Millions of supposed low-income Americans who claimed free phones from the federal government are actually ineligible to receive the service, according to the Wall Street Journal. Worse still, you’re probably paying for it.Posted on 02/14/2013 8:43:12 PM PST by smoothsailing
February 14, 2013
by Kelsey Osterman
Millions of supposed low-income Americans who claimed free phones from the federal government are actually ineligible to receive the service, according to the Wall Street Journal. Worse still, you’re probably paying for it.
A recent Federal Communications Commission review of top five cell service carriers who use the program, called Lifeline, has revealed that 41 percent of six million free phone owners either couldn’t prove their eligibility or didn’t respond to the review request.
As the WSJ reported, the federal government spent about $2.2 billion on Lifeline in 2012, up from $819 million in 2008. But where does the government get that money? From your phone bill. Each household in the U.S. pays approximately $2.50 a month to fund Lifeline and other subsidized communications programs, according to the WSJ.
Lifeline was started in 1984 in order to give low-income people access to their families, job opportunities and emergency services. Only people who are in poverty according to federal guidelines — or are on Medicaid, food stamps or other government assistance — are eligible for the phones. The program is also limited to one phone per household.
Until the FCC tightened its rules on certification for the phones last year, those claiming the phones could self-verify their eligibility with the service carriers.
The FCC is continuing to investigate the Lifeline providers who supposedly allowed ineligible people to access the free phones.
Doesn’t this article and the below video just make you feel all warm and fuzzy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAOwJvTOio
Well, as one local radio station says, remember whenever you receive something from the Government, it was taken away from someone else.....
The problem is that the 0phone folks don't give a flip about that. They don't care who pays for it, as long as they're getting their free stuff.
“We” must have hit a nerve on this one.
They started running ‘Prime Time’ ads with WHITE people bragging about the plan.
One is a Construction worker, biker, Vet and mentions his father was a Vietnam Vet.
Another says he is a 20+ year Army Vet and the phone is a ‘life saver’.....
If ‘they’ want to give them a ‘phone’ for emergency use fine, give them a couple of emergency #’s and maybe one for the job(?) with a couple of relative, but there really is no need for all the bells and whistles.
The ads for the above offer quite a bit of free phone time + texting time....
My income was a bit low for the first two years that Obama took office, thanks to the hostile business environment. So even after I moved to Texas (and working, no thanks to DC), I still get deluged from the nannies in MN with stuff to go on this and that program. No thanks, bureaucrat.
Obama campaign ran a slick scam with these phones last year...
From your link...
“The program may have been created pre-Obama, but Obama admin DRAMATICALLY expanded it to cell phones. Then the Obama people promoted it to the inner city, low income voters as if it came from Obama. Another reason why government should not give away free stuff”.
Exactly...I'd say what's so hard for politicians to understand that but they understand it perfectly, it's a simple way for them to buy votes at the taxpayers expense. Really pathetic!
I love your graphic about the Obamaburger and don't think they don't want it. :-)
It took me a bit. When my economic downturn turned into an economic downturn that went downhill from there I got mad. And I yelled and screamed at some of you. And since things have gotten a little worse I have only one thing left. WHERE Is MY Obamaphone?
My best hope now is that everything goes so fershit that someone around here will qualify for something.
The sad thing is these people don't grovel, they demand because they know the libs will give it to them.
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Chump change.
Millions more are scamming the SS permanent disability piggy bank, and that's guaranteed for life.
All it takes is the price of a cane and a note from your local crooked union doctor...
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