California LifeLine Telephone Service Program

Quick Facts

• What it does: California LifeLine lowers the monthly price of residential landline and eligible wireless plans by stacking a state-funded credit on top of the federal Lifeline subsidy so that low-income households can maintain reliable voice service for work, school, health care, and emergency alerts.
• Who runs it: The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees the program and contracts with Maximus to handle enrollment, verification, and renewals. Participating wireline, VoIP, and mobile carriers apply the discounts directly to customer bills.
• How much you can save: In 2025, most households receive $7.25 from the federal Lifeline benefit plus a state supplement of up to $14.85. Installation fee waivers, reduced service deposits, and discounted second lines for qualifying medically-necessary users add further value.
• Key deadlines: You have 30 days from the date on your mailed application form to submit required documentation. Annual renewals are due within 60 days of the anniversary email/text. Benefit-transfer requests must be completed before switching carriers to avoid losing the discount.
• Why it matters: Phone connectivity is often required to access jobs, telehealth, social services, and emergency notifications. California LifeLine aims to keep communications affordable and stable, especially for seniors, disabled residents, job seekers, and families navigating crises.

Program Overview

California supplements the federal Lifeline benefit because the cost of telecommunications in the state—particularly mobile data used for telehealth, remote work, or digital learning—is higher than the national average. The CPUC collects surcharges from telecommunications providers and redistributes them to participating carriers through the LifeLine fund. Providers then pass those savings to households as monthly bill credits, activation waivers, and discounted equipment.

You start the process by contacting a LifeLine-participating carrier or by using the pre-screen on the California LifeLine website. The carrier verifies that your household has not already used its single Lifeline benefit and requests that the state mail you an application packet or send a secure link by text/email. Your benefit does not begin until the CPUC’s third-party administrator approves the application, so it is vital to finish paperwork quickly.

The program covers both wireline and wireless plans. Traditional landline providers such as AT&T California, Frontier, Consolidated Communications, and numerous rural local exchange carriers offer flat-rate voice service for a few dollars per month once the LifeLine credits apply. Wireless carriers—including Assurance Wireless, TruConnect, Safelink, and others—combine the voice discount with free or low-cost data plans. Many carriers also bundle the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or its successor with LifeLine so that households receive unlimited talk and text plus a reasonable broadband allotment.

LifeLine is flexible enough to accommodate renters in multi-unit buildings, people living in shelters or group housing, and households on Tribal lands. Specialized allowances exist for deaf and disabled customers who need two phone lines (one voice, one TTY) or who require teletypewriter (TTY) equipment, and there are enhanced benefits for residents of Tribal areas recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Eligibility Guidelines

California offers two pathways—program-based and income-based—and you only need to meet one.

1. Program-based qualification: If anyone in your household receives benefits from programs such as Medi-Cal (Medicaid), CalFresh (SNAP), CalWORKs, WIC, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Tribal TANF, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits, you automatically qualify. Provide a copy of the approval letter or benefits card when you apply.
2. Income-based qualification: If you do not use any of the listed public benefits, you can qualify by showing your household’s gross annual income is at or below the LifeLine income limits. For 2025 those limits are $32,500 for a 1-2 person household, $37,700 for three people, and an additional $6,400 for each extra household member. You can document income using pay stubs, tax returns, unemployment statements, Social Security award letters, or self-employment ledgers.

Other important rules include:

• Only one LifeLine discount is permitted per household, defined as people living together who share income and expenses. If your household needs a second line because someone has a medical condition that requires a dedicated connection or uses specialized telecommunication equipment, request the California LifeLine Specialized Discount, which requires a medical certification form.
• You must live in California and work with a participating carrier. If you move out of state, the California supplement ends, but you can transfer to the federal Lifeline program in your new state.
• You must certify, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your application is accurate and that you will notify the program within 30 days if you no longer qualify.

Benefit Structure and Savings Potential

Understanding how the credits apply helps you decide which carrier and plan makes sense:

• Monthly service discount: Standard customers receive the federal $7.25 plus a state $14.85 credit applied to their bill. For most landline plans priced between $19 and $25 per month, the discount reduces the bill to a few dollars before taxes and surcharges.
• Connection and conversion waivers: Landline companies must offer free activation, service conversion, and deposit waivers for LifeLine customers. Wireless providers frequently include free SIM cards and device discounts.
• Tribal benefits: Households on federally recognized Tribal lands get up to $34.25 off the monthly bill plus a one-time installation subsidy of up to $100. Many Tribal providers also layer on broadband data packages funded by Tribal Mobility funds.
• Specialized Discount Program: Customers who need a second line for TTY/TTD devices or a personal emergency response system get an additional $7.25 state credit on that secondary line, making the second line cost-neutral.
• Bundled services: Some carriers combine voice with basic broadband (e.g., 50–100 Mbps) while still applying the LifeLine credit. Others stack LifeLine with the Affordable Connectivity successor program, yielding zero-dollar bills for unlimited talk, text, and at least 5GB of data.

The program’s flexibility makes it useful for a variety of situations: seniors who keep a landline for medical alert systems, gig workers who need a dedicated business number, families who rely on mobile hotspots for homework, or survivors of domestic violence who maintain a confidential line. LifeLine’s value also extends to budgeting; stable, low phone bills free up cash for rent, groceries, or savings.

