Today, just about everyone has a phone. While it may not seem like a phone is a necessity, there are many people that would argue that it is. This is especially true when it comes to seniors, who often live on a limited income and struggle to keep their bills paid. Finding help paying for the phone bills for seniors is going to be crucial to some of them being able to keep their phone and all their other necessities.
Seniors should have a phone, especially if they live by themselves or in a home where there isn’t a phone available. It is important to have due to the risks involved for seniors. They may fall or have health issues that warrants them getting into contact with someone. They need a phone to be able to do that, so it is essential for most of them to have a phone handy. Even so, that doesn’t mean they have the funds to easily keep the bills for it paid.
The average phone bill is around $144 each month, which is a lot when you live on a fixed income and the cost of most things continues to rise. When seniors are struggling to pay their phone bills it is important to know where to go to get help. Keeping the phone bill paid for is going to be the only way to ensure that service is not disrupted. Getting help as soon as there are financial challenges may be the best route to take, because if the phone gets disconnected there may be additional fees to get it turned back on, including a deposit and late fees.
Phone Bills Assistance for Seniors
The organizations and programs below can be helpful for seniors who are struggling to pay their phone bills. Reach out to the programs to see if you can get help paying for your bill. If they cannot help you directly then perhaps they can refer you to a program that will be of assistance.
Phone Companies – Call your phone provider to inform them that you are struggling to pay for your bill. See if they have any programs that can help get it paid, and if they can help you find a plan that will be more affordable each month. Phone companies often have better plans and helpful deals available, but they only offer them when people ask about them.
Lifeline Program – This is a program that is supported by the federal government. It helps ensure that those who have a low income are able to have a phone at an affordable rate or for free. You can sign up to see if you meet the eligibility requirements and start getting access to the benefits of the program. If you are approved for the program you will get a free cell phone, free unlimited talk and text each month, and more. To get more information and apply for the program, click here.
Catholic Charities – This organization helps people with a variety of programs, including to pay some bills. You can contact a location near you to see if they will help with paying your phone bill. They also provide help with things like food, clothing, and shelter services. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.
Salvation Army – Similar to Catholic Charities, this organization has locations around the country and they have a variety of helpful programs to help people in need. They will help people with paying some of their bills. They also provide free hot meals, bags of food to take home, clothing, and more. To find a location near you, click here.
211 – This is a free referral service provided by the United Way organization. Seniors can call this number to inquire about getting help with paying their phone bill. The operator will look for local programs that will help. The program is free to use and open to anyone in the country who needs assistance. They will help you find local assistance programs no matter what type of help you need and where you live. To get more information about the program, click here.
Churches – Found all around the country, churches are helpful resources for the people who live in the communities. They will provide financial assistance to help with paying a range of things. Seniors can contact their local churches to see if they can help with paying their phone bill. They may be able to help or provide a referral to a program that can. You do not have to be a member of the church to inquire about getting assistance from them. They are usually willing to help everyone in the community who needs it. Contact multiple churches to find one that has a program in place that will provide phone bill assistance.
Senior Centers – Many communities offer senior centers or aging centers. These are great resources for seniors, where they can find helpful services. Contact the locations in your area to inquire about getting phone bills assistance. They should have information about assistance programs in the area that you can reach out to for help with getting the phone bill paid. They don’t usually have strict requirements for getting help, as they are open to helping all the seniors who live in that community.
Other Options
If you have tried the resources above to get help and have not been able to get it, then you will need to consider other options. Perhaps you can find family members who will all chip in to help get the bill paid. Most people want their senior family members to have a phone, so if they are in the position to do so they may be able to help pay for the bill. Let family members know that you are struggling to pay the bill and see if they can help with it. Another option is to see if their phone can be on their plan, which will help greatly reduce the monthly cost for it compared to having your own phone plan.