Paul Lewis Low-income customers can choose BT Basic, but that costs £13.50 a quarter with another £5 a quarter if they do not pay by direct debit. The cost includes 45 minutes of calls to a UK landline, or about 30 seconds a day. Calls above that will be 3p plus 10p per minute. Calls to mobiles and to 0845 or 0870 numbers are at a higher rate.
BT Basic is only available to people on pension credit (guarantee credit), income-related Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or income support. People who qualify for BT Basic may find other plans are cheaper. BT will advise you – but only if you ask.
Anyone not on those benefits will have to choose another tariff, probably the Unlimited Weekend plan. That has a quarterly rental of £38.37 including all landline calls all weekend. Calls at other times cost 5.4p a minute to landlines.
Mobile calls are more expensive; the cost can be cut by registering them as friends and family calls. Free evening calls can be added for the same price for customers who commit to a 12-month contract.
Written by Paul Lewis, this article was first published in the March 2010 issue of Saga Magazine. Paul's opinions are his own and for general information only. Always seek independent, professional, financial advice.