Free iPhone California 2026: Eligibility & Providers
California LifeLine Guide
Some days it feels like everything is online, and you are just watching from the outside. Essential tasks like jobs, school notices, doctor messages, EBT, and benefits all sit on a screen you reach only sometimes. It shouldn’t be this hard to stay connected. If you live in California, have a cracked phone, use public Wi-Fi, or worry that your service will be shut off, this guide is for you. (Residents of Florida have different rules.)
We will walk through how to use California LifeLine and real providers to get a free iPhone in California or an affordable service.
How Phone Help Works In California
- Federal Lifeline
- State California LifeLine, run through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
California LifeLine combines the federal Lifeline support with a state subsidy so that, with the right provider, your monthly bill can drop close to zero for one line in your household.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helped with home internet and some phone bundles, ended on June 1, 2024. There is no replacement federal phone subsidy in 2025. So for Californians, California Lifeline is now the main path to low-cost or free phone service.
Who Qualifies For A Free iPhone
Program-Based Eligibility
You are usually eligible if you or someone in your household is on one of these programs:
- Medi Cal (Medicaid)
- CalFresh (SNAP / Food Stamps)
- WIC
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
- CalWORKs, Tribal TANF, GAIN, StanWORKs, and similar programs
- Specific other income-based assistance programs listed by Lifeline and California LifeLine
Income-Based Eligibility
If nobody in your home is on a qualifying program, you can still qualify through income.
| Household size | Maximum annual income |
| 1 | $24,200 |
| 2 | $32,600 |
| 3 | $41,100 |
| 4 | $49,600 |
| Each extra person | $+ 8,500 dollars |
You must also:
- Live in California, and
- Agree that your home will use only one LifeLine discount (one discounted line per household)
Benefit Qualifying Person Rule
A Benefit Qualifying Person (BQP) is a newer but essential detail that many people and many articles miss.
In simple words:
If your child has Medi-Cal or WIC, your household may still qualify for California LifeLine and a low-cost or free phone plan, using your child as the benefit-qualifying person.
This is powerful for grandparents, guardians, or mixed-status families where the adult does not receive benefits directly.
Minimum Service Standards In 2025
- Basic wireless plan
- State support amounts to around $12.85.
- Mobile voice and text: unlimited.
- Mobile data: at least 4.5 GB per month.
- Standard wireless plan
- State support is $19.
- Mobile voice and text: unlimited.
- Mobile data: at least 6 GB per month.
Providers listed later in this guide offer 6-10 GB of data, which means they meet or exceed these minimum standards for most California LifeLine customers.
How To Apply For California Lifeline
1. Choose a participating provider
First, pick a California LifeLine provider that serves your ZIP code. You can do this by:
- Calling the California LifeLine Call Center, or
- Using the official Provider Search tool on the California LifeLine website
2. Tell the provider you want the LifeLine plan
Contact the provider and clearly say you want their California LifeLine plan. They will collect your basic details and send an enrollment request to the state LifeLine Administrator.
3. Watch for the pink envelope
Within a short time, you should receive a pink envelope in the mail. It includes:
- Your California LifeLine application, and
- A Personal Identification Number (PIN)
You must keep this envelope safe. A PIN is required to complete your application.
4. Complete your application before the deadline
You now have two options:
- Online: Visit californialifeline.com, enter your PIN, and complete the application. Upload any requested documents.
- By mail: Fill in the paper form, attach copies of the requested proof documents, and mail it back in the prepaid envelope before the printed deadline.
If you miss the deadline, you will usually have to restart the process.
5. Approval and phone delivery
If you are approved:
- Your provider sends a SIM card or a phone.
- Your LifeLine discount is added to that line.
- If that provider has iPhone promotions available for California LifeLine users, you may receive a free older iPhone or a discounted iPhone upgrade instead of a basic Android phone.
Key Contacts And Help Centers
| Help center | What they do | Contact details |
| Lifeline Support Center (USAC) | Answers federal Lifeline questions, helps with application status, and documentation. | Phone 800 234 9473 |
| California LifeLine Call Center | Explains California LifeLine rules, language, and participating providers | Phone 866 272 0349 |
| 211 California | Connects you to local nonprofits, sign-up events, and digital help | Dial 211 from anywhere in California |
Providers Offering iPhone Options
The table below focuses on providers that:
- Run free iPhone promotions, or
- Provide discounted iPhone upgrades for LifeLine customers in California
All of them meet the minimum data standards listed earlier. Some go higher, especially on 10 GB plans.
Comparison Table
| Provider | How iPhone Is Offered | Typical CA LifeLine Plan* | Cost For Eligible Users | Customer Service |
| AirTalk Wireless | Free or discounted iPhone 8 / 11 when in stock | Unlimited talk, text, and about 10 GB data | $0 for the base plan | 206 445 7825 / 855 924 7825 |
| Sequoia Wireless | Free iPhone 6S or free SIM after approval | Unlimited talk, text, about 6 GB data | Typically $0 | 800 487 4975 |
| TAG Mobile | Free iPhone promos for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and SSI users when active | Unlimited talk, text, and about 10 GB data | Usually $0 | 800 986 5670 |
| Gen Mobile | Free Android, discounted iPhone upgrades | Free talk, text, about 6 GB data | Plan $0, iPhone upgrade paid | 833 528 1380 |
| SafeLink Wireless | Free Android, paid iPhone SE / 11 upgrades | Unlimited talk, text, several GB data | Plan $0, upgrade paid | 800 378 1684 / 800 723 3546 |
FAQs
Can I really get a free iPhone in California?
Yes, providers like Sequoia Wireless and AirTalk Wireless have offered older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 6S or iPhone 8, for free.
Are the newest iPhone models included?
LifeLine iPhone offers in California typically use older models, such as iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, or iPhone 11. Newer iPhones are usually available as paid upgrades.
What if my child is the only one on benefits?
This is where the Benefit Qualifying Person (BQP) rule comes into play. Suppose your child or dependent is on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, WIC, SSI, or another qualifying program. In that case, your household may still qualify for California LifeLine using your child as the BQP, even if you are not enrolled in those programs.
How long does approval take?
After your provider starts the request and you return the pink envelope application, approval can be as fast as a few business days if your information matches program records. It can take longer if proof documents are missing, unclear, or mailed close to the deadline. See the full timeline.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Most LifeLine providers in California allow number porting. You can usually keep your current number if you provide your old carrier’s account number and PIN during sign-up.
Can my household get more than one Lifeline phone?
No. California follows the one Lifeline discount per household rule. That means, typically, one discounted line and one subsidized device or SIM per household, except in rare, exceptional cases, such as specific disability arrangements.
Conclusion!
