The Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC) is holding an outreach event on Thursday, July 16 at the Clarendon Hill Towers in Somerville from 11am to noon. DTC staff will discuss current consumer complaint trends, the DTC’s complaint resolution process, the Lifeline low-income discount phone service program, and will be available to answer your questions about telecommunications and cable issues.

Lifeline is a federal and state program that allows eligible low-income customers access to discounted telephone service. Access to basic phone service is important because it gives low-income individuals an opportunity to connect them to jobs, family and emergency services.  Eligibility is based on household income and participation in the following programs:

• Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC)
• Fuel Assistance (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP)
• MassHealth or Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
• National School Lunch Program (free meals program only)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

 Please click this link for more info on the Lifeline telephone program.