California LifeLine Program

California LifeLine provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to qualified households.

CA LifeLine Fact Sheet

The California LifeLine Program provides discounts on home phone and cell phone services to qualified households. The California LifeLine discounts 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). Call a participating phone company and ask for the California LifeLine discounts to start the application process. Go to “Provider Search” at www.californialifeline.com to learn about the approved California LifeLine providers and cell phone plans.

 

California LifeLine was established by the Commission in compliance with the Moore Universal Telephone Service, Public Utilities Code § 871 providing discounted basic residential (landline) telephone services to low-income households.

California LifeLine is funded by an all-end-user surcharge billed and collected by telecommunications carriers which, in turn, remit the surcharge monies to a financial institution as directed by the Commission or its representatives. Procedures for the administration of LifeLine are outlined in General Order (GO) 153.

 

Your Phone Company

  • Contact your phone company if you want to be on the California LifeLine Program. 
  • Your phone company can also provide general information about the California LifeLine Program.

California LifeLine Call Center

Contact the California LifeLine Call Center for general information about the California LifeLine Program from 7 AM to 7 PM (Pacific Time) from Monday through Friday (except state holidays) at:

1-866-272-0349 

California LifeLine Administrator

Contact the California LifeLine Administrator for California LifeLine Program application and renewal related questions and concerns from 7 AM to 7 PM (Pacific Time) from Monday through Friday (except state holidays) at:

1-877-858-7463

California LifeLine Complaints

For complaints related to the California LifeLine Program, or help resolving application denials (appeals) for program participation, please contact the CPUC’s Consumer Affairs Branch (CAB) at:

1-800-649-7570

Or Online by visiting CAB's webpage Assistance With LifeLine Billing and Appeals

California LifeLine Administrator Oversight

Questions about the California LifeLine Program Administrator oversight should be directed to lifeline@cpuc.ca.gov. 

Program Information