The Free Obama Phone: Real or Urban Legend?
The official word from the Lifeline free cell phone experts.
Since the day Barack Obama was inaugurated, the term “The Obama Phone” has persisted. People say Obama is redistributing the wealth by starting a program that gives free cell phones – Obama phones – to the poor. Detractors of both President Obama and of the government’s long-standing phone assistance program have fought over this claim since 2009 with each side mudslinging “facts” at each other.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is going to clear this subject up once and for all with the most detailed account of the facts that you will find anywhere. When you next have a discussion on this topic, just give those on the other side the link to this page.
Is the government giving out free cell phones?
Yes. This part is true. They fund low end cell phones plans, and offset some of the cost of landline phones. The programs that authorize the phone distribution program are called Lifeline Assistance and Lifeline Link-Up. Lifeline Assistance helps pay monthly phone bills and Lifeline Link-Up helps pay the initial outlay for the phone and installation. The two programs are often lumped together and simply called Lifeline.
These Lifeline cell phones are delivered through relatively new, government-approved cell phone companies like Safelink Wireless, Assurance Wireless and Reachout Wireless, among others. These companies were spun of off larger prepaid cell phone companies to specialize in the Lifeline program.
Did Obama start the free phones program?
The cell phone distribution program did begin in 2008, the year Obama was elected president, but that is a coincidence. Let’s look more closely at the facts.
Notice that earlier we said Link-Up helps fund “installation.” What installation does a cell phone have? None. So why is installation part of Link-Up, which is under the Lifeline program umbrella? Because, the whole thing began back in 1996 when the Federal Communications Commission authorized the programs for landline phones. At that time it provided discounts on landline phones only, for obvious reasons.
To this day the government provides discounts on landline phones for financially disadvantaged people in the United States and U.S. territories. The Link-Up portion helps with the installation and the Lifeline Assistance part helps with the monthly bills, to the tune of roughly ten dollars a month.
So, the subsidization of phones began under President Clinton, and has continued under Presidents Bush and Obama.
Over that time, the usage of cell phones rose and the costs came down. Assuming one believes in the Lifeline program in the first place, and remembering that the FCC has mandated the program, it only makes sense to expand the phone assistance program to include cell phones. So, in 2008 the first application of this program for mobile phones began when a company called Tracfone started their Safelink Wireless service in Tennessee.
Aha, some say, that’s the same year Obama was elected! Well, that’s true. But the service in Tennessee was launched three months prior to Obama being elected. And that means the discussion and approval of the extension of the program occurred under President Bush’s watch.
The Bush Phone, anyone?
How did the Obama Phone rumors start?
Just how did this “Obama Phone” rumor get started anyway? Back around early 2009, emails began circulating that called the free cell phone program the Obama Phone. And you know what happens when emails start getting passed around — few people verify them, and just simply forward them to everyone in their contact list. And the people who forward them believe that Barack Obama has socialist tendencies, so there was a willing audience. Here is just one sample email:
FW: Obamaphone… no joke!!
I had a former employee call me earlier today inquiring about a job, and at the end of the conversation he gave me his phone number. I asked the former employee if this was a new cell phone number and he told me yes this was his “Obama phone.” I asked him what an “Obama phone” was and he went on to say that welfare recipients are now eligible to receive (1) a FREE new phone and (2) approx 70 minutes of FREE minutes every month. I was a little skeptical so I Googled it and low and behold he was telling the truth. TAX PAYER MONEY IS BEING REDISTRIBUTED TO WELFARE RECIPIENTS FOR FREE CELL PHONES. This program was started earlier this year. Enough is enough, the ship is sinking and it’s sinking fast. The very foundations that this country was built on are being shaken. The age old concepts of God, family, and hard work have flown out the window and are being replaced with “Hope and Change” and “Change we can believe in.”
Variations of these emails persist to this day. Like President Obama or not, they are simply false.
Who qualifies?
The free cell phones only go to those who qualify for the program under the exact same eligibility requirements that have been in effect since 1996. An applicant is generally eligible if they are at or below 135-150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (depending upon the state in which they live), or if they already participate in one of many public assistance programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, energy assistance, public housing and others.
Nothing about the Lifeline eligibility has changed since President Clinton’s days. Nothing has changed since President Bush’s days.
Who pays for the phones?
There’s another running argument about if the phones are or are not paid for by taxpayers. Yes and no, it depends how you look at it.
The money actually comes from a small fee added to most people’s monthly phone bills, called the Universal Service Fund fee. For a complete discussion of this, please read, “Do Taxpayers Pay for Government Cell Phones for the Poor?”
And it’s important to note that it does not cost any more to provide cell phones to people than it does landline. The government subsidizes both equally. In fact, landlines are often more expensive because the Link-Up portion is not always required for cell phones, depending upon the state.
Spread the Word: The Obama Phone rumor is false!
Now you’ve got all the facts and information you need to rebut anyone who calls this valuable program the The Obama Phone. Set the record straight by giving them the link to this page.
