In California, enTouch Wireless offers four free California LifeLine plans. Three include unlimited talk and text with 4.5 GB, 6 GB or, on Tribal lands, 8 GB of data. New California LifeLine customers can also get a free phone. enTouch calls it a premium Android phone with a large screen.
California works differently from the rest of the enTouch Wireless Lifeline program. The state adds its own discount on top of federal Lifeline. It uses its own income limits and renewal process. Since February 1, 2026, it also requires two separate sign-ups. This page covers the enTouch Wireless California LifeLine plans and who qualifies. It also covers the free phone, the activation charge, renewal and every contact you may need. For enTouch in other states, read our enTouch Wireless review. For the program behind every free government phone, see how to apply for Lifeline. Our California LifeLine program guide covers the state rules for every company.
enTouch Wireless California plans
| Plan | Price | Talk | Text | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice Only | Free | 500 min | 1,000 | 100 MB |
| CA Basic Plus | Free | Unlimited | Unlimited | 4.5 GB |
| CA Standard | Free | Unlimited | Unlimited | 6 GB |
| CA Tribal | Free | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 GB |
enTouch’s California page advertises “FREE Unlimited Talk & Text + 6GB,” which matches the CA Standard plan. All four plans include voicemail. Data runs on 3G, 4G or LTE, based on the network where you are.
Two details in the fine print:
- Units, not true unlimited. On the California plans, talk and text are counted in units. One unit is one minute or one text. There is a 3,000-unit cap under enTouch’s Acceptable Use Policy. That is about 100 minutes or texts a day, which covers most people.
- Tribal plan. The 8 GB CA Tribal plan is for people who live on federally recognized Tribal lands in California. See our guide to enhanced Tribal Lifeline for how Tribal status is checked.
enTouch’s California page also still shows older “Lifeline + ACP” and “ACP Only” plans. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended June 1, 2024. So ignore those.
How California LifeLine differs from federal Lifeline
California LifeLine is a state program run by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). It stacks on top of federal Lifeline.
| California LifeLine | Federal Lifeline | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly discount | Up to $19 | Up to $9.25 |
| Combined | Up to $28.25 a month | |
| Run by | CPUC (californialifeline.com) | FCC and USAC (lifelinesupport.org) |
| Enrollment since Feb 1, 2026 | Separate enrollment | Separate enrollment, through the National Verifier |
| Renewal | Pink envelope from the state administrator | Federal recertification |
The CPUC says the February 2026 change did not alter California LifeLine discounts or the rules on who qualifies. What changed is paperwork. New applicants must sign up for each program on its own to get the full discount. Current customers renew each program on its own when their renewal comes due. Both programs pay for the enTouch plans above. So finishing both sign-ups matters.
Who qualifies in California
You can qualify through a program. enTouch’s California page lists:
- CalFresh (California’s name for SNAP, also called food stamps)
- Medi-Cal (Medicaid)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
Or you can qualify by income. California LifeLine uses its own yearly limits. The CPUC set them for June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027:
| Household size | California LifeLine income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $24,600 |
| 2 people | $33,300 |
| 3 people | $42,100 |
| 4 people | $50,800 |
| Each additional person | Add $8,700 |
These limits are higher than the federal Lifeline limit. That limit is 135% of the poverty guidelines, or $21,546 for one person in 2026. So a household can qualify for California LifeLine by income but not for federal Lifeline. In that case you would get the state discount only. Our guide to Lifeline eligibility requirements explains the federal rules.
Free phone and fees
- Free phone: offered with new California LifeLine sign-ups. enTouch describes new Android phones with large screens. It does not publish model names.
- Activation charge: enTouch’s terms list a $39.00 activation charge for handling the application and activation. California LifeLine customers may pay it all at once or in parts. The terms also say California LifeLine customers who qualify may have this fee waived. So check with enTouch that yours is waived before you finish.
- Device recovery fee: you may leave within 12 months of getting a discounted phone, including by moving to another company. If so, enTouch’s terms allow a fee equal to the phone discount.
- Top-ups: see enTouch Wireless top-up prices.
How to sign up in California
California has no enTouch paper form. You sign up online or with an enTouch agent. Since February 1, 2026, Californians apply separately for California LifeLine and federal Lifeline. Start with our guide on how to apply for enTouch Wireless, and have your ID and program proof ready. CalFresh (California’s SNAP) and Medi-Cal qualify you.
