Assurance Offers Cell Phones with Service to Struggling Kansas Residents
November 28, 2011 2:18 PM | Services | Comments (0)
 More than 100,000 Kansas residents are currently without a job and more than 13 percent are living below the federal poverty line. Assurance Wireless gives eligible customers the ability to provide a contact number and return calls to a prospective employer, which, studies show, can improve the chances of securing employment. According to a nationwide survey from Assurance Wireless*, adults with an income of less than $25,000 are as likely to use their mobile phone for employment searches as those with higher incomes. |
“As we’ve become available in more and more states, Assurance Wireless is proud to help customers stay connected to potential employers, medical and childcare providers,” said John Carney, senior vice president, Consumer Marketing for Sprint. “We look forward to providing this same type of assistance to eligible Kansans who need support and resources during, what continue to be, rough economic times for many.” Carney, who lives and works in Kansas, oversees Sprint’s prepaid brands which include Assurance Wireless, Boost Mobile, payLo and Virgin Mobile USA.
“I was unemployed for an extended amount of time due to layoffs,” stated Evan M., 37, a current Assurance Wireless customer. “The phone and service I received from Assurance Wireless were invaluable to my finding new employment and to my efforts to recover from this recession. It allowed me to contact potential employers and provide a way for them to respond to me, while also saving money. Assurance also gave me peace of mind that I had a way to stay connected to my kids while away from home.”
Assurance Wireless is a Lifeline Assistance program funded through the federal Universal Service Fund designed to insure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income consumers at affordable rates. Customers eligible for Assurance Wireless include those who participate in Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, General Assistance, Head Start, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, United Tribes Food Distribution Program, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, The National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program (NSL). Customers may also qualify based on low household income. Eligibility varies by state. Supporting documentation is required to prove eligibility.
According to a recent report, “if all 28.5 million adults eligible for Lifeline Assistance were to take advantage of the program and earn at the same rate and level as [the study] sample, it would result in $3.7 billion in fresh income for the poor and near poor.”1
In addition to a voice mail account2 and call waiting, Assurance Wireless provides caller ID and access to 911 in case of emergency. Beyond the 250 free voice minutes each month, customers can choose from other options to pay for additional minutes, texting, international calling and more at competitive rates.
Eligible residents can apply for Assurance Wireless by calling (toll-free) 800-395-2171, or visiting www.assurancewireless.com.
Meanwhile, people who don’t quite qualify for Assurance Wireless but who are also struggling in the current economy and searching for value, can take advantage of payLo by Virgin Mobile. payLo was especially designed with value-conscious wireless consumers in mind, offering plans for as little as $20/month for 400 minutes or 90 days of service for $20 at a rate of $0.20/minute. payLo is available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack and Target.
Prospective low income customers who find they are not eligible for Assurance Wireless may learn more about Virgin Mobile’s no contract payLo Plan options by visiting http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/paylo-plans.jsp#
Assurance Wireless is currently available in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. This list of states continues to expand and can be found on the Assurance website.
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