Application Steps

1. Pick a participating carrier: Use the CPUC’s provider search or call 1-866-272-0349 to review options. Compare coverage, data speeds, device availability, and customer service hours. Ask carriers about bundling LifeLine with broadband or ACP-style discounts.
2. Start service (if required): Some carriers provide a temporary discount while the state processes your application. Others require you to pay the full rate until approval. Clarify the policy so you can plan payments.
3. Complete the application packet: You will receive a letter and often a text/email with your application ID. Log in to the enrollment portal or mail back the paper form. Provide proof of eligibility (benefit letters or income documents), proof of identity, and proof of address. Sign the certification statement acknowledging the one-per-household rule.
4. Submit within 30 days: Missing the deadline triggers automatic denial and you must restart the process. If you need more time due to disability or language access issues, contact the California LifeLine Administrator before the deadline to request an extension.
5. Await approval: You and your carrier will receive notification. Approved customers should see the LifeLine discount on their next billing cycle. Denied customers receive information on how to appeal within 14 days.

Recertification and Continued Compliance

Every year, LifeLine will contact you via text, email, or mail to complete a renewal. Respond within 60 days to avoid cancellation. The process mirrors the initial application: log in, confirm that you still meet income/program criteria, and submit any requested documentation. If your benefit is cancelled for non-response, you must reapply, and some carriers will charge standard rates in the meantime.

Households must also notify their carrier within 30 days if they no longer qualify. Examples include a significant income increase, moving in with someone who already has LifeLine, or no longer participating in a qualifying public benefit. Failing to report changes can lead to back-billed charges or suspension from future enrollment.

Strategies to Maximize the Benefit

• Stack discounts: Ask carriers to apply LifeLine alongside state or federal broadband assistance programs. For instance, many providers combine LifeLine with ACP successor credits to deliver free unlimited talk/text and 25GB data plans.
• Choose the right plan type: Landline LifeLine service is ideal for households with spotty cellular coverage or who rely on fax/TTY devices. Wireless LifeLine plans suit households needing mobile data or a backup phone. Evaluate which option best fits your lifestyle.
• Monitor usage: Some plans throttle data after a threshold. Understand the limits and connect to Wi-Fi when possible to avoid overages or plan downgrades.
• Educate household members: Ensure everyone knows the discount is tied to the entire household, not an individual line. If a roommate qualifies for a Tribal or Specialized benefit, coordinate applications so that forms reference the same household but indicate the qualifying circumstances.
• Document everything: Keep copies of application confirmations, approval letters, and recertification submissions. If a carrier misapplies the discount, you’ll have evidence to escalate through CPUC’s Consumer Affairs Branch.

Coordination with Related Programs

LifeLine works alongside several other supports:

• Affordable Connectivity Program successor/California Emerging Technology Fund initiatives: If ACP is replaced or revived at the state level, LifeLine households will often get priority for low-cost broadband deals.
• Link-Up America (Tribal areas): Provides additional installation assistance.
• Community services: Many community-based organizations offer phone and broadband adoption training. Ask about digital skills classes, device refurbishment programs, or tech-support hotlines.
• Safety net programs: Since LifeLine shares eligibility criteria with Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and LIHEAP, use annual recertification to refresh enrollment in those programs too.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Application rejected for missing documents: Resubmit with clearer proof. For income, include consecutive pay stubs or a signed self-employment statement. For program participation, attach benefit award letters that show your name, program name, and current dates.
• Carrier refuses to transfer LifeLine: Contact the Administrator to initiate a benefit transfer before switching providers. The old carrier must release the discount within five business days.
• Discount not appearing: Confirm your approval date, then call the carrier’s LifeLine support desk. Provide the approval confirmation number. If unresolved, file a complaint with CPUC at 1-800-649-7570 or submit an online complaint form.
• Household changes: If a roommate leaves with the LifeLine phone, call the Administrator to de-enroll them and request a new application. Explain the change in household composition to avoid duplicate benefit flags.

Example Timeline

• Day 1: You call a carrier like TruConnect, complete a pre-screen, and receive an enrollment ID.
• Day 4: Application packet arrives. You upload Medi-Cal proof, a driver’s license, and a utility bill showing your address.
• Day 8: Administrator requests clarification on household size. You respond within 24 hours with a lease listing all occupants.
• Day 12: Approval notice arrives. Your next bill shows a $22.10 discount.
• Month 11: You receive a recertification text. You confirm ongoing Medi-Cal enrollment via the portal.
• Month 12: Discount continues seamlessly, and you add ACP successor credits to obtain free unlimited talk/text plus hotspot data.

Contact Information

• Program website: https://www.californialifeline.com/en
• Automated hotline: 1-866-272-0349 (press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish)
• California LifeLine Administrator (Maximus) mail: P.O. Box 7025, Artesia, CA 90702-7025
• CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch: 1-800-649-7570 for escalated complaints or accessibility accommodations.

Staying proactive—responding to deadlines, keeping documents updated, and coordinating benefits—allows California LifeLine to deliver its full value year after year. With consistent use, households save hundreds of dollars annually while remaining connected to critical services and loved ones.