The free government cell phone program has finally come to New Mexico. And in our opinion, it’s about time.
First the good news: 25% of New Mexican workers are employed by the Federal Government. State and local governments are also major employers. The state also has lots of high paying jobs in aerospace and mining. Its unemployment rate is an enviable 6.4% (December, 2012), compared to the national average of 7.8%.
Based on those statistics, you might be inclined to assume that the state’s economy is strong and vibrant. Unfortunately, that would be a huge error.
Now the bad news: A shocking 19.0% of the state’s residents live below the official federal government poverty level (compared to 14.3% nationally). The state’s average income also lags behind the national average.
When you compare and contrast those conflicting statistics, New Mexico seems to be an economic Jekyll & Hyde with abject poverty living right alongside
How can this be explained? According to the United States Census Bureau (2011), 10.1% of New Mexico’s population is Native Americans. And according to Wikipedia, the poverty rate in some reservations exceeds 60%.
Luckily, the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program is now available to almost all low-income New Mexicans. And special programs are available for those who live on reservations.
We sincerely hope this can help close that gap between well-to-do New Mexicans and the state’s neediest residents.
Free Cell Phone Providers in New Mexico:
Who’s offering the Lifeline Assistance program in New Mexico? Just two companies, but they ara strong ones. Please check them both out and compare the plans as not everything is the same:
Safelink Wireless
Assurance Wireless
Free Cell Phone Eligibility in New Mexico:
You are eligible if you receive benefits from any of these programs in New Mexico:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Veterans Pension and Survivor’s Benefit.
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
You may also qualify if your Total Household Income is at or under 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.