DSL INFO MEMO 2000-05

June 6, 2000

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living

To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Bureau Directors
County AODA Coordinators
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Long Term Support Coordinators
County Mental Health Coordinators
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - Tom Dixon
Section Chiefs
Self Help for Hard of Hearing
State Independent Living Centers
State Independent Living Council
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
Wisconsin Association for the Deaf

From:
Sinikka McCabe, Administrator
Division of Supportive Living

Re:
Funding Assistance for the Purchase of Telecommunications Services, Access and TTY's

Wisconsin's Public Service Commission (PSC) has several programs under their Universal Service Fund (USF) that help pay for some essential telephone-related costs for people with low incomes and people with sensory or physical disabilities. At this time, the programs are significantly underutilized. Information about these programs is being provided so that it can be shared with consumers and with relevant agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities to assist them in accessing telecommunication devices.

For low income customers, income eligibility for USF Programs include the following:

1. USF low-income programs are available to recipients of W2, Food Stamps, Medical Assistance, SSI, Energy Assistance, Badger Care, or the Wisconsin Homestead Tax Credit. Consumers must be active clients in the applicable state databases. The local telephone companies have established an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) that allows them to verify eligibility through DWD. The Public Service Commission has established an agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue that allows DOR, with signed release from the customer, to provide a telephone company with verification of eligibility through receipt of the Wisconsin Homestead Tax Credit.

2. The USF Lifeline and Link-up Programs are not available to customers who are dependents for federal income tax purposes unless the customer is more than 60 years of age.

The following USF programs are available to eligible individuals:

1. Link-Up America: Low-income residential customers receive a waiver of all applicable regulated service non-recurring charges when initiating or moving network access line service. Waivers apply for new service installations, for moves from one residence to another and for reconnection of an existing service. The charges that are waived include:

1. service ordering
2. record change
3. central office connection
4. outside plant or line connection
5. premises visit

Customers who have paid installation charges may receive the Link-Up waiver as a credit on their bills, providing that claim is made with the local exchange service provider within 60 days following completion of the service order.

Contact should be made with local telephone companies to request information regarding the Link-Up America Program.

2. Lifeline Assistance:  Lifeline provides a reduced monthly rate for local telephone service. Local telephone companies must meet certain requirements before they can offer this program. A contact with local telephone companies will have to be made to verify the availability of this program in a particular area of the State. For those telephone companies who meet the requirements, funding is available for monthly telephone charges.

Contact should be made with local telephone companies to request information regarding the Lifeline Assistance Program.

NOTE: Some long distance telephone companies may also offer lower rates to those on Lifeline Assistance. Check with the long distance company.

3. Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP): Vouchers are available for the purchase of equipment needed to access and use the telephone by deaf and hard of hearing people. The type of equipment that can be purchased include TTY's, amplified phones, phone signaling systems using flashing lights, a vibrator or loud bell and hands-free speaker phones. TEPP required a $100 co-pay but the Bureau for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has the Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) which pays the $100 co-pay for income-eligible people. The attached brochure provides information regarding TEPP and TAP and telephone numbers of contact people in each program.

Please provide this information about USF programs to consumers and appropriate agency and organization staff. Thank you for sharing this information with agencies working with people with disabilities.

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:

For information about TEPP and TAP:
Meta Voss Surprenant
Bureau for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(608) 266-3118 v/tty
E-mail: VossMV@wisconsin.gov

For information about USF programs:
Jeff Richter
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Mail:  P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI  53707-7854
E-mail: jeff.richter@psc.state.wi.us
PH.: 608/267-9624 (Voice)     608/267-1477 (TTY)

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