What Services Does SafetyNet Wireless Offer
SafetyNet Wireless is an American Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provider. It offers prepaid wireless services, as well as subsidized wireless services for Lifeline and ACP subscribers.
The company offers Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) discounts and benefits in several U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The company’s Lifeline subscribers can receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone and free monthly phone services with free talk, text, and data. However, the free phone is not available in all states and plans and the amount of free data varies by state.
What is the Process of Getting a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone?
In order to receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone, you must follow this simple yet strict process:
- First, you must make sure that you qualify for the provider’s Lifeline and ACP program. You can see the eligibility criteria in the next section.
- Secondly, you must be able to prove your eligibility by providing certain official documents. You can see the acceptable list of documents in the section ‘What Documents Are Required When Applying for Lifeline to Receive a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone?’.
- Afterward, you can apply for the SafetyNet Wireless Lifeline/ACP program. See how to do so in the section ‘How to Apply for Lifeline to Get a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone?’.
- Finally, if your application gets approved, you will be able to enjoy your SafetyNet Wireless free phone and other benefits, which are also listed below.
How to Qualify for Lifeline and ACP to Receive a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone?
To qualify for the SafetyNet Wireless Lifeline/ACP program and receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone, you must meet certain requirements:
First, you must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor.
Secondly, you must be a resident of one of the states where SafetyNet Wireless offers its Lifeline/ACP discounts – California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin.
Lastly, you must meet at least one of the FCC-determined Lifeline/ACP eligibility criteria.
Lifeline Eligibility Criteria
A household is Lifeline-eligible if it or one of its members meets one of the following requirements:
- The annual household income is 135% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- A household member participates in one of the qualifying federal or Tribal assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Head Start (only households meeting the income qualifying standard)
The Affordable Connectivity Program Eligibility Criteria
A household is Lifeline-eligible if it or one of its members meets one of the following requirements:
- The annual household income is 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- A household member participates in Lifeline.
- A household member participates in any of the federal/Tribal assistance programs that make you Lifeline-eligible (listed above).
- A household member participates in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- A household participates in the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
- A household has received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.
What Documents are Required When Applying for Lifeline to Receive a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone
Not only must one meet the eligibility criteria to sign up for the provider’s Lifeline/ACP program and receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone, but one must also be able to prove their eligibility. You can prove your eligibility by providing an official, unexpired document that contains all the required details. Depending on your eligibility criteria and other factors, you may be asked to provide proof of your household income, program participation, identity, age, or address.
To prove your household income, you must provide an official document that contains your official first and last name and annual income. Acceptable documents include:
- Current income statement from your employer
- Paycheck stubs
- Prior year’s state, federal, or Tribal tax return
- A Social Security statement of benefits
- Veterans Administration statement of benefits
- Unemployment or Worker’s Compensation statement of benefits
- A retirement/pension statement of benefits
- Divorce decree
- Child support award
To prove your participation in a qualifying government assistance program, you must provide an official document that contains your official first and last name, the name of the program, the name of the establishment that issued the document, and an issue date within the last year or future expiration date. Acceptable documents include:
- Benefit award letter
- Approval letter
- Statement of benefits
- Benefit verification letter
- School documentation
To prove your identity or age, you must provide an official document that contains your official first and last name and date of birth. Acceptable documents include:
- A valid government, military, state, or Tribal ID
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- U.S. Driver’s license
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card or Green Card
- Government assistance program document
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) document (it does not need to include the date of birth)
- Note: Emancipated minors must also prove their emancipated minor status by providing a court document, a certificate of emancipation, or another official document.
To prove your address, you must provide an official document that contains your official first and last name and your physical address. Acceptable documents include:
- A valid government, state, or Tribal ID
- Driver’s license
- Utility bill
- Mortgage or lease statement
- Most recent W-2 or tax return
How to Apply for Lifeline to Get a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone
To receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone, you must first apply for the Lifeline/ACP program at the program support center (online or via mail).
To apply for Lifeline/ACP online, visit nv.fcc.gov/lifeline (for Lifeline) and nv.fcc.gov/lifeline/?id=nv_flow&ebbp=true (for ACP), fill out the online application form, and submit it.
