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California LifeLine Program - 211 San Joaquin | Get Connected. Get Help.

California LifeLine Program

Agency: CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

  • Description:

    Provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households.

    Discounts apply to home phone services on a flat monthly rate, including two lines for TTY users or those in the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program.

    Landline carriers: AT&T, ConnectTo, ECNTel.

    Discounted cell phone services are available on flat monthly rates, with prices based on the wireless plan. Customers choose their provider and plan.

    Wireless carriers: Access Wireless, AirTalk Wireless, American Assistance, Assurance Wireless, enTouch Wireless, Excess Telecom, Infiniti Mobile, Life Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, SafetyNet Wireless, StandUp Wireless, TAG Mobile, TruConnect.

    Only one discount per household is allowed (exceptions for TTY users and Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants). Households must choose either a home phone or cell phone discount, not both.

    • Phone:

    Email: public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
    Website: www.californialifeline.com

    Program Hours

  • Hours: Mon: 7am - 7pm; Tue: 7am - 7pm; Wed: 7am - 7pm; Thu: 7am - 7pm; Fri: 7am - 7pm; - (Website accessible Mon-Sun 24 hours. Center closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, President's Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.)

    • Location(s)

    Sacramento - CPUC Sacramento Office

    • Accessibility: Potential limitations to access – call for details
    • Address: 300 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814

    Program Delivery

    • Eligibility: Must meet eligibility Option 1 or Option 2 as describe below: Eligibility Option 1 Program-Based Qualification: May qualify for California LifeLine if you or another person in your household is enrolled in any one of these qualifying public assistance programs: *Medicaid/Medi-Cal *Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) *Supplemental Security Income (SSI) *Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8 *CalFresh, Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) *Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) *National School Lunch Program (NSL) *Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs); Welfare-to-Work (WTW); Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) *Tribal TANF *Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance *Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only) *Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations *Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program Or Eligibility Option 2 Income-Based Qualification: May qualify for California LifeLine if your household's total annual gross income is at or less than these annual income limits: Household Size / Annual Income Limits 1 / $24,200 2 / $32,600 3 / $41,100 4 / $49,600 5 / $58,10 6 / $66,600 7 / $75,100 8 / $83,600 Each Additional Member $8,500
    • Languages: English and Spanish. Additional languages and ASL are provided via a translation service.
    • Application Process: Call or apply online
    • Program Fees: Fee varies based on wireless plan with a one-time activation fee
    • Required Documents: Option 1: Documentation of proof of eligibility is required. Submit copies of proof of eligibility with the completed and signed application. Make sure that your signature is very clear and legible. Option 2: Documentation is required to show your household’s total annual gross income meets the annual income limits if you are qualifying by Income-Based.

      • Service Area

    • Defined Coverage Area: N/A