Best Free Government Phones In California

What Is Access Wireless

Access Wireless offers a California LifeLine supported service designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are universally available to income-qualifying customers at reasonable and affordable rates. Access Wirelesss California LifeLine service provides income-eligible customers with a free monthly allotment of airtime for one year. The mobile phone service includes in-demand features such as voicemail, domestic long distance, text messaging, Call Waiting, Caller ID and 911 emergency access.

Free Smartphones Are Common Now

Today most companies now offer smartphones initially. However, if your provider doesnt offer smartphones, you can also get one for a reasonable fee when you upgrade your plan. What is the Difference Between a Standard and a Smartphone? While a standard phone is fine if you only want to make and receive calls. But if you really want to get a phone with all the bells and whistles, you want a smartphone.

Smartphones have an operating system, and smartphones are small computers. Therefore they are excellent for students and businesses as well. It has a better operating system, just like Android phones, Blackberry operating systems, or Windows phones. These phones allow you to make calls, text messages, play games, download apps, watch videos, schedule appointments, and a lot more.

How Long Must I Wait To Submit Another Enrollment Request To Another Lifeline Provider

A consumer who submits an enrollment request to receive the California LifeLine discounts for cell phone service must wait up to thirty days to submit another enrollment request. You CANNOT have multiple enrollment requests for the California LifeLine discounts for cell phone service going at the same time. The 30-day waiting period ends when either the California LifeLine Administrator sends the final eligibility decision, the enrollment request is cancelled, or the 30 days have passed since the enrollment request, whichever occurs first. After the 30-day clock stops, you may then submit another enrollment request for the California LifeLine discounts for cell phone service, as applicable. You can independently cancel an enrollment request by contacting the California LifeLine Administrator by phone at 858-7463, or by going to Check Your Status at www.californialifeline.com. Feel Safe Wireless or an applicable cell phone company can also cancel an enrollment request.

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Reachout Wireless Cell Phone Providers

ReachOut Wireless also falls into this category, helping low-income consumers get affordable or free phone plans. The company is one of the best cell phone providers of free government cell phones that helps financially disadvantaged families. You can qualify for the ReachOut Wireless services if your average family income is below 135% Federal Poverty standards.

What They Offer

What Happens After I Receive My Phone At A Feel Safe Wireless Event Or Location

Even if Feel Safe Wireless provides a handset directly to you when you apply for LifeLine service, this does not mean the LifeLine application process is complete. After you receive your phone, you will have free unlimited promotional minutes and texts that you can use as normal until your LifeLine application has been approved. We will notify you via text message when the California third-party administrator has approved your LifeLine application and verified your eligibility. Once your LifeLine application has been approved and your eligibility verified, you will be placed on the LifeLine plan you chose at the time of enrollment.

If your LifeLine application comes back with a denial requesting more information, we will reach out to you and/or direct you to Feel Safe Wireless customer service when you attempt an outgoing call, in order to gather the additional information required. If your LifeLine application comes back with a firm denial, you will be switched to the retail plan of your choice or you can choose to cancel wireless service with Feel Safe Wireless and mail back your handset to Feel Safe Wireless headquarters.

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Best California Lifeline Cell Phone Providers

What is the best free government phone service in California?what is the best lifeline provider in California?

1- Access WirelessAccess Wireless California Lifeline: Access Wireless free cell phone service for Lifeline qualifying customers in California:Free unlimited talk and texts, plus 5GB of data.Access Wireless Add-on Plans

• $1 for 100MB of Data.
• $3 for 500MB of Data.
• $5 for 1GB of Data.
• $10 for 2GB of Data.
• $20 for 4GB of Data.
• $30 for 5GB of Data.

For more information about Access Wireless, coverage, phones, and calling features, check out the Access Wireless review.

2- Assurance WirelessAssurance Wireless California Lifeline: Assurance Wireless free cell phone service for Lifeline qualifying customers in California:Free unlimited talk and texts, plus 5GB of data.Data Add-Ons

• At $5 500MB of data.
• At $10 1GB of data.

For more information about Assurance Wireless, coverage, phones, and calling features, check out the Assurance Wireless review.

3- Entouch WirelessEntouch Wireless offers the following free phone plans for qualified applicants in California

• CA Basic Plus Plan: Unlimited talk, unlimited texts plus 4.5GB of data.
• CA Standard Plan: Unlimited talk, unlimited texts plus 6GB data.
• CA Tribal Plan: Unlimited talk, unlimited texts plus 6GB data.
• CA Talk & Text Plan : 1100 minutes, unlimited text, no data.

• $5 for 500MB.

Qualified Life Wireless applicants in CA can get:Unlimited talk, unlimited text unlimited MMS, 3GB data.Data Add-Ons

• $10 per 1GB.

