Financial emergencies happen, and sometimes bills are higher than expected. If you cant pay your Verizon mobile bill on time, setting up a payment arrangement can prevent your account from being sent to collections or having your service interrupted. Looking for payment arrangement information for your Verizon Fios account? Visit Verizon Fios – Payment arrangements. Set up a payment arrangement in My Verizon. Find more topics in.
It can be stressful and overwhelming to not be able to pay your phone bill every month. Since phones are such an important part of modern life, losing service can have big effects. That being said, there are things you can do to get help with your phone bill and keep your service.
Assess Your Situation
The first thing to do is closely review your phone bill and usage. Look for any errors or unauthorized charges that could be driving up the cost. You may also want to examine your calling, texting, and data usage to see if you can cut back in certain areas. Comparing your current plan and services to what you actually need can reveal opportunities to reduce your monthly bill through a new service plan.
Making a detailed budget that accounts for all your income and expenses is also important This will help you get a clear picture of how much you can realistically afford to put toward your phone service each month If there simply isn’t enough money coming in to cover the bill, you’ll need to seek alternate solutions.
Contact Your Provider
Once you have a handle on your usage and budget, contact your phone provider. Let them know you are having trouble paying your bill and want to discuss options to avoid disconnection. Most providers are willing to work with customers experiencing financial hardship.
Some potential options they may offer include
- Moving to a cheaper service plan
- Applying credits or one-time discounts to your account
- Setting up a payment plan for outstanding balances
- Granting a temporary suspension of service
The company may also review your account to see if you qualify for any assistance programs they offer. Being honest about your financial situation and asking for their help can go a long way.
Apply For Financial Assistance
There are also government and nonprofit programs that provide financial assistance for phone bills through subsidies, discounts, or free service:
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People who qualify because they are low-income or get government benefits can get a monthly discount on their home or cell phone service through the Lifeline program. You can apply directly through your phone provider.
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People who are having trouble paying their utility bills, like phone service, can sometimes get help from state or local assistance programs. Contact your state or county social services agency to inquire.
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People who live on tribal lands can get cheaper home phone service through the Universal Service Fund. Apply through your local tribal government office.
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Nonprofit agencies like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities sometimes include help with phone bills in their financial assistance offerings.
Negotiate a Payment Plan
If you are not eligible for financial assistance, negotiate a reasonable payment plan directly with your phone company. Be realistic about what you can afford, even if it is just $10 or $20 a month. This demonstrates good faith to keep making payments toward your balance.
Get any agreed upon payment plan in writing to avoid misunderstandings. Make payments on time each month and keep communicating with the provider if you experience further difficulties. Adhering to a payment plan can help avoid disconnection of your service.
Consider a Cheaper Phone Service
While working to pay down your balance, it may be wise to switch to a cheaper phone service that has lower monthly costs. Some options to research include:
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Prepaid cell phone plans – Pay in advance for only the amount of service you need.
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VoIP services – Make inexpensive calls over the internet using services like Skype or Google Voice.
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Budget cell phone plans – Companies like Republic Wireless and Boost Mobile offer affordable cell phone service plans.
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Government subsidized programs – Free and low-cost service options are available for recipients of government benefits programs.
Having a functional phone service is crucial, even while you address overdue balances with your main provider. A cheap temporary replacement can help meet your basic communication needs.
Use Bill Negotiation Services
If you are unable to reach a resolution directly with your phone company, use a bill negotiation service. Companies like Billshark negotiate with creditors on your behalf to settle balances or create affordable payment plans. They charge a percentage of the savings achieved. This can be an effective route when you are struggling to manage the process alone.
Consider Disconnection Alternatives
Before allowing your service to be completely shut off, explore alternatives that may enable you to maintain basic functioning:
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Suspend service temporarily – You may be able to pause service for a set period of time rather than fully disconnecting. This avoids fees for cancelling your account.
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Maintain phone access – Some providers will let you retain just the phone line itself without features like voicemail, call waiting, etc. The basic line may be very inexpensive.
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Dispute disconnection – You may be able to file complaints with regulators if the provider did not follow proper disconnection protocols. This could buy you some extra time.
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Use WiFi calling – If you have a smartphone, enable WiFi calling through your provider so you can still make calls and texts over WiFi even if your cell service is cut.
