For Immediate Release: Contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission

September 13, 2017 Telephone: 651-296-0406

Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us

Web: www.mn.gov/puc

 

 

MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CALLS ATTENTION TO LIFELINE AWARENESS WEEK

 

Assistance with landline or wireless telephone charges is available

to help low-income customers stay connected

 

St. Paul, Minnesota – “In today’s society everyone should have access to an affordable, basic level of telephone service in order to meet essential and emergency needs,” states the Chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission), Nancy Lange.

 

Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to low-income and elderly residents. The Commission wants Minnesota residents to “stay connected” and is reaching out to those who need phone service but can’t afford it. During “Lifeline Awareness Week,” September 11-15, the Commission will promote the Lifeline Program, which offers discounts to help residents have access to basic local telephone service.

 

Under the federal Lifeline program, telephone customers who participate in, or are eligible for, certain assistance programs are able to receive a basic telephone service discount. It is in the form of a credit of $9.25 per month. This discount is available with many landline service providers, and many wireless providers as well, although AT&T, Verizon and Sprint do not offer Lifeline.

To apply for benefits, contact your local landline or wireless telephone company or the Commission. The agency can be reached at (651) 296-0406, (800) 657-3782, consumer.puc@state.mn.us , or visit the website at www.mn.gov/puc.