ASSURANCE WIRELESS FROM VIRGIN MOBILE I AW THE AD ON TV, I CALLED BUT APPARENTLY THIS IS A SCAM --- TOO BAD Internet, Internet

As an individual who was also eligible for social services I called the 1-800 number to Assurance Wireless.  This is the new company that took over the service from Sprint.  I had the lifeline service from Sprint 4 years ago but that was for a reduced rate hardline phone in your apartment or home.

The Assurance Wireless application was simple to fill out.  All I had to do was send a copy of my social services eligibility letter and within a month I had my phone.  The process is verified each year to insure that you still qualify for the program.  At the time I joined you received 250 free minutes to use for that month.  Since then they have increased the program to include 250 free minutes and 250 FREE texts.  If you need more it only costs $5 to add more minutes and texts.  For $20 you can add up to 1000 minutes and 1000 texts per month.

The program has been evolving and is just getting better.  You can now upgrade your phone to one of the new smart-phones.  All you have to do is call their 1-800 number or go online to:

http://www.assurancewireless.com/public/Welcome.aspx

It's that simple.  Hope this helps!

There are so many untruths posted here!  I have an Assurance phone.  You do NOT get a choice of phone!  You get a simple digital phone.   There are no folding phones, no cameras, no smart phones.  I personally have a hard time using my phone because the buttons are so small and I have arthritis in my hands.  But, it is free so I do the best I can.  I would be without a phone otherwise.  

They do use up  your minutes fast if you are not frugal.  But, again, it is free and better then not having a phone.  Those of you calling the phone a scam are probably, in truth, not being fully honest with Virgin Mobile / Sprint about something.  By the way, there is another free phone service out there but their extra minutes are not only more expensive but a real hassle to renew.  Assurance extra minutes are not!  Thank you for giving my a chance to say what I think.

I am a consumer of Assurance Wireless and have had no problems. Additionally I know 3 other people with Assurance Wireless and they have not had any problems either.

Suggestion 1: Make sure Assurance Wireless is available in your state and county. If not there are other providers. This is a Federal Government Program.

Suggestion 2: Make sure you meet the rquirements which are mandated by the Federal Government, NOT those of Assurance Wireless.

At this point and time Assurance Wireless offers this free dervice and phone through Virgin Mobile and Sprint is the Carrier. I receive, as do the other 3 individuals I mentioned above, 250 free talk minutes and 250 text messages per month. If you want to pay $5.00 per month you receive an additional 250 talk minutes and text messages. There are also other offers which include web service and or unlimted talk and text.

Suggestion 3: Spend the money to upgrade the phone. The phone I received for free I found was responsible for dropped calls and dead spots. I upgraded to a Samsung phone for $49.99 which comes with a Qwerty keyboard (Side Slider) and this rectified my dropped calls and dead spots.

Again, if you go to the Government Website and look up your state and county it will tell you which company you can use if Assurance Wireless is unavailable. Also be aware that different companies offer different services. Not all provide 250 minutes of talk and 250 text messages as Assurance Wireless does.

Remember, this is a Federally Funded Program and Assurance Wireless IS NOT a SCAM!

Ps. Libraries have computers and internet service! Get a library card and avail yourself of their computers and internet service.

I've had an Assurance Wireless account for over 6 months and I assure you it is not a scam and is an extremely helpful program. The phone number and/or company you called could not have been for Assurance Wireless because the business is still alive and kicking, a friend of mine just applied for and received his phone not 2 weeks ago.

About 7 months ago I applied for an Assurance Wireless phone via the internet at www.assurancewireless.com, just filled in my info and was approved in about 10 minutes (I think a few things have changed and now you need to show proof of either your income or whatever government assistance your on, when I applied that info somehow just popped up after putting in my info) anyway, it is still a very easy process. If you don't have access to a computer you can call 1-888-898-4888 or to make it even easier, I heard that they even have a store that you can physically apply at, you just need to look into that to see if there is one in your town. I got the phone in a few weeks and have been extremely happy with it ever since. 

Not sure what info you originally got or where you got it from but instead of assuming it was a scam and bad mouthing something that has been a life saver to a lot of people, you could have probably very easily found the correct number yourself by finding another number for virgin mobile and getting info from them or if you don't have access to a computer, going to library and getting on-line and getting all the info you need and applying right than and there. 

I hope since writing your report you have gotten a cell phone but if not hopefully the email add. and phone number I gave is of some help to you. I never respond to things on the computer but what you wrote got me a little heated, especially since Assurance Wireless is an amazing privilege that I am very thankful for, it is a free phone w/ free talk and text, the government doesn't need to do that for us, we are not owed this, yet you publicly bashed this just because you got some wrong info and didn't try to find the right info yourself. 

This is ABSOLUTELY NOT a ripoff nor is it a scam. Yes, it's true that Sprint no longer has anything to do with it. It is now offered through Virgin Mobile. Everything that is said in the ads and commercials are true.

How do I know?? Because I am a happy user of Assurance Wireless. Previously, I was using another carrier called Lifeline Wireless, offered through Tracfone. Their service is very good, too but I learned that Virgin Mobile offered more. They offer 250 minutes of talk time as well as 250 free texts. Whereas Tracfone's Lifeline offers 250 minutes only and each text you send or receive costs one minute. So I switched to Assurance and am happy with the service. Both of these 2 carriers are sponsored by our government. But the bad thing about both of these is the customer service. BOTH are bad. Unfortunately, they are outsourced and THAT is almost never a good thing.  Another thing I almost forgot to mention....with Assurance, if 250 is not enough for you, you can setup your account where they will charge you $5.00 and give you an additional 250 minutes AND 250 more free texts. 

If the person that posted this as a ripoff had not been so negative opinionated, and looked a little further they would have learned that the free service DOES in fact exist.  

I have had a free phone and service with Assurance Wireless for over 2 years. It is a valid offer and company, which by the way has great cellular service . I have a family member that was recently approved for the free phone and service within this year. Assurance Wireless has a website with current information for consumers. I recommend this company. Even if one does not qualifuy for free servive, they offer VERY affordable talk and text plans!

