Automatic Qualification for California Residents
If you participate in any of the programs listed below, you are immediately eligible for a free mobile device and free monthly service through the combined Lifeline and ACP government subsidies.
Check Eligibility Instantly →QUICK GUIDE FOR CALIFORNIANS
Four Primary Ways to Qualify for Free Service in California
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The SSI program provides crucial financial assistance. Your enrollment automatically satisfies the requirements for free mobile service.
SSI in California →
CalFresh (SNAP)
Participation in CalFresh is the most common path to eligibility. If you receive this food assistance, you are pre-approved.
CalFresh in California →
Medi-Cal (Medicaid)
Enrollment in Medi-Cal proves your income eligibility instantly, making the application process for free phone service quick and simple.
Medi-Cal in California →
VA Pension Benefits
Veterans and their surviving family members receiving Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits automatically qualify. This is a dedicated eligibility pathway created to connect our military community with essential services.
VA Pension in California →REAL STORIES
Trusted by Thousands of Families
Simple Qualification Process
“I wasn’t sure which program qualified me, but this site made it clear. My Medi-Cal card was all I needed to get the application rolling fast and save money.”
– Brenda H., California
CalFresh Made It Automatic
“My CalFresh eligibility instantly gave me access to the combined Lifeline and ACP discount. It was the fastest application I’ve ever done for a benefit program.”
– David P., California
Veteran Enrollment
“The VA Pension qualification pathway is a real win for veterans. I highly recommend using this method—it cuts out all the complex verification steps.”
– Veteran T., California
No Income Hassle
“My household qualifies through Medi-Cal. The best part is that I didn’t have to submit any tedious income paperwork. The provider just verified my existing government enrollment.”
– Vanessa P., California
Simple Qualification Process
“I wasn’t sure which program qualified me, but this site made it clear. My Medi-Cal card was all I needed to get the application rolling fast and save money.”
– Brenda H., California
CalFresh Made It Automatic
“My CalFresh eligibility instantly gave me access to the combined Lifeline and ACP discount. It was the fastest application I’ve ever done for a benefit program.”
– David P., California
Ready to Get Started?
Enter your zip code below to instantly check which of our vetted provider partners serve your area in California.
Eligibility & Free Mobile Service FAQs
The fastest way for California residents to qualify for the Lifeline and ACP benefits is through automatic eligibility via participation in key state programs like Medi-Cal, CalFresh (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Veterans Pension Benefits.
No. If you are currently enrolled in SSI, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or VA Pension Benefits, your participation acts as automatic proof of low-income status. This allows you to skip the complicated process of providing pay stubs or tax returns for income verification.
Yes. The state programs Medi-Cal and CalFresh are recognized equivalents of the federal Medicaid and SNAP programs and automatically qualify California residents for the full federal subsidy.
All federal and state assistance programs recognized by the National Verifier qualify you for both the federal Lifeline subsidy (up to $9.25/month) and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) subsidy (up to $30/month). These are combined by service providers to offer free mobile service.
You should have a current award letter, benefit statement, or verification document for your specific program (SSI, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or VA Pension) dated within the last 12 months, along with a photo ID.
You only need one qualifying program to receive the full benefit. Having multiple qualifying programs simply gives you more pathways to easily prove your eligibility, but the monthly discount you receive remains the same (one per household).