FPSC Promotes Phone Savings in Pinellas County During Lifeline Awareness Week

Under the federal Lifeline program, telephone customers who participate in certain public assistance programs are entitled to receive a basic telephone service discount of at least $13.50 per month – or more than $160 per year. Link-Up Florida provides a 50% reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30, for qualifying households that do not currently have telephone service.

The PSC will join with the Office of Public Counsel, and Florida’s telephone companies to sign up eligible consumers at events throughout the state.

PSC outreach staff will partner with Pinellas County Justice & Consumer Services and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas for Lifeline Awareness events at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, September 9, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
South County Connection Center
Lealman Park
3875 54th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida

Friday, September 12, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
North County Connection Center
Pinellas County Service Center
2431 Tampa Road
Palm Harbor, Florida

The Chairman’s Lifeline Awareness public service announcement is available at: ConsumerAssistance/LifelineAssistance.

The PSC is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive their electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater services in a safe, affordable, and reliable manner. The PSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in the areas of rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.