Why Would I Want to Switch from Assurance Wireless to SafeLink
Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless are two of the most popular, generous, and reliable Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program providers in the U.S. They both offer free government cell phone service with unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as discounted mobile devices. Both companies also provide access to a nationwide network and have responsive and professional customer care services that make eligible low-income customers feel safe and taken care of.
Nevertheless, there are some minor differences between the government assistance providers and these details may prevail. Reasons why you may wish to switch from Assurance to SafeLink include:
- You may be moving from a state where SafeLink Wireless operates, while Assurance doesn’t.
- Perhaps you need free talk and text to Canada and Mexico (this is offered by SafeLink, while Assurance doesn’t offer this benefit).
- Perhaps you are no longer satisfied with Assurance’s T-Mobile network, as you live in (or are moving to) an area where SafeLink’s combination of all three largest carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) offers better coverage.
- SafeLink’s overall government assistance offer may fit your needs better.
How to Switch from Assurance Wireless to SafeLink Wireless
Both Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless are wireless companies that offer government assistance benefits – Lifeline discounts on phone and wireless services and phones and ACP discounts on internet services and connected devices.
Since you are currently an Assurance Wireless subscriber, it means that you already qualify for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefits.
So the question is – how do you transfer your Lifeline and ACP benefits from Assurance to SafeLink? Luckily, transferring benefits between government service providers is simple. All you need to do is to contact the new provider (in our case, SafeLink) and a representative to transfer your benefits. The agent will then ask you some questions and tell you if you need to reapply and if so, how. The transfer shouldn’t cause any service interruptions.
During your phone call with SafeLink’s agent, you will need to provide the following information to transfer your Lifeline and ACP benefits:
- Your full legal name
- Your date of birth
- The identity data provided in your application
- The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number or Tribal ID number
- Home address
- Phone number (also make sure to mention if you wish to keep your old phone number)
- Your verbal or written consent for transfer acknowledging that once the transfer is complete, you will lose your benefit with the previous company and confirming that you are aware that consumers may not have more than one Lifeline benefit per household.
Steps for Switching from Assurance to SafeLink
To switch from Assurance Wireless to SafeLink, make sure to follow these simple steps:
- Verify your SafeLink eligibility. Surely, you must be Lifeline and ACP-eligible, otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to participate in Assurance’s program either. However, SafeLink offers its services in different states than Assurance and as it only offers benefits to residents of those states, you must make sure that your area is covered. SafeLink operates in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- Contact SafeLink’s customer support service. During the phone call, you must:
- Ask the agent to transfer your benefits.
- Tell the agent if you wish to keep your number.
- Provide the agent with all the information listed above
- If necessary, reapply for SafeLink’s services. The agent will tell you how to do so.
- Get a SafeLink SIM card. Ask the agent to send it to you during your phone call.
- Get a SafeLink-compatible phone. Assurance Wireless may allow you to keep your old device. If so, make sure it is unlocked (Assurance will unlock it remotely upon request) and compatible with SafeLink’s services. Otherwise, apply to receive a new free phone directly from SafeLink.
- Insert your SafeLink SIM card into a SafeLink-compatible phone and activate the device by following the instructions included in the SIM card kit. You can now start enjoying your SafeLink government assistance benefits.
How Do Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless Compare?
As mentioned before, both Lifeline and ACP providers are reliable and they offer similar benefits. It is hard to say which company is ‘better’. However, there are certain differences between the companies. For instance:
- Assurance Wireless offers qualifying customers a free Android smartphone, free unlimited data, free unlimited texts, free unlimited minutes, and free 10GB of monthly mobile hotspot data. SafeLink, on the other hand, offers a free smartphone, free unlimited minutes, free unlimited texts, free unlimited calls to Canada and Mexico, free unlimited data (25GB of high-speed data), and up to 5GB of free hotspot data.
- Assurance Wireless runs on T-Mobile’s network, while SafeLink uses the networks of all three major carriers – Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
- Both companies offer a huge coverage area. See SafeLink’s coverage area at ww3.tracfone.com/coverage/check and Assurance’s at coverage.assurancewireless.com/t-mobile.html.
- Both companies offer a reliable and responsive support service.
If I Switch from Assurance Wireless to SafeLink Wireless, Can I Keep My Phone Number?
If you wish to keep your Assurance Wireless number, you can do so. Make sure to include this information and stress its importance in your transfer call.
Are There Any Special Requirements or Conditions for Switching from Assurance to SafeLink?
To switch from Assurance to SafeLink, you must:
- Still meet all the Lifeline and ACP eligibility criteria.
- Be the only applicant in the household.
- Be a resident of one of the states where SafeLink operates.
- Only be receiving benefits from one provider at a time.
- Not have any debts with Assurance Wireless.