California LifeLine and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

You may qualify for free wireless phone service, internet service and a free phone, or another internet-capbable device, through the California LifeLine and/or the ACP. Please read below to learn more about these two programs. 

What is the California LifeLine program?

The California LifeLine Program (California LifeLine) is a state program that provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households. The California LifeLine discount help consumers lower the cost of their phone bills. Only one discount per household is allowed (except for teletypewriter users and for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants). Each household must choose to get the discount either on a home phone or on a cell phone, but not on both. Check out the Types of Discounted Services Available to learn about the program's benefits.

How to Get Free Phone Service in California

Many participating service providers, like TruConnect, offer monthly phone service plans for California LifeLine and ACP participants like you.

California LifeLine Qualifications

Your households may qualify for California LifeLine by income or program participation. The programs that will qualify you for California LifeLine are listed below. 

1. Medicaid and Medi-Cal

2. LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

3. SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

4. Section 8 or Federal Public Housing Assistance

5. SNAP or CalFresh

6. WIC

7. National School Lunch Program (NSL)

8. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) including CalWORKs, StanWORKS, WTW, and GAIN

9. Tribal TANF

10. Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

11. Head Start (Tribal only)

12. Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

13. Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits.

Your household may also qualify for California LifeLine if your annual income meets the following criteria:

California LifeLine Phone Program Application

Start your California LifeLine Application online with TruConnect today! 

What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program designed to reduce or eliminate the costs of monthly broadband services. This program also offers a one-time credit toward the purchase of a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Your eligible household will receive a monthly discount of up to $30 toward your monthly broadband service. The discount is up to $75 if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands.

The ACP offers a one-time benefit of up to $100 toward a phone or internet-capable devices like tablets, laptops, or desktop computers. You will be required to pay at least $10.01 towards the device, but not more than $50. 

ACP Qualifications

Your household is eligible for the ACP if your income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of your household participates in one of the following:

1. Assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance, WIC, LifeLine, or SSI. 

2. Tribal assistance programs like the Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Tribal TANF.

3. The National School Lunch Program, or the School Breakfast Program, which includes USDA Community Eligibility Provision programs. 

4. The Federal Pell Grant program.

Affordable Connectivity Program Application

Apply to receive the ACP benefit online with TruConnect now!

How to Connect with TruConnect in California

TruConnect has a special LifeLine plan for its California customers. If you participate in LifeLine, you qualify for a FREE ACP plan that includes at least 8 GB of 4G/LTE data, with Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities. Our LifeLine plan includes a new, FREE Android Smartphone (subject to availability)!

TruConnect also offers its helpful app, MyTruConnect. With MyTruConnect you can check your usage, connect to our Wi-Fi networks and earn credits toward new products.

Download the MyTruConnect app now!