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Independent guide — not the government, not a Lifeline provider

Cliq Mobile — independent Lifeline resource guide

Need help logging into C4Yourself or BenefitsCal? You're in the right place.

C4Yourself has transitioned to BenefitsCal. If you used C4Yourself for your benefits, you likely qualify for a free government phone.

What Is C4Yourself?

C4Yourself was an online benefits portal used by residents of several California counties, including Contra Costa, to apply for and manage public assistance programs. Through C4Yourself, residents could access CalFresh (food assistance), Medi-Cal (healthcare), CalWORKs (cash assistance), and other county-administered benefits.

As part of California's statewide modernization effort, C4Yourself has been transitioned to BenefitsCal, a unified platform that serves all California counties. If you previously used C4Yourself, your account and benefits have moved to BenefitsCal.

If You Used C4Yourself, You Likely Qualify for Lifeline

The programs you accessed through C4Yourself are the same programs that qualify you for free Lifeline phone service. If you are enrolled in any of the following, you are eligible:

  • CalFresh (SNAP) — California's food assistance program qualifies you for federal Lifeline.
  • Medi-Cal (Medicaid) — California's Medicaid program is a direct Lifeline qualifier.
  • CalWORKs (TANF) — Cash assistance for families with children qualifies under California Lifeline rules.
  • General Assistance — County-level general relief may also qualify you for Lifeline in California.

Important Update

C4Yourself has transitioned to BenefitsCal. To manage your benefits, visit BenefitsCal.com. Your eligibility for Lifeline is not affected by this transition. If you were receiving benefits through C4Yourself, you still qualify.

How to Apply for a Free Phone

Applying for Lifeline is straightforward, whether you used C4Yourself or have since moved to BenefitsCal:

  1. Verify your active benefits — Log in to BenefitsCal.com (formerly C4Yourself) to confirm your enrollment in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWORKs.
  2. Choose a Lifeline provider — Compare Lifeline providers that serve California and pick one based on coverage, plans, and device options.
  3. Apply with the provider — Submit your application with your name, address, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. Include documentation of your active benefits (a benefits letter, enrollment confirmation, or a screenshot from BenefitsCal).
  4. Get verified and receive your phone — After the National Verifier confirms your eligibility, your chosen provider ships your free smartphone and activates service.

What Lifeline Typically Includes

Exact plans vary by provider, but Lifeline benefits in California generally include:

  • A free 4G LTE or 5G-capable Android smartphone
  • Unlimited talk and text every month
  • A monthly allotment of high-speed data
  • No contracts, no monthly bills, no credit checks
  • BYOD option with most providers if you want to keep your own phone
Check If You Qualify