California LifeLine Phone Program

What is California LifeLine Phone Program?

California's Lifeline Program (California LifeLine) provides discounted home phone and free cell phone services if you can show that you qualify.

If you or someone that you live with is enrolled in a public assistance program, then you are eligible. Programs that count include:
- Medi-Cal
- CalFresh (food stamps)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Even if you can't show enrollment in a public assistance program, you can still qualify if your household's total income for the last full year is below the annual income limits.

Two types of documents are required to apply for a California LifeLine phone:

Proof of identity containing a photo of you, your date of birth, and your street address (not a P.O box number), such as:
- ID card
- driver's license
- passport
- Mexican consular card
Proof that you meet the income eligibility, such as:
- EBT card
- Medi-Cal card
- notice of eligibility or decision letter of participation from a qualifying public assistance program
- front page of last year's state or federal tax return
- Social Security statement
- Veterans Administration retirement/pension papers
- unemployment compensation papers