Free cell phone and wireless service for the unemployed

Posted Tue, 09/22/2009 - 16:22 by chuck

Thank you to the kind anonymous commenter who made this information available.

The government is offering free phones and air time to the unemployed. This is part of the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year.

To be eligible for this program you must...:

  1. ...be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and be a U.S. resident.
  2. ...be unemployed.
  3. ...be receiving some other sort of assistance.
  4. ...not have another household member currently receiving this benefit

The money is well directed. Unemployed people without phones are at a distinct disadvantage in searching for jobs. If you think you might qualify for the program, it looks like it is worth checking into.

Comments

Income eligibility

by Anonymous - 10/27/2009 - 23:26

As far as I know, this program has NOTHING to do with employment status; only income/eligibility for benefits. From the website:

How to Qualify

The process to qualify for Lifeline Service depends on the State you live in. In general, you may qualify if...

1. You already participate in other State or Federal assistance program such as Federal Public Housing Assistance, Food Stamps and Medicaid.
OR
2. Your total household income is at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines set by your State and/or the Federal Government.
AND
3. No one in your household currently receives Lifeline Service through another phone carrier.
4. You have a valid United States Postal Address. In order for us to ship you your free phone you must live at a residence that can receive mail from the US Post Office. Sorry, but P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted.

In addition to meeting the guidelines above you will also be required to provide proof of your participation in an assistance program, or proof of your income level.

In NY State, the income level is limited to $1,218 for a one person household, which is unfortunately less than I get in unemployment benefits per month.