The Lifeline communication project was started during the Reagan Administration in 1985. The sole purpose was to give low earning households access to a line of communication at all times. The free government cell phone would, in turn, allow them access to emergency and other vital services in times of need.
While this act initial only funded landlines, then in 2005 the project was expanded to include cell phones. The free government cell phone project is administered by Federal Communications Commission and is paid from the Universal Services Fund, which was set up to collect funds from service providers and then the phones costs are covered.
What is the Lifeline Phone and how do I Qualify?
When you qualify for this outreach program you will get a phone, free service as well as unlimited talk time and access to 911.
You will have to qualify by handing in the required documentation which will then go in for processing. Once you have been approved a cell phone provider will furnish you with a free cell phone as well as all you would need to get communicating.
People that belong to the many benefit programs offered by the American Government will automatically qualify for the Lifeline services. These include but are not exclusive to Veterans Pension and Survival Benefit, Tribal Head Start, Tribally Administered Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Food Stamps and Federal Public Housing Assistance to name but a few,
Each household is only eligible for one service either landline or wi-fi.
Qualifying Based on Income
Should a citizen of low income not already be on any of the state benefit funds and has to prove household income meets the requirements, you would have to produce a comprehensive breakdown of the families total income from all members of the family. This does not only include salaries from employment. It will also include other incomes, donations, gifts, winnings, policies, and social security. That is all combined to come out with the house-holds total income.
The qualifying starting income bracket for 1 person is $16 389 and goes up to $57 213 for a household of 8.
Hawaii, California, and Alaska have a different formula which allows for a higher percentage of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Where is a free government cell phone near me?
Should want to locate a provider to get a phone that is near you there are many websites that you can access that are provider locators for the Lifeline Program. You will also be able to get information from free government cell phone companies in your area. They will be happy to assist you.
What people are saying about the Lifeline phones?
There has been some talk of fraud within the system, no conclusive evidence has been found, and the benefit seems to have assisted many worthy recipients. There are many people commenting on the internet on how their lives have been made better by the service.
There are a few naysayers such as Congressman Austin Scott of Georgia. He has been pushing for legislation to be passed to stop the program. He feels taxpayers are already over-burdened and that the people receiving the benefit should only have access to landline communication which is cheaper.
Conclusion
The Lifeline Phone is not only available to low-income households in the 52 states. This benefit applies to all citizens of commonwealth, tribal lands and territories as well.
It is also worth mention that while you have to meet a certain maximum level of income per household, this varies from state to state.
Article Source: https://smarttechtune.com/total-wireless-phone-compatibility/
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