Useful Resource re: Limited or Lack of Access to Devices and Services

March 24, 2020

Below is information from the March 23, 2020 DOH Medicaid Update that may be useful to you. The full Medicaid Update is available online here.

VIII.Options to Support Members with Limited or Lack of Access to Devices and Services

The following is a listing of helpful resources compiled for emergency assistance:

Free Wifi/internet
- Charter Communications (Spectrum) and Comcast are giving households with K- 12 and college students, and those who qualify as low-income complimentary Wifi for 60 days
- Families who do not have the service will also receive free installation of the service
- Both companies are expanding Wifi hotspots to the public within the company’s available regions
- Call (844) 488-8395 (Charter) or (855) 846-8376 (Comcast) to enroll
- Individuals must call company after 60 days, or they will be automatically billed

Unlimited data
Charter, Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon are offering unlimited data plans to customers until May 13 for no additional charge

Safelink Wireless
Eligibility requirements must be met, which are set by each State where the service is provided

To qualify for Lifeline, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in one of the following assistance programs:
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Stamps
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

Subscribers can use their own phones:
SafeLink Keep Your Own Smartphone plan requires a compatible or unlocked Smartphone. Most GSM Smartphones are compatible.
Subscribers can get up to 350 minutes and 3GB of data, which includes voice minutes and unlimited texts, voicemail, nationwide coverage and 4G LTE on 4G LTE compatible devices