Having trouble paying your phone bill when money is tight? You’re not alone. Many Americans struggle to pay for critical utilities like phone and internet service. Luckily, there are a few options to get help and reduce your phone bill when funds are low.
Lifeline Program – Up to $9.25 Discount
The Lifeline program provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying low-income households Lifeline is available in every state and territory and is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
To qualify for Lifeline, you must have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines You can also qualify through certain assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others. The full list of qualifying programs is available at LifelineSupportorg.
Applying for Lifeline is free – beware of any website or company that requires a fee to enroll you in the program. To apply, you will need to provide documents that prove your eligibility such as prior year’s tax return, pay stubs, or program participation documents.
You can apply for Lifeline through an approved Lifeline provider or through a state agency. Visit LifelineSupport.org and click “Apply Now” to start the application process online or through the mail.
Payment Plans From Your Phone Company
If you don’t qualify for Lifeline, contact your phone company directly to explain your situation and request a payment plan or temporary bill reduction. Most major phone companies such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others offer assistance programs that allow you to spread out payments over several months or offer a discount if you are facing financial hardship.
When you call, clearly explain how much you are able to pay now and ask about extended payment plans, discounted service, or any other programs available to help you maintain critical phone access during difficult times. Be prepared with information about your income, other bills, and any extenuating circumstances that led to your inability to pay the full bill.
If the first customer service agent is unable to help, politely ask to speak with a manager about additional assistance programs before ending the call. Being open and honest about your limitations while also showing you intend to pay what you can often leads to the best outcome.
Low-Cost Phone Service Options
If you are not able to qualify for Lifeline and cannot afford the standard rates from major phone companies, there are a few low-cost prepaid options to explore:
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Republic Wireless offers phone plans starting at $15/month. They use WiFi when available to help keep costs low.
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Tello offers prepaid plans with unlimited talk and text starting at $10/month. Data is extra but plans come with free hotspot capability.
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Mint Mobile has unlimited talk and text plans starting at $15/month for the first 3 months when you prepay for a year. Data packages are extra.
Be sure to research coverage maps and fees before choosing a prepaid or low-cost carrier. While the monthly rate may be cheaper, you may experience lower quality coverage or need to purchase your device up front. Make sure you understand all the costs before signing up.
Local Assistance Programs
If the options above are still out of reach, contact 211.org or dial 211 on your phone to find local bill assistance programs. explain your current financial situation and ask about any local organizations, charities, churches or government agencies that may provide temporary financial help for phone bills.
Assistance depends heavily on what support local groups have available, but it always helps to ask. Explain how maintaining phone service will help you get back on your feet through ability to schedule job interviews, talk to caseworkers, contact childcare, etc.
Also check if your city or state has set up any special utility assistance funds due to COVID-19 impacts. These temporary resources can provide relief until you get back on steady financial ground.
Reduce Use to Lower Cost
If no discount or assistance programs are available, reducing your phone and data usage can help lower your monthly cost while maintaining access:
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Use WiFi calling and messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger when connected to WiFi to reduce cellular minutes.
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Limit video streaming which eats up data quickly. Stream over WiFi when possible. Download videos to watch offline later.
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Turn off cellular data for apps that don’t need constant access like games or social media. Turn it on briefly when needed.
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Use phone only for necessity like job search, childcare, interviews, etc. Limit recreational use like gaming or social media.
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Contact care providers and case workers to let them know your number may change. Ask if they have internet-based messaging systems you can use.
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Explain your situation to frequently called friends/family and ask to schedule a weekly call over WiFi/internet when possible.
Being proactive to reduce your phone usage can help lower costs in the short term while you get back on your feet. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – we all struggle sometimes. Just a small bit of assistance or reduction in use can make phone service affordable in difficult times. Stay persistent and utilize all resources available to maintain this critical lifeline.
Two Ways We Can Help:Wage Advance
Wagetap gives you two simple options when youâre short on funds for your phone bill. The first option is to get instant cash with our wage advance. Our wage advance feature provides you with up to $300 of your wage early, so you donât have to wait until payday to access the money youâve earned. This can help you cover your phone bill or any other expenses you need. Itâs your money, so you can spend it the way you need to.
Once payday arrives, youâll get the remainder of your paycheque. Itâs easy, convenient and it helps you have more control of your finances Bill Split
Your telephone costs can be a fairly large bill, especially if you have multiple phones on your plan. When this bill comes due, it can take a large chunk out of your wage and make it difficult to pay for the other things you need. With our split bill feature, you can spread that bill out and turn it into smaller, more manageable payments.
Our split bill feature can cover up to $600 of your phone bill, allowing you to pay that bill over time rather than all at once. If you borrow under $300 to cover your bill, your payment plan will be split into three equal payments that line up with payday. Borrowing over $300 for your bill will split it into four payments.
Here are the requirements that need to be met:
A connected account that allows direct debit transactions
A minimum income of $800/month
Wages paid by an employer payroll
Consistent wages on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis
7 Programs that Can Pay Your Bills For You
FAQ
What app helps you pay your phone bill?
About this app Papaya is the quickest way to pay your bills. Papaya will take care of the rest—just take a picture of your bill. It’s free, safe, and so simple. That’s right.
Is California helping with utility bills?
Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families whose energy bills take up a big chunk of their income. This program recently received nearly $500 million in new federal funding. Apply here or call (866) 674-6327 for a local provider.
Where can I get help with my phone bill?
In addition, cell phone and cable companies also process applications to give help for phone bills. Another option is to contact a non-profit agency in your county. The Lifeline telephone assistance program is part of the Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund.
What is the quickest way to pay a cell phone bill?
Out of the six options above, DoNotPay is by far the easiest and quickest solution. As an AI consumer champion, DoNotPay can help you with a wide range of administrative tasks, such as paying your bills. With the help of artificial intelligence, we can help you pay your cell phone bill in just a few steps:
Do government programs help pay cell phone bills?
Low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities can get help from the government to make sure they have a landline or smartphone. With Life Line or other government benefits, you can get money to pay your cell phone, landline, or even internet bills. Get details on phone bill assistance programs in your state below.
How do I pay my phone bill without a service interruption?
However, most phone companies allow you to make payment arrangements that suit both parties. This grants eligible customers more time to pay their phone bill without any service interruptions. If you think it will be hard for you to pay your phone bill, you might want to start by making payment plans with your carrier.
Do you need to pay your phone bill?
Cell phones have become an essential part of our everyday lives. We depend on them quite a bit. It’s okay to not have enough money to pay your phone bill. Not many people do that. Thankfully, there are ways to hold onto your phone service when money problems strike. Wondering how to keep your phone on without paying the bill?.
How much does it cost to pay a cell phone bill?
There are some available that cost as low as $15 a month. If you fall behind on your cell phone bill and need help paying it, you have a few options. The first option is to contact family or friends. What if they can’t help? A short-term Payday Loan might be what you need to keep your phone line open.
