CALIFORNIA LIFELINE PROGRAM

What is California LifeLine?

California LifeLine is a program of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that makes it easy for qualified households to save money on phone and internet service. If you qualify, you can get discounts on your landline or fixed broadband bill through the California LifeLine Program.

The California LifeLine Home Broadband Pilot is a program of the California Public Utilities Commission that provides discounted internet service to qualifying households.

As a participating provider, Siskiyou Telephone helps eligible customers in our community get connected at a lower cost.

How the Home Broadband Pilot Program Works

• Receive a monthly discount on landline + internet service (up to $30/month discount for qualifying households)

• One-time credits – Up to $39 for applicable connection charges: Households are limited to one reimbursement for connection charges per year per California LifeLine provider, in accordance with California LifeLine program rules.

• Discount is applied as a credit directly to your bill.

• Only one California LifeLine credit is available per household, either through the Home Broadband Pilot or California LifeLine Program, but qualifying customers may be eligible for additional credit through the federal Lifeline program.

• If you currently participate in the California LifeLine Program, you can move your enrollment to the Home Broadband Pilot Program. Your credits will be updated to reflect the change in your enrollment. 

*This rate may fluctuate depending on California Specific Support Amount. Rate will be reduced by $2.00 if customer subscribes to qualifying broadband plan. Contact our business office at 1-530-467-6000 for details.

LifeLine Eligibility Rules

Effective June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026*

The California LifeLine discount applies to the primary service located at your principal place of residence. Other lines may be added at regular basic rates unless you are Certified Deaf or Disabled*.

*A maximum of two (2) access lines with the California LifeLine discount are available to qualifying households when the household has submitted a qualifying medical certificate indicating the customer’s need for a TTY device and the presence of a TTY at the household. Additionally, single-member households may need to subscribe to three-way calling.

You may be eligible for California LifeLine under either Method 1 Program-Based or Method 2 Income-Based.

Method 1 Program-Based

You may be eligible for California LifeLine if a member of your household is enrolled in any one of the public assistance programs:

• Medicaid/Medi-Cal

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8

• CalFresh, Food Stamps or Supplemental

• Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

• Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) 

• National School Lunch Program (NSL) 

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)

• Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (StanWORKs)

• Welfare-to-Work (WTW)

• Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)

• Tribal TANF

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

• Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

• Federal Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit Program

Method 2 Income-Based

*You may be eligible for California LifeLine if your total gross household income does not exceed $24,600 annually for 1 person, or $33,300 for 2 persons, or $42,100 for 3 persons, or $50,800 for 4 persons. Add $8,700 to the annual income for each additional person in the household after 4 people. Income documentation is required.

You must not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s income tax return.

If either the telephone company or the CPUC finds that a LifeLine customer exceeds the income limitation, the customer will have to pay the full amount for all previous billings.

California LifeLine customers do not pay the following taxes, fees, and surcharges: California High Cost Fund (CHCF)-A surcharge, CHCF-B surcharge, CASF surcharge, California Teleconnect Fund surcharge, the ULTS surcharge, the California Relay Service & Communications Device Fund surcharge, and the 911 tax.

Important Program Details

• Only one LifeLine service is allowed per household (except for TTY users, where a second phone line may be discounted) 

• Customers may be de-enrolled from the program due to non-usage

• To keep your California LifeLine discount, you will need to renew your benefits every year

How to Apply

If you have any questions about LifeLine eligibility, or to apply, please call us at 1-530-467-6000 or 1-866-467-6001.

Local Service You Can Count On

When you choose Siskiyou Telephone, you’re choosing:

• A trusted local provider serving Siskiyou County since 1896

• Reliable internet built for rural communities

• Friendly, local support