FAQs

The CPUC is a state agency that regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians' access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. The essential services regulated include electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies.

The California LifeLine Program provides discounts on home phone and cell phone services to qualified households. The California LifeLine discounts help consumers lower the cost of their phone bills.

The CPUC and Boost Mobile have partnered to offer discounted service to California residents enrolled in certain public assistance programs.

Beginning July 2019, the CPUC will begin mailing postcards to California residents participating in the CARE program (California Alternate Rates for Energy). Recipients need to simply bring the postcard to a participating Boost Retailer to set up service and pass a quick verification process. Once approved, a $15 credit will be applied to the account each month for the life of the program or until such time that the participant is no longer eligible.

In the future, the program may be expanded to other public assistance programs. Please be aware that the promotion code is single use and non-transferable. The name as it appears on the postcard must match the Boost Mobile account in order to receive the credit. Customer responsible for first month payment. Depending on the length of the validation process, the discount should begin in the second or third month of service.

The California Public Utilities Commission administers the CARE Program to provide discounts to low-income households to help lower their energy utility bills. Go to California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) for more information.

You qualify based on your receipt of assistance from public assistance programs such as the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program or services from local governments. The California Public Utilities Commission chooses the eligibility criteria for consumers to receive the discounts from the CPUC & Boost Mobile pilot program. If you participate in the California Alternate Rates for Energy you may qualify and receive a postcard from the CPUC with a promotion code.

Simply bring your promotion code to a Boost Mobile Store to sign up for service or add the discount to your existing Boost Mobile account. To find the Boost Mobile Store nearest you at Boost Mobile and click ‘Find a Store’. Then click “filter by locations that offer” and select ‘smart pay’. You can bring your promotion code to any Boost Mobile- branded store, shown in the map with the Boost Mobile logo. The name and address on your Boost Mobile account must exactly match those on your CARE account.

After receiving the discount, you may be asked to confirm your eligibility by sharing a copy of your energy bill via text message to CPUC. Follow the instructions from CPUC.

Boost Mobile is providing service for this program. The $15 discount is valid on any price plan. For more information on plans, visit Boost Mobile.

The program offers a $15 discount which is provided by the California Public Utilities Commission. The discount is valid on any Boost Mobile price plan. For more information on plans, visit Boost Mobile.

If you are already a Boost Mobile customer you can apply the discount to your existing account. Before going to your nearest Boost Mobile store, please go into “MyAccount” on boostmobile.com or the MyBoost app on your cell phone and update your account profile. Your Name and Address much match the name an address on the postcard EXACTLY. If they do not match, you will not be able to receive the $15 credit.

This is a limited duration pilot program. Monthly credits will be issued for a time period no greater than 2 years after July 2019. Participants must remain California residents. The CPUC reserves the right to discontinue the credit at their discretion.

Please send an email to hellosavings@cpuc.ca.gov. Include your name and the address from the utility bill on which you receive your CARE discount.

If the promo code provided to you is expired, please contact hellosavings@cpuc.ca.gov.

No, the coupon code is single-use, and non-transferable. It is only valid for the recipient identified on the postcard. However, once the coupon code is redeemed, the discount will remain intact for the duration of the pilot program.

The CPUC will send postcards to CARE participants at the addresses where they receive their discounted energy service (service address).

Please send an email to hellosavings@cpuc.ca.gov. Include your name and service address from your utility bill. If you have Boost Mobile service, please include your Boost Mobile number.

The promotion code must be added when you activate your service, and the name and address must match perfectly to be eligible for the discount. Please note it may take 1-2 weeks to become eligible for the discount following validation of all requirements and you will be responsible for the full price of the rate plan until the discount is validated. If these requirements have been met, please email hellosavings@cpuc.ca.gov. Include your name and address.

If you have recently moved, before enrolling in the pilot, please send an email to hellosavings@cpuc.ca.gov. Include your name, and your previous address.

