The Catskill Chronicle

NEW YORK STATE (September 7, 2012) – The New York State Public Service Commission has announced that September 10 – 16, 2012, is “Lifeline Awareness Week.”

The Commission encourages income-eligible customers to sign up for a discount on their telephone service through the Lifeline program. The program provides qualified consumer with discounts for monthly residential phone bills for basic telephone service.

“As part of a national effort, the Commission wants to stress the need to raise awareness of this important and valuable program that provides discounts to low-income New Yorkers for primary residential telephone service,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “Although the program has been in place for over 25 years, many eligible customers still fail to take advantage of the discount offered under the Lifeline program. I hope more eligible New Yorkers will take advantage of this valuable program.”

Under the Lifeline program, wireline customers receive a waiver of the federal subscriber line charge, a savings of at least $75 annually, as well as a discount on their basic local service charge. The total discount varies depending on the local telephone service provider and the program includes some wireless and cellular service providers.

Customers participating or eligible to participate in the following programs — Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Food Stamps, Medicaid, Veterans’ Disability or Surviving Spouse Pension, Family Assistance or the Safety Net Assistance programs — are eligible for the Lifeline program discount for basic residential telephone service.

Additional information and application forms for the Lifeline program are available by visiting the Commission’s www.AskPSC.com consumer web site.