California Teleconnect Fund

The California Teleconnect Fund is a subsidy on selected telecommunication services for the purpose of ensuring essential public services can serve their communities through modern telecommunications. Subsidized services include:

• Broadband internet
• Traditional communications such as landlines and mobile
• Advanced communications such as VoIP and email

Applicants are categorized into distinct groups which includes government hospitals/clinics and healthcare community-based organizations, among others. Each category has different eligibility requirements.

Government hospitals/clinics:

• Be owned by a municipal government, county government, or hospital district
• Have a valid healthcare license and identification number from the California Department of Health and/or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Provide healthcare services in California

Healthcare community-based organizations:

• Be a 501(c)(3)
• Offer licensed healthcare services as their primary function directly to individuals at a specific location
• Have licensed medical personnel on site providing healthcare services
• Accept medical plans such as Medi-Cal, Medicare, Department of Veterans Affairs insurance, and/or provide services without charge or at a minimal fee
• Possess annual revenues less than $50 million
• A majority of board members reside in California

Critical Access Hospitals may apply as a healthcare community-based organization if they meet the eligibility criteria and are not owned by the government.

Participants are periodically required to recertify eligibility.

50% reduction on selected services.

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application portal are available on the program website.