How to Get Free Phones for Seniors in California

Free Phones for Seniors in California – There are nearly 5 million people in California who are living their life below the poverty level, and due to this, they lack many opportunities, which badly affect their living standards.

So, to aid them, the government has initiated a program to offer smartphones to seniors without charging a single penny.

In this article, we have covered a detailed guide on how seniors in California can get smartphones for free, eligibility criteria, and more.

So, let’s delve right into it to learn more –

How to Get Free Phones for Seniors in California

The government of California initiated a program named the Lifeline to help the needy. Seniors can effortlessly apply for the program as the application process for free Lifeline cell phones in California is very easy.

If you are a senior in California and want to get a phone without any charge, then you must take part in any social program provided by the government. Alternatively, you can also get Lifeline benefits if your annual income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

How is one eligible for the California Lifeline Program?

You can get eligible for the Lifeline program in two ways, and these are –

Program-Based Eligibility

You are qualified if you and any of your family members take part in the public assistance programs mentioned below –

• Tribal TANF
• Medicaid
• Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Head Start Income Eligible (Only for Tribes)

Income-Based Eligibility

Your household’s total annual income must be at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Income Level. Along with this, you will have to submit your tax documents as proof of income to your service provider.

Disability Eligibility

The Lifeline has made the qualifying process very easy for the disabled, and they can easily become eligible for free smartphones from the government. At the time of submission, they will have to show proof of their disability.

Who Qualifies for Free Phones in California

One must be above 18 years old to qualify for free phones in California. Besides, you also should be a citizen of the United States.

Best Free Government Phones in California for Seniors

Some of the best free government phones in California are –

Apple iPhone 7

Apple iPhone 7 is one of the most eminent free government phones from AirTalk Wireless. It has a high-quality 7MP front camera and a 12MP back camera. Moreover, it has storage options of 64, 128, and 256GB.

LG G8 ThinQ

LG G8 ThinQ comes with a Hand ID that lets you unlock your phone easily and has mid-air gestures to control the volume.

Apple iPhone 13 from T- Mobile

Apple iPhone 13 offers its customers excellent 5G network connectivity, and its accessibility characteristics are very helpful for those users who have vision and hearing problems. It has an M3/T4 hearing aid and compatibility rating, making it suitable for seniors with hearing problems.

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

AirTalk Wireless offers Apple iPhone 6 Plus too. It comes with a 5.5-inch Retina HD display, Touch ID, a front FaceTime HD camera, and 8MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung Galaxy S8 has been listed as the best product of Samsung. It has 8 GB RAM and an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset. AirTalk Wireless offers this product too.

How to get free California Phones for Seniors

Follow the steps given below to get free California phones for seniors –

• Head over to the airtalkwireless.com website.
• You will be redirected to the homepage, and there you will get the ‘Apply’ option.
• Click on Apply and fill in your email address and zip code.
• Now, fill in all the required information and also upload documents that show your eligibility.
• Now, you will be redirected to the homepage of AirTalk Wireless to select a smartphone of your choice.

Your smartphone will be shipped to you within a week once your application gets approved.

Which Mobile Carrier offers the Lifeline program in California

The mobile service providers that participate in the Lifeline program to offer free Government phones in California are mentioned below –

Access Wireless

Access Wireless has good network coverage in California. It offers a free smartphone, 1000 minutes of talk time, unlimited texts, and 200 MB of data.

Assurance Wireless

Assurance Wireless is another mobile carrier that offers the Lifeline program in California. It is supported by the Federal Universal Service Fund. The service offers smartphones for free, unlimited texts, and free data every month. After getting subscribed, one can avail of these exciting benefits.

Safelink Wireless

Safelink Wireless offers free phones to seniors in California and also free voice calls, internet, voicemail, caller ID, and free emergency call.

SafetyNet Wireless

SafetyNet Wireless is another eminent mobile carrier that offers free smartphones, unlimited text and talk time, and 100 MB of data every month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a Senior Get free Government Phones in California?

Seniors can get a government phone in California by participating in any of the government assistance programs or by providing low-income status.

Where can I get Free Phones for Hard of Hearing Seniors in California?

Seniors who fall in this category can get smartphones from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP).

Where can I get a free iPhone in California?

You can get a free iPhone from T-Mobile and AirTalk Wireless providers.

Can I change my service provider?

Yes, you can shift to another service provider if you are not satisfied with the service of your current provider.