California Public Utilities Commission’s
Communications Division
May 15, 2013
Universal Lifeline
Telephone Service (ULTS)
discounts
California LifeLine
Program
(California LifeLine)
federal Lifeline
program
(federal Lifeline)
California LifeLine
(home phone)
federal Lifeline
(wireless)
*California LifeLine discounts are currently for basic home phone service.
• The California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) oversees
both California LifeLine and
federal Lifeline (wireless) in
California.
• Promote affordable access to
high quality basic phone service.
• Help lower the cost of monthly
phone bills.
• All qualified California
households may take advantage
of these telephone discounts.
• The California LifeLine
Administrator handles the
enrollment and eligibility
processes.
What are the California LifeLine discounts?
Service Discounts
Price Consumer
Pays
Flat-Rate Local
Phone Service
Monthly discount = up to $11.85
Less than $7
per month
Service
Connection or
Conversion
Fee
Discount = up to $39 $10
Taxes and
Surcharges
Monthly discount = up to 13%
of California LifeLine services
$0
*California LifeLine discounts are also available for measured local phone service.
Other Benefits
Additional Benefits of the California LifeLine Program
What is federal Lifeline in California?
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) makes
the rules for federal Lifeline
• Only offered by eligible telecommunications carriers
• Federal Lifeline discounts can be used on different phone
service plans, and not just on basic phone service
• Service providers offering federal Lifeline (wireless)
discounts:
1) Cricket Communications, Inc. (Cricket)
2) Nexus Communications, Inc. (Nexus)
3) Telscape Communications, Inc. (Telscape)
4) Virgin Mobile USA, L.P. (Virgin)
• Monthly federal Lifeline discount = up to $9.25 per month
• Does not offer discounted rates for service connection
or activation fees, service conversion fees, or deposits
• Does not offer exemption of pass-through taxes
• Each of the federal Lifeline wireless service providers in
California has different service offerings. Calling features
and contractual arrangements will also differ.
What is federal Lifeline in California?
1) Program-Based: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, and more
2) Income-Based: $24,700 for 1 to 2 household members
Proof of program participation or income documentation needed
*For more information about how to qualify and apply, go
to californialifeline.com or take a brochure.
There are two ways to qualify.
Eligibility Methods
Recent Eligibility Requirements from the FCC
Consumer Feedback
• Option B - fixed discount
Example: California LifeLine monthly discount is
$Z per month that a consumer could use to lower
the regular rate of the phone service
1. What would be a simpler, more convenient type of
California LifeLine discount?
• Option A (current California practice) - flat monthly
service fee
Example: California LifeLine monthly discounted
service costs $X per month
Questions
3. If there was a California LifeLine discounted wireless
phone service, what should it offer?
• a set number of minutes/text/Web usage in one or more
wireless phone plans?
• a minimum service plan and features?
• discounts on overage fees?
4. Should the CPUC develop and require a California
LifeLine wireless phone plan that all service providers
must offer - a one plan fits all concept?
Questions
2. Should the California LifeLine Program provide discounts
on wireless phone service?
6. Which of these two processes, the existing application
process or the possible alternative process, is better for
you?
5. Currently, California LifeLine service must be guaranteed
to work inside the home.
If there was a California LifeLine discounted wireless
phone service, should the wireless phone service also
work inside the home similar to landline phone service?
Questions
Existing Application Process
Consumer orders
regular phone service
Consumer contacts phone
company and asks for the
California LifeLine discounts
California LifeLine
Administrator
determines
consumer’s eligibility
Consumer receives
the application form
Consumer submits completed
and signed application form to the
California LifeLine Administrator
Phone company activates
regular phone service
Consumer can make or
receive phone calls
Consumer receives
approval letter or
denial letter
Possible Alternative Application Process
Consumer
contacts the
California LifeLine
Administrator
Consumer contacts
Consumer contacts
and informs the
chosen phone
company of the
approval
Consumer receives
the application form
Consumer submits completed and
signed application form to the
California LifeLine Administrator
Consumer asks for the
Consumer asks for the
application form from
the California LifeLine
Administrator
Phone company
activates California
LifeLine service
Consumer can make or
receive phone calls
California LifeLine
Administrator
determines
consumer’s eligibility
Consumer receives
approval letter or
denial letter
Thank You!
A Program of the California Public Utilities Commission
www.californialifeline.com
