Free Government Phone in San Diego, CA

How free government phones work in San Diego

There's no government agency that mails out phones. The "free government phone" is a wireless plan from a private carrier that participates in the FCC's Lifeline program. Lifeline pays the carrier up to $9.25 a month for your service, and many carriers design plans that cost exactly that, so you pay nothing.

To win customers, most wireless Lifeline carriers also include a smartphone at no charge or send a free SIM card for a phone you already own. The handset comes from the carrier, not the government, so models and features vary.

California note: California runs its own LifeLine program that layers a state discount on top of the federal benefit. Phone and bundled service applications go through the California LifeLine Administrator rather than the National Verifier; broadband-only applicants still use the National Verifier.

Who qualifies for a free phone in California

You qualify if anyone in your household gets Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, including Section 8 vouchers and Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, or if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines:

How to get a free government phone in San Diego

1. 1
   Confirm you qualify using the program list or income table above.
2. 2
   Pick a carrier from the list that covers your address. Look at monthly data, whether a phone is included, and hotspot support.
3. 3
   Apply on the carrier's website or at LifelineSupport.org. You'll provide your name, address, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number, plus proof of eligibility if it can't be confirmed automatically.
4. 4
   Receive your phone or SIM by mail, or pick it up where carriers have retail locations. Keep your number by asking the carrier to port it.
5. 5
   Activate and use it. Make a call, send a text or use data at least once every 30 days, and recertify each year.

What phone will I get?

Most carriers ship an entry-level Android smartphone with a touchscreen, camera, web browser and app store, which is enough for calls, texts, email, maps, banking and telehealth apps. Specific models change often and depend on inventory.

• Bring your own phone: many carriers will send a free SIM for an unlocked phone you already own, which is often the best way to get a nicer device.
• Upgrades: some carriers sell better phones at a discount to Lifeline customers. That's optional and paid by you, never by Lifeline.
• Lost or broken phone: contact your carrier. Replacements are at the carrier's discretion and may cost a fee.

Avoiding free phone scams

• No upfront fees. Lifeline enrollment is free. Never pay to "unlock" or "release" a free phone.
• The FCC won't call you. Government agencies don't contact people by text, phone or social media to offer free devices.
• Protect your Social Security number. Only share it on a carrier's official website or LifelineSupport.org, never with a street vendor you can't verify or in a social media message.
• Don't sign up twice. Enrolling with two Lifeline carriers at once breaks program rules and can cost you the benefit.

Report suspected fraud to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.