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Requirements for Universal Lifeline Telephone Service/California Lifeline

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California Lifeline, formerly known as Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS), provides discounted basic residential (landline) telephone service to low-income households. You can now apply online at www.CaliforniaLifeline.com. You are strongly encouraged to watch for postcards or other notices reminding you that the ULTS contractor has not received your application. Even if you completed and mailed the form, mistakes can happen. Please make copies of what you have sent and log the dates. If you get a reminder notice after you sent the form in the right envelope and believe it should have been received, you will have no way to prove it if you do not follow up on any reminder notices. It is also recommended that all calls you make are logged and dated in case you are forced to appeal a denial letter.

Available Discounts

Service	Description	Rate
Flat-Rate Local Telephone Service	Unlimited local calls and same free access to directory assistance calls as provided to non-ULTS flat-rate residential customers.	Monthly recurring: the lower of $5.47 to $6.11 or 1/2 of utility's residential flat-rate local telephone service.
Measured Local Telephone Service	60 local calls per month; additional calls may be billed at different rates depending on the carrier.	Monthly recurring--lesser of the range between $2.91 to $3.27: 1/2 of utility's residential measured local telephone service ranging from
Service Connecction and Service Conversion	For initiation of telephone service, or change of class/type/grade of service.	Non-recurring: the lower of $10 or 1/2 of utility's connection/ conversion charge for residential telephone service. There will be no charge to switch from CA LifeLine service to regular phone service.

For the rest of the discounts, go to http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/lifelinedetails.htm#dis...

Two Steps to Enroll

1) If you think you meet the above qualifications, contact your telephone company and tell them you want to enroll in California LifeLine. If the telephone company can verbally qualify you, they will enroll you immediately.

2) Within two to three weeks California LifeLine will mail an enrollment form in a PINK envelope to you . In order to maintain your telephone discounts, you must complete the enrollment form, sign it, and return it to the California LifeLine certification agent along with any required income documentation by the due date. If you do not return the completed and signed form to the California LifeLine certification agent by the due date, you will be disqualified and removed from the program. In addition, your telephone company will bill you for any discounts you may have received.

Qualification Types

1. Program-Based:

You can qualify for California LifeLine if you or another person in your household is enrolled in any one of the following public-assistance programs:

Medicaid/Medi-Cal	Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
Food Stamps	Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Healthy Families Category A	National School Lunch's FREE Lunch Program (NSL)
Tribal TANF	Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC)	Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

2. Income-Based

You can qualify for California LifeLine if your total household income is at or less than these incomes as of June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010 to meet inflation costs. Current annual income qualifications should apply until the end of 5/31/09: $22,900 for 1-2 members, $26,900 for 3 members, $32,400 for 4 m3mbers and $5,500 for each additional member.

NEW AS OF JUNE 1, 2009

Household Size	ULTS Annual Income Limits
1-2 members	$24,000
3 members	$28,200
4 members	$34,000
Each additional member	$5,800

California LifeLine Call Center if Company Cannot Answer Your Questions:

Contact the LifeLine Call Center for general information about the California LifeLine program.
The LifeLine Call Center can also help find telephone
companies that offer California LifeLine and connect consumers to these
California LifeLine approved telephone companies.
The LifeLine Call Center's hours of operation are from 8
a.m. to 7 p.m. (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday. It is closed on
federal holidays and weekends.
If a consumer wants in-language help for a language not
listed below, call the English toll-free number and ask for
interpretation services.
Call the applicable telephone number:


English	1-866-272-0349
Spanish	1-866-272-0350
Laotian/Hmong	1-866-272-0351
Cambodian	1-866-272-0352
Tagalog	1-866-272-0353
Korean	1-866-272-0354
Vietnamese	1-866-272-0355
Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese)	1-866-272-0356
Japanese	1-866-296-0860
TTY	1-866-272-0358

California LifeLine Administrator

Contact the Administrator for certification and verification related questions and concerns.
The Administrator's hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 7
p.m. (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday. It is closed on state
holidays and weekends.
Call the applicable telephone number:


English/Spanish	1-877-858-7463
Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese)	1-888-765-1566
Korean	1-888-765-1567
Japanese	1-888-765-1568
Vietnamese	1-888-765-1569
Tagalog	1-888-765-1577
TTY	1-888-858-7889

CPUC's Consumer Affairs Branch

For complaints or problems related to California LifeLine, contact the CPUC's Consumer Affairs Branch at 1-800-649-7570.