I am a long time user of Assurance Wireless and I can assure you that it is not a scam.  Perhaps you got your phone companies mixed up and this is why the Sprint personnel were so rude with you.  Assurance Wireless is not associated with Sprint but with Virgin Mobile.

You can go online (maybe at your local library if you do not have a computer) and look up Assurance Wireless.  Because in addition to calling them on the phone, you can apply online.  If you receive foodstamps, medicaid or some other type of government funds (I think SSI -I'm not sure about that) you will qualify for a free, Assurance Wireless Kyocera phone.  It is not a smart phone.  It is the bare minimum. But if you just need basic in/out call service, it will do.  Also, because it is associated with Virgin Mobile, there are some Virgin Mobile phone you can purchase to use with the plan, they just cannot be smart phones, Android phones or phones like that.

I also understand now Samsung has a program now.  I don't know much about that one, perhaps you can look that up online, also.  I hope you have better luck this time.  Just make sure you look up the right companies and let them know you are looking for the free phones for people on government assistance.

Also, you only get 250 free minutes.  There are no text minutes or data minutes.  If you want that, you have to pay an additional fee.  I only use my phone for job hunts and emergencies and 250 minutes is more than enough.  You just can't sit around talking on it all the time.  They do have other plans you can purchase to add more minutes or include text messages.  You'll see all that when you look up the phone. 

I don't know how you got the comments from Assurance Wireless that you did. They are in fact still in business and have helped many millions of Americans with free cell phones, compliments of the federal government.  How do I know this? I run a website that devoted specifically to telling people where they can get such a free phone.  I don't sell anything, it's just an information site.

I don't know if I am allowed to place the URL of the site here (http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net). If not, just search for Free Government Cell Phones and you'll see a site that has pages for Assurance Wireless and all the others. All together, about 15 million cell phones are in use now through this FCC program, Lifeline Assistance.

I just want to say  to the folks here who have replied to the scam reports or whatever regarding the Assurance Wireless complaints, if you read the complaints carefully, at least one of the posts claiming it could be a scam, what the person really meant was that the company, I guess in this case it would be this Assurance Wireless, is scamming the consumers AND the government, because the one lady was certified until Feb 2013, and yet her phone service had been suspended because the company told her they supposedly needed verification that she was still eligible and yet when she called the application dept., they told her they weren't aware of any problems and that she should be eligible until Feb 2013.
And the company had tried to charge her for service that she was already supposed to be getting for free,( or free for her from the government, anyway) because when they suspended her service initially they switched her to a pay plan because it supposedly was the only way they could see if the phone worked?? And then she couldn't get them to put her back on the original plan, which they originally suspended due to her supposedly not " using her phone often enough", which wasn't true because she only had 120 of the 250 minutes left for that month, which should have been evidence enough that she was actively using her phone. And she went through a huge hassle with the customer service and the application dept and still hadn't gotten it straightened out. 

So bottom line is, her concern is that the company is still getting the money for her so called free service ( which she isn't getting) and they are charging her also. And of course if that is the case then there is something really wrong there. She was so upset she was ready to call the state attorney general among others. So who knows, but it does sound like there are some definite problems somewhere along the line here.

I tried to apply online but it didn't work so after repeated attempts, I finally went to the website and downloaded the application from my state and sent it in almost four weeks ago as did my boyfriend and no word yet. Although I had called the phone # and talked with someone almost 2 mos prior to that to apply and gave a customer service rep the info and they said we should get the applications in the mail and that was over 8 weeks ago and I haven't gotten one, but my boyfriend got one in the mail last week. Which he didn't fill out because I also read that if you try to apply more than once they can deny you and even accuse you of fraud!! So, wow, this is a royal pain in the you know what. 

So I don't know what to think at this point, I hope this isn't a scam because it would be a wonderful service and I for one would never complain about something like this if it just worked like it's supposed to. I honestly don't see how they could get away with getting paid by the federal government and scamming the people that signed up for it. At least not for any length of time, because then they are committing fraud.

Anyway, I'll post again however this comes out, good or bad. We'll see.

Assurance is still around and will help, I have had one of thier phones for over  year now, and yes it is totally free for 250mins. and 250texts per month, they even have a totally unlimeted plan for only 30 $ a month, buut you do need to meet thier guidelines

in may 2012 i submitted letter to assurance requesting free phone. am retired and on food stamps here in florida. @ one month later (june) 2012 received free phone. retired buddy down the street received his about the same time. very happy with service.

There is nothing more annoying than people who:
1. Can't spell worth a darn.
2. Don't use the proper words.
3. Don't capitalize the beginning words in sentences.
4. Don't separate paragraphs.
5. Use all caps.

And YOU have really gotten under my skin with your post!

Let me explain it like everyone else has tried to do...

I live in Tacoma and I got an Assurance Wireless phone free in the mail within 2 weeks after I sent my application in! Sure, it's a cheap phone. What do you expect for free? But, I was already a Virgin Mobile PayLo prepaid customer, and they allowed me to transfer my Assurance phone number to my PayLo phone for free, and it only took a phone call.

I'll admit that their customer service sucks, and I hate trying to understand someone in Pakistan named Steve or Kim or Ashley, and sometimes I end up hanging up on them! BUT, again, it's free so they're not going to pay top-dollar for great call centers like the major carriers have.

Assurance Wireless is NOT a scam! Not the best phone service on the planet, but certainly you're getting what you pay for!

Adding minutes is super easy if you do it online, especially if you use paypal like I did. I had more minutes in, well, literally minutes!

So Puleeeez, stop posting in all caps! And if it will help you better understand, I'll misspell it all for you: due nawt wyne abowt sumpin yew git fer freee! Ann tretnin two tayk dem too kort iz a joek. Yu bettr hab lawts uv munny cuz u dont stant a chnce!

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A NUMBER YOU CAN CALL FOR ASSURANCE WIRELESS LIFELINE PHONE 1-888-321-5880. YOU WILL GET A RECORDING AT FIRST. ANSWER A FEW OF THE QUESTIONS THEN JUST STOP ANSWERING ANYTHING. AFTER THE RECORDER ASK THE SAME QUESTION THREE TIMES IT WILL FINALLY SEND YOU TO A REAL LIVE PERSON. YOU CAN GET A TEXAS (OR ANY OTHER STATES) APPLICATION
AT THE ASSURANCE WIRELESS WEBSITE.