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/obama-phone
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{ 120 comments… read them below or add one }
There’s a company in Arkansas called AssistWireless that offers these free government phones. On their own site they are calling it an Obama phone.
Assist Wireless is proud to offer the free Obama wireless phone or what is formally known as lifeline and linkup government assistance programs.
http://assistwireless.com/wordpress/?p=6
Frank, yes, we’ve seen this and it’s a damn shame they are actually promoting the lie.
This sucks, here we go again everything free for the welfare people. My son is 23, no job and no medical insurance. I am letting him stay with me because he has no were else to go. He was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and I thought since he is high risk he could get a phone to carry in case of emergency, well I thought wrong. He doesn’t qualify imagine that.
Our government sucks……
Dear pissed off,
Please read over your e-mails and check for accuracy before you distribute your comments to the public. The comment about the phone being for people receiving welfare is INCORRECT! It also is for people receiving SSI/Disability. Im sorry about your sons situation but your angry comment is the reason ignorance is spread over the internet. Try to get your son some help through your Local Government Agency. He can get medical through the county if you take his medical records when he applies. He can also apply for Food Stamps even though he lives with you, you can state he is responsible for purchasing and fixing his own food.This should lighten some of your load! Good Luck and God Bless!
Oh yes. Lets get more people dependent on the govt. Within a few years the govt will be getting more taxes from the evil rich people (the working class) and maybe then cars, college and housing will be rights also.
Sounds fantastic to me.
It is not just for people below the poverty line. It is also for disabled people too. The governement should help the poor and disabled/
most people on SSI there is not a dam thing disable about them.All you have to do is to go to a welf doctor they will call you bipolar and get you a check $600.00+ foodstamp free rent 4 bed rooms your lights pay all the people i no on SSI are fraud they sell there foodstamps then go to church for food go to green country muskogee ok they will get you a check the gov tell you dont work tell them the Tv talks to you people the only way tol stop this is tol quit your job these people make40.000 to $80’000 a year
First off, i humbly bow before your level of expertise on the subject. But using technical terms like welf doctor makes it hard for the average person who doesnt have your amazing language skills to understand. Fraud is a serious problem in our country, moreso in private industry than in public, but even within government the vast amount of waste is within the military. The percentage of taxpayer dollars wasted on welfare fraud is miniscule compared to the amount wasted in bad govt contracts within the enormous military budget and in corporate welfare and incentives for extremely wealthy corporations. If you seriously think any proposed eliminations in the bush tax cuts for the wealthy would affect the working class you are so grievously ignorant that it is a waste of time trying to set you straight. You are not rich and never will be. The powers that be in both parties have made billions convincing the lower middle class that the very poor are what is holding them back and keeping them broke. Look at the history of tax rates in this country, read the actual bills proposed, and research the actual spending increases and enormous deficit spending the same politicians who preach tax cuts and class warfare have inflicted upon our country. It is in their interest that you blame the poor for you needing 2 incomes to survive when 1 used to suffice. Wake the f up!
If you have medical insurance, now you will be able to keep your son on it till he is 26, isn’t that wonderful? At least now he can get the care he needs (And when the day comes he can get his own insurance, he won’t be denied because of his Diabetes!) All thanks to the new Healthcare Law.
Very good Kassie that is the perfect response.
Also I know plenty of people who have type 1 and they can still find jobs even if its from home. The problem with the inability to take responsibilities for ourselves has been passed on from generation to generation. The Blind Leading the Blind basically. You can’t get mad at a policy or disagree with it unless you intend to do something about it. Everyone complains about welfare and wants to blame one party to another and quite frankly its redundant. Why are we not worrying about what we can do for ourselves to better the country’s poverty and need for such a program as welfare? Because you are not the type of people to go and work at a soup kitchen your not the type to lend a hand. I grew up to help those in your communuity and to love everyone regardless of there views. I was also raised to never believe whats handed to you on a platter. Meaning if i have someone preaching to me that this and that is wrong and that’s what i should believe. I take the intelligence that i have and look it up. I don’t sit on a decisions directly after no educated rebuttal can be laid down. Why doesn’t anyone complain more about education cost and the actual issues that welfare creates. Instead if ignorant statement like the keep taking from our taxes. So i don’t disagree i encourage you to use your right as an American and do something about it.
So I’m asking those who HATE so many things that our government does TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. You have no voice in an argument with ignorance involved. I dare you to not just believe what your first read from an email or ONE news post and to actual research. I mean you care enough to slander someone else voice and opinion that’s backed by fact than you should have to do the same but if you don’t then keep your mouth shut.
Poor you, tell the greedy employers to pay better and fair wages the we would not need programs like this. Hurts to gave when you take, don,t it.
Poor you, tell the greedy employers to pay better and fair wages then we would not need programs like this. Hurts to gave when you take, don,t it.
