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Article: Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program
Program Information
Table of Contents
- Program Information
The
Telecommunications
Equipment Purchase Program is to help people with disabilities buy
equipment they need in order to use basic telephone services. The TEPP is paid
for by the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund (USF) established by the Public
Service Commission. Money collected from
Wisconsin
telephone service providers goes into the USF.
Requirements:
• Be
a
Wisconsin
resident.
• Be a person who
is deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or mobility or motion impaired.
• Need
special equipment to use the telephone in the home or when traveling (like a
TTY, amplification, visual alert system, etc.).
There’s
no age or income limit, but an individual can only get TEPP money once
every three years for the same type of disability.
How
much will TEPP pay?
The
amount depends on your disability. On the application form, you identify which
disability affects your telephone use. You will be mailed a voucher (like a
check) for the amount you are qualified to get. These amounts were set based on
the usual cost of the equipment needed.
Type
of Disability and Amount:
Hard
of Hearing (HH) $ 125
(No
co-payment required for HH vouchers)
Deaf/Severely
HH 800
Speech
Impaired 1,600
Mobility/Motion
Impaired 1,600
Deaf
with Low Vision 2,500
Deaf
and Blind 7,200
How
much do I have to pay?
You
pay the first $100 (except for HH vouchers). The voucher pays the rest, up to
the maximum voucher amount. If you buy equipment that costs more than the
voucher plus your $100, you also pay the extra charges. For example, if you are
deaf or severely hard-of-hearing, you can get a voucher for $800. If you buy
equipment with a total cost of $918, you will pay $118.
What
if I can’t afford the $100?
The
Telecommunication Assistance Program (TAP) may be able to pay the $100. TAP is a
program of the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Department of Health
& Family Services). TAP is only for persons who are deaf or severely hard of
hearing in a low-income household. TAP funds pay the $100 TEPP co-payment if you
qualify.
How
do I get TAP to pay the $100?
The
TEPP and TAP application form are combined. For TAP, you must also fill out the
household income lines and send a hearing loss certificate. You must add up all
income for everyone living in your house. If your total household income meets
the TAP income limits, your application will automatically be processed for a
TEPP and TAP voucher so your voucher may include the $100 co-payment. For
questions on TAP, contact: Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at (608)
266-3118 Voice/TTY.
Last Updated on 9/11/2007