Sign Up for Free Smartphone in Tulsa, OK

 

Affording a cell phone and the high bill that goes along with it every month is truly a privilege. There are families out there that have to make hard choices when it comes to the items they purchase and spending thousands of dollars on the phone does not seem like a feasible option. For this very reason, the government instituted the Lifeline program.

The Lifeline program provides a free government phone in Tulsa, OK, as well as other states, to families that can prove they are in dire the need for assistance.

History

The FCC,  the Federal Communications Commission established the Lifeline program back in around 1984 in an effort to provide low-income families with a means of obtaining a landline. In the beginning, the program would give qualifying families a discount on their phone bill. After a year, the FCC revamped the program allowing it to provide a further discount and start up a new program called Link Up. This new program would heavily discount or pay for the installation of a new line into a home of a qualifying family.

 In the 1990s, the plan was upgraded once again to ensure that all the states in the U.S. adopted the programs. Not only that, but it also raised the amount of help that was provided. By the 2000s, the FCC added cell phone service as a part of the program as most people were switching away from landlines. 

Tulsa, OK

Oklahoma is a state that, though it has come a long way over the past eighty years or so is still showing a shocking 15% of people living at or below the poverty range. At the same time, roughly a third of the population of Oklahoma is currently accepting some sort of government assistance, and that number is still on the rise.

 What this means for the population of Oklahoma is that even if the phones are not entirely free, the Lifeline phone can be as low as $1 a month. Assist Wireless has plans that are both Tribal and Non-Tribal in nature and have something for everyone out there. There is a range of plans out there, with the most popular one being just $5 a month. That is around the same as a medium cup of coffee at your favorite place on the corner.

 Most of the plans provided work the same as they would with any national carrier. Within these benefits, the following services are covered:

•          Nationwide Calling
•          Unlimited Text Messaging
•          Call Waiting
•          Three-way calling
•          Voicemail
•          Caller ID
•          No Roaming Fees
•          No Charge for Domestic Long Distance
•          Free 911

 Application

Applying for a free smartphone in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a relatively straightforward process. In order to qualify for the Lifeline program, and possibly the Link Up program as well, you can start the process either online or by calling Assist Wireless for further instruction. Knowledgeable staff will always be on hand to help you through the process and make sure that you are receiving the full extent of your benefit.

 Key factors to keep in mind are what exactly allows someone to qualify for the program. More specifically, there are two ways that someone can receive such a benefit:

·         Eligibility for a government assistance program:

o   Food Stamps or SNAP

o   Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

o   Medicaid

o   Supplementary Security Insurance (SSI)

o   Vocational Pension

o   Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

o   Tribally Administered TANF

o   Federal Public Housing

o   Tribal Head Start

o   Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

·         The household income has to be at or below 135% of the poverty line within the state.

o   As an example, for a family member of one person that is at or below $12,760  and for a family of four, that is at or below $26,200.

 As you begin the process to qualify for the Lifeline phone for your household, keep in mind that you are going to be required to provide some documentation. To qualify for the program, you will need to show proof of qualification (either for a government benefit or through low-income) by providing statements.

 Of course, you will also need to prove who you are and your address. This is very a very important part of the process as only one benefit is applied per household as opposed to per individual. A household is defined as individuals who live and work together to support one home and all those who live within it.

 Here are some of the types of documents you could use to satisfy the requirements:

•   Proof of Identity documentation:
•   Driver’s License or State ID
•   Birth Certificate
•   Passport
•   Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Citizenship
•    Permanent Resident Card
•    Weapons Permit
•    Military Discharge paperwork
•    U.S. Government or Tribal issued ID 
•   Proof of Address:
•    Driver’s License or a State ID
•    Government Assistance Program Documents
•     Utility Bill
•     An Income Statement such as a W2 or a paystub
•     Mortgage or Lease
•     Retirement or Pension Statement of Benefits

 

Keep in mind that you do not need to submit all of the documents listed above, but rather the best one that you have from the list to satisfy each requirement.

 The Lifeline program was designed to allow every household in the U.S. the ability to stay connected with other family members, with potential or current jobs, and with emergency services. It is truly a service that has the interest of the people in mind, and someone who qualifies should not hesitate to make use of it. If you ever find yourself unsure, Assist Wireless is there to help you, answer any questions, and help you with the application process. Assist Wireless will also work with you to determine which plan is the best for your family so that you always feel connected and secure.