A government program that subsidizes phone service for low-income people is now available in Virginia.
TracFone Wireless, a provider of prepaid mobile phones, will provide free mobile-phone service for up to a year to Virginia families who earn less than 135 percent of the federal poverty level. For a four-person household, for example, the threshold would be an annual income of $28,620.
The SafeLink Wireless program includes a free mobile phone, access to emergency services and 68 minutes of call time a month, which can be carried over. Phone users also can purchase additional minutes.
The Universal Service Fund charge on monthly telephone bills finances the program.
TracFone estimates that 300,000 Virginians are eligible for the service.