Prepaid Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
A prepaid cell phone plan allows you to pay upfront for what you need each month, usually at an affordable price. These plans are ideal if you want to cut down on cost without sacrificing quality and coverageas well as reduce the risk of having any surprises on a bill at the end of the month. The numerous prepaid plan options on the market range from basic talk and text options to unlimited prepaid data plans.
At& t Unlimited 55+ Plan For Florida Residents
With rates per line ranging from $40 to $60 per month, AT& T offers this unlimited plan for the 55-and-over crowd that comes with unlimited talk, text, and data. So you can check in on Facebook, search for local businesses, and receive pictures of the grandkids while you’re out and about. The AT& T Unlimited 55+ plan is an excellent choice for older adults who use their phones frequently throughout the day. The Unlimited 55+ plan also features unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico. Plus, you’ll get free texting in over 120 countries, perfect for frequent travelers.
Buyer’s Tip: AT& T offers perks like $100 in credits per line when you switch to AT& T, up to $45 in savings on activation and upgrade fees, and 15 percent off accessories for AARP members. You can also get benefits like same-day delivery and giveaways when you become an AT& T customer.
While currently only available to Florida residents, we hope this plan will be expanded to other areas soon. Like other AT& T unlimited plans, consumers are rewarded for having multiple lines, so the more lines you have, the lower rates per line you’ll pay.
How To Purchase Spectrum Mobile
To purchase a mobile plan from Spectrum Mobile, youll want to start by visiting Spectrums website. If youre not already subscribed to Spectrum Internet, you can purchase both this subscription and a cellular plan at the same time.
You can also purchase a phone directly from Spectrum. Currently, their options are predominantly smartphones from Samsung, Apple, and Motorola, and they offer only one flip phone, the Orbic Journey V.
Alternatively, Spectrum allows you to use your existing phone with their service by requesting a free SIM card. If you have an unlocked phone, this could be an affordable way to keep the same device.
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Qualifying For Free Cell Phones For Disabled On Social Security
Not only can senior citizens take advantage of this benefit, but you might also qualify if you receive Social Security disability benefits. For a disabled person to qualify for free cell phone service, the requirements are essentially the same as those for seniors. The program is designed to help low-income households gain access to reliable communication, so you can qualify as long as you meet the income requirements. For most, the income requirement is that your income is at or below 135% of the Federal poverty guidelines. Some states have slightly higher requirements, so you should check with your state program office to be sure.
For those on disability, you can typically qualify for a free cell phone automatically if you receive SSI benefits. Those receiving SSDI benefits will need to qualify either through the income requirements or through participation in another government assistance program. Participation in Medicare is usually not sufficient, although you can qualify if you receive Medicaid benefits.
How Can A Senior Check If They Qualify For Lifeline Of Acp
The easiest way to check if you qualify is through a Lifeline Provider in your area. They will have a sign-up form that all you need to do is:
Their system will then check to determine if they are able to help you. You should get an answer in just a few seconds as their system will check on your behalf in the national database.
If you qualify with a Lifeline provider, many of the steps in the application process will be automated and you also can contact their customer support if you have questions during the signup.
They will also follow up with you to help complete the application if any steps were missed.
Helpful Tip:
Seniors applying for Lifeline in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Missouri, or Arkansas can check if they qualify for Lifeline through Easy Wireless.
Just click the “Sign Up Now” button below.
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Best Unlimited Data Plan For Seniors
T-Mobile Essentials 55 Plus | 2-line plan | $55/month – Best value unlimited senior plan T-Mobile has a fantastic offer for its senior customers . You can get two unlimited lines for just $55 a month . This comes with unlimited data, calls, and texts with no speed restrictions, 3G mobile hotspot data and scam protection you also get access to T-Mobile’s 5G access at no extra cost. However, you are limited to SD streaming and if you’re traveling in Mexico or Canada, your data will be slower. You can upgrade to T-Mobile’s Magenta 55 Plus plan, where you get two lines of data for $70/month. The 55-plus Magenta plan includes free Netflix, LTE mobile hotspot data, and more.Pros: Affordable price No annual contract 5G at no extra costCons: Limited to 2G in Mexico/Canada Only SD streaming
Why Mint Mobile Is Our Top Pick For The Least Expensive Cell Phone Plan For Seniors
Mint Mobiles 55+ plan offers seniors 55 and older unlimited talk and text and includes 5GB of data for seniors to search the internet from their smartphone. Theres no need for seniors to change their phone number when they sign up, and the company offers discounts for new customers. Besides having one of the most affordable cellular plans for seniors, Mint Mobile also charges no overage fees if users exceed the allotted 5 GB of data.
