What the heck is going on in California? (A question that’s asked in the other 49 states on a variety of subjects on a daily basis.)
Safelink Wireless, the biggest company in the Lifeline Assistance business, has finally joined the party and has begun offering free government cell phones across the Golden State.
The competition is getting stiffer and that’s great for consumers because more companies are now offering free unlimited minutes and text plans.
And to top it all off, more companies are offering free plans that include small data plans and a few companies are offering great data plans for a few extra bucks per month.
Here’s a helpful chart that breaks down all the plans now available in the state. To make things even easier, we’ve linked each provider to its own individual information page here at FreeGovernmentCellPhones.net.
Unlimited Free Voice Deals
| Company | Voice Minutes | Text Minutes | Data/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assurance Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Assurance Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500MB |
| Access Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Access Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 200MB |
| Blue Jay Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Safelink Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500MB |
| Safelink Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Life Wireless | 1250 | 250 | 250MB |
| Budget Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Budget Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500MB |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100MB |
| TruConnect | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| EnTouch Wireless | Unlimited | (See minutes) | None |
| FeelSafe Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 200MB |
| FeelSafe Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Tag Mobile | 1000 | 1000 | None |
| Tag Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | None |
| Tag Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (first 500MB at high speed, then 2G) |
| Total Call Mobile | 1000 | 1000 | None |
| Total Call Mobile | Unlimited | None | None |
Unlimited Free Text and Minutes — Plus Affordable Internet Access
| Company | Voice Minutes | Text Minutes | Data/month | Cost/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyNet Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 250MB | $5.00 |
| FeelSafe Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1GB | $7.55 |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500MB | $10.00 |
| Access Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500MB | $10.00 |
| Total Call Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A | $10.00 |
| Safelink Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1.5GB | $10.00 |
| Budget Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (first 1.5 GB at 4G speed) | $10.00 |
| Budget Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (first 4GB at 4G speed) | $17.60 |
| Safelink Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4GB | $17.60 |
| Total Call Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | $20.00 |
| EnTouch Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100MB | $20.00 |
| Access Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | $25.00 |
| SafetyNet Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2.5GB | $25.00 |
| Blue Jay Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $25.00 |
| FeelSafe Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5GB | $27.55 |
| Budget Mobile | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (first 10 GB at 4G speed) | $32.60 |
| Safelink Wireless | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10GB | $32.60 |
Wow! What a great selection of great offers. Definitely something for everyone in California.
Shannun Broussard says
They be having them free phones and free tablets ike in the hood its one on every corner like a church house im grateful but when they have a lone around the corner and just give to you and never tell what plan i have i got a tablet with one place and phone with the other
Free Government Cell Phones says
Thats why we strongly urge our readers not to enroll at street events. They have been the scenes of far too much fraud and abuse. Instead we urge you to enroll by phone or online.
Richard says
Sorry about the bad words I am picked up my my wife’s comments to me
Free Government Cell Phones says
We may be married to the same woman.
Richard says
II would like to know where I can find LG phone for assurance wireless I’d like to trade up and not spend so much money f**k what do you?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You should be able to find an inexpensive LG phone lots of places online, Richard. Just make sure that the specific make and model is compatible with your service provider’s network before you purchase.
David says
Safelink bring your own device has 3gb if mobile data, possibly 4 now, included with Lifeline in California.
Lynn Dorn says
What companies will allow me to transfer my old phone and my phone number to this net worth. I have a GSM AT&T phone thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article that explains it all in great detail, Lynn:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/cdma-gsm-lte-phone-compatible-with-my-free-phone-network
Robert Lopez says
Hi there my name is Robert. I am a Boost Mobile user and pay $45 monthly. Is there any plan I can get help paying part of my monthly payment in California?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Boost Mobile does not participate in the free government cell phone program, Robert, but if you can qualify you can find all the companies offering free phones in your state at this link:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/states
Kennita Gardner says
What happens if your phone breaks?
Free Government Cell Phones says
Contact your service provider’s customer service team, Kennita.
Shala says
Need a free wireless phone for aunt
Free Government Cell Phones says
Need to enroll to get free wireless phone for aunt.
Dipti Patel says
Hi My mom have Medi-cal and EBT card and i wanted to know which free phone is good and have more data ?
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can compare and contrast all the free government cell phone plans available in California right here on this page (above), Dipti.
Jeff says
How long does the service last for if I don’t use it as much
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is no time limit on how long you can continue receiving a free government cell phone, Jeff. But keep two things in mind: (1) You must recertify annually, and (2) You must use the phone at least once every 30 days or your account will be terminated.
STUART HASSEL says
Hi – I have two questions but I only ask one here. I read about someone’s bad experience with “Tag” and want to ask you if there’s anything someone can do if they get stuck with a bad company like that or do they have to wait a year to be able to go to another company? Would there be anyone to appeal to?
Free Government Cell Phones says
There is no appeal process that we are aware of. If you enroll with one company, you will be married to them for a year before you can get divorced.
STUART HASSEL says
Is there some way to find out the companies that have the most complaints? Or those that most people are happy with? Once again, thank you very much. – Stuart
Free Government Cell Phones says
You can check with your local Better Business Bureau to see how many complaints they have in your state or local area.
