Public Utility Commission offering discounts on phone bills for low-income customers

A program called "Lifeline" is helping low-income residents in central Pennsylvania save money by giving them a discount on their phone bill if they meet certain requirements.

Pam Witmer, Commissioner with PUC:
"In this very highly interconnected world, it's really very very important for people to be connected, to have telephone service."

Low-income phone users in central Pennsylvania can save money on their phone bills by using "Lifeline". 

Tawanda Scruggs, Community Activist:
"If i already have a Verizon phone and I didn't know about this program, I would be paying full prices trying to just keep a phone for me and my children."

"Lifeline" discounts telephone services by an average of almost $10 a month, giving people the ability to use their phone for emergencies, contact family, contact schools, or for their job.

Barrett Sheridan, Assistant Consumer Advocate:
"Being able to call, follow up on a job lead or get a call back from a prospective employer is very important."

The service is not payed for by taxes, but payed for by the phone company.

Pam Witmer:
"There is no additional fee that is going to be charged to the telephone consuming public."