Verizon Lifeline Telephone Customers in California Must Complete Recertification Forms
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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Verizon customers in California with low-cost Universal Lifeline Telephone Service must complete and return the Lifeline recertification form to remain eligible for the program.
The recertification form will be included in customers' July bills or may be sent separately by U.S. Mail. Customers who do not return the required information by Nov. 4 will no longer be eligible for Lifeline service. They will be removed from the program, and their monthly telephone bills will increase.
Lifeline service allows families with limited incomes to have basic telephone service for less than half the normal cost. Verizon offers two options - Lifeline Flat Rate service and Lifeline Message Rate service. The flat rate service costs $5.34 a month and gives users an unlimited number of local calls. The message rate service costs $2.85 a month, which includes up to 60 local calls each month, with additional local calls costing 8 cents each.
To be eligible for Lifeline, participants must meet four criteria established by the California Public Utilities Commission:
- Total annual household income may not exceed 150 percent of federal low-income guidelines (1-2 people, $20,600; 3 people, $24,300; 4 people, $29,200; $4,900 for each additional person).
- Head of household is not listed as a dependent on another person's tax return.
- Lifeline is used at primary residence only, not a second home or business.
- Customers must certify annually that they meet these eligibility requirements.
Installation fees and other details of the service are described in a brochure that is being mailed with the recertification form. For more information about Lifeline, customers should call Verizon at 800-794-4741.
With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 212,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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