California To Provide Free Cell Phones For The Homeless
Never mind that California is in debt, and that business are leaving in droves because of the punitive tax rates, their government is going to give out (almost) free cell phones to the homeless.
The cell phones would be handed out through a federally funded Lifeline program – already operated by service provider Assurance Wireless in 36 other states – that is likely to win final approval in the next couple of weeks from the California Public Utilities Commission.
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Under Assurance Wireless’ new program, a customer will initially pay $20 for a Virgin Mobile cell phone and pay 10 cents a minute. This initial plan will fulfill state regulations that only people with existing phone service qualify for a Lifeline program.
Immediately, however, the customer will be rolled into Assurance Wireless’ Lifeline plan, which will provide 250 free minutes of talk time and 250 free text messages per month. The customer will then get the initial $20 back as a credit to be used whenever he or she exceeds the talk and text limits.
April 24th, 2013 at 11:49 pm
I am pleased to finally see a second Lifeline cell phone provider in California. For many years, Reachout Wireless was the only Lifeline Assistance cell phone carrier operating in California.
With Assurance Wireless’ entrance into the California market, more people living at or below the poverty line will gain access to basic communication services.