LIFELINE
Lifeline Services
The California LifeLine Program is a state program that helps qualified households save money on home phone, cell phone, or broadband internet. Atlas Health Group helps members determine eligibility, gather documentation, and complete the application so a working phone is never the barrier between a member and their care.
How it works
A working phone is the difference between reaching care and missing it — we help members claim the LifeLine discount they qualify for.
01
Program-Based Qualification
A household qualifies if any member is enrolled in Medi-Cal, LIHEAP, SSI, Section 8, CalFresh/SNAP, WIC, NSL, TANF (including CalWORKs, StanWORKs, WTW, GAIN), Tribal TANF, BIA General Assistance, Tribal Head Start, FDPIR, or the Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension.
02
Income-Based Qualification
Households at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify. Effective June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027: $24,600 (1), $33,300 (2), $42,100 (3), $50,800 (4), + $8,700 per additional member.
03
One Discount Per Household
Only one California LifeLine discount is allowed per household — on a home phone OR a cell phone OR a broadband service — at the member's primary residence. TTY users and Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants are the exceptions.
04
Acceptable Documentation
Program ID or notice of eligibility, prior-year tax return front page, three consecutive months of pay stubs, or benefit statements from Social Security, VA, retirement/pension, Unemployment, or Workers' Compensation.
05
30-Day Enrollment Freeze
Under CPUC rules, a consumer cannot submit multiple wireless enrollment requests at the same time. Once an application packet is generated, a 30-day freeze applies until a final eligibility decision, cancellation, or 30 days elapse.
06
TTY & DDTP Support
Members who use a teletypewriter or participate in the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program qualify for discounts on a second home phone line with the appropriate certification.
07
Annual Renewal
All participants must renew each year on their anniversary date. Renewal forms arrive in a PINK envelope; members can renew online at californialifeline.com or by mail. Missing the due date results in loss of the discount.
Proven results
The challenge — and the impact
Statewide data from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal, and CalAIM.
Up to $19
Monthly California LifeLine service discount
Source · CPUC — California LifeLine Program
Read150%
Of Federal Poverty Guidelines — income-based qualification threshold
Source · California LifeLine — Effective June 1, 2026
Read1
California LifeLine discount allowed per household
Source · CPUC — California LifeLine Eligibility
ReadHow we overcome it
What Atlas Health Group does about it
Each challenge above is paired with the concrete way our care model addresses it on the ground.
01
We help members apply — start to finish
From eligibility screening to provider selection to gathering copies of ID and proof of program participation or income, we stay with the member until the application is submitted and the discount is approved.
02
Program-Based OR Income-Based — whichever fits
Members already enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, CalWORKs, WIC, LIHEAP, Section 8, Tribal TANF, or Veterans Pension qualify by program participation — no income documentation needed. Others qualify at up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
03
Renewal reminders that prevent lapses
California LifeLine requires annual renewal on the member's anniversary date. We flag the PINK renewal envelope when it arrives and help members respond before the deadline so the discount never drops.
Who it's for
Does any of this sound like you or someone you know?
Lifeline Services is designed for the situations below. If even one fits you or someone you love, you likely qualify at no cost through your Medi-Cal plan.
01
Households enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh/SNAP, SSI, or WIC
02
Households receiving LIHEAP, Section 8, or Federal Public Housing Assistance
03
CalWORKs, StanWORKs, Welfare-to-Work, or GAIN participants
04
Tribal TANF, BIA General Assistance, and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations participants
05
Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program recipients
06
Households with total annual gross income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
07
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants and TTY users (eligible for a second discounted line)
08
Members whose lack of phone or internet is a barrier to health care, benefits, or housing
What's included
Benefits
Tangible support you can count on from day one — fully covered by your Medi-Cal plan.
Eligibility screening (Program- or Income-Based)
We screen members against both qualification paths — enrollment in a qualifying public assistance program (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, WIC, CalWORKs, LIHEAP, Section 8, Tribal TANF, Veterans Pension, and more) or household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Provider selection support
We help members search California LifeLine participating providers by ZIP code and choose between a home phone, cell phone, or broadband plan — one discounted service per household.
Application & documentation assistance
We help members complete the online application (or the PINK envelope paper form) and assemble the required copies — ID plus proof of program participation or income.
Monthly service discount up to $19
Approved participants receive a monthly service discount of up to $19 on cell or home phone service, plus exemption from public purpose program surcharges, the CPUC user fee, federal excise tax, local franchise taxes, and the State 911 tax.
Connection & conversion discounts
Eligible members can receive a service connection discount of up to $39 and a service conversion discount of up to $39 when starting or switching home phone service.
Annual renewal reminders
California LifeLine requires annual renewal on the member's anniversary date. We flag renewal windows, help members respond to the PINK renewal envelope, and prevent lapses that would drop the discount.
Ready to get started?
Become a member online in minutes, or call us and a specialist will walk you through it — at no cost when covered by Medi-Cal.