Landlines remain important to home emergency planning
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Federal Communications Commission, the National Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the National Association of State
Utility Consumer Advocates have designated September 13-19, 2010 as "National
Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week."
The designation is an effort to raise awareness of landline telephone
payment assistance available to qualifying low-income Idaho residents as
part of three federal support programs plus the state Idaho Telephone
Service Assistance Program (ITSAP). These programs, “Lifeline
Assistance,” “Native American Lifeline,” “Link-Up” and “ITSAP” are
available through Frontier Communications (NYSE:FTR).
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“Lifeline” is a plan that assists qualified low-income customers by
providing a monthly credit on their telephone bill.
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“Link-Up” is an assistance plan that helps qualified low-income
customers pay for the installation of basic telephone service by
reducing connection charges by 50 percent, or $30, whichever is less.
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The federal “Native American Lifeline” program provides additional
discounts to qualified customers.
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“ITSAP” is a state plan administered by the Department of Heath and
Welfare and supplements the federal benefits.
Another feature of the Lifeline program enables qualified applicants to
avoid paying a service deposit if they voluntarily agree to have
long-distance calling blocked from their telephone.
“This landline telephone assistance plan is available to qualifying
Idaho residents,” said Becky Potts, State Vice President & General
Manager. “Frontier wants to let low-income customers know about these
programs and encourage eligible customers to apply.”
Idaho residents whose income is at or below 133 percent of the Federal
Poverty Guidelines are eligible for telephone assistance. Additionally,
Idaho residents who participate in one or more of the following programs
are eligible for telephone assistance:
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Must subscribe to flat rate or measured residential local exchange
service. Foreign exchange service is excluded.
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Must be only service at principal place of residence.
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Must certify that applicant/head of household is currently receiving
benefits from one of these programs:
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Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
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Federal Public Housing Assistance
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Food Stamps
The following conditions are required for the Lifeline and Link-Up
programs:
1) Telephone service must be listed in your name;
2) You cannot be listed as a dependent on another person’s tax return;
and
3) Telephone service must be in your primary residence (not a business
or second home).
These four low-income telephone assistance plans are important for Idaho
residents and benefit the public by ensuring affordable access to
telephone service for everyone. Eligible area residents are encouraged
to submit their application and direct questions to Frontier
Communications. To learn more about low-income telephone assistance
plans specific to Idaho, contact Frontier by visiting www.frontier.com
and clicking on Discount Programs. Frontier can provide you with an
application, or direct you to the appropriate state agency to facilitate
the process.
According to Potts, “Lifeline, Native American Lifeline, ITSAP and
Link-Up are great ways to ensure that all Idaho households can take
advantage of the benefits of a landline phone. For example, E911 is a
vital service offered via landline that cannot be fully duplicated using
cell phones. Corded landline phones that do not require alternating
current (AC) power for dial tone also work even when the power is out, a
critical component of any home emergency plan.” Potts notes, “Frontier
offers a wide array of digital phone and wireless services, but when it
comes to safety and security, many customers still rely on their copper
line when it comes to power outages, 911 emergency calls, alarm
monitoring services and call quality.” Basic landline service also
allows many consumers to choose a less expensive package of cell phone
minutes, which helps the family budget.
About Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) offers voice, High-Speed
Internet, satellite video, wireless Internet data access, data security
solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for small businesses
and home offices, and advanced business communications Access Solutions
for medium and large businesses in 27 states and with approximately
14,800 employees. Frontier is included in the S&P 500 Index and is the
largest provider of communications services to rural America. More
information is available at www.frontier.com
and www.frontier.com/ir.
Source: Frontier Communications Corporation
Contact:
Media Contact
Frontier Communications
Stephanie Beasly,
916-691-5666
Communications Manager
stephanie.beasly@ftr.com