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 New Mexico
residents as part of two federal support programs. These programs,
“Lifeline Assistance” and “Link-Up,” 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.
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 telephone assistance plan is available to qualifying New Mexico
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.”
New Mexico residents whose income is at or below 135 percent of the
Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for telephone assistance.
Additionally, New Mexico residents who participate in one or more of the
following programs are eligible for telephone assistance:
- Medicaid,
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Food Stamps,
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
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Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8),
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
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Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or
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The National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program.
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Residents of the Navajo Reservation may also qualify if participating
in one of the following programs:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance,
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Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TTANF), or
- Head Start (if income eligibility criteria are met).
The following conditions are required for the Lifeline and Link-Up
programs:
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1)
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Telephone service must be listed in your name;
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2)
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You cannot be listed as a dependent on another person’s tax return;
and
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3)
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Telephone service must be in your primary residence (not a business
or second home).
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These two low-income telephone assistance plans are important for New
Mexico 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 New Mexico, 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 and Link-Up are great ways to ensure that
all New Mexico 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 landlines 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
Contact:
Media
Frontier Communications
Stephanie Beasly, 916-691-5666
Communications
Manager
stephanie.beasly@ftr.com