...through a federal program called Lifeline. Plop your zip code into this form to see who provides Lifeline connections in that area.
The "universal service fee" added to all phone bills is collected for this purpose--it also subsidizes text-to-voice, voice-to-voice, and video relay services. Checking the Universal Service Administrative Co's site just now, I learned that their remit has expanded to broadband, which is excellent, since the web is almost unusable any more at 3G.
The actual phones are provided by different companies in different areas. A pal tried it here in town, got a Tracfone that couldn't get signal at their home--not so great for 911, not to mention paratransit.
There ARE free smartphones for poor, disabled people
The "universal service fee" added to all phone bills is collected for this purpose--it also subsidizes text-to-voice, voice-to-voice, and video relay services. Checking the Universal Service Administrative Co's site just now, I learned that their remit has expanded to broadband, which is excellent, since the web is almost unusable any more at 3G.
The actual phones are provided by different companies in different areas. A pal tried it here in town, got a Tracfone that couldn't get signal at their home--not so great for 911, not to mention paratransit.