I can verify this no longer applies. I have talk, text and data on a single Helium Mobile eSIM for $5/month. I'm in one of the three southeast Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) where the $5 price is available.
When I originally signed up, the dual SIM kludge was required though one could opt for data only with talk & text being optional.
Taxes and telecom fees are not included in quoted pricing.