That question is asked more often than you would think.

A telephone is a necessity for majority of people in America today since it connects them to the outside world. Having a telephone service is also important for securing employment in many cases. Finally, a telephone can save lives since it can be a reliable communication tool during emergencies.

There are many programs and they use income-based eligibility criteria, which include a household income below 135% of the FPL or receive assistance SSI, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP, Medicaid, or another similar state assistance program.

These programs can prove to be a major help for low-income families and homeless who are struggling to meet their ends. These people need a phone service to stay connected with the outside world.

Homeless looking to apply for a program should meet eligibility requirements in their state and they should submit an application in the manner prescribed by their state government.

Now for the Q and A

Q: Is there a U.S. government program that provides free or discounted phones and wireless service to low-income Americans?

A: Yes. It consists of two parts: “Link-Up,” which helps income-eligible people set up new home phone service, and “Lifeline,” which helps income-eligible people pay their monthly phone charges. (Source: FCC)

Q: Was this program instituted by the Obama administration?

A: No. The program as it exists today was created over a decade ago by an act of Congress, the Telecommunications Act of 1996. A version of the Lifeline program was already in operation as far back as the early 1980s.

Q: Does the program offer every welfare recipient a free phone and 70 minutes of wireless service?

A: Not necessarily. The specific benefits vary according to locale and service provider. Also, the program is designed to help low-income people generally, not just welfare recipients. Examples: Safelink Wireless | ATT Lifeline and Link-Up | Verizon Low Income Programs. (Source: FCC)

Q: Is it accurate to say that taxpayer money is being ‘redistributed’ to provide these services?

A: Basically yes, though not in the sense one might assume. Apart from being administered by the FCC, it’s not a federally-funded program. Since its inception, the program has been financed via the pooled contributions of commercial phone service providers, which in turn impose small monthly fees on their regular customers to recoup the cost. (Source: FCC)