FY-12-79 -- USB Chairman Terry Jarrett Reminds Consumers Of Financial Assistance For Wireline Home Telephone Service

Contact: Gregg Ochoa (573) 522-2760

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- DECEMBER 21, 2011

JEFFERSON CITY -- WiFi and broadband define the cutting edge of communications technology, yet wireline home telephone service is still the connection depended on by many of Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens for medical and emergency communications.

Missouri PSC Commissioner Terry Jarrett serves as chairman of the Missouri Universal Service Fund Board, which administers a program to help provide financial assistance to disabled or low-income individuals for essential wireline phone service to their home.

"No disabled or impoverished citizen need be denied basic wireline home telephone service they need,” Jarrett said. “I urge anyone who faces – or who has relatives or loved ones who may be facing – such a situation to see if they qualify for this assistance."

Applications for the program are made to local telephone companies. The applications are available at local phone companies, social service and community action agencies or by calling the Missouri Public Service Commission Consumer Services Hotline at 800-392-4211. A link to the application is available at http://www.psc.mo.gov.

"The Missouri Universal Service Fund is the program specifically designed to help low income and disabled individuals with the financial assistance they need for basic wireline home telephone service,” Jarrett said. “I want to ensure that qualified individuals who need this essential service are able to access that service through the Missouri Universal Service Fund program."

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