News release [Aug. 23, 2010]

Contact: Bill Edge Phone 404-656-2316 www.psc.state.ga.us

Georgia Public Service Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

244 Washington St S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Phone: 404-656-4501 Toll free: 1-800-282-5813 (outside metro Atlanta)
36-10

Governor Proclaims September 12-18, 2010 as Lifeline/Linkup Week in Georgia
ATLANTA, August 23, 2010 Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has proclaimed September 12-18, 2010 as Lifeline/Linkup Week in Georgia. Lifeline provides a monthly credit of up to $10 off your monthly local service telephone bill (AT&T gives a $13.50 monthly credit) while Link-Up assists with paying up to 50% of installation costs, not to exceed $30 (AT&T pays 100% of installation costs).
"I am pleased that the Governor recognizes the importance of all Georgians staying connected to local resources and emergency services that can improve and possibly save many lives," said Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr., Chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission. "Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to our low-income and elderly residents. The Commission wants residents to "stay connected" and is reaching out to those who need phone service but can't afford it," McDonald added.
"We know there are many consumers who qualify for this credit but who are not participating," McDonald said. "We want to get the word out about this valuable program."
Joining the Governor for the proclamation signing ceremony in the Governor's Office were Commissioner McDonald, Commissioner H. Doug Everett, Commission Consumer Affairs Director Mike Nantz, Commission Consumer Affairs Assistant to the Director for Education Claudette Willingham, Commission Public Information Officer Bill Edge and John Silk with the Georgia Telephone Association.
As of December 30, 2009, there are 128,259 Georgians who are receiving this credit. While this number represents a 28 percent increase over the past two years, there are thousands more who could qualify but are not signed up. In fact over one million Georgians may be eligible to take advantage of this benefit.
In order to qualify for these programs, one must be a participant in any one of the following programs: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TNAF), Food Stamps, senior citizens discount from power or gas company, SSI, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program.

Consumers should contact their prospective or current telephone service provider to find out if they offer Lifeline/Link-up credits and if so, to file an application to receive Lifeline or Link-Up assistance. They may apply the discount towards either your home phone or your cell phone service.
Growth in Lifeline and Link-Up Subscribers since 2005
For more information, visit the Commission web site at www.psc.state.ga.us. The news release and photograph of the proclamation signing are available at http://www.psc.state.ga.us/newsinfo/releases/release.asp
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Governor's Proclamation for Lifeline Link-Up Awareness Week
September 12-18, 2010

WHEREAS, in today's highly interconnected world, telephones provide a lifeline to emergency help and a vital link to government services, community resources, friends and family; and

WHEREAS, not everyone can afford the cost of a home telephone; and

WHEREAS, a number of our nation's households still do not have telephone service in their

homes;

and

WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Georgia Public Service Commission have joined in a collaborative effort to make telephone service more affordable for the nation's low-income consumers by providing a discount on the connection fee and monthly charges for local telephone service; and
WHEREAS, the Link-Up America (Link-Up) and Lifeline Assistance (Lifeline) programs offer tremendous benefits for eligible consumers in America and make basic telephone service more affordable; and
WHEREAS, the Link-Up program provides a generous discount to consumers on the installation of telephone service in their homes; and
WHEREAS, the Lifeline program provides a discount to eligible low-income customers on their monthly phone bill; and
WHEREAS, the FCC has established Enhanced Link-Up and Lifeline programs for Tribal Lands; and
WHEREAS, consumers should not be without local phone service because they cannot afford it, and therefore the promotion of Link-Up and Lifeline is imperative to ensure that all U.S. citizens have access to affordable basic local telephone service; and
WHEREAS, the FCC, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), other State and federal agencies, cities, counties, organizations, and telecommunications companies are committed to increasing awareness about the availability of the Link-Up and Lifeline programs and are encouraging eligible citizens to sign up for the programs; and
WHEREAS, the FCC, NARUC, and NASUCA have joined together to design and implement a comprehensive outreach plan to promote Link-Up and Lifeline subscribership;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sonny Perdue, Governor of the state of Georgia, proclaim the week of September 12-18, 2010, Georgia Lifeline Awareness Week. I call upon government agencies, industry leaders and consumer advocates to educate residents about state and federal programs for telephone connectivity during National Lifeline Awareness Week and further initiate and promote outreach events during this special week.
Signed and sealed with the official seal of Georgia this 17th day of August A.D. Two Thousand Ten at Atlanta, Georgia.