LIFELINE AWARENESS WEEK, SEPTEMBER 12-18

ALBANY, NY (09/09/2011)(readMedia)-- The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission), today announced September 12-18, 2011, as "Lifeline Awareness Week" to encourage income-eligible customers sign up for discounts on their telephone service through the Link-Up and Lifeline programs. These programs provide discounts for both the initial connection of primary residential phone service (Link-Up) and monthly phone bills (Lifeline) for basic telephone service.

"As part of a national effort, the Commission wants to recognize the need to raise awareness of these important and valuable programs that provide discounts to low-income New Yorkers for primary residential telephone service, " said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. "Unfortunately, many eligible customers fail to take advantage of the discounts offered under Link-Up and Lifeline programs. I hope that through Lifeline Awareness Week, more eligible New Yorkers will take advantage of these valuable programs."

Customers interested in enrolling in the Link-Up and Lifeline programs, may wish to attend one of the following kickoff events on September 12, 2011:

Albany Public Library

161 Washington Avenue

Albany, NY

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Heart, Love & Soul Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry

939 Ontario Avenue

Niagara Falls, NY

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Rochdale Village Community Center

172nd Street and 137th Avenue

Jamaica, NY

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Link-Up program reduces the initial connection charge up to 50 percent, but not to exceed $30, for basic telephone service. Under the Lifeline program, wireline customers receive a waiver of the federal subscriber line charge, a savings of at least $75 annually, as well as a discount on their basic local service charge. The total discount varies depending on the local telephone service provider and the program includes some wireless and cellular service providers.

Customers participating or eligible to participate in the following programs-Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Food Stamps, Medicaid, Veterans' Disability or Surviving Spouse Pension, Family Assistance or the Safety Net Assistance programs-are eligible for the Link-Up and Lifeline program discounts for basic residential telephone service.

Additional information and application forms for Link-Up and Lifeline programs are available by visiting the Commission's www.AskPSC.com consumer Web site.

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