CTAP – California Telephone Access Program

phone worked for three (3) days — don’t waste your time !!!
just buy a «senior» phone crummy phones
took it home — died after three days — very disappointing
do not recommend !!!

Saw a commercial on TV about free phones for the hearing or vision impaired. Any time I see something for free, my «red flags» go up. You know the saying — «you get what you paid for!» Well, here is the exception! What a great service this program offers the citizens of California.
I printed my mom a form and had her doctor sign it. Drove to the Burbank CTAP office and crossed my fingers. Well, I was very impressed with the quality of the phone and the staff!
George was kind, considerate of my mom and completely thorough in explaining the pros and cons of every phone they had on display. It was easy for my mom to select the phone that would help her hear her phone calls better. George brings back a phone out of inventory. I figured these phone might just be refurbished — but NO. He takes it out of a NEW box and plugs it into a phone jack and power outlet to make sure it was working properly. He then proceeded to give us a complete explanation of how all the features worked. He repacked the phone, gave us a nice bag and sent us on our way with a kind «thank you». He made us feel great and I felt proud of our state and this country. Thank You CTAP and George.

I went to this office under a referral by a state agency. I have a low vision situation. If you have a visual problem, they have telephones with large buttons. They have telephones with large font screens to see incoming calls if you have caller ID. They even have telephones that will sound off the caller ID information. I really love this feature. I know who is calling without having to use my eyes if they are too tired (which really does happen).
The staff was friendly and helpful. I was able to look at my options then decide which telephone would work best for me. I agree with the first review. I have used this office and over all they get 5 stars.
For the record, there are offices throughout the state of CA. One way to find a location near you and more about the California Telephone Access Program is by going to

Thanks to the wonders of insomnia and late night infomercials, I heard about CTAP. Saw their commercial about providing free phones for old folks (as well as those otherwise hearing, seeing or mobility impaired) and in my sleepless stupor thought, damn, my gramps could use one of those! I jotted down the number and fast forward a phone call, a couple of forms and a trip to the local CTAP office to pick up the goods later… my 90 year old grampy hearts his new phone (specifically for the hard of hearing) and uses it every Sunday to call his (86 year old) baby sister in Arkansas. Yee haw!
The program is free to all Californian’s and isn’t based on any income restrictions or limitations so it really is accessible to all. Bottom line, if you have an impairment or a loved one who does, you can easily get a free phone through this awesome state funded program. Take advantage before they start taxing this, too!
Note: Office hours are by appointment after you’d made your initial call and get your forms prepped. You can even set an appt. time to go check out the equipment options and see what works best for your needs. Good stuff.