Connect to Lifeline and Save!

1. A Consumer Action Training Connect to Lifelineand Save! Discounted Lifeline Telephone Service Helps Low-Income Californians

2. A Consumer Action Training Participants will learn: • What benefits are available through California (CA) LifeLine and federal Lifeline • Who is eligible and how to apply • How to continue participation • Where to find more information

3. A Consumer Action Training What Is in Your Folder? • Connect to California LifeLine and Save! brochure • Sample forms • PowerPoint presentation handout

4. A Consumer Action Training Types of Lifeline Discounts • California LifeLine • Currently applies to traditional wired residential telephone service • Future expansion to include alternative technologies, such as wireless phones • Federal Lifeline • Some wireless service providers approved to offer federal Lifeline in California

5. A Consumer Action Training California LifeLine vs Federal Lifeline • Similarities • Eligibility criteria • Application and renewal process • Differences • Discounts on services • Federal Lifeline only offered by some wireless service providers

6. A Consumer Action Training California LifeLine Telephone Service Lets get started…

7. A Consumer Action Training California LifeLine Telephone Service • What are some of the reasons you might need phone service at home?

8. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • As a CA LifeLine participant you can save on local phone service.

9. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Service Connection Discount • Approved customers receive a credit for all but $10 or half of the regular connection charge, whichever results in the higher credit and lower cost to the customer • Does not cover outlet / jack installation • CA landlords must provide one working jack in each rental unit

10. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Installment Plans for Service Connection & Deposits • Request an interest-free payment plan to help pay for service connection charges and/or deposit for basic service • Contact your service provider for details • Deposit for Basic Service Waived • If a deposit is paid when establishing service and applying for CA LifeLine, the deposit will be credited back to you after approval

11. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Service Conversion Discount • Existing customers with regular service who convert to CA LifeLine will be charged a conversion charge • A conversion charge also applies to customers who change their service to/from flat rate to/from measured rate • The conversion charge for CA LifeLine customers is $10 or half the regular connection charge or the full-priced regular conversion charge (whichever is lowest)

12. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Monthly Federal Subscriber Line Charge is waived for CA LifeLine customers • CA LifeLine service not subject to certain fees, taxes and surcharges

13. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Flat-rate Local Service Discount • Unlimited local calls • Not more than the current $6.84 / month ratefor most customers (through December 2012) • Never lower than $5, and can not exceed 50% of service provider’s regular flat-rate service • No discount on optional services

14. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Measured Local Service Discount • Up to 60 untimed local calls per month • Not more than the current $3.66 / month rate for most customers (through December 2012) • Never lower than $2.50, and can not exceed 50% of service provider’s regular rate for measured service • Additional local calls (over 60/mo) cost 8¢ each • No discount on optional services

15. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Rate Changes • Beginning January 1, 2013, service providers must establish their CA LifeLine rates for the coming year • The rate can only be changed once per year (each January) • Adjusted rates cannot exceed 50% of the service provider’s regular rates for flat and measured service

16. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Tribal Lands (Enhanced) Lifeline • Individuals living on federally recognized tribal lands who qualify for CA LifeLine may be enrolled in Tribal Lands Lifeline • Monthly flat-rate service for $1 • Applicants must be approved for CA LifeLine before they can apply for Tribal Lands Lifeline

17. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • To Get a Second CA LifeLine Connection for Hearing Impaired Household Member: • Household must be eligible for CA LifeLine • Disabled person in home uses a TTY • Medical certificate required if TTY not issued by Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP)

18. A Consumer Action Training Features & Benefits • Free Toll Blocking • Prevents outgoing long distance or local toll calls • Able to receive incoming long distance calls and make calls to toll-free numbers • Protects CA LifeLine customer from high bills • Use a prepaid telephone card for long distance

19. A Consumer Action Training Federal Lifeline Features & Benefits • Offered by some wireless providers • Prices and services vary by provider • Activation fees vary by provider • Monthly service as low as $2.50, but varies by provider • Included voice minutes per month vary by provider • Some providers include additional features like caller ID, call waiting, nationwide calling, and voicemail • Some providers include text messaging • Some providers offer free handsets • Currently, providers offer federal Lifeline as a pre-paid service

20. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Eligibility • Household • One family OR an extended family living together as a group • If one or more families share a home, each family is eligible for its own Lifeline service • Limit of one Lifeline discount per household (except household with TTY user)

21. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Eligibility • Lifeline Eligibility Criteria: • Public assistance program enrollment OR meet Lifeline household income limits • Lifeline connection is in primary home and currently does not have Lifeline service (except household with TTY) • Not a dependent on someone else’s income tax return

22. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Enrollment • If you do not have local service, contact service provider to set up • Application form arrives in the mail in a PINK envelope • Complete application form by mail or online by the due date • Pay regular rates, connection charges, and deposits until approved (ask about interest-free payment plan) • After approval, receive credit for any deposit paid for basic service and all but $10 or half the regular service connection charge, whichever results in the higher credit and lower cost to you • After approval, the Lifeline discount will be applied retroactively from the date you applied for Lifeline

23. A Consumer Action Training Lifeline Enrollment • If you already have local service, contact service provider to apply for Lifeline • Application form arrives in the mail in a PINK envelope • Complete application form by mail or online by the due date • Pay regular rates until approved • Pay small, one-time conversion charge • After approval, the Lifeline discount will be applied retroactively from the date you applied for Lifeline

24. A Consumer Action Training Annual Renewal • Must renew Lifeline eligibility each year • Lifeline Annual Renewal Form is mailed 105 days before enrollment anniversary date in a PINK envelope • Complete program-based or income-based section • Complete by mail or online by due date • Forms arriving late will not be processed

25. A Consumer Action Training Annual Renewal • If you do not renew cont’d eligibility by due date: • You will be removed from program • Service will be converted to full-priced service • A deposit may be required • Notify service provider if you no longer qualify • Or you may have to repay the difference • Eligibility may be audited at any time • Provide proof of income or assistance program enrollment • If ineligible, you will be billed for previous discounts you should not have received, plus interest

26. CA LifeLine Call Center New service calls: Call center hours: Monday-Friday from 8am to 7pm

27. CA LifeLine Administrator Hotline Status of application and renewal forms: Hotline hours: Monday-Friday from 7am to 7pm Website: www.californialifeline.com Find information, sample forms, and FAQs

28. A Consumer Action Training Questions? Can we answer any questions about this portion of the training?

29. A Consumer Action Training Connect to Lifeline and Save! • Depending on the discount, what could a family do with the money saved by being a Lifeline participant?

30. A Consumer Action Training Thank you! • Consumer Action: 415-777-9648 • www.consumer-action.org