Cheap Landline Phone Service for Seniors

Staying connected is more important than ever, but finding a cheap landline phone service for seniors can be challenging. Low Income Relief has compiled some information on the best cheap landline phone service for seniors. You might also be wondering whether there is any free landline phone service for seniors, and Low Income Relief has the scoop on that as well. Read on for more information on how to keep yourself or your loved ones connected at a low cost!

Lifeline Offers a Cheap Landline Phone for Seniors

The Lifeline program has been in existence for more than 35 years, helping low income households stay connected by phone. The program is administered in every state and territory. Lifeline offers a discount of up to $9.25 per month off the cost of phone, internet, or bundled services. Landline phone customers living on Tribal lands are eligible for a larger discount of up to $34.25 per month.

There are two ways to qualify for Lifeline. If your income is 135% of the federal poverty line or less, you will likely qualify for Lifeline. You can also qualify for Lifeline if you or anyone in your household qualifies for Medicaid, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit. 

Those living on Tribal lands can also qualify if they meet the income requirements, participate in any of the assistance programs listed above, or participate in Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Landline phone customers living on Tribal lands are eligible for a larger discount of up to $34.25 per month.

If you qualify for Lifeline, you can sign up for landline phone service with any phone company near you that offers the benefit. If you already have landline phone service, you can ask your current company to apply your Lifeline discount if they offer the benefit. 

Free Landline Phone Service For Seniors

Unfortunately, there are not currently any programs that offer completely free landline phone service for seniors. 

However, there are a few ways that you can further reduce your landline phone costs. If you live on Tribal lands, with a discount of up to $34.25 per month using Lifeline, your landline phone service could potentially be free, or nearly free. 

Additionally, many states offer discounts through Telephone Assistance Programs that can be used in combination with federally funded Lifeline discounts. Some state programs, like this one in Illinois offer one-time assistance paying for installation fees. While this does not amount to free landline phone service for seniors, it will help reduce costs associated with your landline service. You can find out whether your state offers cheap landline phone service for seniors by Google searching “Telephone Assistance Programs + [insert state where you live]”. 

Other Affordable Phone Service Options

If the cheap landline phone service for seniors, Lifeline, is not enough to make landline service affordable, there are a few other options that can be helpful. 

If you have an internet connection, Skype calling can be free or very inexpensive. Calling another person’s Skype account is free. If you want to make calls to another person’s landline or mobile phone, a monthly subscription can cost as little as $2.99/month. 

Google Voice is another service that can be used to make free calls from a device with an internet connection. However, it is important to note that Google Voice cannot make emergency (911) calls. 

Finally, Low Income Relief has some more really helpful information on low cost phone service providers and information on how to get free and low cost cell phone service!

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Catherine Hall

Catherine Hall, LMSW is a therapist at a small group practice in New York City. She earned her master of social work degree at New York University.