California Lifeline Program · State-Authorized Provider
Free & Discounted Phone and Internet for Qualifying California Households
If you receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, or your household is at or below the income limit, you qualify for a $0 – $15/month phone or internet plan from ConnectTo — a state-authorized California Lifeline provider.
Also available in Español · Also in Armenian, Russian, Farsi, and Arabic
Do I qualify?
Qualify automatically if anyone in your household receives any of these programs:
Medi-Cal
Medicaid for California residents.
CalFresh (SNAP)
Food assistance benefits.
SSI / SSP
Supplemental Security Income.
CalWORKs
California Work Opportunity & Responsibility to Kids.
Federal Public Housing
Section 8 or other federal housing assistance.
Veterans / Survivors Pension
VA pension benefits.
Tribal Assistance
Bureau of Indian Affairs Assistance / Tribal TANF.
Income-Based
Household at or below the annual income limit (updated yearly by CPUC).
Not sure if you qualify? Call us at 1-888-570-6783 and we’ll walk through eligibility with you — no charge, no commitment.
What you get with California Lifeline
Discounted monthly bill
Qualifying households pay $0–$15/mo for phone or internet, depending on the plan selected. The state discount is applied directly — no rebates, no paperwork on your end.
Unlimited local & long-distance
Home phone plans include unlimited calling across the U.S. — voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting at no extra cost.
Keep your current number
Porting is free. We handle the paperwork — your existing phone number moves to ConnectTo without a service interruption.
Multi-language support
Customer support in English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Farsi, and Arabic — any hour, any day.
Annual re-certification help
We remind you every year and help you re-certify so your discount never lapses. One less thing to track.
No hidden fees
No activation fee, no installation charge, no equipment rental. What you see is what you pay.
How to apply — 3 steps
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1
Submit the form below
Just your name and phone number. We’ll call you back within one business day to verify eligibility — no Social Security Number needed up front.
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2
We verify eligibility
Our certified enrollers check your eligibility against the state database. If you receive Medi-Cal / CalFresh / SSI, verification is usually instant.
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3
Your service starts
Approval typically takes 2–7 days. Once approved, phone service activates in 24–48 hours; internet install is scheduled on a day that works for you.
Apply Now — 2 Minutes
Start your California Lifeline application
Prefer to talk now? Call or email — our team answers any hour, any day.
Or fill out the application below — we’ll call you back within one business day.
Protected by reCAPTCHA v3. Prefer to talk now? Call 1-888-570-6783 — 24/7.
Common questions
Is this a real government program?
Yes. California Lifeline is administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). ConnectTo is a CPUC-authorized Lifeline provider — we deliver the service and the state funds the discount.
What does it actually cost me?
$0 to $15/month depending on the plan. Home phone is typically $0 for qualifying households. There’s no activation fee, no installation charge, no equipment rental, and no contract.
How long does approval take?
Most approvals land in 2 to 7 days. If you’re already receiving Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or SSI, verification is usually same-day because we can check the state database directly.
Do I need a Social Security Number to apply?
Not for the first call. We only need your SSN at the final application step, and it’s transmitted to CPUC over their secure system. One phone line per household limit applies.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Yes. We handle the port-in process at no charge. Your number moves to ConnectTo with no service interruption — usually same-day.
What if I already have phone service with another company?
Fine. Many households qualify for a Lifeline discount even when switching from another provider. We’ll confirm your eligibility and coordinate the switch so you don’t lose service.
What if I already have Lifeline with another company?
The rule is one Lifeline benefit per household. If you currently have Lifeline with another provider and want to switch to ConnectTo, we’ll help you transfer your benefit — no gap, no paperwork on your side.
ConnectTo Communications, Inc. is a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)-authorized California Lifeline provider. Lifeline is a government assistance program. The Lifeline benefit is available to only one subscriber per household, and is non-transferable. Only eligible consumers may enroll in Lifeline. Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, de-enrollment, or can be barred from the program. For full program rules see californialifeline.com.