When Your Telephone is a Lifeline
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-07-23 14:32:28.465456-04:00
Unfortunately, many of our friends, relatives and neighbors do not have telephone service. Having a telephone is now within reach for our neighbors in need with Verizon's Communication Lifeline and Link Up America programs. Communications Lifeline provides a $13.58 maximum credit toward monthly telephone bills including a full credit for Touch-Tone service. Communications Lifeline allows a household to receive the discount by choosing Flat Rate Service, Moderate Use Message Rate Service or Low Use Message Rate Service. Monthly charges can range from zero to approximately $2 based on the plan chosen. Link Up America provides a 50% discount on telephone connection charges. The remaining 50 percent may be billed in 12 monthly payments.
How do I find out more about these programs?
New Jersey SHARES (NJS), a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to assisting households in crisis is partnering with Verizon to provide a comprehensive and compassionate solution for Verizon low-income customers eligible for Communications Lifeline or the Link Up America program.
The NJS Client Service Center (1-888-337-3339) is available M-F 9AM-6 PM. NJS provides a single point of contact for handling all inquiries regarding the Verizon Communications Lifeline and Link Up America programs. Our staff responds to calls regarding the Communications Lifeline program, eligibility, recertification, as well as interacting with clients associated with direct mailings to potentially eligible households. In addition, our staff initiates outgoing calls to resolve mismatches and provide households with additional enrollment resolution solutions. Call Center representatives also provide information and referrals regarding the programs which make a customer categorically eligible for Communications Lifeline. NJS pro-actively contacts senior households to offer program information and application solutions as well as providing statewide outreach to agency partners and senior organizations.
Eligibility for these programs is based on participation in one of these programs:
- Food Stamp Program
- General Assistance (GA)
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LiHEAP)
- Lifeline Utility credit/Tenants Lifeline Assistance
- Medicaid
- Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy families/Work First New Jersey (TANF/WFNJ)
If a household receives benefits form one or more of these programs the household can be automatically enrolled in Communications Lifeline/Link Up America.
OR
If a person age 65 or over is not participating in one of these programs and has an annual income that is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level they can contact NJS at 1-888-337-3339 for information on enrollment. Applications are available at 163 NJS intake sites across the state. Be a good neighbor, spread the word about Communications Lifeline and Link Up America, let's keep our community connected.
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