AARP to Launch National Consumer Education Campaign in Florida to Raise Awareness of Telephone Savings Programs

4/4/2002

From: David Schneier of AARP, 202-434-2561; e-mail: dschneier@aarp.org

WASHINGTON, April 4 -- There's good news for low-income consumers struggling to afford basic telephone service but who don't know where to find help. Thanks to a new pilot education campaign launched today by AARP and other Florida agencies, more consumers will learn about telephone savings programs, how to qualify, and where to enroll.

AARP, in collaboration with the Florida Public Service Commission, and the Florida Office of Public Council is launching this pilot program in Florida today to increase enrollment in the "Lifeline" and "Link-Up" telephone savings programs. With a million eligible consumers in Florida, less than 15 percent participate in the "Lifeline" program finds a new AARP Public Policy Institute report, "Energy and Telephone Assistance in the States: Public Programs that Help Low-Income Households."

Florida consumers are not alone. In discussing the report, Theresa Varner, director of AARP's Public Policy Institute, expressed concern that "there are over 19 million households in the U.S. that are eligible for Lifeline, yet only 5.8 million households received these benefits."

"For many older persons, especially those who are living with disabilities, the telephone is an essential link to the outside world. It truly is a lifeline. Without a telephone many would be unable to continue to live independently," said AARP Board Member Charles Mendoza.

AARP and collaborating agencies are launching an education campaign to both English- and Spanish-speaking communities to increase awareness that includes canvassing neighborhoods in Jacksonville and Miami to distribute brochures to community residents, placing articles in local papers and agency newsletters, and running ad campaigns on buses. State and local social services agencies will work with AARP to get fliers and posters in offices that serve eligible consumers, and mailed inserts will be provided to agencies so they can be sent to their clients.

In Florida, eligible subscribers can receive a discount on their phone bill by contacting their phone company and indicating they want to participate in the "Link-Up" and/or "Lifeline" program. Eligibility is established by verifying the subscriber's enrollment in either Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Securities Income (SSI), federal public housing assistance, or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Once the program kicks in, participants in Florida can save up to $30 on installing a new phone and up to $12 a month on their local phone bills.

No matter where you live, consumers can learn more about phone assistance programs through a new AARP fact sheet that examines savings programs for all states. Copies can be ordered by calling 800-424-3410 and asking for the "Telephone Lifeline Fact Sheet" (D17666).

Here in Florida, consumers can also call the Florida Public Service Commission's toll-free number at 800-342-3552 for help with applying to the Lifeline and Link-Up programs. Persons who are hearing or speech impaired can call the Commission's TTY number, 800-955-8771.

For information on energy assistance, consumers can call the national LIHEAP Clearinghouse toll-free at 866-674-6327.

To read this and other news releases and informational documents from AARP, go to www.aarp.org/press.

The AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) is the focal point for public policy research and analysis at AARP. Its mission is to inform the development of AARP's public policy positions and to contribute to and influence public debate on issues of importance to mid-life and older persons.

AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for people 50 and over. It provides information and resources; advocates on legislative, consumer, and legal issues; assists members to serve their communities; and offers a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for its members. These benefits include AARP Webplace at www.aarp.org, Modern Maturity and My Generation magazines, and the monthly AARP Bulletin. Active in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP celebrates the attitude that age is just a number and life is what you make it.