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Contact: Marty Berkowitz, 614-387-2962

OCC joins effort to educate consumers during National Lifeline Awareness Week

Consumers should be aware of important changes to the program

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sept. 7, 2012 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is marking the occasion of National Lifeline Awareness Week (Sept. 10-16, 2012) to share important information from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with consumers enrolled in the low-income telephone payment assistance program.

The Lifeline program provides discounts to low-income customers for their telephone service. Eligibility is open to consumers at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and the program is offered by all local telephone providers throughout the state. In recent years, many wireless programs have also been approved to provide Lifeline.

Consumers should be aware of recent changes to the program. These changes were designed to reduce costs and ensure that Lifeline is available to those who are most in need.

Of critical importance is the requirement that all Lifeline subscribers annually re-certify their eligibility. In late 2012, Lifeline subscribers will be contacted by their service provider to reconfirm that they remain eligible for the program. Lifeline subscribers who do not reconfirm eligibility may lose their Lifeline benefit.

Consumers are also reminded of the following guidelines:

• Eligible consumers may receive only ONE Lifeline discount per household that may be applied to either their wireline or wireless service.
• If a consumer’s household currently has more than one Lifeline discounted service, the consumer must select a single Lifeline provider immediately or be subject to penalties. For information about what to do in this circumstance, consumers should visit the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) website at www.lifelinesupport.org or call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322.
• In order to enroll in Lifeline, consumers must demonstrate their eligibility by showing proof of income or participation in a qualifying government assistance program.

The OCC offers a fact sheet, Telephone Lifeline Programs in Ohio, on its website, http://www.pickocc.org/telecom/factsheets-telecom.shtml. The fact sheet includes information about eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions about the program. Information about the Lifeline program also is available at http://www.fcc.gov/lifeline/outreach.

About the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, represents the interests of 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts. The state agency also educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues. For more information, please visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.