Eagle-eyed experts at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net discover more Americans will soon be eligible for Lifeline phone service program meant for the poor
Thanks to a little-noticed clause in the nation’s new healthcare law, up to three million middle-class Americans will qualify for free cell phones under the government’s popular Lifeline phone service program.
Lifeline and its companion program, Link-Up, are normally restricted to low income or otherwise financially disadvantaged Americans. But changes to how the Medicaid qualification is calculated for early retirees will open the program up to those earning as much as $64,000 per year.
“The change in the healthcare law was intended to alter the rules on qualifying for Medicaid,” said Mark Henry, editor at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net. “But as soon as we saw the change, we quickly realized that it will also entitle millions of middle-class Americans to a free cell phone from the government.”
Lifeline/Link-Up rules vary from state to state, but generally say that you meet the Lifeline eligibility rules, you can get a free cell phones and free monthly minutes and texts if you are below 135% of the poverty level, or if you receive benefits from any of a wide range of government assistance programs, including Medicaid.
“It’s very simple. Three million new, middle-class people now qualify for Medicaid,” Henry said, “and that means they also qualify for free cell phones from the government.”
According to Medicaid actuaries, retirees earning as much as $64,000 will qualify for Medicaid in 2014. That puts them at nearly four times the federal poverty level, which is $14,710 this year for a two-person household.
“Lifeline is an outstanding program that has helped up to eight million low income and disadvantaged Americans,” Henry added. “We’re not pleased to see it expanding beyond its mission of helping low income Americans. With the debt issues the country is facing, we want there to be enough money in the program for those who really need it.”
Jan Hanley says
I had a q link phone that got stolen eligible for a smartphone.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that tells you what to do in case of a stolen phone, Jan:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Germain Bindika says
I am 72. My wife is 68. We don’t work. Are we entitled t o a free government phone ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
It sounds as if you may qualify, but you should check the qualification requirements. You can see them here:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/basics/qualify
If you qualify, you should check all the companies and plans available in your state. Here’s where you can find that:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Check through all the companies, Germain. They each offer different minutes, texts, data plans, etc. Find the one that’s best for you.
Stephanie Soukup says
I ordered that low income cell phone and service, the problem was, that he screen is so smll and ghe buttons were very small and the other things it said to do on the phone, were so small i could not see anything. so it did me no good to use a phone that I could not see the numbers or where the on and off swith was, et. i call ed them ad all they said was sorry we will send you anothe so they sent me he same phone that i could not see anything on. so now i am pay 37 dollars for a hone bill that i cannot afford. excuse these free stuff
L. Michaeel Locke says
I am a prior U.S Army veteran. I am also retired from the Richmond Virginia Fire Department. I found out yesterday at the Veterans Hospital here that a company called service link will give veterans a free cell phone. Due to health issues and limited income, I am unable to get one on my on. I have tried to find them online, but can only find a site under the same number, but they deal with lending for homes.
Can yuo help me?
L. Michaeel Locke says
Thanks.
FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net says
We took a look, but could not find what you were looking for, sorry.
JWH says
Does anyone believe in paying your own way these days? Free Phone! It may be free to the freeloaders applying for the program but it is not free. The damn few who still believe in working for a living and paying taxes are paying for those of you on the program to sit on your duff and collect more government handouts. Are you proud of yourselves? Does it give you a sense of pride for scamming the taxpayers? What about working for the things you want?
I have no problem with helping the truly needy, those who are mentally or physically incapable of helping themselves but to the other majority of able bodied recipients of these handouts, I do take exception.
JCB says
Giving the uneducated, lazy, entitlement crowd whatever they want is nothin new. As long as the politician gets their vote, they will continue to spend our money. I for one have too much pride and dignity for myself and my family to accept any hand out or freebe. My Mom is disabled, a widow, but worked her entire life and is retired from the state we live in. She could collect on a lot of free programs, but we decided to care for her ourselves. Her phone is paid for by me and my brothers and sister take care of the other small things we can do for her.
daniel says
I have my own phone need a free plan
J.P. says
Its true People should do what they can to make there life and others lives better. But you have no right condemning the program. I dont know who you are but I can tell but you words you are a cheap and grumpy old fart who does not get along with you own children. If a women could put up with you to have them.
saderia lambert says
Heyy thanks
Sherry says
Not sure where you got your information, but where I live the maximum income to be eligible for Medicaid is about $800 a month. I find it hard to believe that 3 years from now that will be raised to $5500 a month.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Hello Sherry,
It’s a big story and was all over the news a couple weeks ago. Here’s just one story on the subject:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2011/06/ap-glitch-obamacare-would-place-couples-earning-64000-medicaid