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>Jitterbug Wireless Technology Pilot Program FAQ

Table of Contents

1. What is the DDTP/CTAP Wireless Technology Pilot Program
It is a Wireless Pilot Program of the State of California that  provides Jitterbug Phones to pilot participants living in or near the cities of Fresno, Los Angles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, or Santa Ana and are CTAP-certified as blind, low vision, cognitively-disabled, or mobility-disabled.

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2. How much will the Jitterbug cost me?
The Jitterbug is provided to you through this DDTP/CTAP Wireless Pilot Program by the State of California at no cost for the equipment or activation fees.  However, participants are responsible for all service costs including monthly service plan and any usage charges not covered by the service plan, as well as any applicable taxes and fees.

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3. Then what is the cost to me?
As with all CTAP wireless offerings, you only pay for service charges. Depending on the type of plan selected: Simple 14, Simple 19, Simple 29, Simple 39, Simple 49, Simple 59, or Simple Plus, you will receive a bill from Jitterbug for $14.99, $19.99, $29.99, $39.99, $49.99, $59.99, or $79.99 respectively plus applicable taxes, fees, and any usage charges incurred.

Service Plans:

Monthly Plans

Monthly Rate

Monthly Anytime Minutes

Anytime Minute Carryover

Weekend/ Night Minutes

Simple 14

$14.99

 50

60 Days

500

Simple 19

$19.99

100

60 Days

500

Simple 29

$29.99

200

60 Days

500

Simple 30

$39.99

300

60 Days

500

Simple 49

$49.99

500

60 Days

500

Simple 59

$59.99

700

60 Days

500

Simple Plus

$79.99

1000

60 Days

500

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4. In addition to making and receiving calls, what special features does this Jitterbug have?
This Jitterbug service plan provides you with 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week operator assistance. Jitterbugs have comfortable keypads, large bright screens, powerful speakers, and a feature that eliminates background noise. Jitterbugs also feature simple “Yes” and “No” action buttons and voice activation service.

You can add Jitterbug Voicemail anywhere, anytime, and Jitterbug Unlimited Text for $3 each per month and Jitterbug Handset Replacement, Jitterbug Roadside Assistance, and Jitterbug LiveNurse for $4 each per month.

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5. What types of Jitterbug Phones are available in the program?
Two types of Jitterbug Phones will be availabe through the Wireless Program and you may choose one or the other:

  • Jitterbug One Touch Phone
phones-onetouch.jpg
  • Jitterbug Dial Phone
phones-dial.jpg

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6. How do I apply for CTAP Certification?
To receive CTAP equipment, you must complete a CTAP Application, which is included in the Wireless Pilot Program Application Packet. It has two parts:

  • Section 1 is completed and signed by or in behalf of the person who will use the equipment.
  • Section 2 is completed out and signed by an authorized CTAP Certifying Agent.

Authorized Certifying Agents for DDTP /CTAP for people who are blind, low vision, mobility-disabled, or cognitively-disabled are:  

  • CA Licensed Physicians (MD) - can sign for people with any disability.
  • CA Licensed Optometrist - can sign only for people who are blind or partially-sighted.
  • CA Department of Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC, RCB, or RCD) - can sign for people with any disability.
  • Veterans Administration Physician - may sign for people with any disability.

You can download a CTAP Application form www.ddtp.org or obtain an application for both CTAP and Wireless Applications by contacting us at 1-866-845-8761 (Voice), 1-866-271-1540 (TTY), or wirelessinfo@ddtp.org (e-mail). You can also contact us for more information. Or visit us at www.ddtp.org to get more information about this program and download the applications. CTAP applications are also available at any one of the seven (7) CTAP Service Centers. They are located in Burbank, Fresno, Oakland, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Ana, and Sacramento. All CTAP Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm.

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7. What are the eligibility criteria for participation in the DDTP/CTAP Jitterbug Wireless Technology Pilot Program?
First, the individual must be CTAP-certified as blind, low vision, mobility-disabled, or cognitively-disabled. Please see question 6 about how to be CTAP-certified. Second, you must be eligible for a current participation in the California LifeLine program. This program is limited to low-income individuals.

You may show your eligibility for the program AND qualify for the Jitterbug during the Pilot Program with one of the following:
  • LifeLine on Phone Bill
  • Medicaid/Medi-Cal
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
  • Food Stamps  or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Healthy Families Category A
  • National School Lunch's FREE Lunch Program (NSL)
  • Tribal TANF
  •  Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  •  Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC)
  •  Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

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8. How do I sign up for the LifeLine program if I am not currently LifeLine-certified
There two ways to qualify for California LifeLine.  See below, or visit the CPUC website at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/telco/public+programs/ults.htm for information.

