Low-income cell phone service plans?

[phesina]

I am looking into free cell phone plans set up for low-income people (like myself) and have come across Assurance Wireless (free phone and 250 free minutes a month) and Safelink Wireless (same deal, it seems). They both offer a free phone with up to 250 free minutes a month, plus call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, and access to 911. You download an application and mail or fax it to them along with supporting documentation regarding your income and resources.

Do any of you know anything about these plans? What is the difference between them, and how well do they work? Are there others?

Thanks very much for any information and/or tips!

Pat

[pomtzu]

I believe both of those that you mentioned, say that you may be eligible if you are on food stamps or MEDICAID - but it doesn't say MEDICARE - but I don't know if you are on Medicare. I know that they are very basic plans, but you are probably looking for just the basics - right? If you don't qualify for either of these, AARP offers low cost (not free) plans, starting at $10 which includes a free phone. You might also want to check out Tracfone, as they have budget plans starting at $10, and some of their phones are free also. Most of their phones also come with double minutes for the life of the phone too.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Ellie, you can also qualify for Assurance if you just have a low income. You don't necessarily have to have food stamps or Medicaid.

Assurance isn't too bad. It's through Virgin Mobile USA. The only bad thing about it is that VM's customer service SUCKS. They can be very rude and unhelpful sometimes. But other than that, their phone is pretty decent. My mom had one until they randomly cut her service off.

[Freedom]

I would suggest you ask at your local senior center. The admins often know whats available and hear from other seniors what is good and what isn't.

[moosmom]

I have a Tracphone that gives me 250 minutes a month for free. No contract, no bill, it's free. Can't beat that!!

[phesina]

Thanks, folks, for the suggestions and ideas and thoughts. This is all very useful and helpful.

I'm 67 years old (almost 68) and on Social Security and Medicare.. not Medicaid or food stamps though I'm about to apply for those too. I make some money cat-sitting and being a research guinea pig, but those aren't steady enough or sufficient for me to make enough to live on. I have some investments that I've been putting away into for money to live on when I'm no longer able to take care of myself. I've had to tap into that some lately, but I don't want to do it any more than I absolutely have to, not knowing how long I'll live or how much I'll need over all that time.

So, in other words, I can't afford to really retire at this point, and I'm hoping I can get one of the free phone plans. I am also looking into other ways I might get some part-time work.. I've done a lot of office and computer work, but it's been about 8-10 years now, so I'm way out of date. There are free classes and tutorials at the Ann Arbor libraries, which I've been doing, and Washtenaw Community College has free classes for people over age 65.

i have a Tracfone that I've had for years. I own the phone, which is VERY basic, no call waiting or caller ID. I have double minutes for life and a plan for a year that runs out the end of April. How do you get the free-everything plan, Donna?

[Cataholic]

Why don't you just buy a pre-paid minutes card and use your tracphone? If I could get out of a plan like I am on, I would do it! I am investigating WalMarts (yeah, the devil) plan for smart phones, as Verizon is just way too expensive any more.