Additional Resources

Telephone Service Discount Programs
Telerelay Services
Exemption Directory Assistance & Operator Assistance Charges
PUC/FCC
Do Not Call Registry

Closed Caption

Telephone Service Discount Programs

Consolidated Telephone Company is authorized to provide two federally-funded and one state-funded telephone service discount programs that were designed to promote universal service by providing low-income individuals with new telephone service installations and monthly telephone service discounts.

The federally-funded Link-Up program provides a discount on new service connection charges when installing new telephone service. The federal Lifeline and state Telephone Assistance Plan programs provide a monthly discount on your local telephone service.

WHAT DO THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE?

Link-Up provides eligible subscribers with reduced connection charges for the main home telephone line. This reduction is 50 percent of applicable charges or $30.00, whichever is less. Link-Up also provides for deferred payment of connection charges without interest. It does not cover the cost of wiring inside the home and is available to eligible subscribers only once per home address.

LifeLine provides eligible subscribers with a monthly credit on the basic local service portion of their telephone bill. The credit applies on the main home telephone number listed in the name of the eligible telephone company subscriber. LifeLine subscribers also may receive free blocking of long distance calling on their telephone line. Additional benefits are available to persons living on Tribal Lands/reservations.

Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) program provides an additional monthly credit for LifeLine subscribers.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Telephone service must be in your name and you must participate in at least one of the following public assistance programs or have income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines to be eligible:

  • Medicaid/Medical Assistance
  • Food Support (food stamps)
  • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Housing Assistance or Section 8 Assistance
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
  • National School Lunch Program's free lunch program

Additional qualifying programs for persons living on a reservation:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Head Start (only those meeting its income qualifying standard)
  • National School Lunch Program's free lunch program

If you do not participate in any of the above programs, you may still qualify if you prove your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

Attach any one of the following documents to your application to prove your income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

  • Last year's State, Federal or Tribal Tax Return
  • Current annual income statement from employer
  • Three consecutive months of most recent paycheck stubs
  • Veterans Administration Benefits Statement
  • Unemployment/Workmen's Compensation Statement
  • Social Security Benefits Statement
  • Retirement/Pension Benefits Statement
  • Divorce Decree
  • Child Support Document
  • Other

HOW DO I APPLY?

Call NECA at 1-888-627-4255.
They will do the verification process with you over the phone and can provide you with an application.

COULD I BECOME INELIGIBLE?

When you no longer participate in any of the qualifying programs listed above, you are no longer eligible for LifeLine, LinkUp or TAP. You are obligated by law to notify the telephone company and advise the company that you are no longer eligible for LifeLine, LinkUp or TAP.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions about these discount programs or the application process, contact our office or NECA (888-627-4255).

Telerelay Services

Minnesota Relay provides telecommunications access for Minnesotans who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired, deaf-blind, or mobility impaired. With the use of specially trained communication assistants (CAs) and specialized equipment, Minnesotans who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech disabled can communicate with users of standard telephones. Either party can initiate calls through Minnesota Relay.

Exemption Directory Assistance & Operator Assistance Charges

Consolidated Telephone Company customers with visual, physical or mental disabilities may be eligible for an exemption from directory assistance and local operator assistance charges.

For more details or to apply for this program contact Consolidated Telephone Company customer service at the following phone numbers: 454-1234, or 888-753-9104.

PUC/FCC

MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

The mission of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, reliable and efficient utility services at fair and reasonable rates for electric, natural gas and telecommunications services.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.

Closed Caption Concerns

Call (800) 753-9104

Fax 218-829-5146

Written Complaints:

CTC

Attn: Steve Holmvig

1102 Madison St

Brainerd, MN 56401

Voice: 218-454-1108

Email: steve.holmvig@ctctelcom.net