By Robert M. Clayton III
Special to the Globe
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Telephone service is a vital communication link to health care, family and friends. However, some Missourians do not have access to such a link because of financial difficulties. There are programs available to help qualified Missourians receive a discount on monthly telephone bills and provide a reduction in installation and connection fees. Eligibility is determined based on participation in other assistance programs. The Missouri low-income program, also known as Lifeline, provides discounts on monthly telephone service. Link-Up helps consumers with telephone installation costs.
Under the Missouri low-income program, qualifying customers are eligible to receive up to $13.50 per month towards their basic local service. The exact amount of the discount depends on your basic local telecommunications rates. The Link-Up Program provides up to a 50 percent reduction (up to a maximum of $30) on initial telephone connection charges.
The federal Universal Service Fund was established to fund this program. In 1996, the Missouri Legislature joined the federal effort to help fund these programs. As a result, Missouri is one of more than 40 states that have a state Universal Service Fund for low-income consumers in an effort to help them receive essential local telephone service. Missouri landline telephone customers pay a surcharge on their monthly telephone bill that amounts to 9 cents on an average $30 bill. The fund is administered by the Missouri Universal Service Board, which is composed of members of the Missouri Public Service Commission and the Office of the Public Counsel.
People are eligible for the Missouri Low-Income Program and/or Link-Up if they are receiving benefits under one of these programs: Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), MO HealthNet, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), National School Lunch Program’s free lunch program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8). There is also some state assistance available for consumers that receive certain disability benefits.
Without a telephone, much of the information low-income and fixed-income households receive is from word of mouth. We need to work together to spread the word and make sure that those who are eligible know that help is available.
We urge residents who may be eligible for these programs to contact their local telephone company for an application and more information. Check the front pages of your local telephone directory, look for information on the Missouri Low-Income Program or Lifeline. If after speaking to the telephone company, there are additional questions, please call the Missouri Public Service Commission Consumer Hot Line toll-free at 1-800-392-4211.
Robert M. Clayton III is chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, the state agency charged with regulating investor-owned utilities, and a member of the Missouri Universal Service Board.
