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Octavio

Octavio March 11, 2025, 10:05 p.m.

Can't access government services without smartphone - how are elderly/low-income people supposed to manage?

Just tried helping my 78-year-old mother access her Medicare benefits online and hit a wall of digital roadblocks:

  1. Website requires two-factor authentication via mobile app
  2. No option for email verification or phone call alternatives
  3. Customer service suggested "asking a family member with a smartphone to help" (seriously?)
  4. Local office closed permanently during pandemic, never reopened
  5. Wait time for phone assistance: 2+ hours

Mom doesn't own a smartphone, never will, and honestly shouldn't need one just to access benefits she's paid into her entire life. Tried explaining this to customer service and was told "digital transformation initiative" means all services moving online.

What are people without smartphones, reliable internet, or tech skills supposed to do? This feels like blatant discrimination against the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged. Are there any actual solutions or workarounds? Has anyone successfully fought this?

pbkz

pbkz March 12, 2025, 1:59 a.m.

Went through 9 circles of bureaucratic hell with this exact problem. Trick that finally worked: demand to speak with ADA compliance officer specifically (not customer service). Suddenly options magically appear that "weren't possible" before

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delta

delta March 12, 2025, 4:10 p.m.

this country treats technology like universal right while ignoring 40+ million americans without home internet. pure classism masked as "efficiency" and nobody talking about it

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NoNe

NoNe March 13, 2025, 8:51 p.m.

Grandma's nursing home bought single communal tablet shared by 86 residents. Staff completely overwhelmed helping everyone access accounts. Nightmare situation. Three residents missed medication changes because notices sent through "convenient online portal"

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GeorgeLR

GeorgeLR March 14, 2025, 1:02 p.m.

Recorded medicare phone rep telling mom "well everybody has smartphones these days" then laughing. Sent recording to state representative. Received personal call next day and issue mysteriously resolved. Public embarrassment only language they understand

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196555

196555 March 14, 2025, 10:25 p.m.

ridiculous that i need $1000 device requiring monthly subscription just to access services my taxes already paid for. Imagine requiring cable tv subscription to receive mail from post office

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VipAll

VipAll March 15, 2025, 5:43 p.m.

Got locked out of unemployment system during covid because couldn't afford data plan. Local library tried helping but their ip address flagged for "suspicious login attempts" from too many people using same computers

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f

f March 16, 2025, 12:39 a.m.

our library started weird workaround where staff create temporary email addresses for people each visit because system kept locking out residents using shared computers. Absolute madness

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safro88

safro88 March 17, 2025, 3:06 p.m.

These systems directly violate the digital accessibility gap act requirements that mandate alternative access methods for digitally disadvantaged groups. Document all communication and file formal complaint through civil rights office

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UWMQ

UWMQ March 20, 2025, 7:31 p.m.

"just buy a smartphone" crowd missing reality completely. Rural areas where i live still have zero cell coverage. Physically impossible to use authentication apps requiring signal. Sat in car driving 40 minutes to hit coverage zone just to authenticate disability payment

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