Unfortunately, the simple fact that you’re a senior citizen is usually not enough to make you qualify for a free government cell phone. But don’t despair because several companies offer low-cost plans that make cell phone plans affordable.
Jim Miller, the Savvy Senior guy, has done it again. He’s complied a list of inexpensive cell phone plans for senior citizens (especially those whose phones aren’t glued to their ears like cell-addicted teens).
In other words, these plans are aimed at those who only use them once in a while or in case of emergencies. Here’s a quick summary of Miller’s discoveries:
T-Mobile’s crazy cheap plan
For seniors 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.
Lots of companies — even a few free government cell phone companies — offer low-cost pay-as-you-go or pre-paid plans. But no one offers one as good as T-Mobile.
The Savvy Senior explains the T-Mobile plan:
For just $3 per month, this plans 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.
But what if you’re a bit more talkative? What if you need considerably more minutes and texts each month and don’t want to deal with the hassle of paying as you go? Well, the Savvy Senior has a couple plans for you.
Pure Talk USA: Senior talkers and texters rejoice! Take a look at this company’s Senior AddVantage Plan. For just $10 per month, you get any combination of 300 minutes of talk or 900 text messages. And the news gets even better because you can bring along your own unlocked phone.
Doro PhoneEasy 626: Many of our senior readers ask if any of the free government cell phone companies offer senior-friendly phones. (You can read our standard answer here.) But Doro ups the ante by offering a senior-friendly phone featuring large, raised buttons that make it much easier to make calls and type text messages. It also features an easily accessible emergency call button. Doro PhoneEasy 626 phone costs $50 and calling plans begin at a very affordable $10 per month. The plan is available through ConsumerCellular.com.
Free government cell phones
No need for us to dwell on this subject because that’s exactly what this website is all about. Every single page of FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net is jam-packed with the kind of information low-income Americans need to get free talk, free texts and, in some cases, even data plans.
For more information on how to qualify, click here.
For more information on the free government cell phones in your state and the plans they offer, click here.
h/t: Senior Savvy
Nettie Weaver says
Upon seeing the Doro PhoneEasy 626 I was prepared to really like it. No, indeed I do not. It will not transmit your speech well. Sounds quite garbled to the one receiving it. It did not cost a lot so I threw it away.
Nettie Weaver says
The Doro PhoneEasy 626 does not work well. your speech is garbled to the person you are calling. I did not pay much for mine so I just discarded it.
Jack Ellis says
I recently added a monthly plan to a Saflink phone #. I did this online the rates they have are some of the best in the government cell phone bussiness. The problem is i was charged twice on my card account.According to their Website the transaction was not completed.What a lie! I was charged twice.for the same transaction.An email was sent by Saflink confirming the plan i paid forwas added to the account.If you do bussiness with Saflink prepare to be ripped off.
Free Government Cell Phones says
That’s a very harsh assessment, Jack. Things happen. How about if you call customer service (6-1-1 on your free government cell phone) to get the problem corrected.
Steve says
Call your bank and tell them this double charge is for the same thing billed twice, and have then investigate it.?
They should credit back your account right away while they look into it.
Safelink’s money goes to Mexico’s richest man by the way…
Steve
vera blake says
my sister is in a nursing home and her way of communicating with family and friends is with a cell phone, her dgt got her an Alcatel one track Assurance 5474. my sister is 81 years old and has a good mind. the phone is so small she cannot handle it. her fingers most or crooked. the msg coming in is so small she cannot read them.so it I always breaking the charge. is there anyway she possible get a larger one that she can handle. she is distrauth over this phone HELP
vera blake says
please someone help me get answers
Free Government Cell Phones says
Ask and ye shall receive, Vera. Here’s an article we did about the free government cell phone companies’ policies for speech/hearing/visual-impaired customers. Sounds like your sister qualifies.
