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Free cell phones for needy residents

TracFone Wireless using federal subsidy for Butler, Warren households.

By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 10:18 AM Friday, August 21, 2009

A wireless company has tapped into a federal program to offer free cell phones and service to thousands of low-income residents across Butler and Warren counties.

TracFone Wireless Inc., a prepaid cell phone company, has been approved to launch its SafeLink Wireless plan, which through the federal Lifeline program will provide eligible low-income households a free cell phone and 68 minutes of free air time monthly for one year. The cell phone offers features such as voicemail, texting and call waiting, according to TracFone.

The company uses a subsidy from the Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund for the monthly air time, and provides the phone — a Motorola 175 — at its own cost, said Jose Fuentes, director of government relations for TracFone.

According to U.S. Census data, about 28,048 households in Butler County and 10,976 in Warren County could qualify for the program.

Fuentes said cell phones are often taken for granted as a common household resource. While the air time can be used however clients want, he said the phones will serve as a vital tool in everyday issues, like car trouble, communication between family and contact with employers.

“It’s another sure way an employer can contact you and especially in the current economic situation and especially in Ohio itself, the state has been hit hard by the economic downturn,” Fuentes said. “A missed call could be a missed job opportunity.”

Some qualifications for SafeLink/Lifeline include participation in government assistance programs such as Section 8 housing, Medicaid, food stamps, free National School Lunch program, or if total household income is at or under 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

To learn more, call (800) 723-3546 or visit safelink.com.

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