Thursday, May 06, 2010

Free Cell Phone and Minutes for Food Stamp Users

Sit down.

It was a little over a year ago that Americans were shocked by a man with a fancy cell phone at a Washington, D.C. homeless shelter taking a picture of Michelle Obama serving up food. Shocked, because people assumed the man was homeless and most of America thinks cell phones are a luxury item. Think again! Now it turns out that there is a government program--delivered through a subsidiary of Sprint--for people to get a free cell phone and 200 free minutes per month. Medicaid eligibility or food stamps will likely bring one your way--if you are in one of the four states where the program has been rolled out--Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. The program will give only one free phone with free minutes per household.

8 Comments:

Anonymous Val said...

I think this is a great service. I saw the ads on TV. It's for people who can't afford to reach their loved ones or for daily use like making a doctor's appointment. It works out to less than 10 minutes a day.

Jun 5, 2010, 11:19:00 PM  
Blogger Publia said...

The problem is not that they have a phone to use, Val,the issue is why they need a cell phone in addition to a home phone. The home phone is paid for by existing subscribers via a phone bill tax.

Jun 6, 2010, 12:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Val said...

I didn't realize they had a home phone too. I imagine that will eventually go away. I think most people of the younger generation don't even have land lines anymore.

Jun 6, 2010, 3:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't agree that they need a cell phone. We pay for our cells monthly. And as tax payers, we are now paying for all of these people to receive FREE PHONES?? Not right.As long as the government continues to hand out the FREE stuff to people, they will never get ahead & get off the welfare programs....& why should they have free healthcare, food stamps housing & now CELLPHONES!!

Jul 20, 2010, 10:19:00 PM  
Blogger Publia said...

Well, Anonymous, have you given any thought to getting ON welfare? I have, but they don't give free cars yet, so I rejected the idea. I am, however, keeping an open mind.

Jul 21, 2010, 10:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Obviously the people complaining have never needed help. I have and I can tell you it is not easy for me at least, to get any help from welfare. I am an american born in the USA and I would get more help if I was not born here. I live on my Social Security Disabilty it is not much, $768 a month. I do not get welfare. I am not eligible. I make to much money, cause I am married and my husband is also on disability,his income with mine makes our income $1640 a month, and that is to much. If you are a migrant person they will give you, a free babysitter pick your kids up everyday at the door and bring them back every evening and drop them at your door, free medical, a bunch of food stamps on the bridge card and you can have your housing free on the farm, or the welfare will pay it for them, and go to work everyday and get the check and cash it have a wallet full of money and drive a brand new double cab gas guzzling truck, and live in the great USA. Don't make the mistake of getting born here, hurt here,or needing help as a American, you won't get any.Right now I am struggling to make my mortgage payment, and to survive. When you have been where I am you will know what it really means to be an american.

Jul 28, 2010, 11:25:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To anonymous,
It is the duty of the church to help the needy. Yes, DUTY! We are to help those who need it. I have been the recipient of wellfare and the one giving to the needy. Greed is a terrible thing. Do those taxes add up to more than 10% of your income? You should be happy to help those who are less fortunate than you, not Mad1

Aug 3, 2010, 11:03:00 AM  
Blogger Publia said...

Well, folks, we are getting a good collection of individual stories here, and thanks to the people who have been willing to take a minute to tell us a little about themselves and their own situation.

Sep 13, 2010, 11:08:00 PM  

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