Guide

California Lifeline Free Government Phone Service

Updated August 21, 2025 · 1 min read

Assurance Wireless offers free government phone service to eligible California residents through the California Lifeline program. This service includes a free smartphone, unlimited texts, unlimited talk minutes, and 6.5GB of data each month on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network.

California Lifeline Free Government Phone Service

California Lifeline Free Government Phone Service by Assurance Wireless

Assurance Wireless offers free government phone service to eligible California residents through the California Lifeline program. This service includes a free smartphone, unlimited texts, unlimited talk minutes, and 6.5GB of data each month on T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this free government phone service in California, applicants must participate in one of the following programs:

  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal
  • CalFresh (Food Stamps)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
  • Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit Programs
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
  • Women, Infant, and Children Program (WIC)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Tribal-specific programs such as BIA General Assistance and Tribal TANF

Alternatively, eligibility can be determined by household income.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2025

Household SizeLifeline Yearly Income
1$0 - $23,400
2$0 - $31,700
3$0 - $40,000
4$0 - $48,400
5$0 - $56,800
6$0 - $65,200
7$0 - $73,600
8$0 - $82,000