RICHMOND — Low-income Virginians can stay connected to local resources and emergency services by participating in discounted telephone service programs offered by their local telephone company.

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) encourages qualifying Virginia residents to “stay connected” by taking advantage of the Virginia Universal Service Plan program. The plan makes phone service available to those who otherwise cannot afford it.

The first week after Labor Day (Sept. 14-20) has been designated “National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week.” The SCC joins a unique partnership with the Federal Communications Commission, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates to raise the level of awareness of these programs and expand the number of qualified participants.

The Virginia Universal Service Plan has existed since 1988. Under the plan, telephone customers who participate in certain medical or food public assistance programs are entitled to receive basic telephone service discounts, which, in some cases, are valued at over $14 per month.

Another program called “Link-Up” provides a 50 percent reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30. This program can be used by qualifying households that do not currently have telephone service.

Most telephone companies in Virginia provide this assistance and will help with enrollment. If you have more than one local telephone provider in your area, you should contact each company to verify which ones offer Lifeline and Link-Up support, as all companies are not required to offer these programs.

Additional universal service plan information is available on the website of the SCC’s Division of Communications at www.scc.virginia.gov/puc/univ.aspx

###