ATLANTA -- Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to all residents. For some, a local phone line can be the difference between social connection and complete isolation. That’s why Cox is participating in National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week in an effort to raise awareness about Lifeline, a federal/state program that helps make home telephone service more affordable for qualified customers.

National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week will run from September 10-16 and feature a variety of initiatives helping to raise awareness of the service and encourage eligible consumers to sign up. The program has been active for years, but at least half of eligible consumers nationwide do not take advantage of these discounts. 

Under the federal Lifeline program, telephone customers who are eligible for certain public assistance programs or whose income meets program criteria are entitled to receive a basic telephone service discount of at least $9.25 per month.

Cox is continuing to expand its commitment to Lifeline and is now helping more than 100,000 people be safer in their homes by providing them with an affordable means to contact emergency assistance, if needed.

Cox began offering Lifeline to qualified customers in parts of Arkansas in August, making it the 10th Cox location to offer Lifeline service. Later this year, Cox Arizona also will begin making Lifeline available to qualified customers. Cox currently offers Lifeline discounts for home phone service in certain areas of the following locations: Georgia, Louisiana, California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

National Telephone Discount Lifeline Awareness Week was started in 2009 by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Federal Communications Commission and the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates.

About Lifeline
Lifeline offers the following programs:

Lifeline Assistance provides discounts on basic monthly service for qualified telephone customers. These discounts can exceed $9.25 per month, depending on the customer’s state.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for five years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

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