Please send an email to hellosavings@cpuc.ca.gov. Include your name, and your cellular phone number as it’s listed on your Boost Mobile Account. You can find this information in My Account. Visit your MyBoost App on your phone or Boost Mobile.

You can potentially be removed from the pilot program.

You must pay in full for the first month of service. If you successfully validate your eligibility, then you will begin receiving the discount on your 2nd month of service.

The discount will be applied as an account credit and will be reflected in your account balance. Be advised that this credit in your account balance can be used for add-ons and other purchases. Make sure that if you use a portion or all of this account credit prior to your payment due date that you add enough funds to cover the full price of your plan. This will help avoid service interruption.

Please note: Boost Mobile will send you payment reminder messages. Those messages will only consider your rate-plan cost, it will not reflect the $15 discount. No need to worry, the $15 credit will be applied when your payment is due. You can check on your available account balance any time on the MyBoost app or Boost Mobile.

The program offers a $15 discount, provided by the California Public Utilities Commission, on any current Boost Mobile rate-plan. For more information, visit Boost Mobile.

You may use any Boost Mobile phone, or, if it meets the Boost Mobile network requirements, you may bring your own device. Please visit Boost Mobile or visit a Boost Mobile store to determine if your phone is compatible with the Boost Mobile network. Tablets are not eligible.

Yes, as long as the device meets the Boost mobile network eligibility requirements.

Please visit Boost Mobile Bring your Phone to check if your phone is compatible or visit a Boost Mobile store for more details. Tablets are not eligible.

Yes, the $15 discount can be used on a multi-line or family plan. If more than one individual on the family plan participates in the CARE program and has received a promo code, they can each receive the discount. If you have a family plan, each discount will be applied to the primary account holder. Each individual with a promo code must make sure that their name and address in their Boost Mobile account matches the name and address on your CARE account.

If you already have service with Boost Mobile, simply take the postcard/promo code to a Boost Mobile store to enroll. Visit www.boostmobile.com to find your nearest store. Please access your account via the My Boost app or Boost Mobile to confirm the name and address on your account match the name and address on your postcard before going to the Boost Mobile store and update if necessary.

For an interactive coverage map to see how service is covered in your area visit Boost Mobile.

To purchase service add-ons to your account, visit My Account on Boost Mobile.

To add funds to your account:

Cash via Re-boost cards: To purchase a Re-boost card, visit any authorized Boost Mobile retailer. You can search for a retailer near you visit Boost Mobile and click ‘find a store’

Credit Card: You can add funds using a credit at any time, just visit My Account on Boost Mobile.

You can also dial #233 from your cell phone to add funds.

Please Note: The minimum you can add at any time is $10 and the maximum is $99. Re-Boost Cards are sold in fixed denominations of $20, $30, and $50. Some Re-Boost Cards have an open range where you can add any dollar amount between $10 to $99.

You can see all account related information by going to My Account either by using the My Boost app on your cell phone or visiting My Account on Boost Mobile.

There are several ways to add money to your account.

Cash via Re-boost cards: To purchase a Re-boost card, visit any authorized Boost Mobile retailer. You can search for a retailer near you visit Boost Mobile and click ‘find a store’

Credit Card: You can add funds using a credit at any time, just visit My Account on Boost Mobile.

You can also dial #233 from your cell phone to add funds.

You can sign-up for Auto Pay using your credit card. It securely keeps your information on file and charges your card automatically each month. Completely worry free!

Please Note: The minimum you can add at any time is $10 and the maximum is $99. Re-Boost Cards are sold in fixed denominations of $20, $30, and $50. Some Re-Boost Cards have an open range where you can add any dollar amount between $10 to $99.

Yes! You can check your account balance and find answers to many other questions by accessing your My Boost account via our My Boost app or login to your account on Boost Mobile.

Yes. Shop for international calling plans on Boost Mobile. You can also pay per minute for international calls if you have the appropriate funds in your account.