Seems I need a phone

[CountAllVotes]

I really do not want one but everyone keeps telling me I must have one.

At present I have a landline that I pay $11 a month for as I qualify for low-income rates on this line. I do not want to change my phone number.

I am now receiving SNAP/CalFresh which apparently qualifies me for other things, like a phone.

Does anyone know where I can get one and for how much?

My late husband left me nothing and living on next to nothing is a real chore.

I am a disabled senior citizen living in California.

Help in you can.

Thank you!

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. Here's some info I found

https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/cell-phones-services/best-cell-phone-plans-for-seniors-a1080365788/

https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/financial-assistance-savings-and-discounts/lifeline/california-lifeline-eligibility

Also, my BIL didn't want to lose his landline if he replaced it with a cellphone and when I checked with his provider (Verizon) I was told he could keep the same phone number. I've had Verizon lie to me before, though - and he still has his landline so I can't verify it for sure.

[CountAllVotes]

2. Thanks

I'll check into it and the measly $23 a month I get in food stamps qualifies me for this one.

It is called:


CalFresh, Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

I'm starting to sell things off in the house. I had to sell my guitar and ebay was the best place to go to sell it. I got a decent price for it luckily.

This so much sucks!

Thanks again.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

3. You're welcome! I'm sorry you're going through this!

[CountAllVotes]

4. I was in no way prepared for my husband's death

I guess I thought he'd live forever, I just don't know.

I want to stay in my house! I do not want to move to an assisted living facility. I'd rather be dead than go to one of those hell holes!

How I've managed the last year since he died baffles me really.

I'm trying the best I can but being I do not want a phone, its difficult for me to get into looking for one, esp. being I cannot really afford one.

Seems people where I live are paying up to $200 a month for one. That is OUT.

I don't receive many calls anyway. Most are junk calls and that's it.

Given the way my husband died (severe dementia that was going on for 20 years or so), it has left me alone with few friends as he had me so isolated I couldn't have any one over to the house and he didn't like me talking on the phone to people.

What a hell huh?

[50 Shades Of Blue]

5. I know I'm lucky I can afford a smart phone. Plans are so damn pricey!

I used to think I didn't need one, because I was retired and home a lot, where I could go online whenever I wanted, and my non-smart cell phone was all I needed when I went anywhere. But so many of my friends had smart phones and texted each other, shared pics, etc., and I finally broke down and got one. Now even though I still don't really need one, I really love having a phone with a mini-computer I can take anywhere.


I am so sorry about your husband. I hope you're able to stay in your house! I have some friends and family in assisted living places that are really nice, but the nice ones are so expensive.

[Wonder Why]

6. If nothing else, you should be able to find an individual or organization

that will give you an old phone. With no service, you can't call, text or use data but you CAN call 911. Any tower that can see your phone is REQUIRED to complete a 911 call. However, if you call, your location is not automatically sent to the 911 so the first thing you should provide is your location even if they ask "What is the nature of your emergency?". If you lose the connection, they cannot call you back so it is better to give your address before saying you have a fire e.g. because knowing your location means they can always send an officer to check. Knowing it is a fire without having a location tells them nothing.

There are very inexpensive pre-paid or pay/month plans available from the lesser known providers such as Mint, etc.

Your $11 a month home service can even be cheaper. I only pay the government fees and taxes (about $6/month) and I do not qualify for any special rates. That's the standard rate for internet phone service from my provider.

[CountAllVotes]

7. thanks

I pay $45 for my internet connection and $11 for the landline.

All of the other monthly bills leave me with nothing. Nothing.

I'll try looking for a place that might give me one for free.

Being I have no incentive to do this, I sort of wonder why I am even bothering with it at all.

Not everyone has $200 a month for a phone!

[Earl_from_PA]

8. CaliforniaLifeLine.com

https://californialifeline.com/en

[Hela]

9. Other resources for seniors

Other help available for seniors: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

Put in your zip code to find the Area Agency on Aging in your area and get connected with someone who can help you find other services.

You can also go to the "find services in my county" page on the California Department of Aging website: https://aging.ca.gov/Find_Services_in_My_County/

California Department of Aging main website: https://aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/

You may be eligible for home-delivered meals if you are over 60 and homebound, or there may be congregate meal sites in your area where you can get free or low-cost meals. You may also be eligible to receive free or low-cost transportation for grocery shopping and medical appointments.

You might be eligible for free internet from AT&T: https://fiber.att.com/internet/affordable-connectivity-program/

[timms139]

10. You can get

a free cell phone through Safelink with unlimited everything for free just get online and apply . If you get the home phone now discounted you will most likely get the free cell phone .

[CountAllVotes]

11. Do you have a link for this?

Last edited Wed Jul 19, 2023, 06:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Please let me know as I am on Calif. Lifeline now.

My landline is ~$11.00/month.

I am a totally disabled widow over the age of 60 that is low income.

Thank you.