California to Issue Free Cell Phones...a Federal Program (low income, homes)

[NewToCA]

Impoverished Californians will soon get free cellphones.

The state Public Utilities Commission has approved a federal cellphone giveaway program designed to help the homeless and other impoverished people connect with family, friends and potential employers.

Nearly 5 million California residents with annual incomes below $15,000 and those who receive Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, food stamps and other aid will be eligible for the federal "Lifeline" program.


Regulators approve free cellphones for the poor (UPDATED: 10:41 a.m.) | Recordnet.com

[EscapeCalifornia]

This is really going to depress the market for used phones once all these hit Craigslist.

[sunshine7793]

Free? Free from us to them. Oh well it's just a few bucks. Just throw it in the bag with all of Santa's (Democrat's) other goodies. Must be fun to spend other peoples' money.

Entitlements: Food, shelter, transportation (bus subsidies), medical care and cell phones.

Any use in mentioning that the only way for person A to be entitled to something is to force person B to pay for it? But there are fewer and fewer person B's. Who cares? We'll worry about that when we have to.

[linden52]

Well, like the article states the state of California has helped poor people with their phone bill for decades, but it has only been for landlines. I do know that this new program won't replace that help, but it also won't be in addition to it. The person seeking this help will have to choose between a cellphone or a landline -- they can't have both. Also, it's a cheap phone with a 250 minutes a month limit. People won't be able to talk non-stop with such a limited amount of minutes -- just important stuff. And it's not like people are going to have smart phones or even camera phones -- and no text plans or internet and expensive stuff like that.

Though, I don't understand why it's completely free. With the Lifeline plan for landlines they have now it about $6 a month. I guess only some, but not all, could afford that through.

[SunnyTXsmile]

We have been helping the disadvantaged since this country began. If someone is opposed to it, they should move out of the country or vote to not help the disadvantaged. Believe it or not, just because some people play the system, other people desperately need the help. I don't believe in tossing out the baby with the bathwater.

This program isn't adding anything new. It's simply exchanging one thing for another. Nothing to get panties in a bunch about.

Also, this federal program is circa 1996. People that are just now outraged are a little late to the party.

[.highnlite]

Many people today do not have landlines, they only use cell phones, since land lines were subsidized for poor people, this doesn't actually change anything, it is just keeping up with technology.

[makingthatnaborspaper]

Always good to know where my tax money is going.

[TVC15]

Free Government Cell Phones in California — Well, Almost Free

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

This is really going to depress the market for used phones once all these hit Craigslist.

I doubt it. You can buy a cheap prepaid cell phone for as little as $15. I doubt anyone would pay more than $5 for a second hand phone.

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

Many people today do not have landlines, they only use cell phones, since land lines were subsidized for poor people, this doesn't actually change anything, it is just keeping up with technology.

Exactly.

Also, many low income people don't have permanent homes to even make use of a landline, so having a cell phone gives them connection to the outside world, family, job prospects, medical professionals, case managers, 911, etc.