Free Phones for Seniors in California: How to Get

Free Phones for Seniors in California

I recently learned that seniors can now get free phones if they live in California. 

So I applied one for my grandmother and yesterday I received it.

In this article, I will explain how to get free phones for seniors in California, what are the top programs, and more.

What is the Free Phones for Seniors in California Offer?

The Free Phones for Seniors in California offer is part of the Lifeline program. This federal initiative gives eligible low-income individuals, including seniors in California, access to discounted or free phone services.

If you have Medicare benefits, check out how you can get Free Phones for Seniors on Medicare.

Top 5 Places to Get Free Phones for Seniors in California

Free Phones for Seniors in California

These are the top 5 places to get free phones for seniors in California:

1. Lifeline Support

The Lifeline is one of the best places to get free phones for seniors in California. In this program, individuals who qualify receive discounts on phone, broadband internet, or bundled voice-broadband packages from participating providers.

The program was proffered by the Federal Communications Commission solely to help low-income consumers and has been made available in every state and territory.

People who subscribe to the Lifeline program have to revalidate their eligibility every year. If this is not done, you will lose your enrollment in the program and lose your discount.

Eligible households receive up to a $9.25 monthly discount and up to $34.25 per month on tribal lands.

For more resources and benefits available, check out my guide on Free Stuff for Seniors Over 60.

2. Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps to ensure that households with low-income can pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices with a one-month service discount and one-device discount.

For individuals to qualify for the ACP, there are income requirements they must meet or participate in some government assistance programs such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, or federal public housing.

If you already receive the Lifeline benefit, you are automatically eligible to be a beneficiary of the ACP.

For a household that is eligible, you can receive up to a $30-per-month discount on your internet service, and up to a $75-per-month discount if your household is on qualifying tribal lands.

All this and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or a desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50).

You may also like this article on Free 5G Government Phones.

3. Assurance Wireless

Assurance Wireless is part of the federal Lifeline phone assistance program. This program qualifies households to receive a free smartphone and accompanying benefits each month. Assurance Wireless is part of the T-Mobile network.

Assurance Wireless Lifeline ensures that service is free to qualified consumers, and provides extra voice minutes, data, international calls, and international texts which may be purchased for an additional fee.

To qualify, you may have to participate in a government assistance program, such as Medicaid, Veterans, and Survivors Pension Program, and Supplemental Security Income.

Eligible households get to receive free unlimited data, free 10 GB of mobile hotspot data, free unlimited texts, and free unlimited minutes.

4. NextDoor

NextDoor is another way to get free phones in California for senior people. It is a social network that helps to connect people who live in the same neighborhood, helping them connect, barter, trade, and learn about local events.

This network works as people post things they’re trying to sell or give away. Look out for people who are trying to get rid of an old cell phone and let them know you’re interested.

5. Craigslist

You can visit Craigslist if you don’t qualify for a free Lifeline cell phone or if you would rather use another option. You should look at your local Craigslist and check if anyone is holding a yard sale or wants to get rid of an old phone.

People on Craigslist will want you to pay for the phone, but you can always ask if they’d be willing to let the phone go for free.

If the phone is damaged or not working, they may be willing to give it to you. This will provide you with the opportunity to get a free phone and learn some basic phone repair strategies.

If you want an Apple mobile, check out mu guide on getting a free iPhone government phone.

How to get Free Phones for Seniors in California

California Phones for Seniors

Follow these steps to get Free Phones for Seniors in California:

  1. Visit airtalkwireless.com and then, click on the ‘Apply’ button on the homepage.
  2. Next, enter your email address and zip code.
  3. The next step is to fill out the online application form by entering your information and uploading your supporting documents on AirTalk Wireless’s website and through the National Verifier.    
  4. You will be redirected, after that, back to the AirTalk website to select your free phone from the wide range of phones they have. 
  5. Your device will ship within 7-10 business days as soon as your application is approved.

For more resources and benefits available, check out our guide on Free Stuff for Seniors Over 60.

Best Free Government Phones in California

Free Phones for Seniors in California

These are the Best Free Government Phones in California in 2023:

  1. Apple iPhone 7.
  2. LG G8 thinQ.
  3. Apple iPhone 13 from T-Mobile.
  4. Apple iPhone 6 Plus.
  5. Samsung Galaxy S8.

Check out this dedicated article on the Best Free Government Cell Phone.

1. Apple iPhone 7

The iPhone 7 is one of the most popular free government phones from AirTalk Wireless. The iPhone 7 comes with a 7MP front camera and a 12MP back camera and has storage options of 32GB, 128GB, or 256GB.

Check out this article to know How to Get a Free Government Iphone 7 & 7 Plus in 2023.

2. LG G8 thinQ

The LG G8 is another very popular free phone offered by AirTalk. It had a hole-less top speaker with novel vibration sound conduction and video portrait mode. It also has a Hand ID which enables you to unlock the phone and mid-air gestures for volume adjustment and many other functions. You can visit AirTalk Wireless to get one for free.

3. Apple iPhone 13 from T-Mobile

The iPhone 13 provides you with outstanding 5G network coverage and its accessibility features are an asset to those with vision or hearing loss.

It has an M3/T4 hearing aid compatibility rating, which makes it one of the best cell phones for seniors with hearing loss.

Check out this post to get a step by step guide on how to get a T Mobile Free Iphone.

4. Apple iPhone 6 Plus

The iPhone 6 plus is also from AirTalk Wireless and has a 5.5-inch Retina HD display and Touch ID.

It also has a front-facing FaceTime HD camera and an 8MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization.

5. Samsung Galaxy S8

On its own, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is by far one of the best Android phones ever produced today.

It has an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM which makes it possible for you to navigate the phone easily and without lags. It is also powered by AirTalk Wireless.

Does California Give out Free Phones for Seniors?

California does offer free phones for seniors with low income. We have listed the best programs that give out Free Phones for seniors in California.

Can You Get a Free Phone if You Are on Social Security?

Yes, you can. The program is available for all kinds of people. As long as you are on social security, you qualify for free cell phone and service from lifeline providers.

How Can a Senior Get a Government Phone in California?

You can qualify for a government phone in California if you or another person in your household participates in any of these qualifying public assistance programs:

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
  • Medicaid.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance.
  • Tribal-specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Head Start, Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF).
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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

You can get free phones for hard of hearing seniors in California from The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP). Also known as California Phones, they distribute telecommunications equipment and services to individuals who are certified as hard of hearing.

Where to get Free Phones for the Disabled in California?

Californians who have a speech disability, who are blind or have cognitive impairments, impaired vision, or restricted mobility, are qualified to receive equipment from the California Telephone Access Program with certification by a medical doctor or a qualified state agency.

FAQs on Free Phones for Seniors in California

These are the most frequently asked questions on Free Phones for Seniors in California:

Where to get Free Government Phone California Iphone?

You can get the free government iPhone in California from T-Mobile and AirTalk Wireless.

Conclusion

The California Lifeline program offers qualified households reduced home phone and mobile phone services. Their discounts ensure that consumers have a lowered cost of their phone bills through Lifeline providers. This service helps seniors, hard of hearing and disabled individuals.

I hope you found this article on Free Phones for Seniors in California helpful.

Author

  • Matt Dalrick

    I'm Matt, your reliable guide to discovering free phones, tablets, laptops, phone services, grants, as well as deals and offers from service providers. My insights are drawn from active involvement in tech communities and a history of exploring cost-effective tech solutions. Through this blog, I am committed to helping you understand and access all the free help available.