EGGCELENT

You CANNOT submit your application online... I'm sorry if you've been misinformed.  But at assurancewireless.com you do need to print out the application or mail it or fax it in... The fax number and address is listed on the application.  If you think you've applied online, you are mistaken.

-Former Employee

    Dear Poor Girl,
        I too, am unemployed and have absolutly no idea of what I'm going to do. I have child support that needs to be paid and countless other bills. I do understand how hard it is. However, I do get Assurance Wireless phone service and have for sometime. All you have to do is go to www.assurancewirless.com and fill out the form. You dont even need a printer or a stamp. Just click submit. You WILL get the phone with 250 mins every month. If you can't find it on that site, try Virgin Wireless. Thats all I did about 3-4 years ago and still have it.

    Sincerely,
    Unemployed78

    P.S If you still can't get it, just sent me word and I'll do it for you. Really

I am a former employee of a 3rd party company that assists Assurance Wireless with application processing and other day to day operations and can assure you the program is completly legitimate... Many people apply and have their applications denied and then feel like they've been duped, but in reality it is because of their own inability to follow the simple instructions on the application. Many applicants forget ro sign their applications or check what form of assistance makes them eligible.. The big mistake made by most applicants is not sending in the documentation that verifies their eligibility that is CLEARLY ASKED FOR ON THE APP... They then get denied due to their lack of thoroughness and take out their frustrations on AW customer service and accuse Assurance of harrassing them or scamming them or picking on them or some other nonsense...

Therefore, If you are applying for the program, please make sure to be thorough with your application, and if you live in a state that requires you send documentarion, MAKE SURE TO DO SO, you will be denied if you don't.. If you're not sure what you need to include with the app, just call the number on top the app for assistance.. It will only take a few minutes to do so. It is mind-boggling how many applicants completly disregard the documentation the app asks them to include..

In regards to the person or peope who are currently homeless and trying to get approved by AW, I understand it can be frustrating and difficult to do so without having a primary address, but if you read the fine print before you sign the app, it would clarify the situation.. Lifeline phone assistance is considered a UTILITY, like water or gas or electricity and therefore the phone HAS to be registered to a physical address.. This is a GOVERNMENT REGULATION.. You wouldn't be able to get electricity or water hooked up at a mailing address..

Furthermore, the fine print also states that by signing the app, you are stating that you are the head of household, in fact other lifeline programs won't even let you apply unless you are on the lease at the address. Again, this is a government regulation that has been put in place, not a rule made by Assurance Wireless. The fine print also states that by signing the app you realize that any inaccuracies you have listed can be considered fraud... So when you sign the app stating that you are the head of household, yet you are homeless.. You are comitting fraud.. Other lifeline companies are more thorough with there enforcement of this rule, yet it is still a government rule nonetheless, it is unfortunate for the homeless.. But it is the GOVERNMENT RULES FOR ELIGIBILTY... Its amazing how many people simply do not read the fine print before they sign..

And additionally, if you look to apply for the phone and notice the assistance program you are on is not listed on the app (like medicare, for example), don't handwrite the program you are on and expect to qualify, the program and income guidelines on the app are black and white, if you don't meet them, you do not qualify.. I used to see this all the time, applicants would cross out medicaid on the app but handwrite medicare and then expect to get a phone.. Government sponsored programs just don't work that way.

Above all, please call them at 1-888-898-4888 if you have questions, thats what the agents are there for.. Never assume anything, if you are unsure, save yourself the headache and hassle of sending in an app and getting denied... Many applicants would have an easier time with the process if they called and asked before sending the app, and it will also save them the time and frustration of being denied.. You can call the number 24/7..

In closing, I am fully aware the service isn't the best in the world, as nothing free typically is.. The program is just waht it says it is, a free phone with 250 free monthly talk minutes, nothing more nothing less. It will help you find a job or be there for medical emergencies.. Which is the intention of the program, not for sending picture messages to your friends or browsing the internet.

Buddy......it is all you. Good luck.......and God help any person that has to deal with you.

I am currently an subscriber with Assurance Wireless. I received my phone without delay. I called the company and spoke to someone in customer service. The application was completed. I returned all require information required by the company to support my need for a phone. I have had my phone since 07/01/2011. As long as I meed the requires set forth in their guidelines I will continue to have a phone. I don't pretend to  know why several people are not currently using or receiving a phone. However, I can say this for certain. Virgin does have a strict set a criteria to qualify for the phone. Once the application has been submitted. They will send you back a letter requesting information regarding financial or what Federal Programs you are currently receiving assistance from in order to qualify. There are income restrictions. This is not like going into Sprint, Verizon and or other companies purchasing a phone with a contract. So, my advice is to complete the application. Submitt all ID information for the Federal Program that you are receiving assistance from i.e Snaps, Housing etc.. in a timel manner. Make sure you accurately complete the paperwork and then call for status. Aggressive, belligerent behavior in any situation will certainly not help the issue. Also, I know of several people who use this program. I also help a few to apply. So it can be done. What is required is patience.. I hope this helps. Phone number to call  888-521-5880  or see info from website. http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/HowToQualify.aspx
How to Qualify for Assurance Wireless, a Lifeline Assistance program

Assurance Wireless is a Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Virgin Mobile and supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. If you qualify for Lifeline Assistance, you can receive a FREE Assurance Wireless cell phone and 250 FREE monthly minutes.

To see if you qualify, choose your state in the dropdown menu below.

If you dont see your state, that means Assurance Wireless service is not currently available in your area. But check back soon, as we are working hard to expand. 

 
  SELECT YOUR STATE 
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You may qualify for Assurance Wireless if you participate in any of the following government programs:

 
Texas( place name of state you reside in). 
Medicaid. 
Food Stamps/SNAP 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 
Health Benefit Coverage under Child Health Plan (CHIP). 
Federal Public Housing Assistance 
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
OR You may qualify based on household income. Click here for more info.
Click on the Check Availability tab to see if Assurance Wireless is offered in your area.

