It is not true, they cannot do it.

I used to live in an area of Arkansas where jobs were limited. You had to drive 70 miles round trip to go to work, which gets expensive, especially during $4.50 a gallon..I did that. I had foostamps and medicaid but I did not qualify for Welfare money because I made too much at my work. The only reason I got into low income housing was because the majority of people living in the town were elderly and there was a population of 1,000 people in that city. My expenses were more than what I made...you think the state wants to truly help....BAHAHAHA

Those people that get on welfare and use it to their advantage, yes, they have many kids, drive a caddillac and waste their money on drugs. But they are also most likely a criminal, which gives them more rights than someone with a perfect history.

Here in Utah, I can't even get on any assitance and the low-income housing waiting list is 3 years!!! That's up to 3 years that I get to live with my mom unless I find a damn good job that pays my rent, bills and gives us food. It's hard. Everything is going up but paychecks!!!

People can't go around assuming that everyone gets whatever the Hell they want when it comes to the state, THEY DON"T. And they don't get to sit their butts using welfare till it runs out! Welfare payments is different per state, you are required to fill out bi-yearly paperwork and you can use up to 1-2 years of payments...once that's done, you get NO MORE.

for the people who will be offered those cell phones...I am pretty sure there will be "limits" as to what can be used and most likely they'll go through the process of seeing who really needs those phones. Cell phones are a luxury. Hell, I don't even have one anymore, some dinkly pre-paid cell phone and I don't even have the money to pay for it!

Oh and one other thing..Medicaid is only free to the children, adults that get medicaid getty crappy benefits and have to pay a co-pay. No dental, No vision..just standard insurance to see the doctor incase something happens to you. That's it. Now, if you are pregnant, then determined by the states you get more.

And those welfare payments are jack crap!! Louisiana total for one adult and one child was $180, like I said I didn't even get any in Arkansas and Utah you have to be severely poor to the point you can't pay your bills to be able to get welfare money.

I have a friend who lives in Memphis, she doesn't qualify for low-income and she gets no money from the state. All she gets is medicaid for her son and foodstamps. All the money she makes, goes to all of her bills. Ya'll sit here and think just because someone is poor means they get all this help! Bull Crap!!!

Unless your a criminal trying to make it on your own you don't get crap!

some people theorize that cell phone usage has altered our very DNA, pushing our evolution forward faster.

There are a few criminals who abuse the system but it is not as common as people are led to believe by the propaganda spreaders.

The value of a car allowed if you are on welfare is around 5000.00 blue book. So if people are on welfare and driving a cadillac they are either using someone elses car or it is less than 5000.00 in value. Welfare payments are not enough to pay a car note and rent so you would have to be a criminal which would be quickly caught in that scenerio unless the car is in someone elses name. Then it doesn't belong to you anyway.

The government doesn't give people much to live off of anyway. Noone is living high off the government at any level anywhere.

Just in medicare and medicade alone it's estimated 60 billion in fraud a year.
I find that amount to be some what MORE than a few!

Medicaid and medicare fraud are mostly doctors who fraud the system, silly, not clients.

Welfare, foodstamps, And SSI are also in the billions a year.

No it's not. Medicaid and medicare fraud are completely different from the other frauds and are classified differently.

Everyone here should quit wasting time worrying about whether someone is getting more than they are, and start worrying about what to do about getting ready for the food shortages that are coming as a result of the economic collapse. Quit being so damn selfish and petty. I guess you'd rather we spend trillions in the middle east killing innocent people? Who cares if poor people get cell phones? I don't.

As far as the comments about "go get a job"... In case you haven't noticed, there ARE none! Everybody is in bad shape financially, losing their homes, going without. Get some compassion and start helping your neighbor if they need it.

I am compassionate and empathetic but giving free cell phones is not helping out my neighbor, it is yet another freebie which some feel they are entitled to.

