Staying connected with near and dear ones is an essential part of our lives, more so for senior citizens. They should be able to contact their friends and family immediately in case of medical emergencies. A cell phone is a key to 24/7 connectivity for the elderly. The government provides free cell phones for those covered by Medicare.

Senior citizens are automatically eligible for free Medicare cell phones. A number of mobile service providers funded by the government recognize the need for the elderly to have access to instant communication devices such as cell phones.

The Lifeline Assistance, an FCC-mandated program, from the government, reaches out to people in the low-income group and offers free, standard cell phones with all the essential features. Senior citizens who are looking to avail of free cell phones under this program would have to submit an application for the same. Since a majority of Medicare recipients belong to the low-income group, they qualify for this free cell phone scheme.

The benefits of free Medicare cell phones for the elderly are:

• Uninterrupted connectivity with friends and family – Connectivity with family at all times is essential for the elderly. It makes them feel secure and safe. They are also able to reach out to their near and dear ones in case of any personal need.
• Instant connectivity during medical emergencies – It is absolutely essential that immediate help is extended to the elderly in times of medical emergencies. They should be in a position to call the doctor or a healthcare professional within a few minutes of the occurrence of an accident or injury or physical discomfort.
• Financial savings on mobile phone and data plan – During your golden years, any unexpected expense is unwelcome. Acquiring a free mobile phone as part of the Lifeline Assistance program can be of great financial help to the elderly. They can spend the money saved on other essentials.

Here are some of the popular mobile service providers who offer free cell phones under the LifeLine Assistance program:

• SafeLink Wireless – The government sponsors this leading mobile phone company under the LifeLine Assistance program. Once the application is approved and the recipient chooses their service, SafeLink offers a free cell phone along with a 250 minutes free plan for a month. Additional minutes can be purchased at discounted rates as low as $5.
• Assurance Wireless – The service quality of Assurance Wireless is undoubtedly the best across the country. Most recipients of the LifeLine program opt for this service. The eligibility for this service can be checked on their website.
• ReachOut Wireless – This service provider provides extremely cost-effective upgrade options when compared to the other two. They offer more phone models to choose from.

Irrespective of the service provider chosen, free Medicare cell phones ensure uninterrupted connectivity for senior citizens.