Apply for Lifeline/ACP via mail by printing out a Lifeline/ACP application form at lifelinesupport.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/get-lifeline/LI_Application_NVstates.pdf (Lifeline) and affordableconnectivity.gov/wp-content/uploads/ACP-Application-Form-English.pdf (ACP), completing the application manually, adding the proof documentation, and sending the package to Lifeline Support Center or ACP Support Center, PO Box 7082, London, KY 40742 (the address for both programs is the same).
Once your Lifeline/ACP application gets approved by the program’s support center, you can apply for the SafetyNet Wireless government assistance program. To do so, follow these simple steps:
- Visit safetynetwireless.com.
- Choose your state (California or Other States).
- Review the plans that are available in your area.
- Choose the plan that best fits your needs by pressing ‘Enroll’ underneath it.
- You will be redirected to the provider’s online application form. To start, you will be asked to provide your email address and ZIP code and press ‘Check availability’. If the chosen plan is available in your area, you will be able to proceed. Fill out the application form by providing all the required personal information and proof documentation. Note: Make sure to enter your personal information exactly as it appears on your identification and your Lifeline/ACP application form.
- If your application gets approved, you will be notified via email.
What Benefits Do I Get After Qualifying for Lifeline?
The benefits that you will be able to receive when applying for the SafetyNet Wireless Lifeline/ACP program (including the amount and cost of monthly data and whether or not you will be able to receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone) depend on the state and plan you have chosen.
However, most plans include the following:
- Monthly cell phone service with:
- Unlimited talk
- Unlimited text
- A certain amount of monthly data (depends on the state and plan)
- A SafetyNet Wireless free phone (depends on the state and plan)
- Other perks, such as caller ID, voicemail, etc.
What are the SafetyNet Wireless Lifeline and ACP Plans That You Can Get With a Free Phone?
SafetyNet Wireless has numerous Lifeline plans, including:
- Oklahoma Tribal costs $0 a month and offers unlimited talk/text and 4.5 GB of data.
- Oklahoma Tribal costs $1 a month and offers unlimited talk/text and 5 GB of data.
- Oklahoma Tribal costs $5 a month and offers unlimited talk/text and 5.5 GB of data.
- Kentucky Lifeline Plan costs $0 a month and offers unlimited talk/text and 1 GB of data.
- Kentucky Lifeline Plan costs $9 a month and offers unlimited talk/text and 4.5 GB of data.
- Wisconsin Lifeline Plan costs $0 a month and offers 400 minutes of talk, unlimited text, and 100 MB of data.
- Wisconsin Lifeline Plan costs $14.25 a month and offers 350 minutes of talk, unlimited text, and 4.5 GB of data.
- PA, MI, GA, CO, NY, MO & Non-Tribal OK costs $0 a month and offers 1000 minutes of talk, unlimited text, and 25 MB of data.
- PA, MI, GA, CO, NY, MO & Non-Tribal OK costs $15 a month and offers 350 minutes of talk, unlimited text, and 4.5 GB of data.
- CA Lifeline Unlimited Plan costs $0 a month and offers unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 4.5 GB of monthly data.
- CA Lifeline Unlimited Plan costs $0 a month and offers unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 4.5 GB of monthly data.
- CA Lifeline Unlimited Plan costs $0 a month and offers unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 6 GB of monthly data. Note: This plan is available as a promotion after 90 days of Lifeline service.
- CA Lifeline Unlimited Plan costs $25 a month and offers unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 12 GB of monthly data.
SafetyNet also offers refill plans. Find out more at safetynetwireless.com/top-up-refills.
SafetyNet Wireless also offers ACP discounts to eligible customers, which can be applied to any available SafetyNet Wireless service plan.
Which Phones Do You Get for Free From SafetyNet Wireless?
Like many other Lifeline providers, SafetyNet does not reveal which SafetyNet Wireless free phones are available to eligible customers in advance. The phone brand and model that you may receive depends on many factors, including the state and availability. However, you can expect to receive a new or refurbished device capable of making voice calls, texting, and using data.
