Here’s how to avail free cell phones for seniors

Seniors who are financially challenged and need free cell phones for emergencies use can get free cell phones for the occasional calls through a few no-contract plans available for them. Wireless free cellphones for seniors are also available for free for seniors, depending on their income. This is along with monthly air-time minutes according to the criteria seniors qualify for.

One can get free cellphones for seniors by looking up some cheap deals online or in the nearby stores. For example, free cellphones for seniors can be obtained through a few no-contract phones that work well for infrequent users of cell phones. These pay-as-you-go phones help save money as they are pre-paid cell phones that are not owned on a contract basis. With these free cell phones, there are no credit checks, fixed monthly bills, hidden costs, or contracts that are the usual features of traditional phone plans for cell phones. These no-contract phones allow users to purchase a special pre-paid phone with a certain amount of available minutes for texting or in the form of talk time that need to be used within the given period. Majority of national carriers like Verizon and AT&T offer pre-paid plans that are inexpensive, similar to independent networks like Cricket, Net10 and Virgin Mobile. T-Mobile and TracPhone also offer some good free cellular phones plans.

Another option is the Doro PhoneEasy 618 that is sold via Consumer Cellular. It offers senior-friendly phones with simplified features and big buttons on a no-contract basis and is one of the cheapest options out there in the market. With calling plans starting at $10 per month, it costs about $60.

Lifeline Assistance program
The Lifeline Assistance Program is a government-sponsored program that subsidizes landline companies as well as wireless services that offer free cell phones along with 250 minutes of monthly free airtime and texts. This is done for those who qualify for the low-income criteria. Millions of Americans are eligible for this free cell phone offered via the Lifeline program, and only about 15 million have availed the service so far.

Many different national pre-paid wireless companies like Assurance Wireless and Safelink offer free minutes and phones through tie-ups with other regional carriers within the country. It is true that more than one wireless company provides the free phones and minutes in most of the states. For those who are eligible, the free phone that is received is a basic cell phone that offers voicemail, text messaging, caller ID, and call waiting. To qualify for these services, the recipient needs to prove that they are receiving some government benefits like Food Stamps, home energy assistance, Medicaid, public housing assistance, or SSI. Another criteria for eligibility is the household income that needs to be at or below 135 or 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These vary from state to state.

The Lifeline program is a good way for low-income seniors to obtain a free cell phone, and seniors should check for service and eligibility requirements around their area by logging on to the site and locating the services available in their zip code area. The Lifeline program lets households with low income to get discounted telephone services to help them make ends meet on a monthly basis. A telephone is a necessity for most Americans, and more so for seniors. A cell phone or even a basic telephone is an important link to the outside world in today’s age. Whether it is an emergency, or for a job or even to simply know that help is a call away, a phone that is affordable is a necessity.