I think it is a shame the working and retired people of American have to pay for anyone to have a free cell phone plus free minutes. It is a shame that many working and retired people can’t afford a phone yet do not qualify for “help”.
I believe IF we must give our money away these people who receive a phone must be interviewed twice a year (just in case they don’t deserve help) and it MUST be a landline phone.
Actually, the Lifeline phone program has been covering landline phones since I believe 1996. Because landlines are so expensive, the program merely reduces the monthly rate to the consumer, and does not bring it to zero like it does with a cell phone. However, it still costs the exact same amount to the government, roughly $10 a month per phone user whether it be landline or cell phone. All things being equal, a cell phone is a better choice for the consumer.
We do agree that there should be better controls on auditing the program to reduce fraud and abuse.
Why doesn’t the phone JUST have access to emergency service as it seems that is what the program was create for…….lack of access to emergency services.
8 out 10 people fraud them i no people with 6 phone
this way they can sell there drugs yes they all do drugs
you a cop ! lol
Just so that you know this I was making only 12,000 a year at 21 and this was a few years ago i paid all my bills myself and had NO HELP from family or the state. i worked two jobs to make ends meet so that later i could reapply for college. So heres the kicker, I was able to apply for a program through the government that gave me a home phone that was $5 a month. So this would be in part of the same program that goes on now. Now I will be graduating college soon and furthering myself. Also saying snide banter , such as ” just in case you don’t deserve help” is pointless in your argument you are basically just as wanting to take advantage of the system as any other welfare recipient. your just pissed you couldn’t find a way to do so. there are more things that you can do to help yourself I come from very impoverish place and i don’t expect handout nor do i complain about those who get them. think about that a little please.
You get mad at a few people who use this low cost service and hate the poor yet you say nothing if the billions stolen daily from corporate welfare and the real con artists on wall street who bankrupted this country while getting rich and mind you we bailed tem out with our precious tax dollars I think there’s a parable that Jesus said about removing the plank from your eye well America grow up and remove your plank poor people aren’t the enemy and anyone who thinks so is a coward and not a true Christian at all because true Christianity is communism ask Jesus its in the new testament
don’t complain then, when the country goes bankrupt… & your phone will no longer work ! lol
this will will be a third world when china take over they will kill the bumbs they will take over the end of time are here read the bible
read the bible ou say. think you need to read it and sit in the front row at church. your not hear to well at church. some were in te bible it does say help your follow man. dumb ass !
The “Govenment” does NOT pay for this FREE phone. the Government TAKES tax money from someone WORKING or a company that YOU BUY / PAY for a product and then the govenment gives the FREE phone away.
All government money is money taken from American people through taxation and fees. So, whenever it’s said the government pays for it, it’s understood the American people pay for it.
No. No “Free Goverment Cell Phones” it is not understood. That is why we are in a debt situation with the goverment spending nearly twice what it takes in from taxes. The deficit isn’t taken from “taxation and fees” its taken from our children’s future and now the problem is so back its being taken from our grand children’s futures.
A freshman congress person makes $174k a year with full healthcare benefits, special parking spaces, gym memberships (all of this is for LIFE, even after they leave office) – - and get to travel around, eat, stay in nice hotels, golf, and live the good life off your tax dollars but I don’t see you complaining about that…
The founding fathers never expected people who became “Public Servants” to make a lifetime career out of it. Originally a person was supposed to come from the private sector, work as a public servant for a few years and then go back to their lives….not work at this for 30 years earning all that money, (plus taking lobbyists monies/gifts too so they can pass shitty laws that benefit the major corporations and not the people).
The people who work for our House and Senate get more time off than School kids do…and they are paid for every second of it. They come to Washington, work for a week, then go home for a month on vacation. I believe we should start there. If these people are so “Loyal” to America and want to work for the country to benefit the people, then they should be willing to do it for little pay and no benefits…and they should have to work more often and longer. I bet we would save a bunch of money right there. (do the math – how many Representatives do we have??)
Careful Kassie,
You are way to sane for most of this group1 ;<)
I was going to forward this site to a motorcycle group I'm in but the are to busy screaming to understand anything so why waste the time…….very sad
vote all the bastard out put new blood in
well i now have one of these so called free phones because i am unable to work because i cant afford day care for my 4 children because of the ridiculous amount it costs to put them there…..i paid taxes an if i could afford to live in this ridiculous world were the rich get richer an the poor get…well more poor then id still be paying taxes an the phones come from refurbished phones that people throw out or when they turn in there old phones for upgrades so its not like anyone is hurting when they turn in there old phone for say an iphone 4 an some needie family get the old beat up phone stop bitchen cause yall can aford tha shit some people cant these days you dont hear the smokers whos cigarette tax pay for a trauma hospital they are not aloud in!!!!!!!
Maybe we should call it “free cell phones for women that don’t know enough to keep their legs closed”
Plus the state will pay for your day care too. Along with car repairs and more. Next thing they will give out an x box to welfare recipients! When will it stop!