Msharmony,
I disagree with a cell-phone being a luxury today.
After removing most of the pay-phones in existence, the poor don't really have a choice when their home phone is disconnected after the loss of a job.
Most businesses won't even accept a job application unless its produced on-line. Many businesses provide a Kiosk for the purpose and one can go to their local library for computer access.
However that doesn't give the unemployed the phone number necessary, if they are lucky enough to be one of the multitude applying for the one job to be chosen, to receive a call back.
The small quantity of minutes on the government cell-phones are not enough to qualify as a luxury.
Can they be abused? Yes, but it won't give them much.

I have so many pay phones in my area that maybe that changes how I see things.

I do see cell phones as a luxury, heck years ago when I didnt have any phone service, I'd actually ask a neighbor if it was ok to use their telephone number on applications. I'd not expect to be given a phone just because it's more convenient.

Libraries do offer computer access and the local libraries in my area are all equipped with payphones.

I just want people to stop thinking that they are due things because of their circumstances. I fought, struggled and saved for me and mine and I haven't lost a limb. We all face hardships but overcoming them is what makes us stronger.

I don't remember the last time I saw a payphone around here. I guess it's just different in different areas.

You must live in the city.

The nearest pay phone in my area is 6 to 7 miles away.
Besides fran, are the unemployed supposed to wait the employers two to three week response time to applicants, by standing and waiting next to the pay phone?

Give me a break. They only get 70 some minutes a month on the government cells. LMAO

Some people use more than that in one day.

I have pay phones almost at every storefront near where I live, yes I live in a city.

Sings, I'm with you, guess it depends on the area one lives in

Fanta, I missed ya

I feel the unemployed should do everything in their power to get jobs if that is what they want and if it means standing next to the payphone, so be it. Are they above those that have done so before them?

You give me a break a free government phone is just that free, as to your knowing people who use more than that in one day, is neither here nor there. Are they paying for their bill or is it free too?

When I was looking for a job fran. I would send off a resume, thousands actually, and not hear here or there for two or three weeks.
Most I never heard a reply. Are you saying someone should wait by the pay-phone for that long?
If they do, then when exactly would they apply for additional job opportunities?
Last I checked Pay-phones dont have message services.

Fanta, I truly can understand that's it's hard to get a job, I see it, know people suffering through it.

But you know what, I am speaking only for myself. I'd do whatever is/was necessary to gain employment. Most unemployment offices allow usage of their phones and I'd have used them in the past. (it's indoors, you can use their computers, internet and phones) I've called and contacted and annoyed the hell out of any place where I'd submitted a resume. My way of thinking is, if you want a job really bad and the only way to get it is to sit by a pay phone, guess what? I am bringing a lawn chair and sitting by the pay phone.

payphones dont have msg svcs is this yet another feature most would like for free???

Again, to each their own, just my opinion.

It's obvious you live in a warm climate.
It appears that you are wanting to restrict the unemployed's ability to find work.
I only hope that you are never forced into such a similar circumstance.
It appears you have never been or you just have a penchant to be disagreeable.

All people do not have the luxury of a family to lean on.

I was nor have ever been in the need for this service myself, but I do see the need.
When HR depts became managed by the unqualified and Phone Companies have discontinued an alternative, cell-phones ceased to be a luxury. Instead they are a necessary tool to find employment.

Fanta - this should not have taken the person tone you have just initiated.

#1 Yes I live in a warm climate, now. However, when I was unemployed I lived in NYC, not a warm climate.

#2 I am not wanting to restrict anyone's ability to find work nor am I. I just happen to see things differently, where there is a will there is a way is how I see things. Again this is just my opinion and my point of view, not a law.

#3 I have been in those circumstances and situations, I am not exempt nor different from anyone. I just see things differently and go about things in my own way. (now who has the penchant of being disagreeable, you assumed and are wrong about me )

#4 Never mentioned family (in my situation) but you are right there are some who have the luxury of a family to lean on and support. Now was I one of those, I've never said.