Transcript Document
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 flatrate 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 866-272-0349 (English) – Call 866-272-0350 (Spanish) – Go online: www.californialifeline.com • Enrollment subject to approval • Existing non-Lifeline telephone service • New telephone service A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Help Number • Toll free: 877.858.7463 • TTY: 888.858.7889 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 - 800.999.7981 • www.consumer-action.org