DO YOU QUALIFY FOR REDUCED PHONE RATES?
Utah Telephone Assistance Program (UTAP) is a program to assist eligible households with their monthly basic local telephone service. As of August 1, 2012, the program provides a monthly discount of about $12.75 for low-income households (135% of the federal poverty limit) with landline telephones and $9.25 for approved wireless telephones. The program is funded through state and federal funds and is now being administered by the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Both new and current customers are eligible.
The Utah Public Service Commission recently approved three wireless companies to provide free, but limited, cell phone service to eligible low income customers. Customers can apply directly through the following companies*: Verizon Wireless/Safelink; Virgin Mobile/Assurance Wireless; i-wireless; Cricket. *Other wireless companies are applying and may also be approved. Each wireless company offers one or more service plans with varied number of minutes, features, etc., so it is important to choose the one that best fits your entire household’s needs. Each income eligible household can have only one lifeline product so it is critical to determine whether the household’s needs are best met through a landline or a mobile phone with a limited number of free minutes.
Federal Program Information: HYPERLINK “http://www.lifelinesupport.org/about/default.aspx” http://www.lifelinesupport.org/about/default.aspx
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
1. There are two ways to qualify for UTAP Lifeline. The total household income must be at or less than 135% of the federal poverty level (income is based solely on gross);
or
2. The client or someone living in his/her household receives benefits from one of the following programs:
• SNAP (FOOD STAMPS)
• GENERAL ASSISTANCE
• HEAD START (income qualification standard only)
• HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE TARGET PROGRAM (HEAT)
• HELP (Home Electric Lifeline Program)
• MEDICAID
• NATIONAL FREE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM (not reduced)
• FEDERAL PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE including Section 8
• REFUGEE ASSISTANCE
• SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)
• TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)
HOW DO I APPLY FOR UTAP?
Application Process:
1. Applicants may call the State of Utah, UTAP Program at 1-800-948-7540 to request an application and one will be mailed. Once the completed application is returned to the State Office, it will be screened for eligibility. If the applicant is eligible, they will be added to a list that will be generated on a regular basis and e-mailed or faxed to the local telephone company, CentraCom, which will then add the customer to the UTAP customer list. The discount will begin applying on the next billing cycle from the date the approved application was submitted to the ETC. The applicant will receive notification and information regarding when and how the discount will be applied. Applicants not eligible will receive a denial letter stating the reason for denial and information regarding their right to appeal.
2. Applicants may call their participating telephone service provider, CentraCom, 435-427-3331 or 1-800-427-8449 and request an application and one will be mailed. In this process, the State Office will provide the local telephone providers with UTAP applications via its web site. The company may mail those directly to the client. When the client completes the application, the process in step 1 above will apply.
3. Clients can go online at HYPERLINK “http://housing.utah.gov/seal” http://housing.utah.gov/seal (all lower case) and print an application, complete and sign and date application and mail in any necessary documents. After completing and signing the application, follow the actions in Step 1.
Steps for Applying for Persons that do not currently have telephone service:
If a person does not currently have active telephone service with an eligible provider and wants to know if they are eligible for the discount, they may complete the application. They will be notified by mail of their approval contingent upon obtaining telephone service. The client will then notify the State of their new active telephone number. The State will then notify the telephone carrier to apply the discount.