Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for managing control and data transmissions for low cost UEs. In certain aspects, multiplexing of a control channel and data channel may be allowed in a Physical Resource Block (PRB) pair of a subframe. An indication may be provided to the UE regarding whether a portion of resources of the PRB pair not used to transmit the control channel is available for transmitting the data channel. In alternative aspects, control and data may be scheduled in different subframes, such that there is no need to multiplex them in a subframe or a PRB pair in a same subframe.