So then I guess when Jesus fed the poor he was wrong? So you don’t follow Jesus then I take it?
It will stop when the greedy employers gave a fair wage. make billions and gave crap for pay. Love Obama health care plain. make the greedy employers gave health care to there hard working employes that are making them rich. why don,t you just shut up already
bit your fly is the first open
SO the WORKING people and others TAX PAYER ( EIC people do not pay taxes) pay for these phones and other govenment FREE stuff.
I wanted to try it and see if I could use this name or if it was restricted
I don’t think anyone has done this yet..
Really? EIC people do not pay taxes? Then why is there an amount listed on a W-2 in the Federal (and state and city) taxes withheld boxes have numbers in them? Oooh I know, because they TOOK OUT INCOME TAXES….EIC is a CREDIT that is REFUNDED back to the taxpayer who qualifies….they pay the taxes, but they get them back. Its like a little loan to the Government.
In addition; EIC people pay taxes….As I mentioned they pay State and Local taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes, sin taxes, property taxes (if they are fortunate enough to own their own home) and taxes on ALL utilities and services they pay for….Just because you don’t get EIC and don’t get your income tax that was withheld back doesn’t mean that those people who do qualify do not pay any taxes at all.
Also, the money for the cell phones does NOT come from INCOME TAXES….It comes from a fee/tax that is on EVERY phone bill in the country, even those people who use LifeLine services for their land line phones pay into the USF since they only get a discount on their land line services.
That is just your hateful ignorance showing.
they get a hehh a lot more then they pay $5’000 eic free day care $800.00 mo foodstamps free dental and doctor the person makeing $45’000 get 0
People are blaming everything they can on Obama. The situation the US is in is a result of greedy, selfish and arrogant individuals who think the rich should get richer and the poor get poorer. I certainly believe in hard work and telling the truth. The biggest reason the republicans and some democrats do not like Obama is because he is an African American. So all of you racists idiots need to get a life. Bush was such a racists he would not help the citizens of New Orleans until things were out of control. You racists don’t want us to have jobs and don’t want us to get assistance. Take your meds sickos.
Yo, Daniels!!! I AM NOT A RACIST, I don’t like Obama’s white half either. I wouldn’t care if he was a Martian. It is his policies and actions I don’t like. II would love for those on federal assistance to get a job so that they can keep from draining the tax payers. I am 70 years old and still working (as I have all my life) so you can get assistance. There are jobs out there. The only requirement is that you must work and you may not be earning big bucks but you will be working. Something a lot of people don’t understand.
As far as taking my meds, I can’t afford to take any medicine (at all) because they are not free to me and I cannot afford to pay for them. Rather than drain on the government, I would get a job scrubbing toilets. Why don’t you??
have job scrubbing toilets. still cant get a phone . what say you now
i am in my 70s i can,t keep my a cell phone after rent , utilities. medical insurance. i do not remember everything so i forgot MRI last month, may be my DR is thinking i dont care ,on the other hand WHO CARES for THE RETIRED after 30 years of working
Not very Christlike responses I take it you don’t follow Jesus either ?? Jesus would never speak to his brothers like this? He said for what you do for the least of my brothers you do for me.
Oh my, someone needs to look into their facts! The citizens of New Orleans own local goverment was the ones which let them down. Bush ask the gov to allow the Feds in but she refused the help and ask for three more days to clear things up. Please everyone needs to know what they are talking about BEFORE they speak.
Some of the people posting here about how the phone is being paid for by working people are clearly not understanding the program.
Not everyone on it is a bum or something. I bet hardly anyone IS just sitting on their butt actually. Like a lot of people in the country today, some of us receiving government assistance are so because we lost our jobs and are looking for a new one, or we are going to school (like me), or are on disability.
Whatever the case, there are eligibility requirements for these programs. Do you think the government would want to just “willy nilly” give away assistance?
I will say that I like Sharon B’s idea that a person receiving phone assistance must have 2 job interviews a year. That could help the program from being abused by some people. However, I wonder if right now in this economy if that is possible? Some people don’t even get that far.
I will say though that in order to get food stamps (a qualification for the free phone service) you have to either be working or going to school (at least here in Michigan). This is assuming you aren’t on disability of course. So in a way the “must be trying to get a job” is already covered.
Lets START with drug testing! No pass…….no assistance!!!!!!
check your self first ok
Also, lets test all those government workers and military persons who are getting tax payer monies. No pass……No job and you pay back all the money you got from the taxpayers!
How’s that? Whats good for the goose is good for the gander…..
where have you been i have been there they do drug test i was in 3 wars shot 2 time have taken 23 drug test
Guess it’s been awhile since you’ve had a job? Most civil service jobs are given to minorities, all military personal are drug tested on a regular bases, with that said, anybody getting food stamps, free phones, welfair in general or monies coming from the tax payer should be mandated to look for a job and take a drug test apond request, because if they were to find a job by mistake, a drug test and most times a physical would be required for employment!
