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More Affordable Telephone Services
Bell Atlantic's Communication Lifeline and Link Up America make telephone service more affordable for qualified low-income residential customers. Communications Lifeline provides a credit of $7 towards your monthly telephone bill. Communications Lifeline is provided using Bell Atlantic's Low Use Message Rate service which allows unlimited incoming calls and 20 outgoing message units each month without additional charges. You are then charged 10 cents for every message unit after the first 20. A message unit is a local call of five minutes or less. Link Up America provides a 50% discount on telephone connection charges. The remaining 50% will be billed in 12 monthly payments.
You are Eligible if: You receive benefits from one of the following programs:
Temporary Assistance to Needy families/Work First New Jersey (TANf/WFNJ); General Assistance (GA); Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD); Lifeline Utility Credit/Tenants Lifeline Assistance; Food Stamp; Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP); or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Medicaid AND nobody claims you as a dependent on their federal income tax, unless you are at least 60 years old.
Restrictons: A Communications Lifeline customer can only purchase Bell Atlantic Optional safety/privacy features such as Caller ID, Caller ID Deluxe, Call Block, Call Trace, or Wire Maintenance Programs.
How Do I Apply? Call 1-800-792-9745 if you receive benefits from: Lifeline Utility Credit/Tenants Lifeline Assistance or Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD).
If you receive benefits from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families/Work First New Jersey (TANF/WFNJ), Food Stamp, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Medicaid, call your county welfare office.
Bergen County Welfare office # is 201-368-4200.
Tell them from which program you are currently receiving benefits and that you want to apply for Communications Lifeline and/or Link Up America. After you call and if you are receiving benefits from one of these programs, the Department of Human Services or Department of Health and Senior Services will send you an application form which contains two parts. The Department of Human Services or Department of Health and Senior Services will have already filled out the top portion.
If you are receiving benefits from the General Assistance program, visit our municipal Welfare Office to obtain an application and have the top portion filled out.
You must fill out the bottom portion of the application. If you have received certification at the top of the form and have checked "TRUE" if applicable to the eligibility requirement on the bottom, you are eligible for Communications Lifeline and Link Up America. Once you have determined you are eligible and want to establish or change telephone service, call your Bell Atlantic Residence Service Center at 1-800-427-9977.
Termination: The Communications Lifeline service discounts will be discontinued if you are no longer eligible.
Remember: The Communications Lifeline discount applies to the monthly basic rate and federal subscriber line charge while the Link Up America discount applies to the Service Connection Charges. No discount will apply to the installation of inside wire, other monthly rates or toll charges.
Telephone Company deposit policy still applies and you may be asked to leave a deposit before service can begin. If you choose to place toll restriction on your line, the deposit will be waived.
If you are not a Bell Atlantic customer, this service may not be available to you. Check with your local telephone company.
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