I'm on low income, can I get it?
Only those on the following benefits are eligible for the
scheme:
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
You don't have to be an existing BT customer but if you don't
have a BT landline you may have to pay to get one installed. BT is
currently running an offer until the end of December for £30 line
installation. Contact BT on 0800 800 150 for information on getting
a new line installed at this promotional rate. You should note that
there are some special conditions that come with this promotional
rate - make sure you ask about them when you phone.
How much will the calls cost me?
You get £4.50 worth of calls included every 3 months. Calls are
charged at 10p per minute plus 3p per call connection fee so it's
only of use to people who make a few calls. Basically, each call
will cost you 13p for the first minute and 10p per minute
after. To stay within the £4.50 allowance, you will need
to make less than 35 calls every 3 months , with each call lasting
less than 1 minute each or a maximum of 1 call per
quarter lasting 45 minutes . Once you've run out of your
allowance, you will still be able to make calls but you will
be charged and call charges will be added to your monthly
bill.
You can get details of how close you are to your call allowance by
ringing 0800 44 3311 or viewing your bill online.
What calls are included in my
allowance?
You can use your call allowance for local,
national and international land line calls. These include numbers
that begin '01', '02' or '03'.
They do not include calls made through the
operator, or calls to any of the following:
• The Channel Islands
• Premium-rate numbers
• The internet
• Mobile phones
• 0845 or 0870 numbers
If you do make any of these calls, you'll be charged at the
standard BT Calling Plan
rates. Charges for calls outside the inclusive allowance
will be added to your monthly bill.
Exceptions to the eligibility criteria
Even if you’re getting one of the three benefits we listed on page
1 you may not be able to get BT Basic if you have any of the
following:
• A phone service provided by another
company
• Calling Plans such as ‘Friends &
Family,’ ‘Mobile Saver’ or ‘International Saver’ which cannot be
used with BT Basic
• BT Pay&Call, our ‘pay as you go’
service, where you pay for your phone service as you use it
• More than one phone line – whether these
are at the same or different addresses
• A phone line that doesn’t let you make
calls (it only lets you receive them), or one that you only use for
a burglar alarm (this does not apply to lifeline alarms or
monitoring systems)
• A business, temporary or payphone
line
• An Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN) – this is a phone network system that digitally transmits
voice, text and images
• Income Support
What about broadband?
You should be able to get broadband if you sign up to this
scheme, however it is best that you ring BT on 0800 783 1675 and
check.
How to apply
You may already have been contacted about BT Basic; if not the
named account holder can ring 0800 783 1675 and request an
application form. You'll be told within one month if you have been
accepted or not. You will need to tell them your National Insurance
Number so they can confirm your entitlement with the Department for
Work and Pensions.
This tariff will eventually replace its Light User and In Contact
Plus schemes.