Getting assistance? You may qualify for Lifeline phone

Dear Student Legal Clinic,I heard that the government will give me a free cell phone if I am on FoodShare. Is this true? How do I get my phone?

Signed, Karrin

Dear Karrin,

The program you have heard about is part of the Lifeline/Link-up program that is designed for people receiving Wisconsin Homestead Tax Credit, W2, Medical Assistance (MA), SSI, FoodShare, Energy Assistance or BadgerCare.

Lifeline makes telephone service more affordable by reducing the basic monthly charge for one telephone line in low-income eligible households. Lifeline reduces the cost of monthly service by $8.50 to $10.00.

Link-Up pays for most of the installation charges associated with one telephone line. Link-Up helps households without telephone service get it, and those with service to keep it when they move.

Call your local provider for more information or call the Utility Counselors at Community Advocates at 414-449-4777.

Eligible households may decide to get a cell phone instead of a land line. Safelink is TracFone's "branded" version of Lifeline and Link-Up.

According to the Public Service Commission, there are a few things to be aware of with these plans.

Consumers can only get one Lifeline credit. If they have it on their land line, they cannot get the cell phone.

The phones provided under this program are very basic phones and they only receive about 60 minutes free per month. If phone usage is high, they may be better off with another plan. Buying additional minutes in small quantities really adds up quickly. This may be a good program for people who are not high volume users.

You can get more information on Lifeline and Link-Up from the Public Service Commission. You can reach them at 1-800-225-7729 or on the website at http://psc.wi.gov.