The federal government sponsors the program, the state governments regulate the program.  Many people benefiting from entitlement programs qualify for the free phone.  The program is called "Life Line Assistance." 

I will grant that there may be a dispute as to whether Obama actually initiated the program.  The first phone given out, I think was given out three months before Obama took office. What is not in dispute is that the program grew under Obama.  Perhaps that is why many attribute the program to Obama.  

The larger point in all of this seems to be missed: how do give away programs, giving people free stuff compliments of the tax payer assist people in poverty? Why is the liberal solution to everything somehow always wind up involving more taxes, more spending and bigger government? 

Why not come up with programs that actually lift people out of poverty, rather than enable their poverty and create dependency? Helping the poor is good.  Making them dependent on you is bad.