New LifeLine Procedures for General Order 153 Prevent Backbilling:

A new decision adopted a pre-qualification requirement for the program. Under this process, a new applicant for the program receives the discounted LifeLine rate for telephone service AFTER the Certifying Agent determines eligibility. The difference in this process and the old process is that new applicants will no longer be able to call the carrier and immediately be placed on LifeLine. The new process should prevent any backbilling by carriers if a new applicant is denied.

Required Documents

In order to qualify for California LifeLine based on household income, you will need to provide documents proving that your total household income is at or below the income maximum for your household size. Income documents include:

· Prior year's state, federal, or tribal tax return

· Income statements or paycheck stubs for three consecutive months within the calendar year

· Statement of benefits from Social Security, Veterans Administration, retirement/pension, unemployment compensation, and/or workmen's compensation

· Divorce decree

· Child support document

· Other official documents

Yearly Re-Certification Process

The California LifeLine program requires all existing California LifeLine customers to verify their eligibility on an annual basis. Each year, on your LifeLine anniversary date, the California LifeLine program will mail to you, in a PINK envelope, a LifeLine verification form. In order to continue receiving your LifeLine discount, you must complete and sign the form and return it to California LifeLine by the due date.

Funding Source & Administration:

California LifeLine is funded by an all-end-user surcharge billed and collected by telecommunications carriers which, in turn, remit the surcharge monies to a financial institution as directed by the Commission or its representatives. Procedures for the administration of ULTS are outlined in General Order (GO 153) at http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/published/GENERAL_ORDER/40482.htm

Public Purpose Telecommunications Programs: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/

Forms, Apply Online, and Frequently Asked Questions

Samples of qualification forms, instructions for qualification forms, frequently asked questions, and online applications are available at: www.CaliforniaLifeline.com.

Other info:

Filed Under

Communications: Lifeline - Landline -

That public assistance can be

On November 5th, 2009 Vicky Phillips (not verified) says:

That public assistance can be valid because the "husband" is not required to take care of her children unless he is the true father.

Agreement

On June 17th, 2009 Brandy (not verified) says:

it is very interesting

And you lose rights

On February 4th, 2009 bfire52 (not verified) says:

good article, well done

The requirements are easy

On February 4th, 2009 bfire52 (not verified) says:

good article, well done

Not my number on Lifeline certification

On December 17th, 2008 Cam (not verified) says:

I know as a reader you are not responsible for how mis-managed Verizon is. I have had nothing but issues with them since I first moved. I once had solid service from them when I had a phone line and DSL- when I moved I had to get FIOS. After many missed appointments from Verzion, I was hooked in. After having terrible phone service I wanted to switch to Vonage. I had to keep internet because they were supposedly the only FIOS offerer in my new area of Perris, CA. I was told I needed to keep a phone number from Verzion to ensure my internet worked. Fine- give me the cheapest plan AND I even told them to cancel my Lifeline service because I was financially fit now. They "did". I dont know what my new number was supposed to be because I never receive a bill (although I have asked repeatedly for them to please send me a hard copy) and I never give out the number because I use my Vonage number. I always get a past due notice which I pay immediately for Verizon. Getting to the question... I get one of those pink renewal notices for Lifeline. Ignore at first because I cancelled it/ dont need it months ago. 2nd notice comes in and I look it over- look at the phone number listed for it & assume it is the number designated for my verizon Fios Internet line. I call it- and someone answers. Am I paying every month for someone elses phone or what????

Cell phones and lifeline

On November 25th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

Does anyone know what cell phone companies take lifeline in California

Warning of measured rate termination of Lifeline

On November 7th, 2008 Dave (not verified) says:

I've been on Lifeline for several years, and am on disability for severe anxiety, which extends to extreme procrastination. Early in 2008 or late 07 I received my Lifeline recertification letter, but kept putting it off, thinking if I delayed recertification it would only cost me $20 or so a month.

Unfortunately I must have subscribed to the Measured Rate service. I was taken off Lifeline in March, and due to an unfortunate cosmic coincidence, the US Postal Service for reasons yet unknown started to return mail to my address to sender. I didn't notice this as most mail got through--things returned were to US government entities, AT&T, and some others I forget.

For three months I wasn't aware of how much I owed AT&T. Due to procrastination I tend to pay bills every two months if the late fees won't be bad. I kept thinking "next bill I get from AT&T I'll pay".

I got a bill in June for about $1200. When I was taken off Lifeline's measured rate it automatically enrolled me in AT&T's measured rate. As I use the internet, I'd been charged for every minute online. This is partly my own fault, but AT&T never called me to tell me I owed them any money, and I only found out when I got a recording from their office notifying me that my mail was being returned to them. Then I found out the USPS thing, fixed that, got back on Lifeline, but still owe the money.

