How popular is the free government cell phone program? Or let us put it another way: How important is the program? Let us answer that question by telling you about the controversy created recently in the small, upstate New York town of Watertown.
Heena Singh works for Access Wireless, one of the largest companies competing in the Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone program.
WWNY-TV reported the story:
“Access Wireless began handing out the phones Friday morning in the Valero gas station parking lot and because there were so many complaints, city police moved the crowd from St. Patrick’s Church, to Valero and finally, to JB Wise parking lot.”
Here’s how the Watertown Daily Times described what happened next:
“Told she could not sit underneath the pavilion at the J.B. Wise parking lot, the Access Wireless employee set up shop on a sidewalk just a few feet away, while about 50 people waited to receive a free Android smartphone.”
For those who say the economy is improving, that unemployment is down and people are working again, that the stock market is near record highs, and that corporate profits are healthy, let us give you a different perspective on the same story:
City officials and the Watertown police department bounced the Access Wireless booth from one location to another and another and finally to a fourth location on the same morning, yet 50 needy Americans managed to find the booth and line up in hopes of getting a free government cell phone.
WWNY’s story unintentionally told a key detail of this story without realizing it:
“For nearly three weeks, Ms. Singh has given away about 1,000 phones in Watertown, first in front of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services offices on Arsenal Street.”
How bad is the economy? How many unemployed an under-employed Americans still desperately need the free government cell phone program? We think the truth is exposed by the fact that one representative from one company distributed “about 1000” phones in three weeks in one small town (population 27,500) in upstate New York.
Sadly, Access Wireless is just one of three free government cell phone companies doing business in the state of New York. We say “sadly” because we think it is horribly unfortunate that upstate New York has so many financially-distressed residents that three Lifeline Assistance free government cell phone companies are able to exist and prosper in the region. Safelink Wireless and Assurance Wireless, the two biggest companies in the business, also provide needy New Yorkers with these invaluable means of communication. (Editor’s note: In addition to these three free government cell phone companies, T-Mobile an Verizon Wireless also offer low-income New Yorkers substantial discounts on cell phones and service.)
From what we are able to discern from the WWNY and Watertown Daily Times stories, Ms. Singh covers the upstate New York region for Access Wireless. She said that she had distributed free government cell phones in Auburn, Syracuse and Utica without a problem prior to arriving in Watertown. If she gave away 1,000 free government cell phones in a small town like Watertown, how many people lined up for the phones in those larger towns?
There’s a huge disconnect between the headlines in the daily newspapers and the stories trumpeted on the nightly news and the reality in today’s America. If you listen to the politicians and the media, you will be convinced that the economic picture is rosy in America.
If you listen to the thousands of people who line up for free government cell phones, you will get a completely different point of view.
“Singh says Access Wireless will be giving out phones in Watertown until the interest and need die down,” WWNY reported.
Then she’ll move on to another town where, unfortunately, she’ll find thousands of other people who need her help.
Raymond Mckan says
I had a government phone with Access. The phone broke more than two years ago and was told if i dont make a phone call within the next 24 hours i would lose privilege. I called Access and told them the phone was totally broken but still keep getting the same runaround. That it was my second replacement and wasnt going to replace and that i had to use the one that i had which is impossible. Now i am told that my account will be closed if i dont make a call within 2 days or i will be terminated. This has been going on for more than 2 years now and this is keeping me from re applying through any other government phone carrier. At least explain to me why. I am a single parent on a budget with a young child trying to make ends meet. We are on SNAP and temp assistance. Please call number provided or email me asap. Thank you. This has been going on far too long. I can be reached at this number: 607-624-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
Sorry, Raymond, but it’s impossible for us to respond individually because of the volume of comments and questions we receive every single day. But we have an idea for you: Switch service providers.
Here’s an article that will tell you exactly how to make the switch:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/how-do-i-switch-lifeline-providers
And here’s where you can find all the service providers and plans available in your state:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Chester T Hammond says
I keep completing he surveys for a free government phone everytime I complete the survey they never complete sending me a phone or contacting me I am tired of using other people’s phone I do not have one Annie and I are supplemental food stamps I qualify for a free phone how do I finish they keep advertising government smartphones please get back to me thank you if you want to call me my number is 315-396-****
Free Government Cell Phones says
We’re not sure what these “surveys” are that you keep completing, Chester. But our advice is to complete an application online or, even better, by phone.
MACMAN JAY says
FORGET UPSTATE NY WHAT ABOUT THE FIVE BOROUGHS OF NY WE NEED THESE FREE
PHONES ! WHEN WILL ACCESS WIRELESS BE HANDING OUT THESE FREE PHONES IN
THE FIVE BOROUGHS OF NEW YORK? WHERE WILL ACCESS WIRELESS BE HANDING
OUT THESE FREE PHONES IN THE FIVE BOROUGHS OF NEW YORK?
Free Government Cell Phones says
We strongly urge our readers NOT to enroll at street events because they have been the scene of too much fraud and abuse. Enroll by phone or online instead.
MACMAN JAY says
IF THEY DON,T HAVE ONLINE ENROLLMENT WHAT CAN YOU,LL DO TO BE
ENROLL TO THIS SERVICE?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your chosen company’s customer service team.
Victoria Ann says
Can you get free phone with the same cell number you currently have. I recently lost my $43,000 year job and am 63. Unemployment will end in 3 weeks. Unable find a job. Applying for social security, have medicaid. I am cutting down on other services due to major change in income.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Yes, you can use your current phone number with your free government cell phone. When you enroll, make sure you tell customer service “I want to port over my current phone number.” Say it a couple times and get them to confirm that it’s being done.
jerrica hayes says
I really need a free touchscreen phone that what i need so place help me get one mu name is jerrica hayes
Betty White says
I have a free govt. phone and it is a flip phone; I would like to upgrade to a later version of mobile phone even if I have to buy the phone. Can I do that?? The phone I have is so small that I have trouble texting on it. Thank you
karen wallace says
i just have question i bought a budget mobile free phone from a person who was giving them out but i wanted to upgrade so i bought one for 20.00 and i am having a lot of problems with it and would like to have my minutes put on another phone if you could get back to me thank you karen wallace
Thian Piang says
I want to get the new of the government cell phone. Now I done have the government cell phone for more than 6 months ago.