STUART HASSEL says
I learned a long time ago that the Better Business Bureau is (at least) mostly supported by their membership which is comprised of those companies that people would be complaining about. To me that looks like ‘the fox guarding the chickens,’ the chickens being the public; or to put it another way, “conflict of interest,” so I have never turned to the BBB for any kind of help. My mother used to work for Consumer Affairs but I am open minded if I can be convinced that they (BBB) would be ‘open-minded.’
carol Burke says
I have an LG ,phone from safelink and still have not got my monthly minutes 500 for June…..I just can’t get any information on this situation….my name is Carol burke m 727 255 ****, I live in new port richey, Florida. Can someone please help me!!! I received this phone for free, seniors and I’m 83 yrs young. I really need help as I only have 60 minutes left and I can’t afford to buy extra minutes. I would appreciate an answer for HELP IN THIS MATTER,,,,,
Free Government Cell Phones says
We can’t put more minutes on your phone because this is an independent informational website, NOT your service provider, Carol. Contact your free government cell phone company’s customer service team.
One other thing, though. You left this comment on our California page, so we assume that’s the state you live in. If so, Safelink offers UNLIMITED talk and UNLIMITED texting plans to California residents. You should speak to customer service about upgrading to that plan.
Tammy says
Can I get a free cell. Phone with Verizon service for coulterville, ca. It’s the only service that works here in my area. I live by Yosemite National Forest
Free Government Cell Phones says
Unfortunately, Tammy, Verizon does not participate in the free government cell phone program. It only offers a $9.25 discount off its regular monthly plans.
Melissa says
TAG Mobile has horrible customer service and are not even honoring their “free” anything! Despite being on a totally free plan, they have placed limits on my minutes and texts. After 2 months, I STILL do NOT have a working “smartphone” they advertised and promised and have had nothing but INCREDIBLE GRIEF and hassle from them when THEIR OWN products do not work! Including my ported SIM. They actually told me today they could not send me my “replacement” phone, which they have previously said will NOT be a smartphone (which I need because of disabilities) because their shipping dept “was out of stamps”. WTF? They dont even use stamps! I was also told it wasnt shipped because USPS had outages. I checked USPS site—no issues with them at all. They LIE to customers and SWINDLE the government out of subsidy money! Please consider partnering with the BBB, who gave them an “F” rating (wish I knew this BEFORE switching) and please rate their service accordingly. Many other issues with them, but I’m too exhausted to write more. WORST experience with a phone company, EVER! And I’m kinda old.
Amanda says
True! Tag Mobile is running a scam. After I applied in California, they sent me a cheap Android phone (which was expected) but the SIM they sent with it did not work. I called them and they were with me on phone for sometime trying to resolve but then implied that I do not know how to insert the SIM (as if it is Rocket Science). But after my insistence, they sent another SIM, which also did not work.
I called them again and told them probably the issue is not with the SIM but the SIM slot in the phone itself (the phone was otherwise working without the phone network, and Wi-Fi worked too). I said I am ready to send back the phone and they could either replace it, repair it, or if they still think I am doing something wrong, they should insert the SIM themselves and send it back to me. But they refused this option and sent another SIM, which also did not work. I tried this SIM in other unlocked phones too but it didn’t work there either. And I tried a friend’s ATT SIM on Tag Mobile’s phone, and that didn’t work either.
After being on phone with them for many days, I gave up an didn’t bother for many months. I thought that after one month the service would be disconnected automatically because federal regulations require that at least one call be made or text sent every month to keep service active. But after many months I checked online and saw that my account was still active with them. Of course, my phone and SIM were still not working. I talked with them again and verified this.
So, it looks to me that Tag mobile kept on billing the government, or getting paid by them (whatever their business arrangement is) without providing service. They are clearly running a scam – at least when it comes to some, if not all, customers. I am thinking of reporting them. We don’t want that providers abuse this useful program, otherwise decision may be taken to end it.
HEY says
join the club. I knew this for many years since the beginning. the god damn state of california said they cannot do anything about it. the f**king bitch who manages the program for the state of california her name is Patricia Cassaro is the biggets aND DUMBEST BITCH THE WHOLE WORLD OVER. THIS TERRORISTS I THINK IS GETTING KICK BACKS. I TRIED TO TAKE HER TO COURT ALONG WITH FEW COMPANIES SPECIALLY ASSURANCE WIRELESS BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TIME. BUT I WILL THE SE MOTHER F**KERS. THEY USE US AND ABUSE US. THEY DONT CARE IT IS OUR MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT IS OUR TAX DOLLAR5S. THESE GOD DAMN MOTHER F**KERS.
Free Government Cell Phones says
May we suggest an anger management session, Hey?
ashley says
I lost my phone wat do I do now,.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Here’s an article about what to do if your phone is lost, stolen or broken, Ashley. This should give you the info you need:
https://www.freegovernmentcellphones.net/faq/i-lost-my-phone-how-do-i-get-a-replacement
Lady says
Budget mobile no longer offers unlimited data. Please check their website. Thank you.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Conpanies constantly change plans and offerings, Lady, so the listings in this article should only be considered as a snapshot in time. There are a dizzying array of plans that come and go on an almost daily basis.
joyceann thomas says
My phone is lost and I already have another provider so please disconnect the phone service
Free Government Cell Phones says
We cannot disconnect your service, Joyceann, because we are not your former service provider. We’re also not your current service provider nor your future service provider. In other words, we are not, have not and will not ever be able to disconnect your service. Your new service provider should have taken care of the disconnection process, but you should contact your former service provider’s customer service team to make sure you do not have two active accounts.
LScott says
What about ILLINOIS ?? I have accesswireless and only get 250min./ month.
This is BS.
Free Government Cell Phones says
Illinois is the only state in the Union more bankrupt than California. We’re happy that California residents get all those unlimited minutes, but on the other hand, we also do not understand how a state so far in debt can pay huge additional subsidies on this program when it is so bankrupt. It is a race between California and Illinois to see which one goes broke first.