LIFELINE PROGRAM

Important Changes to California LifeLine and Federal Lifeline

Effective February 1, 2026, California LifeLine and Federal Lifeline have separate application and annual renewal processes.

Both programs continue to help eligible households save money on telephone service. However, customers who qualify for both discounts must now complete separate enrollment and renewal processes.

What Does This Mean for Current LifeLine Customers?

If you're already enrolled in California LifeLine, your discount has not changed, and you do not need to reapply because of this update.

If you receive both California LifeLine and Federal Lifeline discounts, you will need to complete a separate annual renewal for each program when your renewal period begins.

Completing both renewals is important to keep receiving both discounts.

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

New customers who want to receive both California LifeLine and Federal Lifeline benefits must apply separately to each program.

• California LifeLine: Visit www.californialifeline.com to learn about eligibility, available discounts, and how to apply.

• Federal Lifeline: Visit www.lifelinesupport.org for Federal eligibility requirements and application information.

For more information about these changes, visit the California Public Utilities Commission's LifeLine Update.

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

California LifeLine Protections During Disasters

At Siskiyou Telephone, we know how important reliable telephone service is, especially during wildfires, severe storms, and other emergencies.

California has established additional protections to help eligible LifeLine customers maintain their discounted telephone service when qualifying disasters disrupt utility services.

When Do LifeLine Disaster Protections Apply?

California LifeLine disaster protections automatically take effect when the Governor of California or the President of the United States declares an emergency, excluding drought-related declarations, and the disaster results in:

• A disruption in the delivery or receipt of utility services.

• A reduction in the quality of utility services for residential or small business customers.

What Protections Are Available?

During a qualifying disaster, affected California LifeLine customers receive temporary relief from certain program requirements.

Annual Renewal Requirements

California LifeLine annual renewals are temporarily suspended for affected customers during the protection period. This means you do not have to complete your state LifeLine renewal while these protections are in effect.

Non-Usage Requirements

Affected customers are also temporarily protected from losing their California LifeLine discount solely because they have not used their telephone service for the period specified under the program's non-usage rules.

These protections are intended to help customers maintain their benefits when emergencies make it difficult to access or use telephone services.

How Long Do Disaster Protections Last?

California LifeLine disaster protections initially remain in effect for 30 days after activation.

If utility services remain disrupted, or applicable evacuation or shelter-in-place restrictions continue, the protections automatically extend for another 30 days.

Does Federal Lifeline Have the Same Protections?

California LifeLine and federal Lifeline are separate programs with different disaster protection requirements.

California's disaster protections do not automatically suspend federal Lifeline renewal or non-usage requirements.

If you receive federal Lifeline benefits, you may still need to complete your federal annual renewal or meet applicable usage requirements to keep your federal discount.

Need Help With Your LifeLine Service?

If you have questions about your LifeLine benefits or telephone service during an emergency, contact Siskiyou Telephone.

• Local Customer Service: 530-467-6000

• Toll-Free: 866-467-6001

For additional information about California LifeLine, visit www.californialifeline.com.

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