Diatribe: Why Do People On Government Assistance Get Free Cell Phones?
I’ve had a cell phone plan for many years. My first contract was with SBC. SBC merged with BellSouth Corporation and, in 2000 created Cingular Wireless. In 2004, Cingular Wireless acquired AT&T Wireless. Throughout all these changes I remained a loyal customer and my plan grew and changed until, currently, we pay for four lines … three of which are smartphones with unlimited data and text messaging. Over the years I’ve spent thousands of dollars on wireless service.
Today I learned about Assurance Wireless, a “Lifeline Assistance” program from Virgin Mobile that’s supported by the federal Universal Service fund. All customers get a free phone and two-hundred-fifty free voice minutes each month. There is no annual contract or activation fee. Users enjoy nationwide coverage via the Sprint Network, voicemail, call waiting, Caller ID and access to 911 services. For free!
To qualify for Assurance Wireless, customers must participate in a government program including Medicaid, Food Stamps, Section 8 Housing, School Lunch Program or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs. Others qualify solely based on household income.
Why do people on government assistance get free cell phones? I don’t get it!
This reminds me of when I worked at a pharmacy and had to fill free prescriptions of methadone for addicts paid for by the state, and Veterans who needed meds had to shell out $50 bucks or more for their scripts. Something is seriously broken here.
Are you serious?
Unfortunately, so.
The world is completely upside down!
I could see 911 services but not the minute BS
some big corporation is making money off of it. that seems to be enough to justify anything these days.
The way out of poverty is better employment or any employment. Try to get a job without a phone, try to get a phone with food stamps. Get it. Just because you have been fortunate does not make it so for everyone.
From what I read The Universal Service Fund is NOT, again is NOT paid for by the taxpayer. It is a fund setup and contributed to by the telecommunication companies. It is not taking away from you by any means, so why do you care? It is to help people in need so they can look for a job, call out in an emergency etc. Have you tried to find a pay phone lately? They are hard to come by. A lot of employers might not even consider you if you don’t have a contact number.
Wayne Says:
Folks, nothing is free. Telecommunication companies exist to…..lets say it together….make a profit. Now, when our gov’t mandates that a company (that exists to make a profit) must contribute to a “Gov’t Universal Fund” type tax, do you think that the profit center will a.) absorb the cost of the tax and be willing to make less profit or b.) pass that cost on to those patrons that acually pay for services. In order for companies to exist and employ, there must be profit. Nothing is free……someone is always paying.
I’m happy they get a Free phone and free air time.I wont act like all people in the world are rich. Being poor dont make a person stupid they know how to talk on a phone a small child can do it. Plus they should have access to the police as well. There is a limit on the phone minutes they not talking all day long running up the minutes like a careless sex crazed teenager who every waking minute is on the phone and dont give a damn about their credit. People need it for important reasons. Work,Jobseeking Illnesses,Social after the 911 everyones in the poor house.Get while the getting is good stretched to the poor as well.Dont worry be happy!
Dont get mad cause some money was spent on poor people.
I’m not mad … just trying to understand. Thanks for your input.