Free Cell Phone & Service

This guide provides information about free cell service and smartphones for low-income individuals in California. It lists various Lifeline providers in California and their cellular networks. The page also provides detailed information on eligibility requirements, proof of address, and what to do once you have your phone. Safelink Wireless is highlighted as a recommended provider because it resells all 3 networks in California and offers unlimited talk, text, data, and international calling to 69 countries. However, since Verizon bought it’s parent company Movil it only supports new signups with Verizon, and is aggressively moving it’s current users to the Verizon network.

Lifeline Providers in California

• Tim from Safelink Mon-Fri ~10am-2pm at the Burger King in Linda by Walmart.
• Cassandra from Assurance wireless is at the Interfaith food bank in Grass Valley on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm.
• Access Wireless is at the Dollar Tree in Linda.

Alternatively you can sign up online from these lifeline providers in California. They will send you the free phone in the mail.

To create the above list, I cross referenced the California lifeline list here: https://www.californialifeline.com/en/provider_search with the Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_virtual_network_operators

Safelink

I chose Safelink Wireless, because it is the only lifeline mobile virtual network operator who resells all 3 networks in California. You get unlimited talk, text, and data. As well as unlimited international calling to 69 countries.  List of the 69 countries here: https://www.net10wireless.com/ilddestinations Safelink also supports advanced features, such as: WiFi calling, WiFi texting (RCS), Hotspot, call forwarding, etc..

What you get!

The SIM card

You will get a T-mobile, Verizon, or AT&T SIM card depending on stock. You can tell by the first 5 numbers of the ICCD # on your phone box:

• 89148 Verizon
• 89012 TMobile
• 89014 ATT