NEW YORK – (IBWire.com November 15, 2011) - According to FreeGovernmentCellPhones4U.com, Maine has just become the 29th state (plus the District of Columbia) that Assurance Wireless has rolled out service in. Now eligible Maine state residents can qualify for a free government cell phone and 250 monthly cell phone minutes from Assurance Wireless. Eligibility for Assurance Wireless' free cell phone program in Maine is based on participation in qualifying government assistance programs
Over 170,000 low income Maine residents can now qualify for a free cell phone and free monthly cell phone minutes from Assurance Wireless. "Free government cell phones will be a huge help to families in Main struggling to make ends meet" said Robert Jackson, Editor at FreeGovernmentCellPhones4U.com. "Trying to find a job without a phone number that potential employers can use to contact you is near impossible. Assurance Wireless is helping put Maine residents back to work and we think this is great."
In order to qualify for Assurance Wireless service in Maine applicants must participate in Section 8, Food Stamps, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Social Security Income (SSI), National School Lunch (Free Program Only), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or MainCare.
Assurance Wireless is one of three national cell phone companies that offer free cell phones under the federally funded Lifeline Assistance program. The Lifeline Assistance program is funded by the Universal Service Fund, which receives contributions from all phone service providers. Phone service providers usually pass these fees on to their customers.
States are free to determine their own eligibility criteria for Lifeline Assistance programs. However, eligibility is generally based on total household income, usually below 135%-150% of the Federal Poverty Level or participation in government assistance programs, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, Section 8 Housing and SSI.
Reachout Wireless and Safelink Wireless also offer free cell phones and cell phone service. Residents of 37 states can now qualify for service from one of the large national free cell phone service providers. Although the three major free cell phone providers do not release statistics, it is estimated that close to 8 million Americans have signed up for a free cell phone.
Free cell phone programs are available in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Those wishing to find out more information about the Lifeline Assistance program are welcome to visit the site below.
www.freegovernmentcellphones4u.com is a leading authority on the Lifeline Assistance program and free government cell phone programs.
