Your Cell Phone Options if You're Military, Moved or Deployed

Cell phones are a great thing, unless you aren't in a place where you can use he., which happens to military personnel. What if you are deployed, or moved to a station where you can"t get reception?

The law has an answer for that. According to Military Wallet., the law allows active military personnel to cancel telephone contacts when moved to a place where reception is no longer possible, or deployed overseas. Also, check your phone contract and see if you are allowed to go into vacation mode if deployed, and under what circumstances.

More Information About Phone Services for the Poor

Awhile back, we had a couple of posts about the Universal Phone Service, which helps low-income people pay for their phones and/or service.  Most people have heard of Safelink Wireless, ( 1-800-378-1684)which has wide, multi-state coverage and heavy publicity.  It's a product of TracPhone, and has a basic plan of 68 minutes, with additional plans available.   You can use the minutes for calls, but also for text messages.  Eligibility for the program varies from state to state, and usually involves income or whether or not you receive some public services, like section 8 housing or food stamps. 

Another wireless service, available in 30 states, is Assurance, by Virgin Mobile (877-727-4976)  You can get a free phone and 250 minutes a month, and can buy into plans for additional minutes, texting and international calls. 

In truth, there are lots of companies involved in phone services to the poor, depending on where you live.  For a list of the ones in your area, go to the Universal Phone website and check for state-by-state coverage.  

Free Cell Phone, and Some Minutes, Too

Safelink Wireless is a government-supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime to people who otherwise wouldn't have them. The time isn't much--maybe about an hour a month--but it could provide you with a crucial emergency link to the outside world. Enter your zip code to see if it's available in your area, as well as eligibility in your state.

You have to apply in print (the website gives you an application that you have to print and fill out), and send documentation that shows you are qualified, or fax them to the number shown. Mailed applications can take up to 2-3 weeks.

For more information, call Safelink at 1-800-977-3768 from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or Sunday from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m., eastern time.

Getting Help for Telephone Service

With the rise of cell phones and pay-for-minutes plans, in which you don't need a land line telephone contract to have service, the need for programs to give low-income people help paying for their phone service is not acute. But it's out there, in all 50 states.

The Universal Service Administrative Company, a not for profit agency, was set up by the federal government to help the poor with their phone accounts, among other things. The low income program is divided into two parts: Link Up, which helps with the initial start-up costs, and Lifeline, which helps with ongoing phone bills. Note that these only help with expenses for bare-bones, local telephone accounts. To find out if you qualify, see the page that links to federal qualifications and qualifications within each state and tribal land. Within each state, you will find out about qualifications for that state and how to apply for service within each phone company. A page also describes the program in Spanish.