Are you on ssi and do drug
[look]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this guy above earlyer just accused everyone who gets help of doing drugs!!!!!!!!!and here admitts he is a doper!!!!!!!!!! thats fuking funny dumb ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!
2 Job interviews a year?? Are you kidding?? That would abuse the program. How about 2 interviews a week? You would stand 102 more chances of getting a job. As far as being required to be working or going to school to get food stamps (at least here in Michigan), are you telling me that if you are out of a job and your children are starving you cannot get food stamps?? The only requirement in my State and many other States is that you are breathing. You don’t even have to be an American citizen.
This is from the Michigan food stamp eligilibity requirements:
Food Stamp eligibility is based on your household size, your gross income and certain expenses, such as housing expenses, child support payments and childcare costs. These expenses are deducted from a household’s gross income to see how much money the household has left for food at the end of the month. Assets are not considered when determining Food Stamp Eligibility.
You may be eligible for Food Stamps if you have low income and/or high expenses, even if you are working, have a car, or live by yourself.
It says nothing about working or going to school being a requirement.
Cash aid has the work or school requirement not food stamps. If you are not working and receive cash aid then you are required to look for work or go to school.
Did you notice that “childcare costs” are used to determine food stamp benefits? Many people work for low wages and qualify. Benefits are based on income including those who have jobs and unemployed people who are receiving cash aid.
I personally think that ‘out of country aliens’ should get fed too. I mean wt(heck) do you want them to die of starvation, or get malnutrition?
This doesn’t include aliens from other planets btw, that is a completely different discussion.
tax payer quit your job so we can break the dam gov
when a baby cone here it get foodstams and wick they get 2 to 3 meals free in school the people on food stamps are fat
So I guess you don’t follow Christ either correct Jesus said let them come unto me the children so you would have children die? That is shameful seek the lord my friend ask him to open your eyes of your heart
most people sell the food 9 out of 10
I received one of these phones UNSOLIC ITED about a month ago. When I called Life Wireless (the issuing company) They asked if I or anyone in my household was on any kind of assistance, NO ONE IS….I AM A TAXPAYER, NOT A TAX USER!!!! Apparently they just sent these phones to whoever. Once they are used the first time, the government gets the bill….go figgure. Then, the government comes to me for more taxes to pay for these “FREE” phones. I now work until May 30th every year to satisfy the tax load on me. I don’t mind paying for programs that WORK. But I am really fed up with the waste, unaccountability and fraud that goes on with ALL of these “FREE” programs. I asked Life Wirless to have the phone returned. They promised to send a return label (I guess I’m paying for that Too!). That was a month ago. I just called and they said that the return labels were on “BACKORDER” PALEEZE. How stupid do you think we are?? They figgure if I keep the phone long enough, I will eventually use it and they can start charging the government for it. Trust me, I WON”T. But I bet there are a huge number of people out there who will, and probably have, and the government will pay for the phone. And, again, eventually, I and other TAXPAYERS like myself will foot that bill too. We only have so much money to give. It’s about to run out. People are fed up, weary and mad. We can’t continue to fund these “broken” programs, and still allow them to continue being broken. Wake-up america, this isn’t FREEDOM, this is SOCIALISM. SOCIALISM IS A GREAT IDEA UNTIL YOU RUN OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. We are failing to fight for the freedom that made this country great, and it is slowly fading away into government programs that reward people to sit at home and collect a check. I am nearly 60 years old, I have aches and pains just like the next guy. I wear glasses, my back hurts, I wear orthodics in my shoes to be able to walk all day long in my job. But I go to work, and I pay my taxes, so some younger person with a substance abuse problem can get pain pills and apply for disability, sit home and talk on their FREE PHONES. I am fed up, how about YOU???
Your ‘pride’ is your own. It is not another persons, kay?
Backorders happen. I thought I got a free TV once. Turns out the person in the apartment moved but forgot to tell the website he bought his TV from.
sghwgehrgh9w rage e0ghweghwragesh0gh rage
Taxpayer, I hear you and millions of other hear you. We might not live to see it, but it’s probably going to take a financial collaspe to get rid of all these government hand-out’s, and socialist programs, and when that happens look out, all the takers will be in the streets stealing and looting. That’s when we’ll see why the makers been buying all those guns and bullets, it’s time to thin the heard and send all the illegal aliens with thier anchor babies back to mexico, and all the hood rats, gang punks, drug dealers and all the other leaches like boo hiss, who probably lives with his mother or grand mother,( sucking the blood out of them.) and the like to meet thier maker!…And to all the turds out there, don’t think I’m the only one that thinks like this, you’ll be able to use your Obama phone to call for help, but, no one will hear you!!!!! Hahaha!
So I take it your an atheist? Because if your a Christian which I’m assuming you will claim then ask yourself is Christianity socialist and before you answer read the book of acts.
