Cheap Cell Phone Plans for Infrequent Callers
What are the cheapest cell phone options available to people today who only want one for emergency purposes or occasional calls? I have a cell phone now that costs me $30 per month, but I hate paying for something I hardly ever use.
For people who don't use their cell phones very often but still want one for emergencies or occasional use, there are a many super-cheap plans available. Depending on your income level you may qualify for a free cell phone. Here's where to find some of the best deals.
While many cell phone providers still offer these lower cost plans, the very best/cheapest deal available today is through T-Mobile's pay as you go plan (T-Mobile.com, 800-501-0952).
For just $3 per month, this plan provides any combination of 30 minutes of talk or 30 text messages. If you want more, you can pay an additional 10 cents per minute/message when you sign up, or you can make adjustments later. You also don't have to worry about overage charges with this plan, because once you reach your talk/text limit for the month, the phone stops working. And, if you have a compatible device, you won't need to purchase a new cell phone.
If you're looking for a little more talk time or more text messages, another low-cost option is Pure Talk USA (PureTalkUSA.com, 877-820-7873). It also offers a Senior AddVantage 80 Plan. This plan provides any combination of 80 minutes of talk or 240 text messages for only $5 per month. Pure Talk also accepts unlocked phones and they don't have overage fees.
The free phones and minutes are provided by a number of big prepaid wireless companies like Safelink, Assurance Wireless and Budget Mobile, along with a host of other regional carriers throughout the country.
Most states have several wireless companies that provide the free phones and minutes. If you are eligible, the free cell phone you'll receive is a basic phone that also offers text messaging, voicemail, call waiting and caller ID.
To qualify, you'll need to show that you're receiving certain types of government benefits, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, home energy assistance or public housing assistance, or that your household income is at or below 135 or 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines - it varies by state. To find out if you're eligible or to locate the wireless companies that provide Lifeline government cell phones in your state, visit LifelineSupport.org.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
For people who don't use their cell phones very often but still want one for emergencies or occasional use, there are a many super-cheap plans available. Depending on your income level you may qualify for a free cell phone. Here's where to find some of the best deals.
Super-Cheap Plans
For people who are light/infrequent cell phone users, "prepaid" or "pay as you go" plans are the way to go if you want to save money. With these services, you buy a certain amount of minutes (for talk or text) that must be used within a specified period of time.While many cell phone providers still offer these lower cost plans, the very best/cheapest deal available today is through T-Mobile's pay as you go plan (T-Mobile.com, 800-501-0952).
For just $3 per month, this plan provides any combination of 30 minutes of talk or 30 text messages. If you want more, you can pay an additional 10 cents per minute/message when you sign up, or you can make adjustments later. You also don't have to worry about overage charges with this plan, because once you reach your talk/text limit for the month, the phone stops working. And, if you have a compatible device, you won't need to purchase a new cell phone.
If you're looking for a little more talk time or more text messages, another low-cost option is Pure Talk USA (PureTalkUSA.com, 877-820-7873). It also offers a Senior AddVantage 80 Plan. This plan provides any combination of 80 minutes of talk or 240 text messages for only $5 per month. Pure Talk also accepts unlocked phones and they don't have overage fees.
Senior-Friendly Cell Phone
If you are looking for a senior-friendly phone with a large keypad, simplified features and an "SOS" emergency alert button, the Doro PhoneEasy 626 sold through Consumer Cellular (ConsumerCellular.com, 888-532-5366) is the best, low-cost option. It runs $50 for the phone, with calling plans that start at $10 per month.Free Cell Phones
If your income is low enough, you may qualify for a free cell phone through the Lifeline Assistance Program. This is a government-sponsored program that subsidizes wireless (and landline) companies who in turn provide free cell phones and usually between 250 and 1,000 minutes of free monthly talk time and texts to low-income Americans. (Some programs in some states charge a small monthly fee.)The free phones and minutes are provided by a number of big prepaid wireless companies like Safelink, Assurance Wireless and Budget Mobile, along with a host of other regional carriers throughout the country.
Most states have several wireless companies that provide the free phones and minutes. If you are eligible, the free cell phone you'll receive is a basic phone that also offers text messaging, voicemail, call waiting and caller ID.
To qualify, you'll need to show that you're receiving certain types of government benefits, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, home energy assistance or public housing assistance, or that your household income is at or below 135 or 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines - it varies by state. To find out if you're eligible or to locate the wireless companies that provide Lifeline government cell phones in your state, visit LifelineSupport.org.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Published September 9, 2016
