A new partnership between Pueblo Cooperative Care Center and Assurance Wireless is providing low-income households with free mobile phone service.

Recognizing the important benefits associated with phone access, and acknowledging that underprivileged individuals and families may not be able to afford the service, the federal government created the Lifeline Assistance program.

Supported by the Federal Universal Service Fund, this program has provided phone access to qualifying households since 1985.

At the care center, 326 W. Eighth St., the response to the program has been exceptional, with extensive lines forming long before the doors open.

"Each phone comes with 350 minutes, unlimited texting and 2 gigs of data," noted Joseph Tyquiengco, an independent contractor working with Assurance Wireless. "And free of charge as long as participants qualify.

"You may qualify based on household income or if you or a member of your household participates in certain public assistance programs like Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP or SSI."

Although the program allows for only one account per household, separate households that live at the same address are eligible, including residents of homeless shelters and nursing homes. Residents with temporary addresses are also eligible.

"It's important for our clients to have a point of contact, so that they can receive additional services," said Corry Higbee, the care center's executive director. "If they come out of the hospital, they have a way to maintain contact. If they have a potential employer, they can be contacted. Or if they have to contact our organization or social services, they now have a way.

"It's a corridor for communication that they haven't had in the past."

Higbee said that for many individuals and families struggling to survive, wireless phone service is often viewed as an unattainable luxury.

"It's way down the list of priorities," Higbee said. "That's why we brought this service in: to improve the quality of life for our clients."

On a recent morning, the care center lobby was packed to capacity with clients hoping to get one of the 15 to 25 phones distributed each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I need this to keep in touch with my doctor and daughter," one client said as he gratefully accepted his phone. "I wouldn't be able to afford it myself."

Tyquiengco said that once the free 300 minutes are used up, clients may purchase more time as needed.

"But the phone is theirs to keep," he added.

With phones distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, Assurance Wireless representatives will be at the care center from 9 a.m.-noon every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through Dec. 18.

For more information, call 543-7484.

jpompia@chieftain.com

Twitter: @jpompia