I think this is the last straw. I should not be paying for these free phones and minutes. The poor get more than I do, They get free medical, food stamps, housing and electric, now we pay for their phones off my back . My Husband and I just make it every month. We don’t have a large income we do with out some months for food and medicine. This really makes me mad.
so what its not the low income people trouble its your husband n your quit blaming the low income pplthey dont want to be low income get a life u got a computor low income ppl dont have that
The poor get free Electric? Really?! Where? Because I have never heard about that….
http://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/what-is-the-universal-service-fund
Read this page Cathy….this should help you understand and feel a bit better. Its less than a dollar a month….I am sure your “back” isn’t that burdened by that much.
Also, if you were seriously hurting and going without food, you could always go to a food bank and ask for help….and there are prescription drug companies who now will help you if you cannot afford your medicines. So instead of sitting there hating and whining, do something to help yourself manage every month.
Spoked like a true taker, because that all a hood rat knows, get your hand out of my pocket, get a job and put some money in your’s and maybe you would’nt be so quick to give it away!
Okay, really people. I have one of these phones, and I was a taxpayer. I use the phone in case of emergencies when me and my 9 month old daughter are out and about in case something should go wrong. Not everyone just sits at home and collects free government assistance. I have been trying to get a job for 9 months now. But because I was young and dumb once I got into a bar fight and have an assault charge on my record from 5 years ago, now unfortunately no one wants to hire me. Me and my husband do everything we can to support our family. So for all you people saying that people who collect assistance just sits at home and pretty much saying they are worthless and pieces of shit, this could be you one day. You don’t know these people and you are judging them. Only god can judge. Because if all your secrets came out, I bet you aren’t any better than the people you are downsizing or slandering and I for one am fed up with your immaturity. Grow up already.
what do you really need that phone for? if you keep trying you will get a job
The poor you will always have said the lord don’t have hate in your heart for your fellow Christian it’s not what Jesus would do is it?
I think there is so much fraud, it should be set up that if you receive ANY assistance AT ALL( whether in be in my phone bill or tax bill) you must test negative to drugs, Alcohol and tobacco. When you sign up and periodically, randomly. That would clean up a lot of the problems.
The gov’t phone plan for poor people spends chump change compared to what’s wasted on corporate welfare. The money provided to bail out the billionaire banksters could have bought a new car for every household in america.
..Thats probably true. HA!
Amen Old Uncle Dave! A-freaking-men! We paid to bail out the banks, and they used the money to give themselves huge bonuses…..Meanwhile, Main Street is becoming a slum…..
Companies like General Electric didn’t even pay any taxes! Or good ole Hugh Heffner was behind on the taxes for his Playboy Mansion for 17 years….YEARS!!! How much money would that have brought into the country?!
Thank you to all of you who are here helping set the records straight. We need to get these Faux News brainwashed people to start doing their own research instead of letting some obese slob who pops Oxycotins like they are Pez tell them how to think.
u know im one of those people who have the cell phone,and im thankful for it.u see im unable to work,unable to draw on my late husbands social security, nor do i qualify for any state help exept for food stamps, basically i have 0 income.so i cant afford a land line even with the help.if it wasnt for the cell phone id have nothing in case of an emergecy. so please try to look at it from us less fortunates side without the phone there is no outside communication,something a lot of people take for granted. i for one am very thakful for my phone.
can I pless have A phone number to find out more abot my packig to see wen it will arive I filled out the aplicaion on monday and I still havint erseved it yet wen will i get it in the mail wright me back…
I would like to get a free govornemt cell phone…I live alone
okay, so obama isn’t responsible.
its cap no matter which did it.
SOMEBODY needs to end it.
period. . .
Free cell-pones paid for by those who don’t qualify is just fantastic. It makes a lot of sense that the scum have a means to communicate there “emergencies”. Ten free minutes per month would suffice for that. What did we do before there were phones? All of those without phones died?
But then again, this is a much cheaper solution than buying them a car with GPS tracking features. Now we can track society’s parasites via the phones. Technology is indeed a fantastic tool to control the ignorant population. Big brother found a simple way of watching you! Enjoy your free phone in the game of cat and mouse with law enforcement.
Thanks I will! Since I don’t commit crimes and live a decent honest life I have no reason to fear them tracking or watching me.
The only crime I committed was being born with disabilities and illnesses and I worked for 20 years saving the lives or caring for the family members of people like you till I became too sick to work anymore.
But thanks for ASSuming I am an “ignorant parasite”.
…..oh and I am scum too…..Thanks. People like you make me ashamed to say I am an American sometimes. People like you are what is destroying our nation, not the poor.
