BT Basic phone package

BT has recently launched a new social telephone tariff, called BT Basic. The new tariff is aimed at cutting the costs for those on certain benefits. The new tariff costs £4.50/month, compared to the usual £11.54 /month line rental (on standard tariffs there are also fees of £2.75 per month if you don't pay by Direct Debit). This gives you line rental and includes £4.50 worth of calls each quarter.

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

• Employmeny and Support Allowance (Income Related )

• 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.

A one-off connection charge may apply to some customers. BT will let you know if this charge applies once you've ordered and they've made some checks. If the charge does apply you can spread the cost over a 12 month period (without incurring any additional charges). If you do choose to spread this connection charge, you will have to pay £24.49 as the 1st initial payment, followed by 4 quarterly payments of £24.46 each.

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'.

With BT Basic, you will also get free weekend calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers which last up to 60 minutes. This does not include indirect access numbers (for services that can give you numbers for other companies and charge you for putting you in touch with them) and dial-up internet access. You can not go over 1000 minutes or 150 calls in a month. If you do go over, we will charge you for these calls.

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 (other than those at weekends - see above)

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 four benefits listed above, 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

• More than one phone line – whether these are at the same or different addresses. (This does not apply to customers who are registered as being disabled or having a long-term illness)

• 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

Are there any other charges?

If you choose to not to pay by Direct Debit BT will not charge you a £1.50 payment processing fee as they would with a standard tariff.

You can opt for paperless billing, however there are no discounts for choosing to be billed this way.

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.

If an application is refused for any reason you will not be able to re-apply for BT Basic for a minimum period of six months.

This tariff will eventually replace its Light User and In Contact Plus schemes.