Free smartphone + free unlimited talk, text, and data through a government program called Lifeline. Available to anyone with low income in California.
Who is this for?What you getHow to get your free phoneOption 1: Sign up in person (fastest)Option 2: Sign up online (phone mailed to you)What 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
- Free smartphone
- Unlimited talk and text
- Unlimited data
- Unlimited international calling to 69 countries (with some providers)
- No monthly bill — the service is 100% free
How to get your free phone
Option 1: Sign up in person (fastest)
You can visit a local representative and walk out with your phone the same day:
Provider | Where | When |
Safelink Wireless | Burger King in Linda (by Walmart) | Mon–Fri ~10am–2pm (ask for Tim) |
Assurance Wireless | Interfaith Food Bank, Grass Valley | Wednesdays 10am–1pm (ask for Cassandra) |
Access Wireless | Dollar Tree in Linda | Check for current hours |
Option 2: Sign up online (phone mailed to you)
If you can't visit in person, these providers will mail you a free phone. Just sign up on their website:
Provider | Network | Website |
Safelink Wireless ⭐ | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile | |
Assurance Wireless | T-Mobile | |
StandUp Wireless | T-Mobile | |
TruConnect | T-Mobile | |
Life Wireless | AT&T, T-Mobile | |
TAG Mobile | Verizon, T-Mobile | |
Access Wireless | T-Mobile | |
SafetyNet Wireless | T-Mobile | |
Airtalk Wireless | AT&T | |
American Assistance | Verizon, T-Mobile | |
Infiniti Mobile | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile |
⭐ Our recommendation: Safelink Wireless works on all 3 networks in California and includes unlimited international calling to 69 countries. See the full list of countries. Safelink also supports WiFi calling, WiFi texting, hotspot, and call forwarding.
Provider list based on the California Lifeline provider search and Wikipedia's MVNO list.
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 $28,000/year)
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 will be in a text message from 611611
Make a call or send a text once a month to keep the service active
Charge with the included charger
Watch for a pink welcome letter in the mail
Recertification letter will arrive in about 11.5 weeks
Unlimited data and international calling may take up to 5 days to activate
Helpful tips
Text these keywords to 611611 for quick help:
- SPEED — check if 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
International calling
To make international calls, dial 1-800-584-7652, or download the International Dialer App:
Lost or stolen phone?
- Cancel immediately by calling 1-800-SAFELIN from a different phone
- You can get a new phone from them, or switch to a different provider to get one right away
- 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. Call 1-800-SAFELIN from a different phone to start the transfer.
Español
Servicio de celular gratuito y teléfono inteligente para personas de bajos ingresos
Esta guía proporciona información sobre el servicio de celular gratuito y los teléfonos inteligentes para personas de bajos ingresos en California. Enumera varios proveedores de Lifeline en California, requisitos de elegibilidad y comprobantes de domicilio. Se recomienda Safelink Wireless, ya que ofrece llamadas, mensajes de texto, datos y llamadas internacionales ilimitadas. La guía también incluye detalles sobre el teléfono gratuito, los documentos de elegibilidad y qué hacer una vez que tenga el teléfono.
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