• 1GB for $9.99.

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Government Mobile Cell Companies

What Happens When You Exhaust Your Minutes?

This is a common concern among users as 250 minutes is often not enough, especially for large households. All free government cell phone companies sell extra minutes, texts and data bundles to users once they have exhausted their monthly package.

However, the rates of sale are usually special, and not as steep as the market rates for the same package. This is all in line with making cell services reachable to those in low-income strata. It can be as cheap as $2 for 20 extra minutes of talk time. The other alternative to this is waiting for the remaining period of the month until the package is renewed at the beginning of the new month.

What Is The Free Phone Like?

Contrary to what many people think, the phone offered is quite decent. The phones are usually recent models, no more than 3 years old in the market. They often feature good battery life and other features that make it convenient for talks. Additionally, they may incorporate some smart features including internet connection. But all these vary depending on the company you are subscribing to.

What Do The Companies Stand To Gain From Offering Free Services?

The companies, however, offer a free mobile handset to everyone who enrols in their program. This is a cost they have to bear in the short term in order to profit from your package over the coming months. It is, therefore, a win-win situation for the company, government, and of course the beneficiary.

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Free Cell Phone Plans From The Us Government

You wont find any major cell phone providers or new iPhone devices eligible for the Lifeline Assistance program, but that doesnt mean you cant get a decent phone on a reliable network.

These are the carriers that currently are eligible with the Lifeline Assistance program:

• Assurance Wireless
• TruConnect
• True Wireless

You can find out what carriers specifically cater to your area by entering your zip code here.

How To Cancel The Safelink California Enrollment Request

An applicant can decide to cancel the enrollment request directly by contacting the California lifeline administrator. Cick www.californialifeline com espanol or www.californialifeline.com to contact the lifeline administrator.

Discounted phone plans available to California residents are as follows

• Service conversion fee for home telephone services â at least $39
• Monthly cell phone service charge â at least $14.85
• Monthly measured service discount rate â at least $14.85
• Monthly flat service discount rate â at least $14.85

Besides paying the purpose surcharges for free government phones by state, other factors to consider include excise tax and local franchise taxes, as well as the 911 tax related to the telephone service. Discount prices on more than two phones are only allowed for disabled applicants. This program is referred to as the teletypewriter.

But if the disabled and deaf donât provide the TTY, then they have to provide a valid medical certificate that indicates the personâs eligibility for TTY. Upon approval, the discount is accepted on the home phone line.

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Visit The National Verifier Website

The next step is to go to the National Verifier website and provide additional information there. Youll see this screen click the purple Continue to National Verifier button.

When you submit your additional information, youll receive an Application ID. Keep track of this number.

If the National Verifier is not able to prove that you qualify with only the information you give them, they may ask you to show official documents as proof.

Once you start this application, you have 45 days to finish it. If you qualify, youll have 90 days to choose a phone or internet company and sign up for service with them.

Are Calls To 911 And Feel Safe Wireless Customer Care Free And Unlimited For California Lifeline Participants Do They Count Against My Allotted Voice Minutes Or Number Of Calls

Pursuant to D. 17-01- 032, effective January 19, 2017, The California LifeLine fund will pay for no more than two activation/conversion fees per household per year Feel Safe Wireless will be responsible for any California LifeLine participant’s activation fee that is not eligible for reimbursement from the LifeLine fund.

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Cell Packages Offered By Free Government Cell Phone Companies

The Lifeline Assistance program wanted to ensure that low-income individuals enjoy almost similar cell services as the paying members. The program, therefore, took into account call minutes, text messages, and broadband data service. Every package contains these three. At the point of entry into the program, most free government cell phone companies offer users a standard package that includes a free phone, 250 free minutes of talk time, free texts, and for some, about 500MB mobile broadband data.

Are There Other Options To Get Free Government Cell Phones

Some communications companies also provide discounted rates and plans for Lifeline-qualified individuals in some areas. Brands like ATT, Verizon, and US Connect offer these plans for those who are facing financial difficulties in some states. It is best to call your local providers customer service hotline to know more and to ensure that you are getting the best deal for your needs.

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Do I Qualify For A Free Government Phone With The Lifeline Program

For starters, if youre already enrolled in a government aid program, you could automatically qualify for a free government phone. Those already enrolled in any of the following programs are eligible:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Supplemental Security Income
• Medicaid
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations , Head Start

If youre not enrolled in any of those government programs, youll need to prove your income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, if youre the only person in your household and want to get a free government phone, youll need to prove you make less than $12,760 per year. Every extra person in your household pushes your limit up another $4,480so, essentially, the more folks you have in your household, the easier it is to qualify for a free government cell phone and inexpensive cell phone plan.

