RICHMOND — Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to all Virginians. Being able to make a local phone call can keep vulnerable Virginians from becoming totally isolated and can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Lifeline, a discounted telephone service program, is available through designated wireline and wireless telephone companies to low-income Virginians and enables them to stay connected to community resources. The State Corporation Commission (SCC) encourages eligible Virginia residents who need local phone service but cannot afford it to take advantage of this program. The plan makes basic wireline phone service more affordable to those who need it.

The SCC is partnering with the Federal Communications Commission, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates during “National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week” September 10-16. The goal of this nationwide outreach effort is to increase awareness about telephone service assistance available through state and federal programs and to expand the number of qualified participants.

The Lifeline program in Virginia has been in existence since 1988. It has traditionally been referred to as the Virginia Universal Service Plan for wireline telephone companies. Implemented jointly by the SCC and the Federal Communications Commission, Lifeline helps eligible consumers purchase more affordable telephone service. Telephone customers who participate in or are eligible for one of seven medical or food public assistance programs or meet an income requirement are entitled to receive a minimum basic telephone service discount of $9.25 per month.

Designated wireline telephone companies in Virginia provide this assistance and will help with enrollment. A number of wireless companies have also been designated to provide discounted service to qualifying low-income consumers in Virginia. Lifeline discounts are available to only one qualifying consumer of local telephone or wireless service per household.

If you have more than one wireline or wireless local telephone provider in your area, contact each company to verify which ones offer Lifeline support, because not all companies are required to offer this program.

The SCC’s Division of Communications has regulatory authority over wireline telephone companies operating in Virginia. Additional universal service plan information is available on the SCC website at www.scc.virginia.gov/puc/univ.aspx or by contacting the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) at www.usac.org/li/getting-service.

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