10 minutes really, and if someone were in a wreck, or was in a home being burglarized and lived further than 10 minutes from town and had to stay on the phone and await law enforcement to arrive, then they should just have the 10 minutes, and if that wasn’t long enough you’re saying they deserve to die. You are saying people that have these phones are scum and ignorant but you are no better than they are. You are judging them without knowing anything about them, one of those people could be the person who saves your life one day. So take your immature opinions and shove them up your ass. Sounds to me like you’re the ignorant one.
take your head out of yours! wheres the cell phone for someone that works and still can’t afford one?
im glad low income people r getting free phone they need help sometime instead of the rich getting richer i thank whoever started this program
the rich still get richer an the poor still get poor were have you been
4 the last 20 + years look at us today you think that we are doing
good you need your head examened
this is bull shit go to work you can make it i did working 100 hr a wk
Are you on SSI
the rich work for it are you on ssi
Hello all, I just came from Morocco and got a free cellphone but the bastards did not give me a touch screen!!! If Obama has a beautiful phone I want one to because I am of his blood! All these politicians have great phones because of the tax payers and the peasant workers that have a monthly bill and work a 9 to 5 job! I also work a factory job like a animal in this country and barely make $25 K. All you peasants that are talking shit are the ones that are paying the presidents brand new limo, cell phone and silverware, I only am asking for a damn cell phone so quit your bitching because you are only feeding those money hungry politicians and the working class stays the same way working! Forget all you haters today I am going to get the $100 tax I paid to the failing system of social security, federal, local and shit taxes and am going to apply to welfare and then I need insurance too!!!
I do agree with you about the fact that we are the ones who are paying for all those perks and benefits that the politicians feel entitled to and that their plan is to keep the wealthy rich and the working/poor classes down in the ditches….
However, I do not agree with the fact that you feel you deserve a touch screen phone simply because you are “of his blood”.
I am happy enough with the simple, used phone that I got. I am grateful for getting that much….
I am not a hater, I am on the side of the poor, however I don’t feel that we should be demanding anything when we are being given these phones and services.
Most people whould recognize satire when they read it, but apparently not everyone.
be happy for what you have there are people out there
that as nothing at all an gust because you are black
it dont mean a dam thing. so take it or leve it.
I bet your ass is on SSI
What is with you and SSI? I know there are frauds out there. I have reported many!! But there are people who are really are disable and truly need it!! So stop your ignorance already!! .
I have sent out for a free phone but did not get a reply
i have printed it too weeks ago an sent it out so what is going on
i would like my phone
If you don’t like the way America is being ran, you can always try and become a resident in another country.
I would if i could this country going to be a third world
stop aL THE BUMBS GO TO THE GREEN COUNTRY IN MUSKOGEE OK THEY WILL GET YOU A CHECK YOU DONT HAVE TO BE DISABLEI
sorry but what are we paying for now??? sorry but this is not right. This isnt just for help ina hleath matter its a PHONE they call who they want NO. Guess what they have cheap phones at a gas station and you can get mins on a prepaid card its not that much. Im sorry but my parents work hard and so do i, and we should have to pay for someone elses cell phone (I lived without one for long time just saying) And sorry but the goverment should not have this much control and needs to back off, They Work For US case anyone has forgotten!!
you say sorry alot, It sounds as if you might qualify for a free phone, check that out why dont ya.
Sell some of that booty girl, if you ain’t too ugly, and you’d be able to buy a good used phone from one of your pimps or hood rat cuz’zins, (don’t steal my ebonic, I just made that up gizzie cumalot baby factory.) ;( so sad, living on hand outs from the government!
thanks tax sucker..i mean payer i got three phones from three dif companys they because i could now i can talk and txt all i want i even let my friends use them LOL
We’ll fix this problem soon…and then you can pay you own way like everyone else.
that is so funny, you go girl, I only have one phone though, and…It dosent work, they are old, refurbished phones, guess mine did’nt get refurbished, that should make some of you tax suckers, I mean payers happy.
yuck it up system sucker! lots of pride in being a dirtbag! You win useless!
A good friend of mine (retired USN) now USPS has been delivering these damned things in Jax FL to addresses and says many definitely don’t fit the “need” parameters as purported above, Nice waterfront homes? Escalade in the driveway? You tell me something doesn’t stink. Free Government Cell Phones can kiss my ass…because they’re supporting moochers and damned well know it.
BRING IT ON YOU THIEVING BASTARDS! WE’RE READY!
that sounds made-up except for the retired usn, what is it that your ready for?
http://goldsilver.com/news/obama-phone-gov-to-spend-2-4-billion-on-millions-of-free-phones-in-2012/
Looks like more free cell phone with data and free internet to me. All a person has to do is sign up for Free lunch program at school and they can qualify.
We are $16 Trillion dollars in debt and climbing. When we hit the wall in the next year or two, what will all the free loaders do then? I feel for those who may be living alone and are sick or elderly, but I bet 95% of those soaking the taxes out of our budget do not fit this criteria. Before we destroy our military in the next round of budget cuts, this wasteful program along with the generational welfare that has enslaved millions to the government, needs to be revised and unnecessary entitlements need to go away before we look like Greece and the rest of socialist Europe.
