The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Lifeline Program to help guarantee Universal Service in the US as mandated by Congress. The Lifeline Program provides discounted telephone service to low-income families and individuals that otherwise would find it difficult to pay for telephone service.
Lifeline and Link-Up: Affordable Telephone Service for Income ...
To qualify for Lifeline Support, Families or individuals have to be either enrolled in a State social service program or qualify under the
U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines ---income less than 150% poverty level. What Benefits are Available Under the Lifeline and Link-Up Programs?- Lifeline Assistance provides discounts on basic monthly service at the primary residence for qualified telephone subscribers. These discounts can be up to $10.00 per month, depending on your state.
- Link-Up America helps income-eligible consumers initiate telephone service. This program pays one-half (up to a maximum of $30) of the initial installation fee for a traditional, wireline telephone or activation fee for a wireless telephone for a primary residence. It also allows participants to pay the remaining amount they owe on a deferred schedule, interest-free.
Residents of Native American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities may qualify for enhanced Lifeline assistance (up to an additional $25.00) and expanded Link-Up support (up to an additional $70.00).
In my area, public phone booths are gone along with pay phones at gas stations, convenience stores and even hotels. In home care, I deal with about 20% of our patients who are transient: living with family, friends, former neighbors, or shelters. It's definitely a different world that what I grew up with.
Over the past 2 years my intake departments noted that many homes no longer have land line service, only cell phone due to increased cost of landline service --- about 5% have NO phone service as unable to afford rent, electricity and heat. Those hospitalized for weeks then spending 1-2 months in a nursing home, often have phone service disabled. Providing 68 minutes per month provides link to outside world for many.
In PA, majority of people on Medical Assistance/Medicaid in PA are children and families.
http://www.issuespa.net/articles/11788
Under the link up program in PA, Americhoice insurance (Medicaid HMO) will provides a pre programmed cell phone to pregnant women without phone service giving access to insurance company, OB and pediatrician, 911 and one emergency contact. Women's shelters also can provide phones.
Separate program helps citizens with speech or hearing impairments for
Telecommunications Relay Services Sec. 255 - Telecommunications Access for People With Disabilities 
Re: The right to a cell phone
It is possible to find a job without a personal phone or car. But, there's no denying that as new technologies come along, we become dependent on them. 
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