Phones and Internet

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. A working phone is a lifeline. It's how a landlord calls you back, how you hear about a job, and how you reach your people. If yours is shut off or you're down to your last few dollars of data, let's fix that together.

Here is the easy first step: see if you qualify for California LifeLine. It lowers your monthly phone bill. If you get CalFresh, Medi Cal or SSI, you may already qualify.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a phone, a discount or a spot in any program.
• Offers and prices change. Check with the company before you sign up.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

What is California LifeLine, and do I qualify?

California LifeLine is a state program run by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC says it provides discounts on home phone and cell phone service to qualified households.

Only one discount per household is allowed, with some exceptions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Lifeline is also a federal program. Under the federal rules, you can qualify if you, or someone in your household, take part in programs like these:

• Medicaid (Medi Cal in California)
• SNAP (CalFresh in California)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance, including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

You may also qualify by income. In California, the California LifeLine Administrator handles applications and renewals. Call 877.858.7463, 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/financial-assistance-savings-and-discounts/lifeline

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Need help applying?

Call the California LifeLine Administrator at 877.858.7463. They answer application and renewal questions. Easy peasy!

How can I get low cost internet at home?

• California LifeLine and internet. The CPUC says it approved a home broadband pilot. Ask the Administrator or your company if it's available to you.
• Low cost plans. Some internet companies have their own lower price plans for households with low incomes or that take part in programs like SNAP. For example, AT&T says its Access from AT&T plan is for eligible households based on income or a qualifying government program.
• EveryoneOn. A no cost search tool to find low cost internet offers and computers near you, by ZIP code.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.att.com/internet/access/

Staying connected keeps doors open. You deserve to be reachable, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Where can I get online at no cost?

• Public libraries. Every library in the county list later in this guide has no cost computers and internet. Many also have no cost WiFi you can use with your own phone or laptop.
• Day centers and shelters. Some have phones, computers or charging spots. Ask 211.
• Career centers. America's Job Centers of California have resource rooms with computers and internet for job searching. See Guide 6.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/jobs_and_training/pubs/jobsearchandtrainingservicesfactsheet.pdf

How can I stay reachable without a phone plan?

• Use a no cost email account. Check it at the library. Write the address on forms so people can reach you.
• Use WiFi calling and texting apps when you're on no cost WiFi, if your phone can.
• Ask a shelter or day center if you can get messages there.
• Write down your key numbers on paper, in case your phone dies.

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Charge up

A small backup battery is a game changer. Libraries and many day centers let you charge your phone. Ask at the front desk. Happy charging!

Watch out for scams

• Lifeline is no cost to apply for. Be careful with anyone who asks you to pay to sign up.
• Only give your Social Security number or benefits letter to the California LifeLine Administrator or a company you chose.
• If something sounds too good to be true, call 211 or the California LifeLine Administrator to check.

What happened to the Affordable Connectivity Program?

You may still see ads for the ACP. The FCC says the ACP and its monthly internet discount ended on June 1, 2024, because Congress did not add more funding.

• The FCC warns that some websites still advertise the ACP and even collect personal information. If you see one, you can file a complaint at fcc.gov/complaints.
• If you gave your Social Security number, card or bank information to a site offering ACP enrollment, the FCC says to visit IdentityTheft.gov for next steps.
• Today, ask about California LifeLine and low cost plans from internet companies instead.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.fcc.gov/acp

Which internet companies have low cost plans?

Here are two plans described on the companies' own pages. Each company decides who qualifies, and plans are only offered where the company has service.

• Access from AT&T. AT&T says you may be eligible if someone in your home takes part in a qualifying government program, like SNAP, or if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Proof can include an EBT card or a benefit letter. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.att.com/internet/access/
• Spectrum Internet Assist. Spectrum says eligible customers may get it for $15 a month, and that being in a government program could qualify you. Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.spectrum.com/internet/spectrum-internet-assist

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No cost WiFi spots

Public libraries offer no cost computers and WiFi. Ask your branch about hours and time limits. Just ask!

Can I call 911 if my phone has no plan?

Yes. 911.gov says all wireless phones, even ones not signed up with a phone company, can call 911. But a phone with no active service does not send your location to the 911 center, and the center cannot call you back if the call drops.

• Say where you are first. The FCC says to tell the operator the location of the emergency right away.
• If the call drops, call back. With no service plan, the operator won't have your number.
• Keep an old phone charged. A charged phone in a bag or glove box can still reach 911 in an emergency.
• Teach kids. 911.gov says old phones with no plan can still connect to 911, so tell children not to play with them, or take the battery out first.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.911.gov/calling-911/frequently-asked-questions and https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/wireless-911-service

Can I text 911 in California? In many places, yes, but not everywhere. Santa Clara County 911 says text to 911 is not available everywhere and may not work when you're roaming, and a voice call is still best. Its rule: call if you can, text if you can't.

• Text mainly if you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, if it is unsafe to call, or if a medical emergency keeps you from speaking.
• Put your location and the kind of help you need in the first text. A text doesn't send your location automatically.
• You need a text or data plan, and regular text fees apply. Right now, text to 911 works only in English.
• No photos, videos or group texts. Others in a group text may not get it.
• If you get a bounce back message saying text isn't available, you must call 911 instead. The FCC says phone companies must send that message.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://911.santaclaracounty.gov/learn-more-about-9-1-1/text-9-1-1-faqs and https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911

How do I get my phone line away from an abuser?

If you share a family phone plan with someone who has hurt you, the FCC has a way to help. The FCC says survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking or similar crimes can ask their mobile company to move their line off the shared account and keep their same phone number.

• You don't have to be the account holder.
• You can also move the line of someone in your care, like your child.
• Questions about timing or fees? Check the official page below.
• You can ask online, by phone, by email or in person. Say you are asking for a line separation for survivors.
• If you are struggling with money, the FCC says you may get emergency Lifeline support for up to six months, up to $9.25 a month.
• Need someone to talk to? Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-request-phone-line-separation-abusers-account and https://www.lifelinesupport.org/survivor-benefit/

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Plan for safety first

If someone checks your phone, think about calling from a friend's phone, a library or a shelter. An advocate at the hotline can help you plan. You are not alone.

What if I have a problem with my phone or internet company?

Start by calling the company and asking for a supervisor. Write down the date, the name of the person and what they said.

If that doesn't fix it:

• The CPUC. Its Consumer Affairs Branch helps with disputes against utility companies the CPUC regulates, including phone companies. Call 800.649.7570, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, with help in the language you choose. Call right away if your service is about to be shut off. Filing in writing online is the fastest way.
• Slamming and cramming. If a company switched your service without permission, or charged you for things you didn't order, the CPUC has a complaint just for that.
• The FCC. It takes complaints about phone and internet service, billing and robocalls. File at fcc.gov/complaints or call 888.225.5322.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/file-a-complaint/utility-complaint/how-the-consumer-affairs-branch-can-help and https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/consumer-support/file-a-complaint

Is there phone help for people with disabilities?

Yes. California Connect, also called the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program, is funded by the CPUC.

It gives Californians with hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility and speech disabilities special phones and equipment at no cost, runs the California Relay Service, and helps with speech generating devices.

• Call or videophone 800.806.1191.
• Or ask for the California Relay Service by dialing 711.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.californiaphones.org/

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

California

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Los Angeles County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

San Diego County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Sacramento County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Fresno County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My connection plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Stay connected, friend. Make it a great day!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Sources were first checked on October 16, 2026. New sources were added, and every link was checked again on October 18, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 18, 2026