SafeLink Wireless® Raises Lifeline Offering - Up to 250 Minutes of Free Talk Time for Connecticut's Eligible Low-Income Families

HARTFORD, Conn., 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 Connecticut 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.  

Connecticut customers previously enjoyed a flat allotment of 64 free minutes per month.  The new plans ensure that SafeLink customers in the Constitution State 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.

Robert Lagan of Hartford, 78, uses his TracFone SafeLink phone in case of an emergency. As a person suffering from glaucoma, it is important for him to be able to have access to cell phone service if his illness decides to strike. Recently one of Lagan's friends needed to be consoled after a loved one passed on.

"The cell phone allowed me to be by their side instantly and offer them my support," said Lagan.

"I think the addition of extra minutes is terrific," he said. "This would mean that if anyone needs to reach me, especially when an emergency occurs, I will only be a dial tone away."

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, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, with more than 259,700 households eligible for the service in Connecticut.  

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 Connecticut, a household must participate in one of the following:

* Care for Kids

* Connecticut Energy Assistance Program

* CONNPACE

* Contingency Heating Assistance Program

* Federal Public Housing Assistance/ Section 8

* Food Stamps

* Medicaid/ Title 19 (including Husky and Healthy Start)

* Personal Care Assistance

* Refugee Program

* Rental Assistance

* State Administered General Assistance

* State Supplement to the Aged, Blind or Disabled

* Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

* Temporary Family Assistance

http://www.safelink.com

SOURCE TracFone Wireless, Inc.