A characteristic of a progressive society is the care of the elderly. Providing free cell phones for seniors is one of the best ways to take care of them. Due to age-related health problems, older people tend to get lost or forget time. Therefore, mobile phones are indispensable.
Mobile phones help seniors stay in touch with friends and family in an emergency. Elderly people may have hearing and vision problems. Therefore, an easy-to-use phone is essential.
Free cell phones for Seniors is a government telephone service that helps seniors stay in touch with their families and loved ones.
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Topics Covered
Why Do Older People Need A Free Cell Phone?
The government felt the need to provide free cell phones for seniors and the elderly for a variety of reasons. Some may think that buying a cell phone for the elderly is a waste of money.
There are many benefits to using the latest devices, such as mobile phones for the elderly. You can stay in touch 24/7 with them. You can call anyone in the world, day or night, and talk to anyone you like.
Development of mental problems is evident at this age. So mobile phones in old age are very helpful. It helps to sharpen your mind and learn new techniques.
Points to note when choosing a smartphone for the elderly living alone. At the time of considering mobile phones for the elderly, the following features should be carefully considered:
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Compact And Multifunctional
Compact and multifunctional is an important requisition of elderly phones. You get everything in one place that you want. From flashlights, toys, maps, notebooks, alarm clocks, and calendars, to emergency buttons, and more.
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Emergency Assistance
If something bad happens to older parents, they can either call you or call 911. In addition, if AllsWell Alert is installed on your mobile phone, you will receive an emergency notification after a period of inactivity, even if you cannot press the panic button.
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Personal Security
Older people are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Because they are easy targets, they are prone to robbery and violent crime. In addition, most older people are abandoned and left to protect themselves.
In these situations, the elderly need to have easy access to the phone to respond to emergencies
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Contact With Family And Friends
Mobile phones for the elderly allow you to stay in touch with your family. Older people have an independent lifestyle. This lifestyle makes it difficult to stay in touch with their loved ones.
If the child calls to check, the elderly must have a phone nearby. As older people get older, communication with loved ones becomes more important.
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Bright And Clear Display
The phone needs a large display that clearly shows everything on the screen. Also, the structure of the icons on the screen should make sense.
Keep in mind that when it comes to mobile phones for the elderly, everything has to be simple. Elderly people usually only need to do two or three things a day such as :
- Making a call
- Checking time
- Setting an alarm
- Watching videos or photos.
Federal Public Housing Assistance
You can qualify for government-free telephone services by enrolling in Section 8 and other federal housing programs. These programs automatically qualify for lifelines and ACP programs.
Lifeline Program For Seniors
The Lifeline utility from the US government provides free cell phones for:
- Seniors
- Poor families
- Disabled person
The program started in 1980, but the federal government revised the program in 2005 to add communications services for American citizens.
For qualified seniors, the Lifeline Program is an excellent way to obtain free cell phone services and a cell phone. Participants in the federally funded Lifeline program receive a free smartphone along with a free monthly plan. This plan includes 1GB of data for:
- Web surfing
- Social networking
- 350 free minutes
- Unlimited text
- Photo messaging.
The Lifeline Program is well-known for providing “free government phones,”. Even though the Lifeline program is not intended for senior citizens, many of them may be eligible. Particularly if they have fixed incomes or are already receiving certain government benefits.
If your income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, you might be eligible for a Lifeline phone.
Additionally, anyone who resides on federally designated tribal grounds or who takes part in a tribal assistance program is eligible for the Lifeline program.
It aims to increase access to education, employment, and other possibilities. The Lifeline program has been in existence since the 1980s. It strives to make telecommunication services available to all Americans.
Lifeline and ACP programs are to help eliminate the “digital divide” by providing Internet access and communications services to people with limited resources.
Eligibility To Receive Free Government Cell Phones Through Lifeline Programs
Customers must either fit into one of the following assistance programs or have an income that is equal to or less than 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FD); Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Supplemental Security Income (if applicable).
What Is The New Affordable Connection Program (ACP)?
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a continuation of the US Government’s Emergency Broadband Benefits Program. The EBB provides monthly broadband Internet access services and rebates for specific connected devices.
The ACP program is funded by the federal government to help families connect to the Internet and reduce some of their financial burdens.
This program is designed to give all Americans access to the Internet.
It also helps to :
- Increase education
- Employment opportunities
- Maintain connections with friends and family
- Provide equal opportunities for all Americans.
