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INFO MEMO 99-02B
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living
To:
Community Based Residential Facilities
Residential Care Apartment Complexes
From:
Sinikka McCabe,
Administrator
Re:
Telecommunication Assistance Program (TAP) and Telecommunication Equipment Purchase
Program (TEPP) Funds
I am including this information to you because residents in your CBRF and RCAC may
greatly benefit from this resource.
There are two programs that have funds available to Wisconsin citizens who need
accommodations for the telephone. Please make note of these resources. These are excellent
ways to enhance the ability of older people and persons with disabilities to use
telephones.
This memo contains information about these funding programs, and procedures to apply
for the funds. Please consider providing this information to your residents and when
appropriate, assist them in taking advantage of these programs.
Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP)
TEPP is a program paid for by the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund (USF) established by
the Public Service Commission in 1996. The TEPP is to help people who are deafblind, hard
of hearing, have a speech impairment or motion impairment buy equipment they need in order
to use basic telephone services in their home or while traveling. There is no age or
income limit for this program.
Individuals pay the first $100.00 and the TEPP voucher pays the rest. Each household
may apply for up to $500.00 for deaf individuals, $2,500 for deaf with low vision, $1,500
for mobility impaired, and $6,700 for deafblind individuals.
For individuals who cannot afford the $100.00, TEPP & TAP (see description below)
have entered into an agreement that TAP will pay the initial $100.00, as long as the
person meets the income guidelines set by TAP.
For more information, contact: the Public Service Commission, the Office for Persons
with Physical Disabilities, or the WDHH Regional Coordinators (refer to the list below).
Telecommunication Assistant Program (TAP)
TAP was developed in 1984 by statute 46.297 to distribute telecommunication equipment
to low income individuals who are either hard of hearing, deaf or deafblind. To be
eligible for the program, the adjusted gross income of the person’s family must be
equal to or less than 200 percent of the poverty line established by the federal
government. Eligible persons receive a voucher for up to $600.00 to pay for telephone
accommodation equipment.
Text telephones (TTY’s), assistive listening devices, amplified handsets, two-way
pagers, amplified ringers, telebraille and other telephone related equipment are provided
for telephone accessibility, as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, for
persons who are hard of hearing, deaf, or deafblind in order to function independently in
education, employment and society.
For more information or an application, contact the Wisconsin Department of the Hard of
Hearing ( WDHH ) Regional Coordinators (list attached).
The combined application form for TAP and TEPP is enclosed.
CONTACTS:
Public Service Commission:
PSC TEPP
PO Box 7854
Madison, WI 53707-7854
(608) 267-1479 TTY
(608) 231-3305 Voice
(608) 266-3957 Fax
pscrecs@psc.state.wi.us
Central and WDHH Regional Office Contacts:
See attached list of WDHH Regional Coordinators
Office for Persons with Physical Disabilities:
(608) 267-9880 TTY
(608) 267-9582 Voice
(608) 267 2913 Fax
Internet Information about TEPP:
www.dhfs.state.wi.us
Select "Programs" then "Disabilities"
Information is listed in the physical disabilities file.
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