Step by step:
- Check that no one else in your household already has California LifeLine or federal Lifeline. Only one benefit is allowed per household.
- Gather a government photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID or similar). Also get proof that you qualify, dated within the last 12 months.
- Start the enTouch application online or with an enTouch agent. Use your name and address exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Finish the California LifeLine sign-up and the federal Lifeline sign-up. Ask the agent to confirm both.
- Send any documents requested. enTouch accepts email ([email protected]), text ((319) 389-9162) or fax ((319) 743-1293).
- Watch your mail for letters from the California LifeLine Administrator. Reply by the deadline.
- When your phone arrives, activate it by calling (866) 488-8719. Our enTouch Wireless activation guide covers each step.
enTouch’s California page says all new applicants must send proof of government aid or income. You can use benefit statements or award letters, or tax returns. Three months in a row of pay stubs also work, as do screenshots from an online benefits site.
Renewing California LifeLine
California LifeLine renewals come from the state administrator. enTouch’s renewal page says to send the pink renewal envelope back to the California LifeLine Administrator, P.O. Box 138014, Sacramento, CA 95813-8014.
How the state renewal works, according to enTouch’s California page:
- The pink envelope includes a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Send it back by the “respond by” date printed on the form (about six weeks after it is mailed).
- You can renew online at californialifeline.com with your PIN. You can also renew by mail to the address above.
- If you lost your PIN, text GETPIN to 345345.
Federal Lifeline is renewed separately. Our guide on how to recertify Lifeline covers the federal side, and the Lifeline 30-day usage rule still applies. enTouch’s California page repeats that after 30 days of no use, you will be removed from the program.
California customer service
enTouch’s California page says 611 calls are answered Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific. For all numbers, see enTouch Wireless customer service.
For state program questions, the CPUC lists these contacts:
| Who | Phone | Hours (Pacific) |
|---|---|---|
| California LifeLine Call Center (main) | 1-866-272-0357 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Call Center, English / Spanish | 1-866-272-0349 / 1-866-272-0350 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| California LifeLine Administrator (English and Spanish) | 1-877-858-7463 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Administrator TTY | 1-888-858-7889 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch (complaints) | 1-800-649-7570 | Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (per enTouch’s California page) |
The Call Center also has lines in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Japanese, Cambodian and Laotian/Hmong. They are listed on the CPUC contacts page. Use the Administrator for renewal forms and PINs. Use the CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch if you cannot fix a problem with enTouch.
Compare California plans
| Company | California data (standard plan) |
|---|---|
| enTouch Wireless | 6 GB (8 GB Tribal) |
| Assurance Wireless | 12 GB |
| Life Wireless | 10 GB |
| Access Wireless | 6 GB |
enTouch does not give the most data in California. But it pairs unlimited talk and text with a free phone. If you already own a phone and want more data, another company may suit you better. A Lifeline transfer moves your benefit. See every option in our Lifeline providers guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does enTouch Wireless give free phones in California? Yes, to new California LifeLine sign-ups. enTouch describes them as new large-screen Android phones.
How much data does enTouch give in California? 6 GB on CA Standard, 4.5 GB on CA Basic Plus, 8 GB on CA Tribal and 100 MB on Voice Only. All but Voice Only include unlimited talk and text.
Do I have to pay the $39 activation charge? enTouch’s terms list it. But they say California LifeLine customers who qualify may get it waived. Ask before you finish signing up.
Can I apply for enTouch California LifeLine on paper? No. enTouch says Californians enroll online or with an agent.
What if I lose my pink renewal envelope? Call the California LifeLine Administrator at 1-877-858-7463, or text GETPIN to 345345 to get your PIN.
Do I need to sign up for both California LifeLine and federal Lifeline? Since February 1, 2026, yes, if you want the full discount. Each program has its own sign-up and renewal.
Sources: enTouch Wireless: Plans, enTouch Wireless: California, enTouch Wireless: FAQ, enTouch Wireless: Paper application, enTouch Wireless: Lifeline renewal, enTouch Wireless: Terms of service, enTouch Wireless: What do I need, CPUC: California LifeLine vs federal Lifeline, CPUC: 2026-2027 California LifeLine income limits, CPUC: California LifeLine contacts, USAC: Lifeline consumer eligibility.