Salvation Army and Bell Atlantic Team Up to Guarantee Phone Service For Low-Income Customers

Salvation Army and Bell Atlantic Team Up to Guarantee
Phone Service For Low-Income Customers

Salvation Army Administering a Bell Atlantic-funded
Program

November 7, 1996

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Salvation Army and Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania have
joined forces to preserve basic telephone service for low-income
customers in times of crisis.

The basic telephone charges, either current or past due, for qualified
customers may be paid for through the Universal Telephone Assistance
Program (UTAP). The program is a unique financial support effort
funded by Bell Atlantic and administered by the Salvation Army. UTAP
does not pay for toll charges or optional services.

To qualify, customers must subscribe to Bell Atlantic's Lifeline
service, which provides a $5 credit on monthly phone bills and
eliminates the charge for installing the telephone line. Bell Atlantic
introduced these programs earlier this year to make it easier for low
income individuals to obtain and afford local telephone service. Some
1,800 customers already have been helped by UTAP.

To assist Bell Atlantic Lifeline customers who might benefit from UTAP,
the Salvation Army has established a statewide toll-free hotline --
1-800-771-3312. Applicants may call for information and
assistance
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Salvation Army will
confirm applicants' eligibility and determine the amount of assistance
to be provided.

For more information on Lifeline Service, call Bell Atlantic,
1-800-640-4155, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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