While looking for the least expensive cell phone plan for seniors, we considered the monthly price and how much talk, text and data was included. Our findings are listed below.
Company and Carrier
Mix-and-match plans with talk, text and data range from $20.00 to $55.00 per month.
For more information about this product, please read our full product review of Mint Mobile.
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Verizon’s Senior Unlimited Promotion
Verizon | 55 Plus Unlimited plan | $60/month or $80 for two lines – The best Verizon plan for seniors This Verizon promotion is exclusively available to those over 55, paying with auto payments, and living in Florida. Yes, that’s a niche group but if you fit into it, you can get a truly fantastic offer one unlimited line for $60 a month or $80 for two lines. This includes unlimited 4G data, calls and texts, unlimited mobile hot-spotting, use when traveling in Mexico and Canada, and more. If you don’t fit into this criteria, it isn’t a huge jump up in cost for Verizon’s unlimited plans , which also include 5G something missing from Verizon’s senior plan.Pros: Major discount Unlimited 4G data: Unlimited hotspotCons: Expensive Requires AutoPay for best price Residency requirement
How To Qualify As A Senior For Lifeline And Acp
There are several ways a senior may qualify for Lifeline and ACP.
As a senior, you may qualify for Lifeline if your income is 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To view a chart of this income table, .
You can also qualify if you are receiving benefits from one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Veterans Pensions or Survivors Pension
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What Is The Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new program designed to provide additional support to make broadband more affordable for households.
Your Lifeline and ACP benefits can be combined and applies to the same service plan or applied to different service plans.
This benefit service is provided by Easy Wireless to customers as part of the support from the US government.
With the addition of the ACP seniors can also receive unlimited broadband as well. Seniors can apply for both programs at the same time.
Consider A Smart Watch Made For Seniors
Replacing standard watches with smart watches can be a good way to supplement a cell phone for seniors and make one-touch responses that much easier. Helpful features include a high-contrast background for readability and simple buttons to manage dexterity issues.
Take a look at: The Verizon Care Smart watch offers both pre-loaded messages and a limited number of 10 pre-approved contacts to minimize the risk of fraud calls.
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Free Phone For Seniors Eligibility And Restrictions
Requirements for a free phone for seniors may vary by state, but you must meet the income guidelines or participate in one of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
- National School Lunch Programs Free Lunch Program
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- State assistance programs
As mentioned above, you have to qualify for a free cell phone or cell phone plan. In addition, there are rules that have to be followed to get and keep your free phone for seniors. For instance, you are not allowed to have more than one per household. And, you can use the program to get a cell phone OR a home phone, but not both.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company. It is funded by the Universal Service Fund. Please visit the website link below for the programs full details.
Choosing The Best Cell Phone Plan For Seniors
Because there are so many options, both features and pricing are important to consider when it comes to senior cell phone plans. While there are several plans marketed toward seniors, a senior plan or discount doesnt necessarily make it the best choice.
A few of my top picks for senior phone plans do include senior plans and discounts, but these arent the only options available to seniors. Providers including Tello and Boost also offer great phone plans at some of the cheapest rates available without any discount. Youll see these below under Other Plans To Consider.
For this reason, its important to shop not only for senior plans but also to consider the price, features, customer service, reviews and coverage of all available phone plans. Those are the main factors I compared when researching for this article. Here are my top picks:
Below, youll find more detailed information on each cell phone plan including how much it costs, what it includes and how it compares. For even more options, be sure to check out our guide to the best cell phone plans and deals.
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Emergency Cell Phone Plan For Seniors
Lively cell phone plans are specifically for seniors. The Jitterbug, Livelys signature phone, features big buttons, a loud speaker and a bright screen with large display text. The prepaid carrier also allows you to add health services to your plan, such as the ability to speak with a live nurse or doctor the help of a personal operator to make phone calls or add appointments to your calendar and, at the push of a button, the aid of an Urgent Response agent who can assist you in an emergency.
How Do I Choose Between A Prepaid Plan And A Postpaid Plan
Above, we laid out our best picks for prepaid cell phone plans for seniors, but those arent your only options. Did you know theres also such a thing as a postpaid phone plan? Well, there is! Well sort out the differences for you to make the choice between the two a cinch.
Whats a Postpaid Plan?
With postpaid plans, you pay for your service at the end of the month. The main networks all offer postpaid plans. Most postpaid plans include unlimited text and talk. How much you pay at the end of the month depends entirely on your data usage if you use a lot of data, youll have a larger phone bill.
