This is Lifeline Awareness week! You can celebrate by sharing this information with someone who may need it. Also it’s an opportunity to remember affordability in the broadband expansion discussion. I’ve seen a lot of policy discussions where everyone unanimously agrees that afforability is essentnial – but the conversation fizzles when it comes to numbers. Seeing that the discount for lifeline is $10 amonth puts some frame around the issue.

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, Minn. – “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, Beverly Jones Heydinger.

Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to low-income and elderly residents. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) 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 14-20, the PUC 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. This discount is in the form of a credit for $9.25 per month on traditional phone plans or at least 250 free minutes per month on participating wireless plans. Although AT&T, Verizon and Sprint do not offer Lifeline, it is available from many other wireless providers.

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