Can I replace my Safelink Phone (Free Government Cell Phone) with a Tracphone, and just put in the sim card? (emergency, cable)
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if you can afford to buy our own cell phone, you can afford to purchase your own minutes at full cost too, instead of having us subsidize your "want"; a cell phone is certainly not a "need".
Not necessarily true. My mother, who lives on Social Security, got a SafeLink at my urging to have "in case of emergency". I would like to buy her a flip-type phone because it is easier to operate then the free phone that was mailed to her.
Been going on for a while, and you see what happens, people don't like the free phones that are given to them so they want to go out and buy a better one but continue to get the free minutes. People are never satisfies with a handout, once they have it they look for ways to increase or better it.
"SafeLink phones are not paid for by taxpayers or the federal government. TracFone Wireless pays for the phones and also the cost of promoting its SafeLink program to make sure that eligible consumers know about the program."
"SafeLink phones are not paid for by taxpayers or the federal government. TracFone Wireless pays for the phones and also the cost of promoting its SafeLink program to make sure that eligible consumers know about the program."
its the minutes that are subsidized. minutes cost more than the phone.
This is a really old thread but still very much relevant. While it's true the government subsidizes the minutes, it is not an 'extra'. For years low income folks have been offered what is called Lifeline, a subsidized program allowing low and no income people to have access to a telephone. Traditionally it was a land line. What they do is convert that subsidy into airtime minutes on the free cell phones. You cannot have both. It is one or the other, and cell phones make more sense.
I personally am on the safelink and I love it. I am insulin dependent diabetic and a phone is a necessity, not a luxury. It's not a want, it IS a need. I don't try to get a new phone...in fact I've had mine for almost 3 years. It is a basic phone and does just what I need it to do and nothing more...but I do know some senior citizens might have trouble with the small numbers and confusing features. If a family member wanted to buy them an easier to use phone, I don't see the problem with that. I am not on disability, and the phone is the only thing I get from the government. And I paid my taxes the 30+ years I've worked without ever once asking for a hand out.
While it's true some folks might take advantage or be ungrateful, it's a stereotype to think we are ALL like that. And likening a phone in which to call 911, a ride, hospital, whatever, to getting game systems is uneducated. The phone comes with 68 minutes per MONTH. If you think that is a luxury try staying within those minutes doing anything BUT using it for emergency situations.
Great post, kabwis04. That does seem like a good program for people in your situation.
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