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

A Consumer Action Training Welcome Participants will learn: –Benefits available through Lifeline –Who is eligible & how to apply –How to continue to participate –Where to find more information

A Consumer Action Training What’s in your folder? Connect to Lifeline & Save brochure Leader’s Guide - Q&A format Activities / Sample forms Powerpoint presentation handout

A Consumer Action Training Expectations Activity Your name Your agency & title What you hope to get out of this seminar today

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

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits As a Lifeline participant you can save: –Over 50% off of local phone service –Also other great benefits

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits Service connection discount –Start service for $10 or half of regular fee –Does not cover outlet / jack –Landlord responsibility

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits Service conversion discount –Make changes to plan for $10 –Regular residential to Lifeline

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits Flat rate local telephone discount –Unlimited local calls for $5.47 per month or half the phone company’s regular residential flat- rate local service, whichever is lower –Optional services - no discount Subscriber Line Charge is waived –Lifeline customers do not have to pay this federal fee

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits Measured local service discount –Up to 60 local calls per month for $2.91 per month –Additional local calls (more than 60 per month) cost 8¢ each

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits Installment Plans for connection & conversion fees –Option to pay fees up to 12 months –No interest –Check with carrier

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

A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits Free toll blocking –Prevents long distance or local toll calls –Receive long distance calls & call toll free numbers –Protection –Prepaid telephone cards

A Consumer Action Training Lifeline eligibility Lifeline new application criteria: –Public assistance program –Household income limits –Lifeline connection in primary home –Not a dependent on another’s tax income return

A Consumer Action Training Am I eligible for Lifeline? Review Lifeline questionnaire See page 19 in your training guide

A Consumer Action Training BREAK! Let’s take a 10 minute stretch break

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?

A Consumer Action Training Lifeline enrollment Contact your telephone company, or: –Call (English) –Call (Spanish) –Go online: Enrollment subject to approval Existing non-Lifeline telephone service New telephone service

A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Help Number Toll free: TTY:

A Consumer Action Training Lifeline verification Yearly request CA Lifeline verification form Must complete program or income based section Located in the back of your training guide

A Consumer Action Training Activity Break into small groups What to know about being a Lifeline customer - page 20 Be ready to share findings

A Consumer Action Training What if… You were meeting with a client today, what other information would you need to answer their questions?

A Consumer Action Training Wrap Up & Evaluation Review Certification/Verification check list - page 21 Did we meet your expectations

A Consumer Action Training Thank you! Consumer Action