Is there any contingency plan, that you know of or suspect, that would immediately disconnect service to all “welfare phones” as though the bill hadn’t been paid?
No freaking idea.
“Is there any contingency plan, that you know of or suspect, that would immediately disconnect service to all “welfare phones” as though the bill hadn’t been paid?”
No. Those phones are locally purchased without planning of any sort. Of course a list of those phones is available and they could one by one turn them off, but there isn’t a wholesale capability.
Since the government pays the bill for those phones, it would be simple for the government to tell the cell providers "please suspend service on these phones". They almost certainly have an automated way to do it, for phones belonging to people who cease being eligible for benefits.
The odds of it happening while Obama or his appointees remain in power? Nil.