How To Access The Best Free Government Phones In Texas

Texas is among the wealthiest states in the USA. It perceived to be the home for many millionaires and billionaires of the world.

Like it is common to many other parts of the globe, Texas is still home to many poor people. Therere so many cases of unemployment in Texas and many low-income earners living in this magnificent state.

Thus, the government has partnered with the Lifeline Assistance program to raise hopes of the poor people living in Texas. The best free government cell phones are given to the low-income earners. Other than the free government phones there are also the discounted phones to people with narrow pockets. These measures have been taken as a way of government in partnership with lifeline assistance companies to help realize an increase in telecommunication services as desired.

If Texas is your home state here are the lifeline companies that offer free government phones with internet. Confirm your legitimacy to be enrolled under the Lifeline program and go for the best free government cell phones from these companies.

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Free Government Cell Phones: Carriers

So, what are the free government phones you can get with the Lifeline Assistance program? The carriers below all offer cell phones and plans via the Lifelink program.

• Assist Wireless
• TruConnect
• True Wireless

Note that each carrier serves specific states for more information on which states each is available in. The easiest way to find out what carriers work in your area is to enter your ZIP code here.

Are There Times When My Service May Not Work

Service is subject to transmission limitations caused by certain equipment and compatibility issues, atmospheric, topographical and other conditions, as well as proximity. Service can only be available when in range of a transmission source, which you should be aware of when leaving your home area. Service is dependent on radio towers which require electricity to operate and could become non-functional in the event of a power outage if backup power is not available or runs out. Further, service may be temporarily refused, limited, interrupted or curtailed due to system capacity limitations, technology migration or limitations imposed by the Carrier, or because of equipment modifications, upgrades, repairs or relocations or other similar activities necessary or proper for the operation or improvement of the Carrier’s radio telephone system. Neither Feel Safe Wireless, nor any Carrier, shall have any liability for service failures, outages or limitations of Service.

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Companies That Provide Obama Phones And Free Service

IMPORTANT NOTE: The plans of the various companies below can vary considerably. Some may give unlimited minutes, some unlimited texting, and most now include up or 500 MB of mobile internet data . And the phone models can vary greatly as well, with some providing smartphones. We urge you to compare plans of all providers who serve your state.

Assist Wireless This Lifeline cell phone provider offers cell phone plans in Arkansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma. They have a number of different plans.

Assurance Wireless Assurance, a rapidly-growing subsidiary of Sprint Nextel, is number two in the Obama phone business with 2.7 million customers. It offers phones in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Cintex Wireless This regional Lifeline provider offers cell phone plans in Arkansas, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island or West Virginia.

Easy Wireless If you live in Oklahoma, Kentucky, or Missouri, you can contact Easy Wireless for your Lifeline cell phone.

One: Check If You Are Eligible

Once you fill in your customer information, you can choose qualify through a government program or qualify through your income. You dont need to qualify through both.

If you or someone in your household already gets Federal Public Housing Assistance , Supplemental Security Income , Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , Medicaid or Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children you already qualify for Lifeline.

If you choose qualify through your income youll see the following checkboxes:

Check the box beside the number of people who live in your household. Then, look at the dollar amount next to the number you chose. Is your income the same or less than that amount? Check Yes. If your income is more than that amount, check No.

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Safetynet Wireless California Lifeline Providers

Another reliable free government telephone provider is SafetyNet Wireless. In fact, this is the best California life line provider in the USA. They offer California lifeline renewal services as well to customers. Essentially, their cellphone plans can be classified into three categories. California residents receive extra benefits from the SafetyNet Wireless phone program.

Besides offering a California lifeline phone number, eligible applicants also receive unlimited text and talk time, as well as free 5GB data.

Can I Get More Than One Phone Per Person

No. The Lifeline Program covers one phone per household. A household is a group of people who live together and share money, even if they are not related to each other.

If you live with someone but you dont share money with them, you can fill out a Lifeline Program Household Worksheet to find out if you both qualify for a Lifeline Phone.

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Is California Lifeline Right For You

There are two ways to qualify for the California LifeLine Program. You may qualify for California LifeLine via Program-Based OR Income-Based. Documentation of proof of eligibility is required. Submit COPIES of proof of eligibility with the completed and signed application. Make sure that your signature is very clear and legible.

1)Program-Based Qualification Method:

You can qualify for California LifeLine if you or another person in your household is enrolled in any one of these qualifying public assistance programs:

• Medicaid/Medi-Cal
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• Supplemental Security Income
• Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
• CalFresh, Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Women, Infants and Children Program
• National School Lunch Program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
• Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
• Welfare-to-Work
• Greater Avenues for Independence
• Tribal TANF
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Head Start Income Eligible
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program

2)Income-Based Qualification Method: