The growth of Lifeline Assistance, the free government cell phone program, is tied directly to the growth of America’s welfare rolls. Since food stamps are the fastest growing government welfare program, it stands to reason that Lifeline will also see its growth expand in the near future.
According to a new study by the Cato Institute, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are now used by 47 million Americans. The program’s costs have increased more than 358% since the turn of the century.
Michael Tanner, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, author of the report, says that the food stamp program cost just $17 billion in 2000, but now costs rose to a shocking $78 billion in 2012.
According to FreeBeacon.com, “The 2002 and 2008 farm bills under Bush expanded eligibility in the program to the extent that noncitizens qualify. By the start of Obama’s presidency, there were 31.8 million Americans enrolled, up from 17 million in 2000. Under Obama, enrollment has surged to almost 48 million.”
While its easy to look at these numbers, as Tanner does, and complain that the food stamp program is out of control, we see them as evidence that low income Americans need more help than ever.
As we said earlier, participation in the food stamp program is one of the primary ways to qualify for Lifeline Assistance, the free government cell phone program. Of course, there are a number of other ways to qualify, so let’s take a quick look at them.
You probably qualify for a free government cell phone if you or any member of your household currently participates in one of these government assistance programs:
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (often known by the acronym SSI)
- Health Benefit Coverage under Child Health Insurance Plan (often known by the acronym CHIP)
- The National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program.
- Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (often known by the acronym LIHEAP)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (often known as Section 8)
- Eligible Resident of Tribal Lands
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (often known by the acronym TANF)
You may also qualify for an if your total household income is 135% or less of Federal Poverty Guidelines. And in six states, you an qualify with income as high as 150% of those guidelines.
On one hand, we truly regret the growth of food stamp usage, because it means that more Americans are suffering in this horrible economy. But on the other hand, we’re incredibly happy that the free government cell phone program is there to help those needy Americans work their way out of poverty.
tevinblackwell says
i need a cell phone bad