What Phones are Compatible With SafetyNet Wireless?
SafetyNet also allows customers to bring their own devices. The phone you bring must be carrier unlocked and compatible with the provider’s services.
Some of the compatible phone models include:
- LG G4
- LG LS991
- Samsung G860P
- Samsung J320
- Samsung L710
- Samsung L900
- Samsung R760
- Sharp 306SH
- ZTE N9520
- ZTE N9521
How to Activate/Unlock the Phone After Getting a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone?
After receiving your SafetyNet Wireless free phone, you will be required to activate it. To do so, contact the provider’s customer service at 1-888-224-3213 by using the handset. The representative will walk you through the activation process. Note: Depending on your plan, you may be required to pay an activation fee.
In the event that you wish to take your SafetyNet Wireless free phone to another carrier, you will first be required to unlock it. Depending on whether or not your phone is eligible to be unlocked, the company will unlock it remotely upon request no later than one year after initial activation. To request the unlock, contact the provider’s customer service. Note: The company reserves the right to decline an unlock request if it has a reasonable basis to believe the request is fraudulent or the device is stolen.
What to Do if a SafetyNet Wireless Free Phone Gets Damaged, Stolen, Broken, or Lost?
SafetyNet Wireless customers can return any defective phone to SafetyNet Wireless up to 60 days from the activation date of their device. During this period, the company will exchange a defective device for a new or refurbished one, at its own discretion. For a defective device replacement, call SafetyNet Wireless Customer Service at 1-888-224-3213.
If the phone gets broken due to misuse, stolen, or lost, the company is not responsible for it and will not cover your expenses. Nonetheless, if the device is lost or stolen, make sure to contact the provider’s customer support service immediately, as any additional charges that may occur until you do will be your responsibility.
Why Does SafetyNet Wireless Offer Free Cell Phone Service?
SafetyNet Wireless offers prepaid cell phone service and top-up plans, which are not free of charge. However, the provider also offers free cell phone services for Lifeline-eligible customers. Why? Simply because the company participates in the Lifeline government assistance program and through it, the provider receives funds from the government, which enable it to provide free cell phone service as well as free devices for eligible low-income households.
Lifeline is a government assistance program that was established in the 1980s when the government realized that phone services are no longer a luxury but a necessity. The FCC thus established the Lifeline program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income people who struggle to afford them. The Lifeline program offers a monthly discount of up to $9.25 (or $34.25 for eligible households living on Tribal lands) on qualifying monthly phone service, internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages. Lifeline providers also tend to offer free phones.
In addition to Lifeline, SafetyNet also participates in the brand new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – a government assistance program that provides discounts on monthly broadband services and connected devices. Qualifying low-income households can receive a monthly discount on internet services of up to $30 (or $75 on Tribal lands) and certain ACP providers also offer a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer if the customer pays a mandatory co-pay of more than $10 and less than $50.
SafetyNet Wireless Related FAQs
Why Choose SafetyNet Wireless?
You may wish to choose SafetyNet Wireless in order to receive one of their free or discounted government assistance plans with free talk, text, and data and to receive a SafetyNet Wireless free phone. The company also offers reliable services and has a responsive customer support service.
Can I Upgrade my SafetyNet Wireless Phone?
It depends on the state and plan. To learn more, call the company’s customer support service.
Can I Get a Free Tablet if I Qualify for the Lifeline Program?
You may be able to receive a free tablet through the ACP program, however, unfortunately, SafetyNet Wireless is not one of those ACP providers who offer ACP discounts on devices.
In Which States Does SafetyNet Wireless Offer Free Services?
SafetyNet Wireless offers free services in the states of California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
How Can I Check My SafetyNet Wireless Application Status?
If your application gets approved, you will be notified via email.
Do I Need to Pay a SafetyNet Wireless Registration Fee?
You won’t be required to pay a registration fee, however, some plans will require you to pay an activation fee of $25.
What Network Does SafetyNet Wireless Use?
SafetyNet Wireless uses Sprint’s CDMA network and a nationwide 3G, HSPA, and LTE GSM network. See the coverage maps at safetynetwireless.com/coverage-maps.
