How To Pay a Partial Sprint Bill When You Can’t Afford the Full Amount

Most of us have experienced a tight financial month where paying bills becomes tricky. You may wonder in this situation — can I pay half my Sprint bill? What happens if I make a partial payment?

Unfortunately, Sprint does not officially offer partial bill payments. You typically have to pay the full amount by the due date. But in some cases, you may be able to work with Sprint and pay part of your bill to keep your service active.

In this article we’ll explain how partial payments to Sprint work, your options and tips for covering just a portion of your cell phone bill.

Does Sprint Allow Partial Payments?

Sprint’s standard policy is that you must pay the entire monthly balance by the due date to avoid account suspension. Unlike some other carriers, Sprint does not advertise or promote partial payments.

However, customer service reps can sometimes make exceptions to the partial payment policy if you communicate your financial hardship. Some factors that can help get a partial payment approved include:

• You have a history of on-time payments
• It’s your first time asking for a partial payment
• You only need to pay a small part of the total bill
• You agree to pay the remainder by a specific date

If approved, Sprint will temporarily stop your account suspension to allow the partial payment. But it’s not guaranteed. Talk to a Sprint rep to see if a partial payment arrangement is possible for your situation.

Payment Options for Partial Sprint Bills

If Sprint allows you to pay a portion of your bill, you have several options to submit the payment:

• Online – Pay a custom partial payment amount through your Sprint online account.

• Phone – Call Sprint billing and request to make a one-time partial payment.

• Sprint Store – Visit a local store and speak to an employee about your payment situation.

• AutoPay – If enrolled, Sprint will charge your partial amount instead of the full balance.

• Mail – Send a check or money order for the partial payment amount.

Being able to pay online, by phone, or in person gives you flexibility to choose your partial payment method.

Tips for Paying Part of Your Sprint Bill

If you need to pay a portion of your Sprint bill, keep these tips in mind:

• Explain your situation – Provide context on why you need a partial payment. Financial hardship may earn you goodwill.

• Pay more than the minimum – Try to pay 50-60% or more of the total bill, not just the minimum.

• Get a due date – Ask when the remainder of the balance will be due and mark your calendar.

• Enroll in autopay – Set up automatic payments moving forward to avoid issues.

• Stay in touch – Keep Sprint updated on when you expect to pay the rest.

• Use assistance programs – If eligible, enroll in programs like Lifeline to get bill credits.

Being proactive, communicating with Sprint, and making larger partial payments will boost your chances of successfully paying a partial bill.

What Happens If You Only Pay Half Your Sprint Bill?

Without getting approval for a partial payment, here is what happens if you only pay half your Sprint bill:

• Your account will show an unpaid balance equal to the amount you didn’t pay.

• Late fees will be charged, usually $10 per line.

• You may experience service interruption in the next few days.

• If partial payments continue month to month, Sprint may suspend your account.

• Any devices still being paid off will go into default if service is cut off.

• You risk being sent to collections and your credit score dropping.

As you can see, the consequences can be serious. It’s best to contact Sprint and see if a partial payment plan can be arranged.

Partnering with Sprint for Partial Payment Success

The key to successfully paying part of your Sprint bill is communicating with Sprint. Explain your financial hardship and ask politely if you can pay a portion by a certain date and the remainder later. Sprint may waive fees and give you extra time.

Keep your agreement by paying the partial payment on time and staying in contact on when you can pay the rest. This good faith will go a long way during difficult times.

Once you’re financially stable again, you can get back on track with paying your Sprint bill in full every month. But when money is tight, a partial payment arrangement with Sprint cooperation can be possible.

Other Ways to Get Help with Your Sprint Bill

If you can’t pay your entire Sprint bill, here are some other options beyond partial payments:

• Payment plan – Set up smaller payments over several months.

• Account credits – Sprint may credit your account $10-20 each month to help cover the bill.

• Defer payment – Ask to defer one month’s bill to the end of your contract term.

• Bill review – Have Sprint check if a cheaper service plan can lower your monthly costs.

• Financial assistance – Enroll in a program like Lifeline if you qualify for bill discounts.

• Temporary suspension – Voluntarily suspend service for up to 3 months during hardship.

• Account closure – As a last resort, close the account and port your number to a cheaper carrier.

Explore these alternatives if you’re short on cash but need to maintain cell phone service. Sprint wants to keep you as a customer, so be open about your situation.

What to Do If Your Sprint Service Gets Suspended

If you can’t pay your Sprint bill and your service gets cut off, you still have options:

• Pay the full past due amount to reactivate service.

• Agree to a partial payment plan to restore service as you pay down the balance.

• Request Sprint account credits to help cover the past due amount.

• Port your number to another carrier who may buyout your Sprint balance.

• Transfer your number to a prepaid carrier like Boost Mobile for lower costs.

• File an FCC complaint if Sprint didn’t follow proper disconnection procedures.

• Switch to free WiFi calling services like Google Voice for basic talk and text.

Contact Sprint right away if your service is suspended and explain your financial situation. With good communication, you can likely reach a resolution to settle your balance and restore cell phone service.

Sample Scripts for Requesting Partial Sprint Payments

When asking Sprint for a partial bill payment, it helps to be prepared. Here are some sample scripts:

“Hi, I’m struggling to pay my full Sprint bill this month due to medical bills. My bill is normally $85 but could I please pay $50 today and the remainder on the 15th?”

“Money is tight because of reduced work hours. Can I pay half of my $90 Sprint bill today since I’ve been a customer for 5 years? I can pay the other $45 next week.”

“Times are tough due to unexpected expenses. Would it be possible to pay 60% of my Sprint bill now and the rest in 10 days? I want to keep my phone on but can’t swing the full payment today.”

The key is being honest, polite, and offering a timeline for repaying the remainder of your balance. Sprint wants to help, so if you communicate well, they will likely try to find a solution.

Final Thoughts on Partial Sprint Bill Payments

During financial difficulty, paying part of your cell phone bill can help maintain critical wireless service. While Sprint doesn’t advertise partial payments, exceptional customer service may allow one.

Be proactive in explaining your situation and asking if you can pay a portion now and the remainder later. With a spirit of partnership and good communication, Sprint may grant you some leeway by waiving fees and allowing extra time.

Have you ever needed to pay a partial phone bill during hardship? What was the outcome? Share your experiences below!