I opened a complaint with CPUC but doubt it will affect what I owe. So, just be careful if you're on measured rate and use the internet--if AT&T drops your lifeline they'll charge you by minute, and will certainly not react if your bill suddenly changes from $7 a month to $400 a month.

measured rate

On August 13th, 2009 S (not verified) says:

Did you have dial-up internet or DSL while you were on AT&T measured rate? I'm interested in switching to measured rate because I don't use my landline much except for to go on the internet. I called AT&T and they said those measured minutes don't count toward internet.

Forgot to add

On November 7th, 2008 Dave (not verified) says:

Of course I called AT&T to discuss a reduction of the bill. I was given the run-around for a week until getting to managers, who refused to discount any of the bill. I sent a letter to their managers, who also refused. I'm sorry for replying to my own message twice, I'm very tired.

Clarification

On November 7th, 2008 Dave (not verified) says:

I miswrote. I didn't receive a bill in June, I became aware that bills weren't being sent to me then. After that I called AT&T and was shocked that I owed them that much.

Great benefit - horrible service

On November 6th, 2008 Gayle Cain (not verified) says:

My mother, who has a phone beside her bed in a convalescent hospital and has memory problems, is registered to the Lifeline service. Her bill comes to me, her daughter, for handling. I received the annual pink form, and completed it and mailed it back the next day. When I returned from vacation, I found a notice that the form had not been received (something I think is typical in this particular agency), and called to see if a form could be downloaded online and faxed back in time to meet the deadline of tomorrow - November 7th. I was treated quite rudely by the customer service agent, and her supervisor, who informed me they "could not talk to me" because my name wasn't on the account. I explained that the bill came to my address, and verified this information by providing the billing account number - all to no avail. They said, "We can only speak to your mother." Now, I have to reapply, get my name on the account so I can do future business with this agency, and suffer the billing increase until this matter is resolved. On another note, one of the options was "To request an extension on the deadline, press 1." When I pressed 1, I was told "There are no extensions to the deadline." This agency is not customer friendly, and although the benefit is great, to conduct business with this agency, you have to cover your back (make copies of forms and note date and time of phone inquiries - per their instructions, so they must be used to internal bungling!) and expect to jump through hoops to get your issue resolved. Customers deserve better.

What safeguards are there to

On October 8th, 2008 Fearful (not verified) says:

What safeguards are there to prevent identity fraud using the information we are now required to submit? I'm especially concerned about the social security account number. Thanks.

It is surprising that people

On November 1st, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

It is surprising that people are still asked for that type of information in inappropriate ways.

Universal lifeline documentation

On August 21st, 2008 Lou (not verified) says:

I haven't received the pink envelope from the unversal lifeline. Can I order a copy of the form by calling them?

Another question:

I lost my job for almost 2 years, and since then I have not made any income for the year I lost my job, so I didn't fill out any income tax for this year. Now, I do not have current documentation to give for the universal lifeline for this year. What should I do? I cannot afford to lose my universal life line this year. I have been surviving from my savings and my brother is paying for the utilities including my phone while I am trying to find a job. Is there anything I can do to continue with universal lifeline? I just cannot afford to pay more on my telephone service, especially now that I am struggling to find a job while my money is diminishing fast.

Please respond to my ASAP.

Thank you.

Check website or call.

On November 1st, 2008 Helper (not verified) says:

You should check their website at californialifeline.com for more information on ways you could qualify for the help. File a tax return with no income for use in these types of things. Also:

If you have already called your telephone company or if you are currently enrolled in LifeLine and have questions about your application or due dates, please call the California LifeLine hotline at 1-877-858-7463 or TTY 1-888-858-7889.

customer fraud

On April 10th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

what do you do if a neighbor who lives down the street proudly admits she is on life line and has been for years - and you know she is not eligible and not even close to being eligible for this program. She signed up using her maiden name, has her 2 small children and 1 adult daughter living with her AND her husband of around 10 years. This woman chooses or does not have to not work because her husband is an executive at a large company, possibly vice president. he probably pulls down 200-250k/year at least. She also employs 2 - 6 "laborers" to help her around house every day. is there a fraud hotline to report end users who are abusing the system?

Make sure you know.

On November 1st, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

Specifically addressing the question:
Do you know for certain that this person is ineligible? From the very general information you have provided it sounds like you are just making the assumption that this person is ineligible. There could be something you have not been told or are not seeing. The children could be from different fathers. She could be on public assistance if that is the case because her "husband" does not equal "father" just because they are living in the same place. That public assistance can be valid because the "husband" is not required to take care of her children unless he is the true father.

