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Like other places in the United States, California also has many individuals who cannot afford digital access. So, for them, getting a free government phone in California could be a life-changer.
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Ways to Get A Free Government Phone in California
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Here are your options to get a free government phone if you live in California.
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- California Lifeline Program
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California LifeLine gives you the best shot at getting a free smartphone from the government. For those unaware, California Lifeline is a program that helps financially weaker households get Internet and cellular access. It does so by offering subsidized cellular and internet plans.
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On the bright side, because Lifeline works with service providers, you can get a free smartphone with some plans. Thanks to this option, you can continue paying the subsidized price for a mobile or internet connection and use the smartphone free of charge.
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- Non-governmental Assistance
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There is no dearth of non-profit organizations in California, and many of them provide assistance to those who are facing financial difficulties.
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So, you can always count on one of these programs to get a free phone. However, such programs are dependent on multiple third-party sources, not the federal or state government. Therefore, we think you should go for the California Lifeline program.
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How to Qualify for the California Lifeline Program
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You can qualify for the California Lifeline program using two methods. You can use any of these methods to prove that you are eligible for the program:
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- Program-based Eligibility
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If you are already benefiting from an assistance program like Medicaid or SNAP, you automatically qualify for the California Lifeline program. It happens because the existing assistance is based on your income situation.
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The full list includes Medicaid/Medi-Cal, LIHEAP, SSI, Section 8, SNAP, WIC, NSL, TANF, CalWORKs, StanWORKs, WTW, GAIN, Tribal TANF, BIA General Assistance, Head Start (Tribal Only), FDPIR, and the Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Program. In this case, you can use the benefit letter for these programs or the EBT card to qualify for the California Lifeline program.
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- Income-based Eligibility
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If you haven’t availed of any other assistance program, you can still qualify for California Lifeline. You simply need to prove that your household income is less than the limits set by the California government. For instance, if your household has 3 members, the annual income limit should be less than $40,000, whereas the limit is $48,400 for a 4-member household.
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Once you confirm either of these options, you can start the application procedure for California Lifeline.
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Application Procedure: Overview
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The application procedure for California Lifeline is straightforward for the most part.
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- First, you need to find a Lifeline provider that is offering subsidized internet access and a free phone with it. You can always find Lifeline providers nearby using multiple platforms. TruConnect, Life Wireless, Gen Mobile, enTouch Wireless, and Assurance Wireless are some options you can consider.
- You can contact the suitable service provider and start your application for a California Lifeline mobile or home phone plan. Once you are done with the preliminary application, you can move on to the next step.
- Now, you need to visit the official website of the Lifeline program and apply for it. Make sure you upload all the required documents as per the eligibility criteria. You can always use your driving license or another state-provided document to prove your identity.
- The Lifeline program may take up to a few days to provide you with a response. You may need more time when you send the application via mail.
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Once you receive the response, the cellular/home service provider will quickly set up the plan, and you will have a smartphone with subsidized internet access. Keep in mind that the California Lifeline program offers various types of discounts based on your eligibility. You can visit the official website to know more.
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FAQs
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Is the internet access free with the smartphone?
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No, Internet access is not free with the smartphone. Even though you get a smartphone free of charge, you should pay a monthly charge for the service.
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How many free smartphones can I get?
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The Lifeline program restricts the number of smartphones to one device per household. Therefore, if someone in your household has already utilised the service, you are no longer eligible.
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Conclusion
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You should also keep in mind that you cannot sell the free smartphone. You might face cancellation if you fail to use the service you got via Lifeline.
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