So you’re looking to save money on your cell phone bill, and heard California has a program to help. You’re in the right place. This blog post tells you everything you need to know about California Lifeline – how it provides discounts on wireless service, who’s eligible, and how to apply.
With cell phone bills taking up a bigger chunk of the budget these days, a discount sure sounds good. Read on to find out if you qualify for California Lifeline and how much you could save each month. Even if you don’t end up qualifying, you’re going to learn about resources that can help reduce costs of your wireless bill. 2 minutes of reading could save you a bunch of cash – keep going!
An Overview of the California Lifeline Program
California Lifeline provides monthly discounts on basic phone services for low-income households. Service Connection and Conversion Discounts New Lifeline customers can get up to $39 off the initial phone connection or service activation fee. If you’re switching from a landline, you could get up to $39 off the cost to convert your service.
Service Discounts
Lifeline provides up to $19.50 off your monthly bill for wireless phone service, landline phone service or bundled voice and data plans. The exact discount amount depends on which phone services you choose. Plans that only include voice service typically qualify for the maximum $19.50 discount. Bundled voice and data plans could receive a lower discount amount.
Fee Waivers
As a Lifeline customer, you’re going to get free from certain phone-related fees like the public purpose program surcharge, CPUC’s fees, excise taxes, franchise taxes, and the state 911 tax. You can save an additional $4 to $5 a month, depending on your service area.
Discounts for Special Needs
Deaf and disabled telecommunications program participants and teletypewriter users could receive discounts on installation and monthly service for a second phone line.
The California Lifeline program puts affordable phone service within reach for those who need it most. With multiple discounts and fee waivers, California Lifeline can save you $20 to $50 a month on essential cell phone services. Check with your phone service provider to apply for the Lifeline program and start saving on your bills.
Eligibility Requirements for California Lifeline
To qualify for California Lifeline’s discounted wireless plans, your household income must be at or below about $32,500 a year for an individual or $45,900 a year for a family of four.
Income Requirements
If your income is within these limits, you’re going to need to provide documentation proving your annual household income, such as pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, or other official documents.
Government Assistance Programs
If you participate in certain programs such as Medi-Cal, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, you automatically qualify for California Lifeline. You’re simply going to need to provide proof you participate in one of these programs. Here’s a full list of your qualifying government benefit programs.
California Lifeline helps make wireless service more affordable so you have access to emergency services, find jobs, and stay connected to family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save money each month on your wireless bill. Check your eligibility and apply on the California Lifeline website or by calling their toll-free number. Within a couple weeks, you could have a discounted wireless plan and save money.
Applying to California Lifeline Wireless Discounts at a StandUp Wireless Location
To apply for California Lifeline discounts with StandUp Wireless in California, you’re going to need to stop by one of their local stores or retail locations. StandUp Wireless offers affordable wireless plans and phones to qualifying low-income customers in California.
Bring Documentation
When you visit a StandUp Wireless location, be sure to bring documents proving you meet the Lifeline eligibility requirements, such as proof of income or enrollment in certain public assistance programs. Acceptable documents include pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, or enrollment letters. You’re also going to need a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Application
A StandUp Wireless representative will walk you through filling out the Lifeline application, which includes basic information such as your name, address, birth date, and the number of people in your household. Your information will be verified to confirm you meet the Lifeline income requirements before approving you for the program.
California Lifeline Rules & Limitations
California’s Lifeline program does have some rules to consider once you’re participating in it.
Only 1 Discount Each Household
California Lifeline only allows one discounted cell phone service each household. This means all people living at your address can only have one discounted Lifeline plan between them. Before enrolling in the program, make sure no one else in your household already has Lifeline service.
Enrollment Request Freeze
Once you submit an enrollment request for Lifeline, you must wait 30 days before submitting another request. This 30-day freeze period applies even if your initial request is denied for some reason. The California Public Utilities Commission instituted this rule to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program.
Annual Re-Certification Required
To continue receiving benefits from your California Lifeline administrator, you must re-certify your eligibility yearly. This involves providing documentation to your phone carrier that shows you still meet the income requirements for Lifeline. If you do not provide this annual re-certification, your Lifeline benefits will be discontinued.
Lifeline is Non-Transferable
Your Lifeline benefit is tied to you and your household. You cannot transfer your Lifeline service to another person. Doing so would constitute fraud and could result in legal consequences as well as loss of your Lifeline benefit.
Benefits of receiving affordable phone service in California
So what’s the point of getting phone service anyway? Well, in today’s digital world, having access to a device is essential with most people. Many tasks in our daily lives require some sort of connection.
Stay connected with friends and family
Having access to a phone is critical for staying in touch with the important people in your life. An affordable wireless phone plan means you can call friends and family whenever you’d like without worrying about expensive overage charges or running out of minutes. For a bunch of Californians, phone service is their only way to connect with loved ones, especially those who live far away.
Safety and emergency access
A working phone line provides security and peace of mind in emergency situations. If there’s ever a fire, medical emergency or other crisis, you’re going to have a way to call 911 for help right away. Parents of school-age children rest easier knowing their kids can reach them in an emergency. Affordable phone service gives you an essential lifeline in dangerous or life-threatening situations.
Access resources and opportunities
These days, a phone is more than just a phone. It’s your gateway to finding jobs, getting healthcare, finding transportation, and accessing government resources. Many of these services are only accessible by calling a phone number or using an app on your mobile device. Without service, you could miss out on opportunities and access to resources that improve your life.
Stay on budget with discount plans
The California LifeLine program offers low-cost or free wireless phone service to qualifying individuals and families. LifeLine provides discounts on phone bills and additional benefits depending on your plan. If money is dwindling, a LifeLine discount phone plan could help ensure you stay connected while within your budget.
Apply for StandUp Wireless' Phone Benefits
If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely facing some sort of financial struggle with your phone bills. Don’t worry — it happens. As an Authorized Distributor of StandUp Wireless and an eligible telecommunications carrier, we’re here to help!
Partnering with programs such as California’s Lifeline, we’re offering discounted home phone or cell phone packages to eligible customers just like yourself. Whether you need to keep in touch with friends & family or you want to just save money on your current plan, here’s what we’re offering:
StandUp Wireless California Offer
- Free Smartphone
- Unlimited Talk
- Unlimited Text
- 6GB of Data
To start, just come to one of our stores in California, where our customer service agent will help you apply for your benefits.