CRS Frequently Asked Questions
As a consumer, you may have questions about CRS and the services available to you. To learn more about CRS, please select from the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- How do I register my 711 Choice?
- In my household, I usually like one relay service provider and another person likes another. Can we both dial 711 and each get our preferred CRS provider?
- In my household, I usually prefer one relay mode (i.e. TTY) and another person in my household would prefer another relay mode (i.e. VCO). How can we solve this?
- What's the difference between the 711 Choice preferences and the individual relay service providers' profile form?
- Why did we have to change the relay service? I was fine with it before.
- Can I fill out a paper form or do it on this website?
- I've selected a relay provider with a 711 Choice Form, can I change my choice?
- If I want to make 711 Choice changes, how will they know it's for me?
- Which relay service providers are offering CRS II?
- Will this 711 choice cost me anything?
- At work I have a phone and TTY as an extension on a business telephone system (such as PBX). Do I need to reprogram that phone to make 711 calls?
- Are there some phone numbers that cannot be registered with 711 Choices?
- Can I call 711 with the same 711 Choice Form for my home and work?
- Can I use 711 with Speech-to-Speech (STS)?
- Can I still call the DDTP's 800 numbers to reach CRS?
- I am using VRS and Internet Relay more than TTY. Does CRS offer those services now?
- Since Video Relay Service (VRS) is now available with CRS, can I apply for a videophone or webcam from the program?
- Can I use my Macintosh computer to make VRS calls through CRS?
- Can I dial 911 using VRS or Internet Relay?
1:How do I register my 711 Choice?
Call the Customer Service department of any CRS provider. You must call from the telephone number being registered. See the "California Relay Service 711 Choice Instructions" for all toll-free phone numbers. [click here] You can call any day at any time.
2: In my household, I usually like one relay service provider and another person likes another. Can we both dial 711 and each get our preferred CRS Provider?
Only one of you would be able to dial 711 and get a preferred CRS provider. The other person would dial the direct toll-free number for their preferred relay service provider.
3: In my household, I usually prefer one relay mode (i.e. TTY) and another person in my household would prefer another relay mode (i.e. VCO). How can we solve this?
There are 2 ways to do this:
a. Select one relay service provider on your 711 Choice form. Leave the relay modality blank. All the people in the same household will be able to dial 711 to get the CRS provider. Each can request a specific relay mode (i.e. TTY, HCO, VCO, STS) when CRS answers.
b. Allow one person to choose the CRS provider and the mode. The other person in the same household can call the relay service provider's direct toll-free number using their preferred mode.
4: What's the difference between the 711 Choice preferences and the individual relay service providers' profile form?
The 711 Choice Form routes your call to the specific CRS provider and/or a specific relay mode (i.e. TTY, HCO, VCO, STS).
If you have other call handling preferences, you can fill out a longer separate personal profile form with the CRS providers you want to use. For example, if you do not want the relay operator to type in anything while your call is on hold, you can note that on the CRS provider's own profile form.
5: Why did we have to change the relay service? I was fine with it before.
New CRS contracts allow us to take advantage of new technology and services for California consumers. Video Relay Service, Internet Relay and True Caller ID are just three of them. All three companies will offer other improvements as they compete for your business. One of the most important new CRS features allows you to reach your provider of choice just by dialing 711.
6: Can I fill out a paper form or do it on your website?
Neither can be done at the present time for security reasons.
7: I've selected a relay provider with my 711 Choice Form, can I change?
Yes! You can make changes as often as you'd like to. As a matter of fact, we are encouraging our CRS II users to try them all.
8: If I want to make the 711 Choice changes, how will they know it's for me?
Call any Customer Service number from the same phone number that is registered. Or, when you first register your choices set up a security question and answer. After that, you can call from any telephone number to make changes by answering your security question correctly.
9: Which relay service providers are offering CRS II?
Nordia, GoAmerica, and Sprint offer CRS II. All three have extensive experience providing relay service.
10: Will this 711 choice cost me anything?
No, it's a completely free service.
11: At work I have a phone and TTY as an extension on a PBX system. Do I need to reprogram that phone to make 711 calls?
Yes, you will need to reprogram that phone so that it will allow you to dial just 3 digits.
12: Are there some phone numbers that cannot be registered with 711 Choices?
Yes, some phone numbers, such as phones that work through some business telephone systems (such as PBX), cannot be registered with 711 Choice. This is because some telephone lines do not send that particular phone number to the 711 telephone network so your choices will be seen. If you are not sure, call any Customer Service number to check to see if the number you are calling from can be registered.
13: Can I call 711 with the same 711 Choice Form for my home and work?
No, your choice is tied to the telephone number you register with. You will need to register your 711 Choices separately for your home and for your workplace by calling from those specific numbers.
14: Can I use 711 with Speech-to-Speech (STS)?
Yes, you can. In December 2004, STS became available from all three CRS providers. Call the Customer Service department of any CRS provider to register your preferences such as mode (STS) and vendor. From then on, just dial 711 and your call will be answered promptly according to your choices.
15: Can I still call the DDTP's 800 numbers to reach CRS?
Yes, you can still call our 800 numbers. The 800 numbers have not been changed.
16: I am using VRS and Internet Relay more than TTY. CRS does not offer those services.
In December 2004, all three CRS providers, GoAmerica, Nordia, and Sprint began to offer Video Relay Service and Internet Relay.
17: Since Video Relay Service (VRS) is now available with CRS, can I apply for a videophone or a webcam with the from the program?
Currently, we do not provide free videophones or webcams. However you can purchase the equipment at stores and use them with the CRS service.
18: Can I use my Macintosh computer to make VRS calls through CRS?
At this time, relay service providers do not have a Macintosh solution.
19: Can I dial 911 using VRS or Internet Relay?
No, due to current limitations of the Video Relay Service and Internet Relay, you will not be able to place an emergency call to 911 through VRS or Internet Relay. If you have an emergency, you should call 911 directly on your TTY.