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Connect to Lifeline and Save

Connect to Lifeline and Save. Discounted Lifeline Telephone Service Helps Low-Income Californians. Participants will Learn:. Available benefits through Lifeline Who is eligible & how to apply How to continue to participate Where to find more information. What’s in your Folder?.

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Connect to Lifeline and Save

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  1. A Consumer Action Training Connect to Lifelineand Save Discounted Lifeline Telephone Service Helps Low-Income Californians

  2. A Consumer Action Training Participants will Learn: • Available benefits through Lifeline • Who is eligible & how to apply • How to continue to participate • Where to find more information

  3. A Consumer Action Training What’s in your Folder? • Connect to Lifeline & Save brochure • Sample forms • PowerPoint presentation handout

  4. A Consumer Action Training California Lifeline Telephone Service Lets get started…

  5. A Consumer Action Training California Lifeline Telephone Service • What are some of the reasons you may need phone service at home?

  6. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • As a Lifeline participant you can save on local phone service.

  7. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Service Connection Discount • Approved customers receive a credit for all but $10 or half the regular connection charge (whichever is lower) • Does not cover outlet / jack • Landlord responsibility

  8. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Installment Plans for Service Connection & Deposits • Request an interest-free payment plan to help pay for service connection charges and/or deposits for basic service • Check with carrier Deposits for Basic Service will be Waived • If a deposit is paid when establishing service and applying for Lifeline, the deposit will be credited back after approval

  9. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Service Conversion Discount • Existing customers who have regular service who request and are approved for Lifeline will be charged a conversion charge to change to Lifeline • A conversion charge also applies to customers who change their service from flat rate to measured rate or measured rate to flat rate • A conversion charge for Lifeline customers is $10 or half the regular connection charge or full priced regular conversion charge (whichever is lower)

  10. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Federal Subscriber Line Charge is waived for Lifeline customers • Lifeline customers are exempt from paying certain taxes and surcharges

  11. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Flat Rate Local Telephone Service Discount • Unlimited local calls as low as $5.47 per month, unless half the regular flat rate is lower than $5.47, then the lower rate applies • Optional services - no discount

  12. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Measured Rate Local Service Discount • Up to 60 local calls per month for $2.91 per month, unless half the regular measured rate is lower than $2.91, then the lower rate applies • Additional local calls (more than 60 per month) cost 8 cents each • Optional services - no discount

  13. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Tribal Lands (Enhanced Lifeline) • Individuals living on federally recognized Tribal Lands who qualify for Lifeline may be enrolled in Tribal Lands Lifeline • Monthly rate for Tribal Lands Lifeline - $1 • Applicants must be approved for California Lifeline before they can apply for Tribal Lands Lifeline

  14. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Hearing Impaired - 2nd Connection • Household eligible for Lifeline • Disabled person in home uses a TTY • If TTY not issued by Deaf & Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) • Need medical certificate

  15. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Free Toll Blocking • Prevents making long distance or local toll calls • Able to receive long distance calls & make calls to toll free numbers • Protection • Prepaid telephone cards

  16. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Eligibility • Household • One family • Extended family living as group • If one or more families share home, each family is eligible for it’s own Lifeline service

  17. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Eligibility • Lifeline Eligibility Criteria: • Public assistance program • Household income limits • Lifeline connection in primary home • Not a dependent on another’s tax income return

  18. A Consumer Action Training Am I Eligible for Lifeline? • Review Lifeline Questionnaire • See handout • Will connection be at primary residence? • Are you someone’s dependent? • Are you enrolled in an eligible assistance program? • Does your income exceed limits?

  19. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Enrollment • If you don’t have local service, contact telephone company to set up • Certification (application) form arrives in the mail in a PINK envelope • Complete Lifeline certification (application) form by mail or online by the due date • Pay regular rates, connection charges, and deposits until approved. (Ask about interest-free payment plans) • After approval receive credit for deposits and all but $10 or half the regular service connection charge, whichever is lower • After approval the Lifeline discount will be credited back to when service began

  20. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Enrollment • If you already have local service, contact telephone company to apply for Lifeline • Certification (application) form arrives in the mail in a PINK envelope • Complete certification (application) form by mail or online by the due date • Pay regular rates until approved • Pay small one-time conversion charge • After approval the Lifeline discount will be applied retroactively from the date enrollment was requested

  21. A Consumer Action Training Annual Verification • Must renew Lifeline eligibility each year • CA Lifeline Annual Verification (Renewal) form arrives in the mail in a PINK envelope • Must complete program or income based section • Complete by mail or online by due date • Forms arriving late will not be processed

  22. A Consumer Action Training Annual Verification • If you don’t verify continued eligibility by the due date: • Will be removed from program • Service will convert to full-priced service • Deposit will be required, if applicable • Notify telephone company if you no longer qualify • Eligibility may be audited at any time • Provide proof of household income or participation in eligible assistance program

  23. CA Lifeline Administrator Call Center New Service Calls: Call Center Hours: Monday-Friday from 8am to 7pm

  24. CA Lifeline Administrator Hotline Status of Application and Renewal Forms: Hotline Hours: Monday-Friday from 7am to 7pm Web site: www.californialifeline.com • Find information, sample forms, and FAQs

  25. A Consumer Action Training Questions? Can we answer any questions about this portion of the training?

  26. A Consumer Action Training Connect to Lifeline & Save • Depending on the discount, what could a family do with the money saved by being a Lifeline participant?

  27. A Consumer Action Training Thank you! • Consumer Action - 800.999.7981 • www.consumer-action.org

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