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/government-cell-phones-hearing-vision-speech-impaired
Steve says
@dorothy
@vera
@ anyone else look for great customer service and cheap rates…
try getting a seniors phone with big buttons and more screen space, if it’s on Sprint and can be used on Tello – they offer Bring Your Own Phone and have a pay go plan or credit – if you fund it and make two calls-texts in 6 months your balance carries over for the next 6 months with the same 2 something requirement in the next 6 month to carry over. Switch to a regular plan or back to pay go credit at any time.
Build Your Own Plan with what you need or don’t use as much.
Tello . com has refurbished smartphones at $59. HTC Desire 626,
and Refurbished: $69 Samsung Galaxy Prevail LTE those two have $10 and $16 off right now, but there are others refurbished under up to $90. and higher too.
Pay As You Go Rates:
US calls 3¢ /min
US texts 1¢ /SMS
US data 2¢ /MB
Steve
dorothy gatewood says
I have a Qlink phone and was told I couldn’t change to another provider to get more minutes because I am locked in with them for a year. I started off with 500 minutes in November. On February 1,2017 the plan was changed to 350 min and 500mb data. I don’t like this plan because I use my minutes to make doctor appointments, to call for medically needed transportation to dialysis 3 times a week and other agencies that help me be able to live alone at home with their assistance. Most times these agencies will put you on hold til they can get to you. This new plan is not Senior citizen friendly. I don’t have internet to make wifi calls nor do I understand how to use the apps they suggest using to stretch the 350 mins. I feel scammed because I thought upon getting this phone I could cancel the service at anytime if I didn’t like it or want it. Now I’m stuck with 350 min and 500mb that I do not know how to use. My grand daughter is helping me with this post today. Do all the government plans automatically lock you in with what ever carrier you sign up with?
Free Government Cell Phones says
According to new rules that went into effect on December 2, 2016, Lifeline customers are required to stay with their free government cell phone service provider for 12 months.
dorothy gatewood says
So, there are no other options for the 65+year old customers with no wifi or computer skills who at this point would be better off with a landline phone? Are we prohibited from switching from wireless to a landline phone?
Free Government Cell Phones says
No, you are not prohibited from switching, Dorothy. But while the Lifeline cell phones are free, the home landline phones are merely discounted by $9.25 per month.
We’re a bit confused, however, by your other question. There’s no need for any computer skills to operate a free government cell phone. Although some of them come with data packages, you use them just like any other phone and do not need to access the internet with them.
dorothy gatewood says
This is from the Q link website: When your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, you can…1.Make calls with app-to-app services like WhatsApp and Viber. 2. Download movies & music to play and listen on your Q Link phone, without using up your data streaming them.3.Surf the web for homework, health information, job searches, and more.4.Send & receive emails to get updates from your child’s school, hear about job offers, and get help from Q Link Wireless’s friendly support team….The above 4 items are a ‘copy/paste’ from my Q Link account. Wifi is definitely a must to extend the 350 mins per month and the 500mb? So, my question is if you are a senior citizen and just don’t know how to do the four steps out lined above, then what? If you have no internet connection, you have no wifi connection! Since when is it ok to slam customers with a 1 year contract without giving them the opportunity to accept or say no? I feel scammed and so do a lot of other people with Qlink. This is just wrong.
Free Government Cell Phones says
You’re not alone, Dorothy. Many readers have complained that changing the 30-day contract to a one-year contract was the worst change made on December 2, 2016. (Yes, we know it’s not technically a “contract,” but it seems fair to call it that when you cannot switch providers for a one-year period.)
ALEXANDER POSTOLOVSKY says
CAN I GET A CELL PHONE WITH THE 10 DOLLAR A MONTH IF MY WIFE IS ALREADY IN THE FREE LIFELINE PROGRAM ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Which $10 per month program are you referring to, Alexander? Only one Lifeline free government cell phone is permitted per household.
LScott says
Will Access wireless be offering 500 free minutes by 12/01/2016.
Free Government Cell Phones says
No one has yet revealed any of their post-December 1 plans. We’ll keep a close eye on the situation.