Cricket Lifeline Credit Improves Quality of Life for Families in Need in the DMV Region

July 17, 2012 — Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services, announced today the introduction of its Cricket Lifeline Credit in the District of Columbia and Virginia. Already available in Maryland, the Cricket Lifeline Credit is a government assistance program that provides a service credit each month for eligible residents. Qualifying customers for the Cricket Lifeline Credit in Washington, D.C. and Virginia will receive a $13.50 discount on their monthly wireless bill for one phone in their household.

"Cricket is proud to offer this government assistance program to our Washington, D.C. and Virginia customers" said Glen Flowers, president East Area for Cricket. "We want to make quality wireless service more accessible in the capital region, especially to those individuals and families whose economic situation makes it difficult to afford the wireless service they've come to depend upon. A $13.50 monthly credit for qualifying Washington D.C. and Virginia residents will make a big impact in improving the quality of lives for many families in need," he said. "The Cricket Lifeline Credit reflects our standing commitment to the communities we serve."

The Cricket Lifeline Credit in the District of Columbia and Virginia is now available and customers can apply at all Cricket branded locations, including Washington, D.C.; Falls Church, VA; New Carrolton, MD; Temple Hills, MD; and Takoma Park, MD.

Residents of the District of Columbia and Virginia may qualify for the Cricket Lifeline Credit through one of two methods:

By participating in certain public assistance programs, such as LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Food Stamps), NSLP (National School Lunch Program), SSI (Supplemental Security Income),TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), Medicaid, Section 8, or other select government programs; or

By meeting the program's income requirement, which is a household's total annual gross income is at or below 135-percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Cricket service delivers even more value whether it's unlimited talk and text plans for as low as $35 per month; unlimited talk, text and data for as low as $45 per month or an even higher-value plan with unlimited talk, text, data and music, for $55 or $65 per month. Cricket offers all of these plans with nationwide coverage and no contract and no fees.

If a resident does not have Cricket Wireless service, the first step is to activate a new account before consideration for enrollment. To apply for the Cricket Lifeline Credit or for a complete list of eligible public assistance programs and income requirements, please visit: www.mycricket.com/lifelinedc or www.mycricket.com/lifelinevirginia. Applicants will be required to provide documentation verifying participation in one of the eligible programs or of household income.

About Cricket

Cricket is the pioneer and leader in delivering innovative value-rich prepaid wireless services with no long-term contracts serving 6.2 million customers. Cricket offers wireless voice and mobile data services over the latest, high-quality, all-digital 4G (LTE) and 3G CDMA wireless networks. In 2011, Cricket launched its award-winning Muve Music® product, the first music service designed for a wireless phone that now has more than 600,000 customers. Cricket's innovative products and services are available at Cricket branded retail stores, dealers, national retailers and at www.mycricket.com. For more information about Cricket, please visit www.mycricket.com.

SOURCE Cricket Communications, Inc.