Free Cell Phone to those who qualify

Assurance Mobile is a small phone that comes with 250 minutes and 250 texts.  It is not fancy, it is a not a smart phone, but it gets great reception on campus and is great for emergencies. For you non TN residents there are many other states that have this program.  It can be hard switching from the traditional phone plan where you pay monthly and have unlimited texting, data, and voice.  The price is perfect on this phone, free. You can upgrade and pay a small monthly fee for more minutes. 

Go to the assurance wireless website and put in your zip code. The next page will tell you to call or download an application.  Click open the Adobe file.  You will have to print the file and mail it in.  You can automatically qualify if you are on certain state assistance programs already.  If you are not on any programs go to section C and see the income requirements. 

Once you submit your application it can take 3 weeks to process it.  They will have you recertify every year by sending you an application in the mail.

SNAP: I have been approved now what?

You receive the approval and now you are curious what happens now.  You will receive a debit type card in the mail.  You activate it based on the information you receive and set your pin number.  Grocery stores, some gas stations, markets, etc take food stamps.  How do you know who does?  There are is sign usually that says SNAP benefits, or EBT accepted.  You get your groceries and take them to the front.  You do not need to tell them anything and they ring them up.  You swipe your card like a debit card and if you have to choose payment method you choose EBT.  You can only purchase food on these benefits.  This excludes things like diapers, toilet paper, hot food at the deli.  You can do both purchases together and pay the difference of the non food items after the EBT is ran through.

SNAP: How to apply?

Even if you are not sure if you qualify you can fill out an online application.  To apply click here.  Once you
have gone to that webpage click on the link that says click here in the third paragraph.





Once you have gotten to the application choose English as the language and then scroll down and choose want to apply now.


Go through the application process.  Follow the forms and answer their questions.  It will feel like they want to know everything.  The form could take up to 30 minutes to fill out depending on how much information you have to fill in.  Some things will not apply to your situation.  To apply for health insurance you do the same form as well.  When filling out this application you can check boxes for which services you are applying for. 

Once you are done you will get a confirmation number.  They ask that you print it out.  If you do not have a printer you can highlight everything with your mouse and hit control c and then copy it into word, or an email and then email the document to yourself so you will have it for later. Then you wait.  Wait on what?  For a letter to come in the mail.  The letter will have what you need to do next.  Typically they have scheduled a phone interview.  You can do all of this process through the internet, phone, and mail.  This will help if you have limited gas money to have to drive some place.  They will even send you self addressed stamped envelopes.  If you have a certain level of income available you might qualify for emergency assistance where you could have them in 7 days.