Communications Lifeline and Linkup America

Verizon Communications makes residential telephone service more affordable in its service area in New Jersey by offering Communications Lifeline and Link Up America Services for qualified, low-income customers.

Communications Lifeline provides a $13.31 maximum credit toward your monthly telephone bill including a full credit for Touch-Tone service.  Communications Lifeline allows you to receive the discount by choosing Flat Rate Service, Moderate Use Message Rate Service or Low Use Message Rate Service.

Flat Rate Service allows you to make an unlimited number of calls within your local calling area at no additional cost.

Moderate Use Message Rate Service allows 75 outgoing message units each month without additional charges. For every message unit after the first 75 message units, you would be charged 6.5 cents. A message unit is a local call of five minutes or less.

Low Use Message Rate Service allows 20 outgoing message units each month without additional charges. For every message unit after the first 20 message units, you would be charged 10 cents. A message unit is a local call of five minutes or less.

Link Up America provides a 50% discount on telephone connection charges. The remaining 50 percent may be billed in 12 monthly payments.

You are eligible if you receive benefits from one of the following programs:

•	Food Stamp Program
•	General Assistance (GA)
•	Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
•	Lifeline Utility Credit/Tenants Lifeline Assistance
•	Medicaid
•	Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
•	Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
•	Temporary Assistance to Needy Families/Work First New Jersey (TANF/WFNJ)
	No one claims you as a dependent on his or her federal income tax, unless you are at least 60 years old
	OR
•	A Senior Citizen (+65) who is not participating in one of the above programs and is at or below 150% of the U.S. Census Bureau Poverty Level Guidelines. (150% of the poverty level in 2003 is $13,470 for a one-person household plus $4,170 for each additional household member.  See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/ for information.)
Restrictions: Communications Lifeline Service is limited to one service per qualified customer. Also, Communications Lifeline participants can only purchase Verizon's optional safety/privacy services such as Call Trace, Caller ID, Caller ID With Name, Call Block, Non-published listing or a Wire Maintenance Program.
How do I apply?
•	Eligible customers who receive benefits from the above mentioned programs will be automatically enrolled in Verizon New Jersey's Lifeline Services quarterly.
•	Eligible Seniors who do not receive benefits from the above mentioned programs may contact Verizon at 1 800 427-9977 and self-certify eligibility for Lifeline Service.  They must provide proof to the Company that they meet the federal poverty guidelines within thirty (30) days of the initial contact.
•	Customers who become eligible between quarterly enrollments may either wait for the next automatic enrollment or contact one of the appropriate agencies listed below.
Call 800 792-9745 if you receive benefits from: Lifeline Utility Credit/Tenants Lifeline Assistance Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled Contact your County Welfare Office, if you receive benefits from:
•	Medicaid
•	Supplemental Security Income
•	Food Stamp Program
•	Home Energy Assistance Program
•	Temporary Assistance to Needy Families/Work First New Jersey (TANF/WFNJ)

	Public Assistance Office
	Atlantic		609-348-3001		Middlesex		732-745-3500
	Bergen		201-368-4200		Monmouth		732-431-6000
	Burlington		609-261-1000		Morris		973-326-7800
	Camden		856-225-8800		Ocean		732-349-1500
	Cape May		609-886-6200		Passaic		973-881-0100
	Cumberland		856-691-4600		Salem		856-299-7200
	Essex		973-733-3000		Somerset		908-526-8800
	Gloucester		856-582-9200		Sussex		973-383-3600
	Hudson		201-420-3000		Union		908-965-2700
	Hunterdon		908-788-1300		Warren		908-475-6301
	Mercer		609-989-4320

To apply for Communications Lifeline Service, applicants should complete the application should complete the application, which has been certified by the qualifying agency, and call Verizon 800 427-9977 to arrange for Communications Lifeline and/or Link Up Services.

Termination:

The Communications Lifeline service discount will be discontinued if you are no longer eligible for benefits from the above listed programs.

Note: The Communications Lifeline discount applies to the monthly basic rate and federal subscriber line charge while the Link Up America discount applies to the service connection charges. No discount will apply to the installation of inside wire, other monthly rates or toll charges.

Verizon's deposit policy still applies and you may be asked to leave a deposit before service can begin. If you choose to place toll restriction on your line, so that only local calls can be made on your telephone, the deposit will be waived. Toll restriction is provided free of charge to Communications Lifeline customers.

If you are not a Verizon customer, this service may not be available to you. Check with your local telephone company.