How To Get A Free Phone For The Elderly?
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Verizon Lifeline
Verizon Wireless Free Government Phones. If you are looking for a free government phone call for Verizon Wireless, Verizon does not offer a free cell phone call.
However, Verizon offers a $ 9.25 rebate for monthly phone or internet services for Lifeline qualified customers. If you live on a tribal island, you will get an additional discount.
For Lifeline eligible customers, Verizon will offer a $ 10.74 monthly home phone plan after applying the Lifeline discount. This plan includes unlimited minutes and domestic long-haul calls.
Verizon’s government discounts are limited to certain states (Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia).
You can apply online through the Lifeline National Verifier. Once you receive your eligibility notice, you can apply for a Verizon Government rebate.
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The Service Provider
Many wireless service providers offer free cell phone calls or free cell phone services for seniors to switch from another carrier to your company. To be eligible for such an offer, customers typically need to sign up for a monthly or prepaid service minimum.
Cell service providers are constantly changing their offerings, so it’s important to do some research to see what’s available.
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Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
MVNOs are mobile operators, usually relying on the networks of major carriers (Sprint, AT & T, T-Mobile, Verizon) to provide mobile phone services. They provide these services to their customers, usually at a much lower cost. Think of the MVNO as a reseller of wireless services.
The MVNO is typically ideal for modern smartphones and customers who don’t need the widest range of calls, texts, and data plans.
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Assurance Wireless
It offers safety, security, and fair opportunities to low-income older individuals and others. It is available throughout the US to make sure that all Americans have access to security and opportunity.
Also, they take care of the phone service they provide. These services include being able to interact with their families, friends, and emergency services.
Seniors and others who meet the requirements for the Federal Government Lifeline Program get assistance from Safety Net Wireless. It is administered by the Federal Communications Commission to pay for phone and internet service.
Seniors are eligible for free cell phones and services based on their income. They can receive a free cell phone and other services based on their income. If they have up to 135 percent of the federal poverty level, or on their involvement in one of the following recognized government programs.
Examples – Food Stamps, CalFresh, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid.
What Do I Need To Do To Get Free Cell Phones For Seniors?
Here’s what you need to attend : Please provide the articles in each section below to simplify the registration process.
Identity Verification Option
- Driver’s license or passport (not expired)
- Birth certificate
- Naturalization or Certificate of US Citizenship
- Permanent Resident or Resident Alien Card (Not Expired)
Proof Of Participation In Government Program
- Current or previous year’s achievement record from a qualified state, federal, or tribal program.
- Show all options
- Proof of address
- Driver’s license, government, state, or tribal ID (not expired)
Recent Income Statement, Pay Slip Or W2
- Declaration of performance from qualified programs including name and address
- Current mortgage or lease statement
- Electricity bill
Conclusion : –
Providing free cell phone calls for seniors is the best option for low-income older people. Mobile phones allow older people to communicate with friends and family.
It is also considered a reliable tool in an emergency, especially when they need access to emergency medical care.
This is a preview of the possible options for getting a free cell phone for seniors and how to qualify. Find out who the seniors are eligible for, how to register, and all the information you need to know about Lifeline’s free mobile services and their providers.
This article contains most of the information about how to get free cell phones for seniors. A different organization that is responsible for free cell phones for seniors are mentioned here.
We hope that you got all the answers to your questions. In case of any queries or suggestions feel free to contact us in our comment box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upon receiving SSI benefits, you are automatically eligible for free telephone service through the Lifeline Assistance Program. You only need to follow a few steps to get your phone and start your service. First, you need to find a provider such as Assurance Wireless or Safelink Wireless that will serve your area.
Do I get a free smartphone from the government?
You can qualify for free mobile phone services by participating in government benefits programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and SSI. You can qualify based on your income.
What is a lifeline?
Lifeline is a government benefits program that provides eligible customers with free monthly mobile phone services.
How do people with disabilities get a free phone?
A government program that provides free or discounted mobile phone services to low-income people, is called a lifeline. It includes disabled people. The program is covered by a small fee for each wireless invoice called the Universal Service Fund fee.
Why does the government offer free phones?
The federal government launched a lifeline program in 1984 to help low-income families and individuals who do not have access to basic telephone services. The goal of this program has always been to provide telephone and telephone services to people in need.
