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Florida PSC Urges Eligible Veterans to Apply for Lifeline Discounted Phone Assistance
Every November 11th, we honor our country's heroic veterans who have dedicated
their lives to defend our nation and our way of life. As we humbly thank and
honor our men and women in uniform this month, the Florida Public Service
Commission (FPSC) wants to answer a call to help those Florida veterans who
are trying to find work or have fallen on hard times.
For millions of low-income veterans, Lifeline Assistance
(Lifeline) has provided the opportunity to afford phone service.
Having access to phone service is essential for all Floridians, but many veterans
who struggle to make ends meet forgo phone service. Lifeline helps make this
basic necessity affordable. Lifeline connects eligible consumers to 911, social
services, health care providers, and job opportunities and provides up to a $9.25
monthly credit on local telephone bills, or a free Lifeline cell phone and monthly
minutes from certain approved wireless providers. In Florida, 21 telecommunication
companies, including four wireless carriers, participate in the federal
Lifeline Assistance program.1
The FPSC wants all eligible Floridians to receive the Lifeline discount and have
the opportunities and security that telephone service affords. Program qualifications
are easy to navigate.
Veterans qualify for Lifeline if they receive one of the following federal assistance
programs: Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps), Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid, National School Lunch
Program's Free Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or
Temporary Cash Assistance. Beginning December 1, qualifying public
programs will change to include: Section 8 Housing, SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, and
Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension Program.
Consumers may also qualify for Lifeline based on income-determined by the
federal poverty guidelines, which consider the number of people in the household
and the total income received by each member in the household. Veterans
can call the FPSC at 1-800-342-3552 for questions about Lifeline eligibility.
All new Lifeline customers must demonstrate their
eligibility when subscribing to the program and must
re-certify their eligibility annually. As of June 30, 2015,
almost 900,000 eligible Florida households received
Lifeline program benefits, representing a participation
rate of about 41 percent. The FPSC continues to build
partnerships with governmental and social service
agencies-including those who serve veterans-to
increase Lifeline participation.
For Lifeline program information,
visit the Federal Communications Commission's
website at www.fcc.gov/lifeline,
or contact the FPSC at 1-800-342-3552.
To apply online or to request an application or
free brochure, visit the FPSC's website at
www.floridapsc.com.
For questions about applying for Lifeline
based on income, call Florida's Office of
Public Counsel at 1-800-540-7039.
1The Lifeline Assistance program was established by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) in 1985 to ensure that qualifying low-income consumers could afford phone service.
Congress strengthened Lifeline in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, requiring that affordable
service and advanced communications be available to low-income consumers. In March 2016, the
FCC approved plans to modernize Lifeline by supporting broadband service.
Julie I. Brown, FPSC Chairman
CONTACT THE PSC:
On-line: www.FloridaPSC.com
E-mail contact@psc.state.fl.us
Call toll-free number: 800-342-3552
Fax toll-free: 800-511-0809
Send a letter to: The Florida Public Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850
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For immediate access to PSC consumer information,
download the free Barcode Scanner app on your smartphone, and scan our new 2d barcode
(also called QR or quick response codes).
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Commission Calendar
| 11/1 |
Commission Conference |
| 11/2-4 |
Cost Recovery Clauses Hearing |
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11/4
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Rule Development Workshop, Rule
25-30.425 & 25-30.455
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11/7-9
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KW Resort Utilities Rate Case
Hearing in Key West
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11/11
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Veterans Day Holiday |
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11/24-25
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Thanksgiving Holidays |
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11/29
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FPL Rate Case Special Commission
Conference
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November News Releases
PSC Customer Service Hearing for K W Resort Utilities Corp.
PSC Administrative Hearing for K W Resort Utilities Rate Request
PSC Sets Special Commission Conference to Consider FPL Settlement Agreement
FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn to Speak at PSC Meeting
PSC Approves FPL Rate Case Settlement Reducing Proposed Customer Rates
October / November Notable FPSC Dockets
Electric Industry
Docket No. 20160128
05/20/2016 - Petition for approval to include in base rates the revenue requirement for the Hines chillers uprate project, by Duke Energy Florida, LLC.
Docket No. 20160225
10/21/2016 - Petition for approval of accounting treatment of research and development tax credit benefits, by Tampa Electric Company.
Telecommunications Industry
Docket No. 20160221
10/12/2016 - Request for cancellation of CLEC Certificate No. 8723 by OneTone Telecom, Inc., effective October 10, 2016.
Docket No. 20160224
10/20/2016 - Request for transfer and name change of Certificate No. 3519 from TCG South Florida to Teleport Communications America, LLC., effective September 30, 2016.
Wastewater Industry
Docket No. 20160219
10/07/2016 - Application for certificate to provide wastewater service in Manatee County by Sunny Shores Water Co.
Water Industry
Docket No. 20160218
10/04/2016 - Application for limited proceeding rate increase in Pasco County by Crestridge Utilities, LLC.
October / November Notable FPSC Orders
Electric Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0416-CO-EI
♦ Docket No:
20160128
09/29/2016 - Consummating Order PSC-16-0416-CO-EI makes Order PSC-16-0362-TRF-EI effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Order No. PSC-2016-0423-TRF-EI
♦ Docket No:
20160173
10/03/2016 - Order PSC-16-0423-TRF-EI approving Duke Energy's petition for an extension of its economic development and re-development riders until 10/17/19; approving the revised service agreement forms as shown in Attachment A; if no timely protest, docket to be closed; protest due 10/24/16.
Order No. PSC-2016-0428-PAA-EQ
♦ Docket No:
20160070
10/04/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0428-PAA-EQ approving FPL's petition for approval of renewable energy tariff and standard offer contract; if a timely protest is filed, FPL's standard offer contract may subsequently be revised; if no protest, order to become effective and final on issuance of a CO; if order becomes final, docket to be closed; protest due 10/25/16.
Order No. PSC-2016-0447-FOF-EI
♦ Docket No:
20160009
10/10/2016 - Order PSC-16-0447-FOF-EI approving nuclear cost recovery amounts for Duke Energy.
Order No. PSC-2016-0473-PCO-EI
♦ Docket No:
20160186
10/20/2016 - Order PSC-16-0473-PCO-EI establishing procedure.
Telecommunications Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0465-CO-TX
♦ Docket No:
20160087
10/14/2016 - Consummating Order PSC-16-0465-CO-TX makes Order PSC-16-0381-PAA-TX effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Order No. PSC-2016-0467-CO-TX
♦ Docket No:
20160150
10/17/2016 - Consummating Order PSC-16-0467-CO-TX makes Order PSC-16-0411-PAA-TX effective and final; docket shall be closed.
Water and Wastewater Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0439-CO-WS
♦ Docket No:
20150149
10/06/2016 - Consummating Order PSC-16-0439-CO-WS makes Order PSC-16-0370-PAA-WS effective and final; docket shall remain open.
Water Industry
Order No. PSC-2016-0421-PAA-WU
♦ Docket No:
20140186
10/03/2016 - PAA Order PSC-16-0421-PAA-WU establishing Phase II rates for Brevard Waterworks; if no protest, CO to be issued; docket to remain open pending staff's verification that the revised tariff sheets and customer notices have been filed by Brevard Waterworks and approved by staff; after verification, docket to be administratively closed; protest due 10/24/16.
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