Free cell-phone service available to low-income households in Missouri

Free cell-phone service available to low-income households in Missouri

More than 700,000 low-income households in Missouri are eligible for free cell-phone service through a federal program.

The program, which recently became available in the state, will cover about 96,000 households in Jackson and Clay counties.

The Federal Communications Commission created a program 25 years ago called Lifeline to ensure landline access to low-income households.

The program, now called SafeLink Wireless, was recently updated to provide free cell-phone service and 68 minutes of free monthly talk time for one year.

Missouri is one of 21 states, plus the District of Columbia, participating in the program.

The service is provided through TracFone Wireless.

To qualify for the program, households must participate in federal programs such as Federal Public Housing Assistance, the National School Lunch Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or disability benefits for veterans.

For more information, call 800-723-3546 or go to www.safelinkwireless.com.