I live in Public Housing for Senior Citizens, many of whom can not afford cell phones.  Over a year ago, our building's outreach social worker helped many of our residents with their Assurance applications.  Because I am tech-savvy, I have helped a number of my neighbors set up and get adjusted to their new phones.  I am not aware of any complaints about setting up their accounts, or false claims about quality of service, billing, etc. 

The initial Rip-off Complaint does not identify the writer's home state;  I am speaking as a New York State resident only.  It may be that Sprint, or some other company, was the initial provider for Assurance where the writer lives, but for as long as I have been aware of it here in New York State, it has been offered, and managed by, Virgin Mobile, and is (as of this date - 1/8/12) still listed on their log-in page. it has been a great service for my low-income neighbors.

I hear people complaining that the phone and srvice does not come with all the "bells and whistles".

Cant's tou be satisfied with a free phone and 250 minutes of talk-time every month with an option to increase it to 500.00 per month for 5.00.

This is a government subsidized program.  If you want text messaging, etc. then you have to pay for the luxuries. It is 20.00 per month which also increases your talk-time and is way below "Open Market" rates.

Also keep it mind you have to either meet income guidelines or be on another Federal or State Assistance program to qualfy and the offer is not valid in every State. Why? Because it is a government subsidized program and Assurance is authorized in certain States.

Assurance wireless IS NOT a Ripoff. order directly from their website as I did and received the phone in leass than two weeks and it works fine.

If you want all the "bells and whistles" on the phone check out Tracphone or Net10. They have a similar program but you pay for the phone (9.99{Basic}-199.99{Android}). Also, at least in my State the free minutes are only 125 per month. Yes, their reception can be better with less dead zones but again you pay for the phone and receive half the talk-time as you do with Assurance.

Fortunatly, you can go back to work. I have been disabled since 2001 and pray for the day I can return to the workforce.  As far as reaching their website without a computer or internet service, try a realtive, friend or the local library. Another option could be your Dept. of Social Services, if you are on welfare and they can assist you in applying for the phone.

You state "IMAGINE MYH SURPRISE WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER AND GOT A VERY RUDE MAN WHO ANSWERED AND SAID THAT SPRINT HAD BOUGHT OUT VIRGIN MOBILE IN MAYH OF 2010 AND WERE NO LONGER OFFERING THIS PROGRAM". Strange, because I received the phone approximately a month ago and my service is through "Virgin Mobile" and so is the service of 5 other people I know who have the "Assurance Wireless" plan who have all had it for at least a year.

 You are correct about one thing you said " THE SOONER I CAN GET A JOB AND GET OFF THIS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND BE ABLE TO PAY MY OWN WAY AND HELP OTHERS. THIS IS NO DAMNED FUN..."

One other possible solution for cheaper phone access might be a service and device being offered by Sprint. It is a stand alone box, power adapter must be plugged in to a wall outlet, it has an antenna, and you can plug a Standard House Phone into it. They (Sprint website) says it the service cost $20 a month. Probably some surcharges and fees too. But, it is unlimited calling. It looks like a cellular to home phone adapter. it is not a hand held cell phone, but it CAN be moved around. It has voice mail and caller ID. And it looks small enough to be locked away when not in use. Might be something to look into, just my two cents. Thanks for listening.

The correct phone number for Assurance wireless is 888-321-5880.  It is Virgin Mobile. The number of free minutes per month is 250.  Assurance will inform subscribers that the 250 is added on the 16th of each month.

In fact, it is added 'at one minute past midnight' on the morning of the 17th.

The truth is it is actually added sometime during the day of the 17th.

Other than that, they seem to be legitimate.

I have two friends with Assurance phones that they received in 2011. Their service is through Virgin Mobile. Instead of a phone call, try filling out their form and begin enjoying your phone.

I am in the position that I too need one and am applying today.

I have the assurance lifeline service in New Hampshire. I get 250 free minutes every single month automatically. With a $10.00 top up card I can buy 250 extra minutes for $5.00, 1500 extra minutes for $20.00, and 30 text messages for $1.99. I applied by mail. Go to the library and find the address and write away for applications for all your low-income neighbors as well. Even fuel assistance qualifies you.

Some states, like Massachusetts, do not use these offers since they have their own plans,  so you'd look on the state website. Verizon also offers "welfare phone" service (Life-Lines) either as land-line or cell phone service for those who qualify.  Most of my elderly clients have them, as does my cousin in Watertown, MA.

I don't know who you talked to, but I have never had a problem with any of the live advisers

Keep trying!.

I totally disagree with some negative comment's I have read about  Assurance Wireless .

I have a FREE  cell Phone from this company .

They have kept every promise made !

Thank you Assurance Wireless as my Home Phone just went dead !

I have been dealing with Assurance Wireless since August of 2011 here in Georgia.  On 8/29/11 I received an approval letter.  I have been waiting for a phone since then and have yet to receive one.  Originally I was to send in money to receive the upgraded phone, however, for lack of money I declined and opted to receive the free phone. 

When I called in I was told that I would receive the regular Jax phone within 21 business days.  Here it is November 22nd and I still have not received a phone.  No one seems to be able to help me at all.  I call in and they transfer me back to the beginning of the system or give me several other numbers to call.  No one is able to help me, not even supervisors. 

They say things such as, "Unfortunately we are not able to send you a phone for the first time, you must call this number and they will be able to help you."

I have all but given up on ever receiving a phone.  I am starting to believe that this company is just full of unprofessional and poorly trained employees.  I am highly disappointed in their service and even more upset that supervisors do not know what to do.  Futhermore, what kind of company is unable to transfer within its own company?

I have a list of more than 6 different telephone numbers and have been speaking with people repeating my story everyday for the last 2 months with no conclusion in sight.  What do I do about that?

i am not sure how things work in texas but i am from columbus ohio and i got my free assurance wireless phone without a problem. i simply applied and identified that i was a participant in the food stamp program and mailed tha application in. i recieved my phone in approximately 2 weeks and have had no problem with the phone or the service. i am greatful to have the service because i have been out of work for more than 6 months and it helps to have a local # when applying for jobs.