Completely losing access to vital telecommunications should be a last resort. Carefully weigh alternatives that allow you to meet at least some of your basic needs.
Seek Legal Protections
There are certain legal protections in place to prevent unfair loss of phone service:
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Disconnection is prohibited for actively disputed charges.
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Services cannot be disconnected without adequate notice.
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Disconnection is postponed if you file a complaint.
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Reconnection fees cannot exceed actual costs.
Know your rights and file complaints with regulators if the provider attempts to improperly disconnect your phone service. Consult consumer protection advocates if you need legal guidance on asserting your rights.
Consider Bankruptcy
If your outstanding phone bills have been sent to collections or resulted in a legal judgment against you, bankruptcy may be an option. Bankruptcy often discharges phone bill debt along with other unsecured debts. This completely eliminates the amounts owed.
However, bankruptcy can only be filed once every several years and has major impacts on your credit and finances. Seek advice from a bankruptcy attorney or nonprofit credit counseling service before taking this serious step.
Don’t Panic
It’s natural to feel anxious and overwhelmed when facing mounting phone bills you can’t pay. But avoiding or ignoring the issue will only make matters worse. Take a deep breath and calmly assess all your options. Openly communicate with your provider and genuinely do your best to make whatever payments possible until a solution is reached.
Patience and perseverance are key when tackling a problem like this. With time and commitment to exploring alternatives, you can hopefully resume normal phone service or at minimum, retain access to basic telecommunications during the process. Don’t panic and do your best – it will work out!
How do I set up a payment arrangement online?
You can self-serve and schedule a payment or set up a promise to pay for free on the Payment arrangements page in My Verizon. Follow the prompts to set up the arrangement. Alternatively you can work with a Customer Service Representative or a Live Chat Representative, who can set up the payment arrangement for you, for a fee of $10. Note: You can set up an arrangement only if your current bill isnt paid and an amount is due. If your bill is paid, you wont see payment arrangement options.
I’m already past due on my Verizon mobile bill. Can I make a payment arrangement?
Yes. You can set up a payment arrangement any time you have a balance on your account, either before or after the account becomes past due. Before your bill due date: If you already know you cant pay all or some of your bill on time, avoid collections activity and service interruption by setting up a payment arrangement to pay the bill after the original due date. After your bill due date: You can still set up a payment arrangement. Anyway, if you don’t pay by the due date, you might have to deal with late fees, collection calls, and/or service interruptions.
Consequences of Not Paying Phone Contract – How Bad Can It Be?
FAQ
What happens if I can’t pay my phone bill?
You may be unable to make or receive calls, your mobile provider must warn you before they interrupt or disconnect your service. You can also get out of your cell phone contract and take steps to get the money you owe them, which could include sending your debt to a debt collection agency.
How can I pay my phone bill if I have no money?
Get Help with Your Money from Check Into Cash 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. In case they can’t help, a short-term Payday Loan might be what you need to keep your phone line,
How late can your phone bill be before they cut off service with Verizon?
What to do when can’t pay bills?
What happens if I don’t pay my cell phone bill?
If you need to get cell service back after not paying your cell phone bill, you’re going to have to pay. Once you pay off your bill, be careful to enter into a new agreement you can afford each month.
Can I Pay my AT&T bill online?
You can pay your AT&T bill online, in person, over the phone, and by mail. We accept the following payment methods online. FYI: Online payments usually post to your account within minutes, but they can take up to 24 hours to complete. You can pay your AT&T bill online, in person, over the phone, and by mail.
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. And if you need to pay your phone bill, but are short on money to do it, you’re not alone. 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?
Do government programs help pay cell phone bills?
Government programs help low-income families, seniors and the disabled to ensure they have some form of landline or smartphone available. There is financial help to pay cell phone bills, landlines and even internet connections from Life Line or other government benefits. 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 foresee any struggles to pay your phone bill, perhaps you can begin by setting up payment arrangements with your carrier.
What if you can’t afford a cell phone bill?
In today’s world, not having a phone makes life difficult. But before you sign a long-term contract, look around for cell companies that offer discounted rates. And if you can’t afford a monthly cell phone bill, find a prepaid plan that meets your needs. There are some available that cost as low as $15 a month.
