BT changing Light User Scheme to BT Basic

Loopy_Lewis

BT has written to my mother to say they are stopping the Light User Scheme and changing her over to BT Basic. Their letter to her says she needs 'do absolutely nothing' as they will automatically move her to the new service without the need to apply - then at the bottom of the page they have the proviso that 'Other eligibility criteria apply'. Trouble is, my 83 year old mother (with Alzheimers) does not qualify for the new BT Basic (you need to be on benefits). She currently pays around £5.00 month and makes perhaps only one phone call per two months. Does anyone know what I can do about this - and is there a cheap scheme she can join? We have thought about giving her a pay-as-you-go mobile but she needs the BT phone line to keep her Care Link emergency call button connected.

PlutoinCapricorn

There are a few threads about this: BT are being very inconsistent. Some people on the LUS are being transferred to BT Basic whether they qualify or not, others are asked to apply if they qualify, if not they will be moved to BT Weekends Unlimited.

Some people who do get transferred to BT Basic find that their bills are high if they make more than a few calls.

I was not transfered automatically, so I cancelled my BT landline and manage with a cheap PAYG mobile. BT said on here that the automatic transfers are a mistake, so why are they still happening, and will these people eventually be taken off and billed retrospectively for another tariff?

Old_Git

if they say they are moving her to BT basic then they will do that .
They did this to my aunt who wasnt on the correct benefit .
If she only makes a few calls per month she will be ok .
However beware calls are charged at 10p per minute ,my aunt received her bill for 3 months on BT basic and it was for £74 .She is now on the anytime package at £16.20 per month .

Jemma-T

BT Basic is for people who need it (ie they are on very tight budgets).

The OP's relative should (is) on quite a good pension and if her mental disease is bad then there may be other benefits (Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance) available. All these extra benefits have components built-in for extra living costs due to illness.

Tesco doesn't give away stuff and neither does BT.

Davco

Hi, You could do a lot worse than sending a private message to this guy Jon from BT. I have had some similar problems to this with my own parents....he sorted it out quickly and efficiently. Hope this helps. Sorry, I am not allowed to do links.:T
BT company representative
Has MSE’s permission to post for company

1carminestocky

Jemma-T wrote: »

BT Basic is for people who need it (ie they are on very tight budgets).

The OP's relative should (is) on quite a good pension and if her mental disease is bad then there may be other benefits (Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance) available. All these extra benefits have components built-in for extra living costs due to illness.

Tesco doesn't give away stuff and neither does BT.

Much as I dislike them, Tesco's, unlike BT's, success (success and BT shouldn't really be in the same sentence these days) is entirely down to its own endeavours in the sense it was not formerly a State monpoly.