I have had my service with Assurance Wireless about 2 years and I have had no problems with this service at all! I recieved a free phone that works very well and every month I brecieve the 250 FREE minutes as promised in the television ads. In addition I often purchase one of their  additional optional packages (for texts or additional minutes), at very affordable prices. I was even sent a replacement phone after my original one was destroyed in a home fire.

I read your complaint. I followed the information and it worked differently for me. I received my phone in less than ten days, and get 200 minutes every month automatically. Maybe there is an administrative error with your account.

You're partially correct fu2.  The "fees" as you call them are actually Federal Taxes and fees mandated by our  wonderful United Socialist States of America to provide this free cellphone service to a select group of our population.

And they get a free smart phone to boot!  Hell, I pay for my cellphone service and I don't have a smart phone.

Free service and the "entitlement mentallity" still complains.

This is just another example of our government running amok with wealth distribution/vote buying schemes.

FYI, every land line service in the U.S. provides a "bargain /economy" land land service for just under $20 per month (before taxes and surcharges.)  Our land line phone for  our home runs about $25 per month total.  I don't know anyone who can't afford that limited service (unlimited inbound calls/20 outbound calls per month.)

Were you ever homeless?  Libraries, parks, and in front of church missions is where the homeless congregate.  I can't tell you how many homeless people I see in the downtown library around winter time.  The homeless are some of the most needy, but it is hard for them to prove residency.          

None of Assurance's "free" phone services are free. The parent phone company charges phone users (primarily the middle class) a "universal" phone fee and uses those fees collected to pay for the lifelink program which offers the phone and services to the poor for "free".  Nothing in this world is free. 

Assurance wireless does not rollover your unused mins. There is another company offering the same deal free phone 250 free mins a month an they roll over the unused mins also u dont have to buy any-more mins to text its just deleted from ur total mins an the service area is great.

the assurance wireless program is not a rip off. I have one and can verify its authenticity

I seen the ad for Assurance Cell Phone on Tv one night. I called the next day & They asked if I was on any Govt Program & I explained Soc Sec. & FS. The Gentleman told Myself Very Politely they will Mail out the Application and to put a copy of My FS Letter & Soc Sec Approval Letter In with the Application.  I recieved My Phone as Advertised on Tv & Over the Phone.

I got The Free Cell Phone, I get Free 250 Free Minutes, If You would like to text or add more minutes You Pay for the extra Minutes or Text Yourself...Your 250 Free Minutes Monthly Roll over On the 15th of every Month... If You do not Use Your Full 250 minutes within a Month the rest of the Minutes are deleted & when its time Monthly , You go back to a Full 250, So

In General the Minutes do not add up if You Do Not Use them. Your Moreless at a 250 Minute Balance Monthly If You want this Free.  I have been with Assurance now for a year. Ive had absolutely Not one Problem with This Company. I Thank The Good Lord that on My budget these days that This program exsists...

Im Very Pleased & Content with Assurance...

There is another Co. that just recently started advertising the same thing which is called Safelink

instead of magic jack I'm going to recommend google talk since it's free, you have some choices for phone numbers, it has free voicemail/caller id (it will also send you a transcription to your email address), low hardware requirement (have used it on a netbook and older laptops), and you'll have unlimited calling with it.  You do have to use a window's xp or newer based computer and most of us know a few people with one so you can use it at other people's home too if they have broadband internet and allows you to install the software on their computer.  Lowest hi speed home broadband internet service is usually cheaper than home phone or cellphone per month, it also looks better when you have both for job hunting, and worst case scenario you can use the public library and some churches to use it.  Best of all this has no monthly fee or have minutes that expires, other than the computer and internet service there is no entry fees.

I have magic jack as well which is pretty good too but I know some people can't afford to pay for the item's initial cost when they've been unemployed for a while.  Both magic jack and google voice can use the computer's built in mic and speakers for making the call, they both also support bluetooth if the computer has it as well.  I know with a limited budget a person may not be able to afford bluetooth accessories to make the call, luckily the dollar tree also has a $1 computer earphone with microphone that plugs into the mic and headphone jack that can be used too.  I hope this helps anyone who needs it.

One negative to google talk, magic jack, and any voip service all of them require broadband service and dependent on the network's speed which may also be impacted by other users on it (so if someone is streaming netflix or filesharing, it may cut in and out).  On a lower price tiered internet service have the other users pause their activity like streaming video or downloading files while making calls otherwise the service is going to cut in and out or will be unusable. 

I admit, while dealing with the company, I ran into a problem here or there, but I can assert that I have a phone from them, and get 250 mins a month for free,  a couple examples of the problems ive had with assurance wireless.
1.) from your phone it will tell you what day they will renew your minutes. You wont; (atleast where i live in the south) be given your minutes till the evening of that day.
2.) I called customer service, and asked if minutes were round up, i recieved an incorrect answer. (the person i dealt with actually told me 50 secs here and 10 secs on another call would be 1 minute) No.
3.) I asked them if checking my voicemail from my phone causes my minutes to be used, once again, the info I was given was inadiquent. (it does)
4.) I called told them I was misiformed (by their employees) about my minute issues, all they offered after i wasted multiple mins was like a 2 dollar and 50 cent credit too my account. (10 cent a min. rate)
(wow that outaa just cover the customer service calls that misguided me. Thanks virginmobile >.<

Okay, good things this program. If you recieved the same phone that I recieved, (the jax) its actually a very nice phone. A common complaint implemented about this phone is " -no camera?!- "
 Also, if you drop "The Jax" you have about a 70% (or higher) chance of the back end that holds your battery in place, coming off or apart.. Its only held in by a few little clips.
              * Though the phone appears basic when you first get it, its actually (i.m.o. -in my opinion) a great phone. It has Voice dialing; which means you can cordinate your phones calling processes through words. So instead of having to scroll your contact list, you can just say "contact home" and the phone will dial your "home" labeled contact number. It took me a long time to figure out how to get the Jax to do this, really a person only needs to hold the green button in the top left corner of the phone. There are also numerous features on the phone, that keep it user friendly, and versatile.
This phone comes with a 69 page manual on how to operate it. Another great feature about the Jax is it's battery. It charges all the way up in a very short time. (The speed is amazing)
It also will last a long time before needing recharged. (especially if you keep your ringer volume and earpiece volume at a lower level. 



