Welcome to California Free Government Smartphones and Free Government Cell Phones Lifeline Page! When one thinks about 39 million people living in the most populous U.S. state, it is highly doubtful poverty is the first association that comes to mind. Nevertheless, more than 6.5 million Californians live in poverty. One reason for these upsetting statistics is the 7.6% unemployment rate (which is the nation’s 5th highest one). Therefore, the number of people seeking the government’s help is very significant. Many enroll in various aid programs, including the California Lifeline free government cell phones and smartphones program.
Lifeline Free Government Cell Phones Program in California
All facts considered, California has an extensive budget. Residents of state enrolled in California Lifeline receive more benefits and subsidies than people in other states of our country. Because state authorities pitch in their share to the Lifeline budget of providers conducting business in the Golden State. 
Additional subsidies to wireless service providers mean better free government cell phones and smartphones, more minutes, even unlimited airtime plans, unlimited data packages, etc., for all California Lifeline subscribers. Read the info and learn about possible additional privileges for California residents who apply for free government phone with the following providers:
- Access Wireless
- American Assistance
- Assurance Wireless
- EnTouch Wireless
- Feel Safe Wireless
- Life Wireless
- Safelink Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
- StandUP Wireless
- Tag Mobile
- TruConnect Wireless
Who is eligible for California free government smartphones and free government cell phones?
If you participate in any or several of the following government assistance programs, you are probably eligible for a free phone from the government:
- Medicaid/ Medi-Cal
- CalFresh
- Food Stamps/ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- National School Lunch Program (NSL)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program
- Section 8/ Federal Public Housing Assistance
- California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
- Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (StanWORKs)
- Welfare-to-Work (WTW)
- Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
- Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Veterans pension or survivors pension.
You can also qualify based on the household income rule: your household income has to be lower or at the level calculated based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines for California. For 2021/22 this number is shown in the table below.
| Household size (number of people) | Eligible annual income per household |
|---|---|
| 1 | $28,500 |
| 2 | $28,500 |
| 3 | $33,100 |
| 4 | $40,300 |
| 5 | $47,500 |
| 6 | $54,700 |
| 7 | $61,900 |
| 8 | $69,100 |
| For each additional person, add | $7,200 |
Click here to see all steps needed to enroll in California Lifeline free government smartphones and a free government cell phone program.