A Phone and an Email Address

What it is

A phone (even a free or low-cost one) and your own email account.

Why it helps you

This is how the world reaches you — jobs, doctors, benefits, friends. Your own email, kept private, is a small act of freedom.

This opens up

Phone Calls and Messages, Jobs, Staying Safe Online.

Where to get help

If you don’t have a phone or internet yet, start at a public library. Most libraries have free computers and free Wi-Fi. You can ask the person at the desk how to use them. You often don’t need a library card just to use a computer, but rules differ, so ask.

A low-cost or free phone plan

Lifeline A government program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service. It is run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Cost: Free to apply. You get up to $9.25 off each month. On Tribal lands, up to $34.25 off. Some phone companies offer a Lifeline plan that costs nothing each month after the discount.
Who can use it: People with low income, or people who get SNAP, Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), federal housing help, or a Veterans Pension. One Lifeline benefit per household.
How to start: Apply online at the website (click Apply Now), by mail, or through a phone company that offers Lifeline. If you live in Oregon or Texas, apply through your state’s website instead. For help or a paper form, call the Lifeline Support Center at 1-800-234-9473.
Good to know: The Support Center is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern. After you’re approved, pick a company using Companies Near Me. If your plan is free, you must use the phone at least once every 30 days, or it can be turned off. You must also renew once a year.

“Household” means people who live together and share money. If you live in a shelter or share a home but keep your money separate, you may count as your own household.

If someone controls your phone plan

Safe Connections: Separate your phone line (FCC) A federal law lets survivors of abuse take their phone line off a shared plan with the abuser. You keep your own phone number.

Cost: Free. The phone company can’t charge early ending fees or penalties.
Who can use it: Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, or similar crimes. You don’t have to be the account owner. You can also move the line of someone in your care, like your child.
How to start: Contact your phone company online, by phone, by email, or in person. Say, “I’m requesting a line separation under the Safe Connections Act.” Give them your number and any others you want moved.
Good to know: You need one paper that names you and the abuser and says abuse happened. This can be a signed statement from a doctor, counselor, social worker, or victim advocate. A police report or protective order also works. In most cases the company must act within two business days.

Lifeline Survivor Benefit After you separate your line, you may get Lifeline help for up to 6 months, even if you don’t meet the usual Lifeline rules.

Cost: Free. Up to $9.25 off each month for up to 6 months.
Who can use it: Survivors who asked to separate their line and have money trouble. For example, income at or below 200% of the poverty line, or getting WIC, free school meals, or a Pell Grant.
How to start: Keep the email, text, or letter your phone company sends about your line separation. Then apply online or by mail.
Good to know: After 6 months, you can apply for regular Lifeline.

Keep your phone and email private

Safety Net Project (NNEDV) Free, plain guides from the National Network to End Domestic Violence about phones, location tracking, and email safety.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Read their guides for survivors, like the guide to phones and the tech safety plan.
Good to know: They suggest a brand-new email with a name that doesn’t identify you. Don’t link it to old accounts. Don’t reuse old passwords.

iPhone Safety Check (Apple) A tool on iPhones that shows who can see your location and other information, and lets you stop sharing.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: iPhone users with iOS 16 or newer
How to start: Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Safety Check.
Good to know: Emergency Reset stops all sharing at once. Manage Sharing & Access lets you choose. A Quick Exit button closes the screen fast.

Google Maps: Stop sharing your location Google Maps can share where you are with other people. You can turn this off.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone using Google Maps
How to start: In the Google Maps app, tap your picture, then Location sharing. Tap the person’s name, then Stop.
Good to know: Other apps can share location too. The Safety Net guides explain more.

Your own email

Gmail (Google) A free email account that most job sites and offices are used to.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Follow Google’s steps to Create account. Choose a username and a strong password.
Good to know: Google says a phone number is optional. If you add one, use your own phone, not a shared one.

Proton Mail A free email account focused on privacy.

Cost: Free plan available
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Pick a username and password. Save the recovery phrase they give you somewhere safe.
Good to know: To prove you’re a person, they may show a puzzle, or send a code to another email or a phone. If you lose your password and recovery phrase, you can’t get back in.

If you only do one thing first

Go to a public library and use a free computer to apply for Lifeline at lifelinesupport.org. While you’re there, make a new email account that only you know the password to. Write the password on paper and keep it somewhere safe.

Watch out for

The ACP is over. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024. A website that offers to sign you up for ACP is out of date or a scam. Don’t give it your Social Security number.
Fees to apply for Lifeline. Applying is free. If anyone asks for a “processing fee” for a government phone, walk away.
“Free” phones with a catch. Read the plan before you sign. Look for monthly charges, activation fees, or contracts.
Old phones and old accounts. A phone or account someone else set up for you may let them see what you do. Use a new device or a library computer for new private accounts when you can.
Fake login pages. Before you type a password, check the web address. Don’t click login links in surprise emails or texts.