California LifeLine phone and broadband discount in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: A monthly discount on one home phone, cell phone, or internet line per home. A phone or internet company starts your application. For the full discount, also apply for federal Lifeline, a separate program. Together they can take up to $28.25 a month off.
Who runs it: California Public Utilities Commission (California LifeLine Administrator)

What the program may consider

You have or want one home phone, cell phone or broadband line
You are in a qualifying public assistance program
Annual household income at or below the LifeLine limit
One discount per household

How to get it

A monthly discount on one home phone, cell phone, or internet line per home. A phone or internet company starts your application. For the full discount, also apply for federal Lifeline, a separate program. Together they can take up to $28.25 a month off.

Before you start

Having this helps CalFresh Food. Getting CalFresh qualifies you for both the California and the federal discount. The LifeLine office can often check CalFresh on its own.
Having this helps Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal. Having Medi-Cal qualifies you for both discounts. Keep your Medi-Cal letter as proof.
Having this helps Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP). Getting SSI qualifies you for both discounts. Keep your SSI letter as proof.
Having this helps Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP / HEAP). Energy bill help (LIHEAP) qualifies you for the California discount only.
Having this helps CalWORKs. CalWORKs qualifies you for the California discount only.
Having this helps VA pension with Aid and Attendance or Housebound. A Veterans Pension can qualify you for the federal discount.

How to apply

California LifeLine application

A phone or internet company starts it. Then the LifeLine office sends you a form to finish and sign.

ReferralA California LifeLine phone or internet companySearch by ZIP code. The company you pick starts your application.
OnlineCalifornia LifeLine websiteFinish your form online with your own login. This works if you qualify through a benefit program.
MailMail back your California LifeLine formUse the envelope that comes with the form. Mail it by the date printed on it.
OnlineFederal Lifeline websiteA separate program. Apply here too to get the full phone discount.

You can also use: Federal Lifeline application

A separate program from California LifeLine. Apply for both to get the full discount.

Getting help

A provider starts the request

A helper can help you pick a company, join your call, and fill out the form. Only you, your legal guardian, or someone with your power of attorney may sign it. If you finish it online, use your own login.

Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.

What happens after you apply

You ask a LifeLine phone or internet company for LifeLine. The company starts your request. For cell service, choose carefully. For up to 30 days, you cannot start again with another cell company.
The program or providerA helper can help with this
The LifeLine office sends you a form by mail or online. Some parts are filled in already.
The state
Fill in the form, initial each statement, and sign it. Add proof of your benefit or income if needed. Send it back.
YouA helper can help with this Return it by the date printed on the form.
The LifeLine office decides. It tells you and your phone company.
The state
Your company adds the discount to your bill. It counts back to the day you asked, except on prepaid cell plans.
The program or provider
For the full discount, also apply for federal Lifeline. Some companies can sign you up for both.
YouA helper can help with this

What only you can do

Ask a phone or internet company to start LifeLine, or be on the call.
Sign and initial the LifeLine form. Only you, your guardian, or your power of attorney may sign.
Keep your benefit letter handy, like Medi-Cal or SSI. It may be needed as proof.
If you finish online, use your own e-mail and password.
Renew every year, once for California LifeLine and once for federal Lifeline.
Report a move or other change within 30 days.

How long it takes: No set time is published. It can take several weeks. Sending your form back quickly helps.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when your phone or internet bill shows the LifeLine discount. California LifeLine gives up to $19 a month. Federal Lifeline adds up to $9.25.
To keep it: Send back the yearly renewal form by its due date, or the discount ends. Federal Lifeline has its own renewal. Only one discount per home. Report a move within 30 days. On a prepaid cell plan, keep using your service, or the discount can stop.