Low-income cell phone service plans?

[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 I've done a lot of office and computer work, but it's been about 8-10 years now, so I'm way out of date.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.