   *****  One great feature about assurance wireless is you do have the option of changing  from the intial phone you were given to an upgrade.
 Contact assurance wirless for a list of the phones & thier phone manufacturers that are compatiable.
 Overall I know this company is NOT a RIP OFF. And would tell anyone eligiable to get involved with it.
The process is easy. I called the commercial's number. They wanted to know if the program was available for my area, you tell them your zip code. If this program is available too your area. You must show them proof you are on sometype of government assistance. (medicaid ssi) you fill out an application, get copies made of your Identifcation, and medicaid papers, or ssi benefits, send them in with the app. ( the application can be confusing, personally, I had to call customer service to help me out with mine. )

I am a happy assurance wireless customer. and if 250 mins isnt enough for you, you can upgrade to 500 minutes a month with an addition monthly charge of 5 dollars a month.
Parents with kids, if you are eligiable, you may just want to get this phone (despite having another cell) and give it to your child to keep in contact with them.
If you think assurance wireless is a rip off, then your only getting "ripped off" (or scammed) by the person that typed that crap about them!

I
wouldnt
 doubt
that people try to falsify things about Assurance Wireless for other phone companies to keep "paying" customers with thier coverage/service.

9/7/11
JG.

I am a caseworker who works with recipients of public assistance (welfare), all of whom qualify for free phones and 200 min./month from Assurance Wireless. The service is not a hoax.

I have helped a number of my clients apply for free phones from Assurance Wireless. The application process is the easiest of its kind that I have ever seen. In addition, their customer service personnel are friendly and competent.

Please see this site for more information on how to apply for an Assurance Wireless

phone:http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx

I personally have Virgin Mobile's wireless Assurance service, and I get the 250 free minutes on time every month. It is automatic and no problem to use. Your unused minutes do not roll over. You can buy another 250 minutes a month for $5.00 without a credit card by buying a $10.00 top-up card (good for two months). 411 (information) calls and SMS (texting) are not free with the plan, nor is data. To use any of these other services you need to money in your cell phone account (from a top-up card), or use separate phone or internet service.

I know several other people who have this type of free service and it works just as well as mine does. I downloaded the Assurance application off a VM website (they do not ask for a SS#) and mailed it in in March 2011. They sent me back an approval letter within two weeks and the next day I got the phone and AC charger (a cheapie, to be sure, but it works fine), and I activated it the same day.

Recently I mislaid my phone, and after searching and being without it for two weeks I called them and they helped me transfer the service and the number with all my minutes to the other (also cheap VM) phone that I had retired when I got the free phone and service. The customer service rep was very polite and helpful, even if a bit hard to understand.

Verizon offers the same free service, and perhaps AT&T as well, if you can't find the site to get the VM application. I think they all call this service a Life Line.

Applications are also usually available at your local human services (welfare) office.

Good luck!

I have this phone and service. I am given 250 free minutes per month. Texting would be an extra $0.10 per text. It works well for me for the most part. The thing I don't like is the new 250 each month is scheduled to be on the 16th of the month. But, what they do is add the 250 at one minute past midnight the 16th, making the new minutes get added on the 17th. 
I wonder how much money they save on the grants they must receive to provide this service by holding off that one extra day to give the account holder the new 250 minutes. 
And, today the phone ended a call with an odd sound. I called the 800# on my land line and spoke with someone I could barely understand. She guided me thought the battery removal, and reset up the phone. Then it worked for a few mins. when it did it again.
This time when I called I was told all the mins were used up. I had been conserving the mins and made a point of using the phone less this month, so the mins should not have run out with 2 weeks left in the month.
Alas, I had not verified the remaining mins prior, so am stuck with taking her word that the computer did not eat my remaining mins, as she said sometimes happens.
That is a money making maneuver for them as well.
I was told they wait until the 17th "to give users the whole time". Balderdash. 
On principle I won't 'top off' with them. I got a phone card as backup.

The report is ridiculous.  Assurance Wireless is the fast growing free government cell phone company in the country. While Safelink Wireless is still currently the biggest, Assurance is gaining on them very quickly.  There are almost two million Assurance Wireless customers.  And the program is backed by the fed's Safelink phone service program.

None of the Lifeline providers are a "scam." While some may not be happy with the customer service or the phones, the program is a valid, legal program.

I am not associated with Assurance Wireless, Virgin Mobile or it's parent Sprint/Nextel.  But I do publish the #1 source of independent information on these Lifeline cell phones.

Mark Henry
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net

Assurance Wireless is not a rip off, I got my phone as promised, they helped activate it, and it is working just fine. I am on SSDI and am glad I was able to get this phone. I appricate what help companys like this give to people.

I am sorry that you have had issue's with Assurance Low-Income wireless phone program. We live in Washington State and have 1 phone and have had it for 3 months and the process to obtain the phone was very simple. It did ask a few more questions than I expected, but overall it went well. Perhaps you can try and get the application online at assurancewireless.com and see if that process is helpful. Again, I am sorry that you had trouble getting your phone. I do not work for the program, I am just a fellow low-incomer and wish the best for all.

