Poor enough for a cell phone?

Posted by Al Lewis on March 07, 2013
Trends

Anyone who makes less than $14,702 and lives in California is entitled to a free cell phone under a federally funded program.

 Click here to read all about it on the San Francisco Chronicle’s website, SFGate.

“Homeless people will now be able to confirm shelter openings without walking miles and potentially missing out on beds,” the newspaper’s website reports.

Reservations at the homeless shelter? Is there going to be limo pickup, too?

A friend emailed me the link with this to say about it: “As I am watching the local California news, shortly after the gloom warnings to air travelers, about the long security lines, less TSA agents due to the sequester… They announce this great new plan for homeless:    Free cell phones with 250 minutes of talk time and 250 free text messages !”

He’s, of course, old enough to remember when only the 1% had cell phones. Times have apparently changed. Luxuries have become necessities.

2 Comments to Poor enough for a cell phone?

LindaLee
March 7, 2013

As low income /disabled sr. who still cannot afford a cell phone (among other ‘necessities’) and as one in “The System”, Ihave to ask, why minuts for texting??? Sorry but it seems that the phone should be enough. As to the homeless having them, I am for it. HOwever, Ifind it interesting tht those who choose homelessnes,can free ride all they want, because they want yet when it gets cold, they expect shelter ( yes I m compassionate. I ;m just saying many homeless CHOOSE TO BE So. And yet, here in Denver low income have expensive cell phones,nice cares and I have neither. Guess I ;ll have to get really poor.

Denver Todd
March 9, 2013

The federal Lifeline program is only a subsidy in most states. You have to be dirt poor to qualify. Considering that the cost of a cell phone and that of a land line are about the same, it really isn’t a luxury to go wireless anymore. Please keep in mind that while the money comes from the federal government, the source of the money is a tax on other phone service users. In other words, I pay more for my phone so that someone else can pay less. Sort of like Obamacare.