Are Postpaid or Prepaid Phone Plans Better for Seniors?
The answer to this question really depends on the user. Most seniors, especially the 56 percent who have cell phones and landlines3, dont need unlimited talk and text. With prepaid plans, you only pay for what you use. What a great way to cut costs! However, many of the major carriers offer senior discounts for their postpaid plans, so its best to consider both options and pricing models before making a final decision.
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Cell Phone Insurance And Protection Plans
While cell phones these days are designed to be durable , its possible that they could fall and break. While cases and screen protectors may help protect your phone, there is still a chance a smartphone screen may shatter or the hardware may malfunction.
These issues may be very costly to repair. A shattered screen can range anywhere from $100 to $300 depending on the phone and the size of the screen. Other issues, such as malfunctioning buttons or water damage, can cost $100 or more to repair. Smartphones especially can be very sensitive, and some hardware issues may require a full replacement. If a phone is lost or stolen, a buyer will need to replace the full cost of the phone.
Most major cell phone providers offer insurance products that cover theft, loss, and damage. An extended warranty or insurance plan is smart for those with expensive phone models, while a manufacturers warranty may suffice for those that are less expensive.
Cell phone carrier insurance coverage is often made with outside parties such as Assurant or Asurion. Make sure to read the fine print carefully to understand the coverage you are paying for. Lively phones come with a standard one-year warranty for their devices and batteries however, this does not cover accidental damage.
Apple and Best Buy also offer additional insurance for devices purchased through them.
AppleCare+
Best Buy
Please Note: We Do Not Provide A Free Phone For Seniors Or Administer Phone Programs You Must Find Your Local Provider On The Lifeline Website And Call Them
Anyone who is eligible can apply for the program. If you already receive assistance from the federal government or if your income is equal to or less than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can qualify for the program. This program provides a free phone for seniors or anyone else meeting these requirements.
The Lifeline program has many different carriers, which will offer different phones and monthly plans for seniors.
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How To Get Senior Citizen Cell Phone Plans Free 2022
Are you aware that the government offers free cell phones to the seniors, disabled, and the underprivileged through free line services? Needless to say, many people are unaware that free cell phones are available, especially for elderly citizens. Here you can find the top list of senior citizen cell phone plans free provides info and pros cons.
Faqs About Cell Phones For Seniors
How old do I have to be to purchase a senior phone?
While you do not have to be a certain age to have a senior-focused cell phone, certain cell phone plans do have age requirements for discounts. For example, Sprints Unlimited55+ and Verizons 55+ Plan both offer unlimited data use and discounts on extra lines added on the plan. Also, some carriers offer discounts for AARP members, in which all people ages 50 and up are eligible for full membership.
Do cell phone companies offer senior discounts?
Cell phones labeled “for seniors are designed to be easy-to-use for anyone with mobility, vision, or cognitive difficulties that make it difficult to use a regular cell phone. Because of this, many of these cell phones feature larger buttons, an emergency alert to quickly call medical services, hands-free operation, and simpler controls than an average cell phone.
How are senior cellphones different from regular cellphones?
Cell phones labeled as senior cell phones are designed to be easily used by anyone who has trouble using a regular cellphone due to mobility, eyesight, or cognitive difficulties. Because of this, many of these cell phones feature larger buttons, an emergency alert to call medical services with one-touch, hands-free operation, and simpler controls than the regular touchscreen smartphone.
What safety features do senior cellphones have?
Do I have to be a certain age to have a senior phone and plan?
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Best Flexible: Us Mobile
For a truly flexible solution, cellphone customers should look to US Mobile for a wireless carrier that provides a wide selection of buckets to help piece together the right plan for you.
With prices starting as low as $2 for 75 minutes, $1.50 for 50 texts, and $2 for 100 MB of data, it’s easy to see right off the bat just how flexible and inexpensive US Mobile can be. Alternatively, prices can go as high as $8 for unlimited minutes, $6 for unlimited texts, and $26 for 15 GB of 5G data. If you prefer unlimited everything, there’s an Unlimited Basic talk, text, and data plan for $35 per month, which drops to $30 per line for two lines, $25 per line for three lines, and $20 per line for four or more lines.
To help make things easier, US Mobile offers a 14-day risk-free trial to make sure you’re on the right plan and with the right provider, with the promise of a full refund if you’re not completely satisfied.
Customers who select US Mobile can supply their own device but are required to purchase a US Mobile SIM card for a nominal $3.99 fee to activate the service.