I can’t stand people who really believe that chump change helping the poor is making their taxes go up! Please how ignorant are you. Honestly, do you believe if you get rid of welfare that your going to get your money back or stop paying taxes better yet the taxes will never go up. You rather pay for corporate greed and a politicians lined pockets. Your dreaming people if you think that will happen by eliminating welfare. I guess Kassie is right you need a scapegoat someone to push further down than you are mentally. Mike savage things people with a liberal mindset have a mental disorder… Yet I think the ones with a true mental disorder are the idiots putting down the poor. If republicans are christian as they say… Then they would believe jesus would never belittle and degrade the poor. Yet your money means more to you than treating people fairly. LOL it is insane how people are so greedy, proud it is what the bible is against. I am a very well educated female with a Degree. I work 5 part time jobs with no benefits.. I get medicaid and I am NOT SCUM. You could be one paycheck away from being where most people are on welfare and I think that is what scares most of you……
well you pay for it then
Republicans and Christians believe in being thier brothers keeper, not the government. Because when your reliant on the government then they control you, as long as your on the government tittie, there’s no incentive to do for yourself. Why do you think they tell you not to feed the bears? It’s so they don’t become dependent on humans for thier food and learn to survive in the wild . In our family we take care of our own and don’t ask the government for anything and were stronger for it. Some people do need some help from time to time , but it’s the lazy worthless dead beat’s that think’s everybody owns them something that’s draining the system. And one other thing before I go, the government doesn’t fear those on welfair that buys the democrate propaganda! They fear the ones that are independent thinkers and doers, because they can’t buy our votes and we keep or guns handy! Oh.. buy the way Michael Savage was right, progressive liberial democrates are mentally challenged!!! If you want to get the real skinny on the democrate secret agenda, listen to congress man Alan West!!!! You won’t get the truth from Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, because they make thier money playing the race game and keeping thier own people on the dependance plantation!!! So it is written, It must be true, my brothers. can I get a amen!!!!
In my opinion, most in this country are expecting government intervention in their lives. The majority of the citizenry were not born prior to FDR’s programs in the 1930s. LBJ issued additional government programs in the 1960s. We have so many regulations via the mandates of federal entities from alphabets A through W such as Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, The Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, The Broadcasting Board of Governors, The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, The Presidio Trust, The Federal Executive Boards, The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, The Commission on Presidential Scholars, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce and White House Office. How did people survive without all of the government intervention?
In fact, landlines are often less expensive because the Link-Up portion is not always required for cell phones, depending upon the state.
This sentence from your article must mean to say…” are more expensive” to show
that if anything cell phones cost the FCC and USAC less in some instances.
Taxpayer, I hear you and millions of others hear you. We might not live to see it, but it’s probably going to take a financial collaspe to get rid of all these government hand-out’s, and socialist programs, and when that happens look out, all the takers will be in the streets stealing and looting. That’s when we’ll see why the makers been buying all those guns and bullets, it’s time to thin the heard and send all the illegal aliens with thier anchor babies back to mexico, and all the hood rats, gang punks, drug dealers and all the other leaches like boo hiss, who probably lives with his mother or grand mother,( sucking the blood out of them.) and the like to meet thier maker!…And to all the turds out there, don’t think I’m the only one that thinks like this !!! you’ll be able to use your Obama phone to call for help, but, no one will hear you!!!!! Hahaha!
The only thing people know how to post is hatred. The tax payers hate the unemployed and the unemployed hate the rich and the rich hate themselves and take it out on everyone else. The opportunity for PEACE is no longer in sight. You talk about violence and how prepared you are for the worse times to come. You may have 100 guns with 100 clips but you only have 2 hands to use them and eventually you will be over taken. Sure you’ll take out some welfare babies, government funded drug dealers, or crackhead hood rats in the process but who will you have to answer to for all that bloodshed? I am not here to pass judgement on anyone but eventually we all will be judged by whatever higher power it is you believe in. I hope I get to be there when you get your sentence so I can see how tough you look on that day with your guns, employment, money, and other worldly possessions that you hold so sacred. Trade them in for some forgiveness and hopefully they have the value you hoped they would have. I’m no angel either so again I can not pass judgement but most of you self-righteous, self-centered, selfish-ass, “people” (and I use that term loosely) should be ashamed of yourself. But that time and day will come for you because nothing is for certain and nothing last forever. So take your hatred with you and know that instead of being apart of the solution… you were apart of the problem.
I think its a great thing to help those who are in need,disabled in any way!We as a people cannot judge other disabled people that may not be doing the right thing with their food stamps or money or phone! Judge not that you be not judged in this same way by almighty GOD one day. If we would follow God & his word their would be no need for welfare or free cell phones.Give as God has blessed you with,if u see a need and are able to help HELP! God Loves us all , Rich in things may be poor in the things u cannot but with money.If Jesus returns today , where will you spend eternity______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Forever & Ever God Bless You All!