all what it is piped up to be. They give you local calling. Anything additional like phone minutes, long distance service, call waiting and caller ID are all additional. So when you add up the difference and add services you currently have you get nothing. I guess it does not pay to be poor!!
OK, have you ever considered
OK, have you ever considered the possiblity that you might be poor because you consider things like, call waiting, caller id, long distance, etc. to be neccessities not luxuries? By the grace of God and careful spending, I am not poor but, I do not have any of those things - they are not neccessities! Let me guess - you buy soft drinks too.
free cell phones for low income
when u getting this in indiana 46324?
free cell phone
i am disable and i am on ssi disabilty.and i really need a phone i have no one to help me but my ssi check.
how do i get ahold of someone
my phone was stolen i need to talk to someone
Why does say that you guys
Why does say that you guys provide a landline when I called one your very "capable" reps said that he haven't head of any landline promontions?
their is a agency in NY
their is a agency in NY called nylifeline agency the will set you up for free a home phone life line service
great idea call then at 718-384-5974
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