Free phone or SIM card + unlimited talk and text + 6–25 GB of data a month, with no monthly bill, if you qualify for California LifeLine.
Who is this for?What you getHow to get your free phoneFree-phone sign-up events near youWhich free phone company uses which networkWhat documents do you need?Proof of eligibility (pick one)Proof of address (pick one)Once you have your phoneHelpful tipsInternational callingLost or stolen phone?Keep your old numberEspañolRelated guides
Who is this for?
If you have a low income or receive benefits like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, or other assistance programs, you can get a completely free cell phone and service. You do not need an existing phone or internet to sign up.
What you get
- A free phone from most companies. Some send only a SIM card for a phone you already have; the table says which.
- Unlimited talk and text
- Free monthly data: 6–25 GB, depending on the company (see the table).
- Free calls to some other countries with some companies (see "International calling" below)
- No monthly bill on the free plans. Watch for one-time fees: Life Wireless charges $50 for the SIM card.
How to get your free phone
Free-phone sign-up events near you
Sometimes a phone company sets up a table where you can sign up and leave with a phone the same day. These change often, so we only list ones we've confirmed recently.
Last checked: October 22, 2026. Right now we haven't confirmed a current sign-up table in Nevada County.
The fastest way today:
- Sign up online or by phone. Pick a provider from the table below that uses a network that works at your home. Many will mail you a free phone.
- Or come to us. We'll help you check which network reaches your home and apply with you. Contact us.
Know of a sign-up table near you? Tell us and we'll check it and add it here.
Which free phone company uses which network
Checked October 22, 2026, against the official California LifeLine provider search for Grass Valley, Nevada City and North San Juan, and each company's own website. Plans change; the company's site has the final word.
You can't choose the network. Each company puts you on its own network, so pick a company whose network works at your home.
Company | Network | Free plan today | Free phone? | How to sign up |
Assurance Wireless | T-Mobile | Unlimited talk & text, 12 GB data | Yes, a basic smartphone (or bring your own) | Online, by phone 1-888-321-5880, or by mail. Grass Valley ZIP 95945 only. |
StandUp Wireless | T-Mobile | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB | Yes (may be refurbished) | Online or 1-800-544-4441 |
American Assistance | T-Mobile | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB | SIM card (bring your own phone) | Online or 1-888-392-3001 |
Sequoia Wireless (new) | T-Mobile | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB + hotspot | Yes, or a SIM card | Online or (800) 487-4975 |
Access Wireless | T-Mobile | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB | Yes | Online or 1-888-900-8920. Not North San Juan (95960). |
SafetyNet Wireless | T-Mobile (likely) | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB | Some free phone options | Online or 888-224-3213 |
AirTalk Wireless | AT&T (likely) | Unlimited talk & text, 12 GB with a free smartphone, or 25 GB if you bring your own | Yes. Also a tablet offer: from $0, or an iPad 7 in some areas (varies by location and stock) | Online or (855) 924-7825 |
TAG Mobile | AT&T (likely) | Unlimited talk & text, 12 GB | Yes, a smartphone (or bring your own) | Online or (800) 986-5670 |
Life Wireless | AT&T (likely) | Unlimited talk & text, 10 GB, but a $50 one-time SIM fee | Phone mailed | Online or 1-888-543-3620 |
Red Pocket LifeLine | AT&T-compatible only | Unlimited talk & text, 10 GB ($1/mo for 20 GB) | No, SIM only (bring your own phone) | Online only at assist.redpocket.com |
SafeLink Wireless | Verizon | Unlimited talk & text, 10 GB | Yes, mailed | Online or 1-800-723-3546 |
TruConnect | T-Mobile or Verizon (per Wikipedia) | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB + hotspot, free calls to some countries | Yes, or a SIM card | Online, or in a TruConnect store |
Gen Mobile (new) | AT&T or T-Mobile (per Wikipedia) | Unlimited talk & text, 6–7 GB + hotspot | Sometimes (new or refurbished, while supplies last) | Online or (833) 528-1380 |
enTouch Wireless (new) | AT&T or T-Mobile | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB | Yes | Online or (866) 488-8719 |
Infiniti Mobile / Excess Telecom (new: same company) | not stated (call and ask) | Unlimited talk & text, 6 GB | Yes, for qualified applicants | Online (Excess Telecom) or 800-615-0898 |
"Likely" means the company's own coverage map is an AT&T or T-Mobile map, but it doesn't name the network in words. "Per Wikipedia" means the company's site doesn't name its network, so we used Wikipedia's list of mobile virtual network operators (October 9, 2026 version). Where a company shows two networks, you can't choose which one you get; call and ask before you sign up.
