Get Your Free Obama Phone!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Homeless, Low-Income Can get Free Cell Phones

SACRAMENTO—

Two companies are now offering free cell phones, along with a limited plan, for California’s homeless and low-income people.

Assurance Wireless (through Virgin Mobile) and Reach Out Wireless will be offering the plans – offering qualified people up to 250 minutes of talk time and 250 text messages per month.

The plans are being offered thanks to funds from the Lifeline Program run by the federal government, which has been around since 1985. The California Public Utilities Commission screened the two companies’ bids and approved them last week.

To qualify for the Lifeline Program, people must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty level.

If you’re interested, head over to http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx or https://www.reachoutmobile.com/ to see if you’re qualified.

http://fox40.com/2013/03/06/homeless-low-income-can-get-free-cell-phones

[Karee 4,191]

So that comes out to ~$7.25 an hour, 40 hours a week. Using 135% of the 2012 poverty guidelines. Nice.

ETA:

The 2013 California minimum wage is $8.00 an hour.

Edited March 7, 2013 by Karee

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So that comes out to ~$7.25 an hour, 40 hours a week. Using 135% of the 2012 poverty guidelines. Nice.

ETA:

The 2013 California minimum wage is $8.00 an hour.

That is one reason why you see so many part time employees in retail and food service. They call them "peak time employees", usually limited to less than 30 hours a week average over a 60 day period, so that they don't have to offer them full benefits. It is not just Walmart. Many national chains are limiting new hires to 20 hours or less a week. In California, that hardly pays for the fuel to commute back and forth, if you live in an outlying area.

[Caryh 5,206]

Interesting how Obama is at fault for a program that began in 1985. Shouldn't that be Get Your Free Reagan Phone?

[Karee 4,191]

That is one reason why you see so many part time employees in retail and food service. They call them "peak time employees", usually limited to less than 30 hours a week average over a 60 day period, so that they don't have to offer them full benefits. It is not just Walmart. Many national chains are limiting new hires to 20 hours or less a week. In California, that hardly pays for the fuel to commute back and forth, if you live in an outlying area.

So basically if I'm 20 years old and sponging off my parents for a place to live, I'm good to go for a free cell phone working at McDonalds 30 hours a week? That's what I'm getting out of this anyway.

[Teddy B 17,252]

So basically if I'm 20 years old and sponging off my parents for a place to live, I'm good to go for a free cell phone working at McDonalds 30 hours a week? That's what I'm getting out of this anyway.

I thought you were older than 20.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Interesting how Obama is at fault for a program that began in 1985. Shouldn't that be Get Your Free Reagan Phone?

The program started out for wired phone lines with very limited service. I believe the cell phone thing is something that was permitted first under the Obama administration. They are allowing households with the traditional lifeline service, to convert to a cell phone, and keep their old number.

[BaBamSam 239]

Interesting how Obama is at fault for a program that began in 1985. Shouldn't that be Get Your Free Reagan Phone?

It's yet another misleading/baiting title. The "Obama endangering rural commuters and bumming out tours" he posted yesterday was of the same misdirection, I believe.

[decocker 7,198]

So basically if I'm 20 years old and sponging off my parents for a place to live, I'm good to go for a free cell phone working at McDonalds 30 hours a week? That's what I'm getting out of this anyway.

do you think that the younger demographic is going to be hustling to get in line for a chump phone with a mere 250 minutes of talk time/250 text messages per month?

if anything, the only reason a twenty year old is living at home and working at mcdonalds is to afford the newest iphone and unlimited talk/text carrier contract..

[Teddy B 17,252]

It's yet another misleading/baiting title. The "Obama endangering rural commuters and bumming out tours" he posted yesterday was of the same misdirection, I believe.

Well, the Patriot is the Master Baiter.

[Karee 4,191]

I thought you were older than 20.

Took me a second. I'm getting slow.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Took me a second. I'm getting slow.

I'll have fries with that please.

[Karee 4,191]

do you think that the younger demographic is going to be hustling to get in line for a chump phone with a mere 250 minutes of talk time/250 text messages per month?

if anything, the only reason a twenty year old is living at home and working at mcdonalds is to afford the newest iphone and unlimited talk/text carrier contract..

Ok let's say I'm 45 and living at home. Besides the obvious issues, should I get govt. sponsored cell service?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ok let's say I'm 45 and living at home.

Then a flip-phone should be all you need. I inherited my wife's old prepaid phone, and for $15 a month, I already have 1000 minutes stacked up.

[decocker 7,198]

Ok let's say I'm 45 and living at home. Besides the obvious issues, should I get govt. sponsored cell service?

a cell phone is nothing special anymore, it's just a phone. pay phones and landlines are on the way out, completely. for a single parent, living @ 135% below the poverty level, while trying to maintain employment/school, i can see the benefit from a program like this. not every beneficiary of welfare is a scam artist.