Innovative Telephone is looking for more clients for a program that offers discounted phone service for people on limited income.
About 850 people are currently part of the Lifeline program, which reduces the cost of basic telephone service, according to Jennifer Matarangas-King, vice president of public relations and governmental affairs for Innovative. The program is mandated by the Federal Communications Commission and the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission.
A large portion of the cost of the program is paid by the federal government and Innovative also chips in about $103,000, according to Matarangas-King.
Participants in Lifeline receive credits for about two thirds of their phone bills. The standard bill for wired phone service is $30.10. Under Lifeline, participants receive a federal credit of $9.25, a territory credit of $10.55 and other credits totaling $1.95, reducing the monthly bill to $8.35.
And the service is not a reduced package of emergency phone services but the same package anyone else receives, Matarangas-King added.
To be eligible for Lifeline, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the
U.S. Virgin Islands, have a household income at or below 135 percent of the most current Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of that size or be a participant in one of several other qualifying federal assistance programs.
The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services is the only agency that can certify subscribers’ eligibility, Matarangas-King said, and those interested can check with their local office to fill out an application.
Those who think they might qualify and want to apply can call the Department of Human Services at 1-340-774-2399 on St. Thomas and 1-340-772-0085 or 1-340-773-2323 on St. Croix.
Matarangas-King added that the rate is not fixed in stone, being adjusted marginally each quarter by the FCC.