Tablets: no California LifeLine company offers a free tablet today (the old ACP tablet offers are gone).
Not sure which network works at your home? Come to us and we'll check with you.
What documents do you need?
You'll need two things: proof that you qualify, and proof of your address.
Proof of eligibility (pick one)
- EBT card (CalFresh)
- Medi-Cal card (the original one)
- TANF or CalWORKs letter
- National School Lunch Program letter
- WIC card or letter
- LIHEAP letter
- SSI award letter
- Passport to Services (a letter from your county showing you receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh)
- Your tax return (cannot be handwritten; income must be under your household's California LifeLine limit — about $24,600 for 1 person, $33,300 for 2, higher for larger households; see californialifeline.com)
If your name, date of birth, or Social Security number is not in their system, you'll also need a signed Social Security card and either a birth certificate or government ID.
Proof of address (pick one)
- Recent utility bill (within 90 days) with your name and address
- Pay stub or W-2 with your name and address
- Last year's tax return with your name and address
- Current mortgage or lease agreement
- Unexpired California driver's license or state ID
- Government assistance documents with your name, address, and dates
- CalFresh or Medi-Cal verification letter
- A "Verification of Services" letter from a nonprofit — it must include your name (matching your eligibility card), state that you are a client, and be on the organization's letterhead with the address clearly displayed
Once you have your phone
Here's what to know when you first get your phone:
Find your new number. It comes in a text message or with your phone.
Use it at least once every 30 days (a call, a text or some data), or the free service can be stopped.
Renew every year. California LifeLine will ask you to confirm you still qualify. Watch your mail and answer by the deadline, or the free service ends.
Charge it with the included charger (if a phone came with your plan).
Data and international calling can take a few days to turn on.
If you signed up with SafeLink:
- Your number arrives in a text from 611611.
- Watch for a pink welcome letter in the mail.
- Your first renewal letter comes in about 11.5 weeks.
Helpful tips
SafeLink customers: text these keywords to 611611 for quick help:
- SPEED: check whether your data speed has been slowed down
- MINC: change your phone number
- USAGE: see your current usage
- CHAT: get help through chat
- SUPPORT: report service issues
- APP: download the My SafeLink app
Other companies: see your welcome letter or call the number in the table above.
International calling
It depends on the company:
- AirTalk and TruConnect advertise free calls to many countries.
- Red Pocket includes 20+ countries on its LifeLine plans.
- Sequoia blocks international calls.
- The others: check the company's website or call them (numbers in the table above).
Lost or stolen phone?
- Call your phone company right away from a different phone, so no one else can use your line. Their numbers are in the table above.
- Ask them for a replacement, or switch to a different company to get a phone sooner.
- I can give you a replacement phone 90 days after you cancel your service
Keep your old number
You can almost always transfer your old phone number to your new free phone. It's a federal law! Learn more from the FCC. When you sign up, tell your new phone company you want to keep your number. They'll move it for you.
Español
Servicio de celular gratuito y teléfono inteligente para personas de bajos ingresos
Esta guía explica cómo obtener un teléfono celular y servicio gratis a través del programa California LifeLine para personas de bajos ingresos. Incluye una tabla de las compañías de LifeLine en California: qué red usa cada una, qué plan gratuito ofrece y cómo inscribirse. Usted no puede elegir la red, así que escoja una compañía cuya red funcione en su casa. También explica los requisitos de elegibilidad, los comprobantes de domicilio y qué hacer una vez que tenga el teléfono.
Datos gratis cada mes: de 6 a 25 GB, según la compañía (vea la tabla).
Related guides
- Free Internet — get free or low-cost internet at home
- Free places to spend EBT — stretch your CalFresh benefits further
- How to use TechEMPOWER.org — find more resources like this