*The purpose of this page is to inform you of the options available. PTLA does not endorse or critique any of these services. You may want to check with reliable consumer sites before signing on with a wireless company.
Free and Low-Cost Cell Phones
Safelink Wireless is providing eligible, low-income Mainers with free cell phones. The phone plan includes 68 monthly minutes, unlimited access to 911, voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and international calling.
To learn more about Safelink or to apply, call 1-800-SAFELINK (1-800-723-3546) or go to www.safelink.com.
Assurance Wireless also provides eligible, low-income Mainers with free cell phones and 250 free monthly minutes, unlimited access to 911, voicemail, call waiting, caller ID and customer care.
To learn more about Assurance Wireless or to apply, call 1-800-395-2171 or go to www.assurancewireless.com
Q Link Wireless is a third provider of free cell phones to low-income Mainers. Q Link offers plans form 68 to 250 free minutes, all of which include unlimited access to 911, voicemail, call waiting, caller ID and customer care.
To learn more about Q Link Wireless or to apply you can go to www.qlinkwireless.com/
To qualify for these free phone services, you must receive assistance from one of the following programs:
- MaineCare
- Food Supplements (formerly Food Stamps)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Emergency Assistance Program
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Or you may qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty level. If you don't qualify, visit our page Choosing a Wireless Phone Service Provider for helpful tips on how to find a plan that may work for you.
Low Cost Landline Telephone Service
Maine's Link-Up and LifeLine Programs are providing eligible Maine residents with low cost telephone installation and services. The Link-Up program provides Maine residents with a 50% reduction in phone service installation charges up to a $30 maximum. The LifeLine Program helps with the cost of telephone service by offering up to a $13.50 per month discount on phone service.
More information about Lifeline and Link-up.
Sign up for LifeLine
To qualify for these services, you must receive assistance from one of the following programs:
- MaineCare
- Food Supplements (formerly Food Stamps)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Emergency Assistance Program
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
For more information or to apply for captioned, amplified or voice-activated telephones, visit the Maine Center on Deafness
Mainers with hearing disabilities may be eligible based on income to receive a captioned, amplified or voice-activated telephone at little or no cost from the Maine Center on Deafness.
Additional Communication Resources
More information about Google Voice
Mainers with ready access to computer internet services can take advantage of free phone service through their email account at Google Voice. This service allows you to make and receive telephone calls in the U.S. from your email. In order to utlize this service, you will need:
- A working computer with a strong internet connection and working microphone
- A gmail email account (free from www.gmail.com)
- Download and install of the voice and video plug-in (free from www.google.com/voice)
Mainers with ready access to a computer internet services may also choose to take advantage of Skype or ooVoo. Skype.com and ooVoo.com provide free video chat service for PCs and smartphones.
In order to utlize Skype or ooVoo, you will need:
- A working computer with a strong internet connection (camera optional for video)
- A Skype account (free from www.skype.com) or an ooVoo account (free from www.ooVoo.com)
Skype and ooVoo are especially useful options for communicating long distances because people across the globe can utilize these free video chat services.
New free and low-cost communication options are becoming available all the time. Pine Tree Legal Assistance does not endorse any of these companies; our goal is simply to inform you of the free and low-cost options we are aware of at this time. If you know of additional free or low-cost services out there, please leave us some feedback! Use our feedback form at the bottom of the page.
October 2011; partially updated March 2014
PTLA #079