Minnesota Agencies

Review the state telephone assistance program. The Working Group shall develop and submit recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 1998, which conform the state program to the federal report and order on universal service issued May 8, 1997, by the federal communications commission.

The Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) was established by the 1987 Minnesota Legislature to provide assistance with the costs of monthly telephone bills to seniors (age 65 and older) whose income is at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines. In 1988 state statutes governing TAP were amended to expand program eligibility to disabled persons whose income is at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines.

The 1997 Legislature passed legislation which requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission and the Commissioner of Public Service to convene a work group to review the TAP program. The work group charge was to conform the TAP program to new federal requirements and recommend the best package of telephone assistance for needy telecommunications consumers.

The work group met on six separate occasions and submitted a final report (below).

Includes representatives of the office of the attorney general, telecommunications providers, and consumer organizations representing the interests of seniors, children, the disabled, and low-income utility consumers.