In this modern era, landline services are pretty old-fashioned yet contain many benefits. The aged people are attached to these services, and many of them don’t know how to use smartphones other than landlines. That’s why the government’s lifeline program offers free landline phone service for seniors and several other low-income households.
It’s effortless for seniors to use landline phones because they are better than cellular with improved security systems. The customer must prove his eligibility by submitting income papers, identity papers, and government assistance program participation papers to get a free landline phone. All the processes are included in the lifeline program by the government.
Not every mobile service will provide free landlines. However, there are other alternate options in the market for free landline phones. So, you can also check them out.
Government Offers Free Landline Phone Service for Seniors
The federal government took a necessary step to open a “lifeline program” to provide free phones, discount phones, discount bills (phone and internet) for low-income households.
However, what about the senior/old citizens? What will they get for communication? Many of them have difficulties using smartphones, and they are offered landline phone service for free because they are pretty familiar with its functions.
As a customer, all you need to do is fulfill the eligibility documentation and wait for verification to get a free landline phone. On top of that, the landline connection can also be attached to TV connections.
Why Seniors Need to Use Free Landline Phones
As mentioned, the lifeline program of the federal government provides something special for seniors. They offer them free landline services for some apparent reasons. Here’s are the reasons:
Better Than Cellular
Mobile phones are getting better and better with the latest technologies. But the senior citizens can’t cope with these features. Therefore, they prefer to use landline phones.
On top of that, the landlines provide crystal clear voices so that the seniors don’t have problems in hearing. There won’t be any network issues now and then as the landline phones are fully wired.
Improved Safety
The landline phones provide improved safety which is one of the main concerns of the seniors. They can quickly contact the police or other officials in time of any emergencies. And the officials can easily track the exact location by the landline connections.
The landline phones will work even though there’s a power cut or you live in a remote area. Most of the time, wireless devices don’t even work in such situations.
Ease of Use
Technology is for young generations. Even if the seniors try to get used to the new technologies, they will face many difficulties. Those tiny buttons and touch screens may seem a problem to them.
But in the landline phones, bigger text and larger buttons with the ergonomic receiver are straightforward to use for people over the age of 50.
Reliability
The landline phones don’t need any network coverage like the wireless ones. Therefore, it’s proved as a reliable option to communicate for the senior people. On top of that, there’s no lag or delays in connections. So, the people won’t be irritated easily.
How to Apply for Free Landline Phones
If you are a senior citizen, you can enroll in the lifeline program to get a free landline phone. But some documentation is needed to prove your eligibility like payroll from your current employer, tax return papers, unemployment benefits, retirement, child support, national ID, etc.
Gather these papers and then follow these steps:
- At first, you need to call your landline service provider and drop an application request.
- Then, collect the application form and sign it.
- After that, you have to attach the necessary documents, such as income proof or membership in a government program.
- You will get a free landline phone service when the national identifier approves your request.
Lifeline Assistance
When you are qualified for a free government landline phone, you can apply for lifeline assistance to get some discount offers. Therefore, you need to prove your eligibility for the government lifeline assistance program.
You need to submit a membership card of Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or other government assistance programs. And also, a pay stub or tax return paper that is less or equal to 135% of the state’s poverty level.
If you are the only member of your family, the lifeline program will also depend on your revenue.
Eligibility of Free Landline Phone Service for Seniors
To enjoy any service of the lifeline program, you need to be involved with some government assistance program. The same goes for senior citizens.
Whoever applies for a free landline phone has to be qualified for the programs like Medicaid, supplemental security income, women and infant children, low-income home energy assistance program, or federal public housing assistance.
If the applicant does not qualify for any of these programs, they won’t be eligible to apply for a free landline phone.
Income Proof
To qualify for the program, you need to show and attach your income documents, even if your revenue is below 135%, according to the state poverty guidelines.
As a citizen, you must have paid the taxes and keep a copy of it. Therefore, submit the previous year’s tax papers or tribal or state return tax papers. If you are not retired yet, you need to show the recent revenue statement from the employer or paycheck stub.
But if the applicant retired, there must be some unemployment compensation statements, official income documents with details, or some child support and divorce decree. You can also submit these mentioned papers as your income proof.
Participation Proof
As mentioned, you need to be a part of any government assistance program. The program will provide you with a membership card or awards, and the documents should include:
- Applicant’s name for the services
- The government assistance program’s name
- The managed care organization or tribal or government organization that will provide your document
- Insurance date with an expiry date that includes benefit period
If the revenue and participation proof have enough papers, you may be able to prove yourself eligible for the lifeline program and a free landline phone.
Alternate Ways for Seniors to Have Free Landline Services
There are many ways of getting free landline mobile services. You just have to gather all the information about those programs and see which one would suit you.
Landline with Google Voice
Google voice is also available for home phone services. It connects the phone number with the recipient number to receive calls, sends messages, blocks call, or voice calls for free.
The service will automatically direct your landline to your mobile. Just sign up to Google voice and enjoy.
MagicJack
It’s another popular landline service. The main advantage of MagicJack is that you can connect their adaptor to your computer and your phone to the adaptor.
Your computer will act as a router and need to stay on while using landline services. This method is pretty cheap and applicable to seniors.
Skype
Well, skype is not just for wireless video calls and chats. You can have more use of it. Skype can provide VOIP services by which you can link the landline to the receiver. Their service is dependent on regions and packages.
Phone.Com Provider
Phone.Com is another trustworthy landline service provider that provides VOIP features. They have a special package at $20 per month for the senior citizens, and they will get unlimited talk time, call blocking, voice mail, etc.
ReachOut Wireless
ReachOut Wireless has also collaborated with the government to provide landline phones for those who have financial disabilities. However, their features vary from state to state, like you will get unlimited talk time only in California.
Assurance Wireless
You can get a free cell phone if you join Assurance wireless. All you need to do is enter the government assistance programs and prove your eligibility. If not, get proof of your low income and get monthly discounts on prepaid plans.
SafeLink Wireless
The SafeLink Wireless company will also provide free landline services to senior citizens. On top of that, the carrier will get free 500 minutes with a validity of 30 days and unlimited texts every month. Just join the lifeline support services or government program to prove your eligibility.
Budget Wireless
The budget wireless doesn’t offer unlimited talks or messages. You will get 250 messages and 250 minutes of talk time free at first.
The additional minutes and messages will need to be charged. However, their prepaid plans are pretty good and affordable for low-income seniors.
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Bottom Line
Phone and internet access are basic needs nowadays. But what about the seniors? They feel comfortable using landline phones instead of smartphones.
That’s why the government is trying to provide low-cost phone packages and free landline phone service for seniors. It’s undoubtedly a great initiative. The seniors can also use the communication tool whenever necessary. If you are eligible, drop your application today and choose one of the packages today!