1) Program-Based
You can qualify for California LifeLine if you or another person in your household is enrolled in any one of the following public-assistance programs:

    1. LifeLine on Phone Bill
    2.  Medicaid/Medi-Cal
    3.  Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    4.  Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    5.  Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
    6.  Food Stamps  or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    7.  Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC)
    8.  Healthy Families Category A
    9.  National School Lunch's FREE Lunch Program (NSL)
    10.  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
      1. California Work Opportunity And Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS)
      2. Stanislaus County Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (StanWORKS)
      3. Welfare-to-Work (WTW)
      4. Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)
    11.   Tribal TANF
    12.   Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
    13.   Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only)

    2) Income-Based
    You can also qualify for California LifeLine if your total household income is at or less than these income maximums: 


    Household Size

    California Annual Income Limits (Effective June 1, 2009) 

    1-2 members

    $24,000

    3 members

    $28,200

    4 members

    $34,000

    Each additional member

    $5,800

    In order to qualify for California LifeLine based on household income, you will need to provide documents proving that your total household income is at or below the income maximum for your household size.  Income documents include:

    • Prior year's state, federal, or tribal tax return
    •  Income statements or paycheck stubs for three consecutive months within the calendar year
    •  Statement of benefits from Social Security, Veterans Administration, retirement/pension, unemployment and/or workmen's compensation
    •  Divorce decree
    •  Child support document
    •  Other official documents

    Two Steps to Enroll:

    • If you think you meet the above qualifications, contact your telephone company and tell them you want to enroll in LifeLine.  If the telephone company can verbally qualify you, they will enroll you in LifeLine immediately.
    • Within two to three weeks California LifeLine will mail to you, in a PINK envelope, an enrollment form.  In order to maintain your telephone discounts, you must complete and sign the form, and return it to California LifeLine along with any required income documentation by the due date.  If you fail to return the completed signed form to California LifeLine by the due date, you will be disqualified.  In addition, your telephone company will bill you for any discounts you may have received.

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    9. How do I enroll in the Wireless Technology Pilot Program?
    To request a Wireless Technology Pilot Program Application, call 1-866-845-8761 (Voice), 1-866-271-1540 (TTY), or email wirelessinfo@ddtp.org. Once you receive/download your application, complete it and send it along with a recent copy of your phone bill or other documents showing your eligibility for California LifeLine to:
    CTAP
    Attn: Customer Contact Dept.
    505 Fourteenth Street, Suite 400
    Oakland CA 94612
    Fax: 1-510-271-8324

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    10. When will I hear from CTAP regarding my application?
    You will hear from CTAP within ten (10) business days after we receive your application.

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    11. You say that this is a Wireless Pilot Program. When does the Wireless Pilot Program end?
    The term of the Pilot Program is one year. At the end of the Pilot Program, you may be asked to return the Jitterbug.

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    12. How can I get a Jitterbug once enrolled in the Pilot Program?
    When you are approved for the Pilot Program, you will be sent information about when to attend the Jitterbug Distribution Days at one of these three Community Based Organizations: San Diego Center for the Blind, Lighthouse for the Blind in San Francisco, or St. Barnabas Multipurpose Senior Center in Los Angeles. Training sessions will also take place at Fresno, Sacramento, and Santa Ana CTAP Service Centers.

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    13. Is there an activation or early termination fee?
    For the duration of Wireless Technology Pilot Program only, Jitterbug’s one-time set-up fee will be waived. But there are no contracts with Jitterbug.

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    14. If I have Customer Care questions about the Jitterbug once I am enrolled in the Program, who should I contact?  Would it be the Jitterbug Customer Care number I have seen?
    Once you are enrolled in the DDTP/CTAP Wireless Pilot we urge you to contact Jitterbug’s toll-free Customer Care at 1-800-733-6632 for assistance with questions about your bill or the equipment.

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    15. Do I need to provide feedback about my experience with the Jitterbug and Pilot Program?
    Yes, in order to benefit the DDTP/CTAP and other users, we ask that you provide feedback about your experience with the Jitterbug and Wireless Pilot Program. You will receive periodic surveys and as a Pilot Participant you need to provide us with your experience using the Jitterbug, the cost and quality of service plan, and the ease of the process to obtain the equipment and service.

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    16. What if I find I can no longer afford to pay the monthly service charge or decide to end my participation in the Wireless Pilot Program before its conclusion?
    If you can no longer pay your monthly bill or decide to stop participating in the Pilot Program, you must return the Jitterbug equipment.  You will be sent a package with a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope to return the equipment or you may return it at one of our seven (7) CTAP Service Centers located in Fresno, Santa Ana, Oakland, Sacramento, Riverside, San Diego, and Burbank. All CTAP Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. This will allow us to make the phone available to another Pilot Participant.

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    17. What happens if my Jitterbug is damaged?
    We urge you to contact Jitterbug’s toll-free Customer Care at 1-800-733-6632 for assistance with your device if it is damaged. During the wireless pilot program, CTAP will not replace any damaged Jitterbug. If you have added the Handset Replacement Option for $4 to your monthly plan, your phone will be replaced by Jitterbug at no cost.  If you haven’t added the Handset Replacement Option, your damaged phone will not be replaced.

    You may also contact CTAP at 1-866-845-8761 to report your damaged Jitterbug. You will be sent a package with a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope to return the damaged device or you may also return it at one of our CTAP Service Centers located in Fresno, Santa Ana, Oakland, Sacramento, Riverside, San Diego, and Burbank. All CTAP Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm.

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    18. What happens if my Jitterbug is stolen?
    If your Jitterbug is stolen, you should notify the nearest police station and file a police report.  Be sure you get the case number and primary police contact information for the case. You should also notify CTAP about this incidence at 1-866-845-8761.  However, CTAP will not replace your device. But if you have added the Handset Replacement Option for $4 to your monthly plan, you will be provided with a new phone by Jitterbug at no cost.

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    19. If I like the Jitterbug, can I add my family or friends to this Pilot Program?
    No. This Pilot Program is only for a limited number of individuals who have been certified as having met the Program’s eligibility criteria.

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    20. Once the Pilot Program ends, can I keep my Jitterbug?
    Because it is not certain that there will be a permanent program run by CTAP you may be asked to return the Jitterbug when the Wireless Technology Pilot Program ends.

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DDTP

 
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