On another note:
This lifeline assistance cannot exceed more than $20 a month long term. I have not seen any rates higher than that for the basic measured or flat rate local service to which the assistance would apply. Instead of wasting your energy trying to cause problems for your neighbor, try getting the biggest cheats that you can in your life and bringing them to justice?

jealous?

On October 11th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

jealous?

How to Cancel?

On April 7th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:

How does one cancel their enrollment in this program if they no longer qualify? Do they call their telephone company or Lifeline? Thank You.

Cancel Lifeline

On April 7th, 2008 vince says:

You should contact your phone company directly.

Renewal of California certificate

On October 5th, 2007 Tuan Nguyen (not verified) says:

Hello,
My name is Tuan Nguyen, home phone : 714-537-5835
Address : P.O. Box 402 Garden Grove, CA 92842-0402
I am using my home telephone services with California Lifeline program. As requested by Lifeline Program, I have sent a confirmation of my current income situation for continuing the program for year 2008. However, I received a message from AT&T informing that my qualification is still unapproved due to lack of my updated income confirmation.
Please kindly double-check my filing document for the issue, or tell me a necessary alternative to do before the deadline.
Thanks,
Tuan Nguyen

AT&T LifeLine Problem

On November 6th, 2007 ucansue says:

Has your problem been remedied yet? If so, what happened and if not, I need your bills, letters and any literature you have received pertaining to the LifeLine program. Please copy and mail to 3100 5th Ave., Ste B San Diego, CA 92103--ATTN: Sue

removed from the program because of a "non-deliverable address"

On November 12th, 2007 Rochelle (not verified) says:

I sent my recertification form with my information and signature on it before the due date and so far,nothing has changed regarding my income. When I got my bill from ATT,I was surprised to find out that I was charged an extra $35 or $45 because I was removed from the California Lifeline program. I called the customer service and they told me that the form they sent was mailed back to them because of "undeliverable address". I just dont understand why because though we moved to a different city, we still get our mail from our old address and we have never encountered a program like this with our other bills or mail. The representative said that its a problem with our post office and they cant do anything about it. I just think that its not fair to just remove me from the program without notifying me or giving me a warning about the possibility of losing my certification.Now they're telling me that they cant do anything about it,I just have to pay the entire amount..I have no intention of not paying the bill but I just want to know if I can be given a consideration since the mistake didnt come from me,I did what i had to do which is to send the recertification back before the due date.The extra amount i had to pay really counts so much for us because of our tight budget these days,otherwise I wouldnt be enrolled in a low-income program such as this.thank you so much.

Post new comment.

On November 1st, 2008 newer (not verified) says:

Instead of replying to people you think can help you, try posting a new comment. When you reply to people who are helping other people it does not help you get help online because you are "stealing" attention away from the person or people being helped and it clutters up the messages for everyone.

Try to call them back.

On November 1st, 2008 Answer 2 (not verified) says:

You could dispute the amount while trying to fix your problem. If you are certain that all your mail still should have been forwarded to your new address, call the company back and dispute the amount on your bill that would have been covered by the program's help (assuming you did not already pay). Ask to speak to a supervisor if you can't get anywhere with the representative. You are trying to get them to resend whatever form that the company needed from you to get back into the program.

Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS)

On July 11th, 2007 Brian Fergel (not verified) says:

I have been trying to regain the California Lifeline / Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS) that I have been applicable once before, and that I am applicable for currently, to my phoneline, but since I've signed up with AT&T I have not been able to re-enact the service. Telephone, email, event a visit to the AT&T office, yet nothing has worked, neither while my telephone line was active nor now, after the line has been disconnected due to non-payment. This notice that I'm looking at currently, "Do not sign a contract until the company has completed this form," I believe is the only error I could have committed. Too bad I've discovered this after the fact. SBC Global was thhe phone company that I had gone through previously, abd this time I went with AT&T because I allowed a friend, Lynette Nicco, to sign me up. I am searching for a job currently, so I desperately need a telephone line. I would appreciate it if I could get some assistance in acquiring Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS) once again. Thank you.
Brian Fergel
3800 Crowell rd apt 141
Turlock, CA 95382
AT&T disconnected phone number: 209 632 6337
Current message phone: 209 863 8096
bfergel@yahoo.com

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Requirements for Universal Lifeline Telephone Service/California Lifeline

For the rest of the discounts, go to http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Public+Programs/lifelinedetails.htm#dis...

California LifeLine Call Center if Company Cannot Answer Your Questions:

California LifeLine Administrator

CPUC's Consumer Affairs Branch

Funding Source & Administration:

Other links:

Forms, Apply Online, and Frequently Asked Questions

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