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Want to protect consumers in your state? How about demanding a Telecom Bill of Rights? Does your community need better social services by phone?
- Help low-income families get phone bill discounts: The Lifeline program helps makes paying the monthly bills a little easier for low income families by providing deep discounts on local phone service. However, only about one-third of those eligible have been receiving the discount.
Thanks to the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), the eligibility criteria have been expanded. Now we've got to make sure consumers who qualify for the discount actually get it. NCLC is looking to hear from organizations and individual activists interested in trying to increase Lifeline enrollment in their own states. If you are interested in helping to work on a Lifeline enrollment campaign in your state, contact Charlie Harak at NCLC.
- Establish a Telecommunications Bill of Rights: One strategy for holding phone companies accountable is a "Telecommunications Consumer Bill of Rights" — consumer groups and legislators working together to set the rules. Learn from the models in these states:
- California has passed a Bill of Rights!
- Pennsylvania: join the campaign to improve telephone service for all communities in PA
- Support Community Service Needs: Make sure there are phone programs that provide essential community services to those who need it.
- Fight for free phone access to health services: Do you think there should be a free, direct number like 911 to get help from local health and human service agencies? Find out if your city has it and if you can help the United Way and a coalition of information hotlines establish a national "211" service.
- Support Community Voice Mail: Community Voice Mail provides vital connections for people who are homeless, in shelters, in transition. How to start free voicemail for the homeless in your community, how to support the community voice mail movement.
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