On their website http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/CustomerInformation.aspx  it has a link for a Texas application for the program, I saw today. Good luck

The ripoff reports are bogus.  Assurance Wireless, part of Virgin Mobile which is now owned by Sprint, is the provider for the nationwide "Lifeline" service.
It does exactly what it says it will do, no more and no less. There are other "Lifeline" providers and I recommend that the people that cannot fill out forms properly go to one of them, please.  Those that do not like the *free* phone or the way the service functions for texting or web should also go to another provider, please. 
This is a PHONE service for people who are either temporarily or permanently in a very low-to-no income situation.  It is meant to place and receive PHONE calls. The phone, a Kyocera Jax, is capable of texting but I have never seen an employer advertise 'please text me for details on the job' ...
It is a basic phone for basic usage.
Sprint is behind the service 100%.  For example they just announced that Kentucky will soon(late 2011) be eligible.  AR just became available in April 2011. ...
Virgin Mobile manages the service. Activation of the phone on the Internet takes the customer to the Virgin Mobile web site. 
It is not great. Only a moron would expect great.
If one wants more ("great") service then BUY it. Virgin Mobile has some great plans and phones. This service is for all of us who got kicked in the head(and a few other places) by the Reagan-Bush-Bush triple debacle and others who cannot afford the rates of landlines or cell service plans.  Our society demands that everyone have phone service to get and|or keep gainful employment.  Assurance Wireless makes that available.

Please stop this ripoff report nonsense. THERE IS NO RIPOFF FOR A TOTALLY FREE* SERVICE. FCS, they even pay the mail costs to return the application.

*FREE actually means it is funded by Universal service that we have all been paying for on our phone bills so, technically, we have paid for part of the costs already and will pay again once the FREE service is no longer available because of lack of eligibility. 
...Here's hoping everybody will soon be ineligible, ;).

 after loosing everything from this recession,i was just glad that there is some help coming from the gov.-  anyway..here is my own story with assurance...They tell you that  if your poor and in some kind of  gov.assistance, that i can qualify for a free cell phone with 250minites free...and yes i got the phone,and  when i started making calls, that 250 minutes was just foing so fast,despite reporting to them that the  minutes are somewhat getting exausted without me using it,  i  e-mailed them about, and no answer to my complain,but instead they offered  to give me more time ,plus i will be able to text ppl for 5 extra bucks..i did that, and nothing,text would not reach me,till 5hours later and sometimes a full day.. i must have spent 25 bucks, and  wrote them,before they told me, that i should tell them to enroll me  a program, to be able to get all the discount,and the best service.. so i went ahead and allowed to once again charge me 5 dollars monthly, and they said that i will get 500 minutes and be allowd to text... my mother passed on may 31, and my brothers was texting me and calling me, but they could not get thru,so they went ahead a left me a message..THAT MESSAGE DID NOT GET TO ME TILL JUN 3 ,2011!!!!!! and guess what kind of SCAM you people  would send me  JACK????, (and i stilll have this) that i must add more money,  for me to get my message... you people are even holding my personal message as hostage ???? and after i informed you guys about your scam, and cut that monthly $5.00 that you assurance scammed from me.. you people just cut my service all together, but i am sure that you still claiming me from the governemnt.. anyway.. ASSURANCE IS SCAM, AND THEY KNOW IT, they will send you message, telling you that you an incoming pictures, message and text, but you need to add more money to retrieve your message, and when you  do,pay them the $ 5bucks,  you get to findout  that there was really no message... it was just another way for assurance to inflict distress on someone.. BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEPARATE YOU FROM YOUR MONEY, BUT THERE WAS NOT INCOMING MESSAGE OR TEXT, THEY JUST DO THAT FOR PEOPLE  TO SEND THEM MORE MONEY.... I ALREADY FILED MY COMPLIN AND AM STILL GETTING PEOPLE TO STOP THIS GREEDY PRACTICE OF SENDING PPL , FALSE ALERT  OR WOULD LIE TO YOU,AND SEND YOU A MESSAGE,TELLING YOU THAT YOU GOT SOME INCOMING PICTURE AND MESSAGE,BUT YOU CANNOT RETRIEVEIT UNTIL,YOU SEND THEM MONEY.. NOW HOW EVIL IS THAT ??? NOW TELLME JACK, TELL ME THAT YOU PPL DONT DO THAT, CAUSE I STILL HAVE 5 MESSAGE FROM YOU PPL,ASKINGME TO SEND YOUMORE MONEY(that m,ay be just 5bucks, but with that blitz T.V. add plus yourt very agressive street hustlers, i am sure that  assurance is counting hundreds of millions by now ,IT IS COMPANIES LIKE ASSURANCE THAT IS DESTRYING THIS COUNTRY, AND WE ALL MUST DO OUR PART TO EXPOSE THE EVILS OF COMANIES LIKE  THIS......... .. ...ASSURANCE WIRLESS IS AS EVIL AS IT GETS...  WHERE CAN YOU FIND A COMPANY, BEGGING PPL  IN FOODBANK, SHELTERS AND SOMETIMES OUTSIDE KING COUNTR JAIL, SOLICITING FOR PEOPLE TO SIGN UP ???? WE MUST STOP- THIS FEELING OF OUR COUNTRY'S RESOURCES.. THIS PEOPLE ARE SO EVIL, THAT I CANOT WAIT TO FACE THEM IN COURT..

I have seen tracphone and even some virgin mobile phones for as little as $9.99 and in the case of virgin mobile which has $10.00 phone cards available in some store so you can pay $20.00 and have a phone ready for an emergency or to receive job searching related phone calls.  The $10.00 balance is used as a pay as you go balance that expires every 90 days and the rate is $0.20 per minute.

Dude how can you be playing around in the internet and living in your car?   You're probably hanging around the girls soccer field...whatever it is you're doing, its not helping you get ahead.  And its not discrimination just because you don't get what you want.  Now buck up!

I was very excited when I first heard about this program and I anxiously awaited it's arrival in Iowa. The ability to communicate is extremely important;this service allows homeless to contact family, and job seekers a number to put on applications. I work at a Resource Center and have been heavily promoting this. It's only been a few weeks so I haven't heard from anyone who has received their phone yet, but all have been grateful for the opportunity to apply. Really rubs me the wrong way when someone complains that there is no texting or camera in the phone. This phone is for those who can't afford a phone and plan so they can call someone if they missed the bus, or if they need to schedule a Drs. appointment, or find a sitter when they go to a job interview, etc. Parole officers can now contact their clients, and vice versa. The potential for this program is huge and I welcome it whole heartedly!

mabye it's just discrimination against me because if you go to assurance wireless facebook page it shows that they were in houston...close to where i live...helping the homeless apply for service...so its not all homeless they have a problem with just me

i filled out an app for assurance wireless. after 2 months of nothing i finally call them and they tell me i was turned down because i didnt sign the 2nd box on my application and they have mailed me a new application. i had the foodstamp office fax in this application and i signed the 2nd box this time...its the box for the person whos name the light bill is in...and put an asterik and side note that i do not have a light bill because i live in my car this is my mailing address only. well guess what i have been turned down again because the address on my app is my mailing address and not my residence. i live in my car!!! i am being penalized for being so poor i live in my car how is that fair!?!?! what a low blow thanks for kickn me while im down. i seriously need a phone for potential employers to call me.

