I agree. I dont see a need for extras, if they are being provided. It was sad to see during Katrina though that so many didnt have a means of communication with the outside world inside their homes. Im kewl with people having this for emergencies.

Well, it might be a scam too! Think about it...who in the world can ONLY use 68 minutes a month???? An hr and 8 mins. They probably use that in 1 convo. So, after they go over their mins maybe there is an offer of some kind to purchase a couple of more?
just saying...

Thank you.....only emergency services numbers should be allowed to work on such phones.

But who is getting scammed, the govt giving away the phones, the person receiving the phones? Most cell phone companies offer free nights and weekends, free cell to cell service, etc.

From what I uderstand is that every cell phone, no matter what...if the bill isnt paid, etc. the "911" option is always available.

I do know of various women who have received aid from AVDA, receive cell phones during their transition but the only numbers that could be dialed were 911 and AVDA. Implement same rules here, jmo

IDK...remember at the end of my statement "just saying"
maybe the receiver of the phone. Or it could be the conspiracy of tracking ppl ;)

jmo...jmo...jmo...
Bite Me!!!
Bring some FACTS to the table!!!

thats so they can keep track of what bridge they are living under and when the next election rolls around obama can call them and ask for their vote

you just want me to bite you

Well there is that big printing press with all that blank paper we paid for.

I agree with you on this. I did not even know I had half those options available. I can agree with the caller id, so you can refuse to answer it and thus save your minutes if it isnt important.
Voicemail is definitely agreeable, how else is a prospective empoyer going to leave you a message? or your childs school etc.
texting is absolutely NOT needed under any circumstances, and nor is call waiting.

I currently have 120 minutes on my cell phone. This is because I do not use it except when needed (for example calling social services department to fix the mistakes they make on a regular basis) because the local dss is outside of my landlines available area. No, I do not even pay for regional calling, let alone long distance.

So in reference to wether or not it is a scam, yes 68 minutes is more than enough time if yused properly and with self control. And there have been a couple months that I ran out of minutes. They do not cut in offering an option for more minutes. If yuo want more minutes you have to go to the store and purchase those minutes (which I did once, cause I was arguing with the electric company when they were threatening to shut me off.

My poin tis, this service is very much needed, just as most social service services are very much needed. Does this mean people do nt abuse it? no. Does it mean it should continue to be abused? no.

Right and I don't mind that my tax dollars help others. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy

Since I cannot possibly in any way shape or form transfer myself into others shoes to see what they need in a day, I will not pretend to KNOW what others need.

If there is a need for them to have cell phones, there is a need for it I guess.

I pay for mine. 60+ dollars a month and 40 for interet a month.

What a bunch of selfish people. You think that poor people do not work? I work my arse off and still live paycheck to paycheck. ALL of my money goes for bills, diapers, gas, daycare, clothes and food for my son etc. I do not live a life in luxury. I have not bought myself a new pair of shoes in years. And I have one of these phones. I pay to add more minutes to it every month, but the extra that I get really helps out since my son has special needs.

Until you walk in someone elses shoes, you have no room to complain about what other people are doing. And frankly it's not your business. If you don't like where your taxes are going, then I suggest you quit paying them or move out of the country. Get over yourselves.

I don't see what everyone is pissing about. It's helpful to people that have no other way to get call backs for jobs, or to call on jobs. I rarely see public phones handy anymore.

Wall street can scam us for billions and here we are bitchin about the poor. It's a plain boring a$$ phone with 68 minutes which would mean you better use is sparingly and for the right purpose.

And we thought all those old cell phones we were donating were going to service men and women so they could call home!!!!

What business is it of yours what someone does with their phone? It's not like they are getting tons and tons of minutes every month. We are talking 1 hour a month of free air time. Get over it. Other than that, they purchase their own minutes.

ONE HOUR A MONTH PEOPLE.


You all need to seriously find something of substance to worry about than what your neighbor is doing on their cell phone. Let's hope that none of you selfish people will need help one day.