"Free cellular service," Glenn said as he opened up the radio show.
"Free cellular service if you receive the following benefits already. Food stamps, Medicaid, supplemental security income, SSI, federal public housing assistance, the national school free lunch program, temporary assistance for needy families and low-income energy assistance programs."
"You can get the free house. You can get your kids to have the free lunch plus you have temporary assistance for needy families. And low-income energy assistance program. You have the food. You have the house. You have the medical care. You have the free lunch and you also have, you know, some supplemental income and you have your energy taken care of. If we do all of those things, you deserve a free cell phone," Glenn joked.
"That is fantastic. That's a great commentary on where we are. Think about that from a capitalist perspective. This is something that only like the guy in Wall Street, Gordon Gecko had in the 1980s. Only the richest of the rich had 20, 30 years ago," Stu said. "It's such a necessity that the government has to fund free ones for poor people."
The Lifeline program's website explains:
What is Lifeline?The Lifeline program was established by your local government to help people obtain wireless services by offering a discounted package. This package includes a FREE cellular phone, as well as FREE minutes every month without sacrificing the features you would typically use with any other cell phone such as Caller ID, Texting, and Voicemail. These services DO NOT require a credit check or deposit and there is absolutely no contract is involved. Best of all, there are no recurring charges, monthly fees, or surcharges.
...
Am I eligible?
Lifeline and Link-up Assistance are government programs designed to provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers. Qualification standards vary depending on the state in which you reside. Generally, you qualify if you are currently enrolled in a government assisted program such as:
Food Stamps
Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
National School Free Lunch Program
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- AND -
If no one in the household is currently enrolled in any other lifeline program.
If someone in the household is currently enrolled in any sort of lifeline program, he or she must cancel those services in order for you to apply for services through ReachOut Wireless.