(US) Free cell phones for qualified persons

[agate]

The US government is issuing free cell phones to those who qualify. I can't vouch for the phones because I don't have one, but it might be worth looking into if you're on Medicaid, Food Stamps, or meet the income guidelines in other ways.

You can find out more at:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

Since public phones seem to be disappearing from the scene, a cell phone is almost essential.

[Virginia]

I know someone who has one. It is supposed to be a "safe phone". I have absolutely no problem with anyone who cannot have a phone having one of these, but I have heard it is abused. Don't know for sure, but saw a segment on TV about it.

[agate]

Virginia, I'm not sure what you're referring to, but I found this on the Website I linked to, in their FAQ section:

Q.: Is this the "Obama phone"?
There is a wide-spread rumor that President Obama is providing free cell phones to the poor community with taxpayers’ money. But none of these claims are true. President Obama is neither redistributing the wealth nor does the Lifeline phone assistance program run on the money of the taxpayers.
The Lifeline phone assistance program was started nearly thirty years ago by Ronald Reagan to provide free land line connection and waiver on telephone bills to the people who suffer from insolvency. This was done to enable them to communicate with emergency services when necessary. Though there is a certain limit of free minutes but calling 9-11 is totally free and you can call as many times as is needed.
In the past, free cell phone service was not included within the Lifeline phone assistance program. But since the use of mobile phones is ever-growing, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) decided to include cell phones in this program. In order to provide a free cell phone, the FCC associated some telecom service providers with the program. These companies need to take approval of the government to provide a free cell phone and 250 free minutes in different states of the US. You must qualify in order to be able to obtain a free cell phone. The telecom companies do the all processing work and manage accounts of the customers. Though this is a government-assisted program, there are subtle differences among the plans offered and cell phones provided by different companies.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) provides the financial support to run this program. USF, administered by Universal Service Administration Company, receives its funds from local telecom companies, wireless companies, paging companies, payphone providers, and long distance companies. The rumor about the taxpayer’s money is totally false.

[alex44]

What do you do if you live in a small town and have NO curbside delivery ( I remember when they actually walked to your house where the mailbox was on your front porch - Can anyone else?) I have called and they don't do po boxes - thats all we get is a free box.
Blessings
Alex44
Skypilot

[agate]

Hi alex44,
I do remember when the mail carrier brought the mail to the front porch but that was in a very small town, many years ago. The postman walked his route with the mail in a pack on his back.

I don't know what state you're in but different states have different providers for this free cellphone deal. Since you say a PO box disqualifies you, maybe you could find someone who has a street address who would let you use it for the application?

I don't know about other states but my state went from having no providers for this a couple of months ago to having three now. So you might want to keep checking back.

[Virginia]

Actually, Agate that article was not what I was referring to. There was something on TV showing people going in and getting these phones and then going right back and getting another one. I should know more about what I saw before saying anything. It was just one of those things that was short and I noticed it because I knew someone who had one. I don't know how they did it, but somehow they had learned to "work the system".

[alex44]

a small town

1 moose lodge,onecountry club 1 bank i garage,couple small stores and 1 stop light - Heaven
blessings
alex44
skypilot

[stillstANNding]

Alex- I am in the city of Boston. We have mail delivery up the sidewalk to the house.

OTOH, where we vacation on the Cape, everyone has to go to the Post Office to get their mail from a PO Box.

I think Agate's suggestion of having it delivered to a friend who lives in a town w service is a good one.

And, welcome to BT!
ANN