Question: Free government cell phones or good cheaper plans

[Debp]

A T & T is asking the State utilities to quit being a provider for landlines in my area.

If A T & T's request is granted, I have to go to using a cell phone.

Can anyone give me some information about free government phones? I am on Social Security as a senior citizen....does that qualify me for the free phone?

Or are there cheaper phone plans that have good reception? How about Consumer Cellular?

[FJK]

I use Tello for my cell phone, I use the minimalist plan (hundred minutes a month no data and unlimited texts I think) but I am a very light cell phone user and keep one only for emergency use and don;t usually even turn it on.  they have other plans, all very inexpensive and tailorable to you actual needs.  My plan is 5 bucks a month (plus about 50% in assorted fed, state and city taxes)

Since you have internet access you might look into Ooma, it's a voip system that is quite reliable and also quite inexpensive.  I've used it for years now and I pay around a hundred dollars a year with some upgraded services (I think the minimal service of a number and a connection is ultra cheap).  You can transfer your current phone number to it if you don't want to deal with a new number.

[Marathoner]

5 hours ago, Debp said:

A T & T is asking the State utilities to quit being a provider for landlines in my area.

If A T & T's request is granted, I have to go to using a cell phone.

Can anyone give me some information about free government phones? I am on Social Security as a senior citizen....does that qualify me for the free phone?

Or are there cheaper phone plans that have good reception? How about Consumer Cellular?

Assurance Wireless is the gateway for the subsidized phone program, sister. It's called "Lifeline." Their web page, www.assurancewireless.com, is where you can determine eligibility and apply. Each state has their own requirements; their page leads you to sites specific to your state.

Off the top of my head, SS income is a qualifier. Many of our clients are on this program. 

[FJK]

2 hours ago, Marathoner said:

Assurance Wireless is the gateway for the subsidized phone program, sister. It's called "Lifeline." Their web page, www.assurancewireless.com, is where you can determine eligibility and apply. Each state has their own requirements; their page leads you to sites specific to your state.

Off the top of my head, SS income is a qualifier. Many of our clients are on this program. 

I think Lifeline is set to expire in a few months (April) and applications to receive it are going to cease being accepted in the very near future.

[Marathoner]

That's not the only option to be pursued. The state of California operates its own program --- called California LifeLine --- which is independent of the federal program. I never supply links on the forum but to help our sister @Debp gain access, refer to the following:

The California LifeLine program; www.californialifeline.com/en

United Ways of California portal for low-cost internet access; broadband.unitedwaysca.org/resources

I pray that you'll find this useful, sister. 

[Marathoner]

I've always been concerned by my access to benefits that non-military vets cannot receive. Every phone provider I've dealt with offers a substantial discount to military vets; I pay $55 per month for a decent phone plan, $30 less than non-military vets must pay. A large ISP in this city provides me with broadband internet access for $9.95 per month. In this case, only native Americans on the reservations share in this program. This is not a federal or state program... it's something that the ISP does on their own accord. 

[other one]

10 hours ago, Debp said:

A T & T is asking the State utilities to quit being a provider for landlines in my area.

If A T & T's request is granted, I have to go to using a cell phone.

Can anyone give me some information about free government phones? I am on Social Security as a senior citizen....does that qualify me for the free phone?

Or are there cheaper phone plans that have good reception? How about Consumer Cellular?

Where do you get your internet from?

[other one]

just a note that if you are just replacing a landline, I replaced mine with a Magicjack voice over IP line several years ago.  The magicjack hardware costs $50 and that includes the first year of service.  You can even keep your present phone number for a bit extra.  Renewal after that first year is $99 for three years.  That would be $2.75 a month.

You do have to have a good internet access to use this method.

[Debp]

12 hours ago, other one said:

Where do you get your internet from?

My neighbor actually lets me use his wifi.   Because our rent is very high here so I budget.

[Debp]

17 hours ago, Marathoner said:

Assurance Wireless is the gateway for the subsidized phone program, sister. It's called "Lifeline." Their web page, www.assurancewireless.com, is where you can determine eligibility and apply. Each state has their own requirements; their page leads you to sites specific to your state.

Off the top of my head, SS income is a qualifier. Many of our clients are on this program. 

I think I read that if you are on Social Security that you can get an Obama phone...the free government phone.

Mom and I never qualified for California Lifeline for our landline as our combined income was a little bit more than allowed.   Our current bill is $49 a month....A T &T keeps raising it.

I was looking up the free cell phones for my elderly uncle in Arizona (he died this past February 2023).   He used to pay for phone cards....the cheap phone he had also would give free government cell phones under a different division.   Can't remember the name right now.   But he never got the free one as he then was too ill and ready to pass on.