I never knew this.

"You're probably familiar with the food stamp program which grew from
$35 billion in 2008 to $75 billion last year. But did you know that
getting food stamps also makes you eligible for a free government cell
phone?"

[...]

"...Universal Service Charge"

[...]

"...And the freebies won't end with basic calling service. As part of
the effort to extend broadband, the FCC has been discussing making
broadband service part of the Lifeline program. In other words,
taxpayers could soon be paying for smartphone features on these free
government phones."

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/06/13/Spending-Off-the-Hook-Free-Phones-Costing-Taxpayers-2-1-Billion-Per-Year

"phone stamps" costing $2.1 Billion Per Year.

sigh