It's not a scam!  You must have made a few mistakes, some of which are detailed in your major complaint.  Incidently, you have also committed a major cyberspace no-no -- writing in all caps -- it's like you are screaming and it is hard on the eyes to read and this is totally annoying.  Didn't you read the instructions for writing a rebuttal?  The easy instructions include:

"PLEASE...

DO NOT use all capital letters, it makes it hard to read.

DO NOT indent paragraphs.

DO NOT write your report all in one paragraph. Use 2 or 3 sentences to each paragraph and leave a space between each paragraph."

Sprint does not have an Assurance wireless program under its name, so I don't know what you are taking about in your scam claim.  Anyway, you cannot be scammed by a program offering a free cell phone and free basic phone service unless you pay money for it and do not receive anything in return.  For something to be a scam, you have to be mislead -- usually with false advertising -- and you are required to pay money, but then get nothing in return.  You haven't lost anything except your temper. 

Getting something for free is not a rip-off.

You can sign up for Assurance service very easily on Virgin's website, http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx.  There are free computers with internet service at every public library.  You can also call 1-888-321-5880. 

I've had my phone since August 2010 and I am quite pleased with the service.  I get 250 free minutes per month, a free phone, a free charger, free access to the internet, and the option to buy more minutes, pay for texting, or download different things that already cost money, like special ringtones.  Any time I have called customer service, agents were patient and not at all rude.  I am very grateful for this program.  

For the other complainer who wants a free entertainment device to text and chat all day or night or through the weekends -- this is NOT what the phone is intended for.  It isn't for entertainment, or for you to text all your friends and chat your head off anytime you want, although the cost is low for people who want these extras. 

About.com explains that Virgin Wireless Assurance is:

"designed to help lower-income consumers with their communications needs for job searching, emergency support and staying in touch with friends and family. While the cell phone service is basic, the intent is to allow lower-income consumers access to a mobile phone if they couldnt afford it before or if previous service was too costly." 

Thus, you get the phone to satisfy essential needs.  If you want to goof off, game, talk all day, etc. -- this is not essential to your health or well-being.  The phone is a communication aid to support you so you can get and/or maintain a job, better take care of yourself and your family, access the internet, get help in emergencies. 

God!  People can be so greedy when offered something for free! 

According to the eligibility criteria for Virgin Wireless Assurance, you must be receiving Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), supplemental security income (SSI), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), federal public housing assistance (FPHA) (or Section 8), low-income home energy assistance (LIHEAP) or the National School Lunch Programs free lunch program.  Customers may also qualify based on household income.  You also have to live in a state where this program is offered -- many states do  not yet have this program. 

Go to the website at http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx and enter your zip-code to find out if this program is available in your state.  Then, answer a few super-easy questions and your application is put in motion.  You will receive a letter very soon after that tells you whether or not you qualify based on the eligibility criteria.  This letter contains important information that you need to activate your account -- so don't lose it.  A few days later, you will receive the phone itself. 

If you have any questions or problems you can call 1-888-321-5880.  I have spoken several times to customer service agents and they have always been professional, patient, considerate, and helpful. 

I am a disabled mother and I have a fixed income. i have been using Assurance wireless for almost a year. At first i only had 200 minutes but they automatically upgraded me to 250. I had to do nothing to get it. This is no scam in any way. What do you want for free? it's a free phone. All you need it for is for 2 things- to make calls and receive calls, and it does both. If you are worried about running out of minutes and you have internet, I suggest magicjack for home service-$19.95 a year- I use it. Beggars can't be choosers.  If I want to text I use AIM and text all the cell numbers I want. They can even answer there or my magicjack. Magicjack will read the text to me.  If you want more, you can add another 250 minutes for $5 so come on get real- it doesn't get much better or any easier than this. Evidently you didn't understand how to get a phone, because I found the only way to get one is signing up online. i also helped nine friends sign up and get one. So I know it works. No Scam there! Also it is still Virgin Mobile, and Verizon bought them out last year and made the service better, yet they are still virgin mobile.

I saw the Ad on tv and I know some one in my school who  has this phone. so I was thinking in get. The phone is ok there no cam on it so you can not tack pic there no text messaging but when sign  up you get I think it's 10 text free after that nothing but if you want text  you would have to buy a top up card at any durg store $20 dollers for 200 Minutes but  when ywhen you use the top up card from virgin moblie ever text is 15 cent. and there no Free nights or week end and even if the prson your calling dose not pick up it they tack it out of your minutes so in one hand if your only going to use it for emergency and not to talk all day and night than your good. What I do if iam home I tell my friends I would call tham back from my house phone so my Mintes do not get low and i can stay on long. But to tell you the truth it just better going to a durg store and buying a phone for like $14 and just buy a card to fill it comes out much better couse last of pay as you go phone now come with free night and weekends. If I was working I would have been doing that myslef because couse I need my free night and free week end.

They say this is part of Virgin mobile but when i go to the Virgain mobile web site and look at there plan it would have been better just signing  up to virgain couse they have plan starting at $25 dollor a mouth with every thing text web calls and it's pay as you go. will I hope this will help.

My name is Jack and I am an employee of Assurance Wireless and Sprint Nextel.  I am sorry you had difficulty getting to us but I assure you Assurance Wireless is not a scam.  If you are an eligible resident of NY, VA, MD, TX, NC, TN or MI you can apply to receive a free phone and 200 minutes per month.  As I said I am sorry you had difficulty.  Please  call 1-800-395-2171 and someone will be glad to help you.

Buy a $30 pre-paid Phone at Target.