How to Apply for SafeLink Online & Check if You Qualify

Whether you are interested in getting a free government phone or receiving Lifeline benefits on your current device, you can hardly go wrong with SafeLink Wireless. The telecommunication company offers excellent phone and internet services across the nation.

It is among the leading providers of the Lifeline benefits and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helps eligible low-income households pay for internet-connected devices and broadband service.

If you want Lifeline or ACP benefits, this quick guide shows you the steps to apply for SafeLink Wireless and explains the eligibility requirements for the program.

How to Check if You Qualify for SafeLink

SafeLink Wireless is a Lifeline supported service offering free and affordable phone and internet services. As a government benefits program, only people who meet certain eligibility criteria can enroll in Lifeline through SafeLink.

Although the exact eligibility requirements vary by state, consumers must generally have an income that does not exceed 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Another way to qualify for the SafeLink Wireless program is by participating in any of the following assistance programs:

• Medicaid
• Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)

Also, you may qualify for the program if you live in a state with additional eligibility under certain Tribal programs like:

• Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
• Tribal Head Start

How to Apply for SafeLink Online

Applying for SafeLink should be pretty straightforward, but you must enter your correct information to complete the process successfully. If your data is already captured in the National Verifier portal, providing the same information you entered is important.

Follow the steps below to apply for SafeLink online.

1. Visit the SafeLink Wireless website.
2. Enter your Zip Code and click the Start button to start the application process.
3. Provide your personal information (full legal name, date of birth, email address, last four digits of your Social Security number, etc.).
4. Enter your current physical address (not P. O. Box).
5. Next, provide information about your device and eligibility.
6. Review the information you entered and submit if everything is accurate.

Eligibility Proof

You must provide documentation to prove your eligibility during the application process. It is best to upload your eligibility proof to the National Verifier to make things easier. This allows SafeLink (or other participating Lifeline/ACP service providers) to automatically confirm your eligibility.

However, you can still enroll in Lifeline or ACP directly through SafeLink and provide the required documentation. The acceptable documents will depend on whether you qualify through income or program participation.

Proof of Income

Income proofs show that your household income falls within limits set out in the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Any of the following documents can be used as proof of household income:

• Tax return for the previous year (federal, state, or tribal tax returns are acceptable)
• Three paycheck stubs (three months in a row) within the past 12 months
• Income statement from your employer
• Worker’s compensation or unemployment statement of benefits
• Pension or retirement statement of benefits
• Veterans Administration or Social Security statement of benefits
• Any official document showing your income information, such as a child support award or divorce decree

Proof of Program Participation

If you participate in a qualifying government program, you must provide a document showing that you currently receive assistance. You can use any of these documents as proof of program participation:

• Your benefits statement
• Benefits card for Medicaid or SNAP showing issue date or expiration date
• Benefits award letter, approval letter, or verification letter from the state or federal government showing the eligibility dates and your full legal name
• Current letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you receive benefits from the program

How to Check if You Qualify for ACP through SafeLink

In addition to Lifeline, SafeLink subscribers may qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Besides offering unlimited talk and text, SafeLink’s ACP plan provides the following:

• 10GB of monthly data
• Free 411 directory assistance
• 911 access
• Calls to Mexico and Canada

You can easily check if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program by texting “ACP” to 611611. And if you prefer to receive benefits on your current phone, text “BYOP” to 611611 to check if your phone is compatible with SafeLink’s network.

Conclusion

You can receive help from the government to pay for phone and internet services if you meet the eligibility requirement for Lifeline or ACP. Applying for SafeLink online is not difficult, and you can always ask someone to help you fill out the online form if you have trouble doing so yourself.