qualify for the program
Who Qualifies?
The Public Service Commission of Utah (Commission) is a government agency that regulates utilities. It has been established, through statute, that the Commission administer funds that provide assistance to qualified individuals who require hearing assistive telecommunication devices. The legislature has established the following qualifications for people who are eligible to receive assistance from the Commission.
Income Guidelines - In order for individuals to qualify for phone equipment, applicants must meet one or more of the following definitions.
Valid programs are:
- Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
- Emergency Work Program
- Food Stamps
- General Assistance - (single couples or married couples without dependent children who are
unable to work because of a short or long-term disabling condition) - Home Energy Assistance Target Program (HEAT)
- Medicaid
- Refugee Assistance
- Lifeline - Medical alert service
- Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Work Toward Employment
- Federal Public Housing Assistance including Section 8 Housing
- National Free School Lunch Program
- Head Start Program
| 2016 Relay Utah Income Guidelines 200% | ||
| Family Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $1,980 | $23,760 |
| 2 | $2,670 | $32,040 |
| 3 | $3,360 | $40,320 |
| 4 | $4,050 | $48,600 |
| 5 | $4,740 | $56,880 |
| Each Additional Person | $693 | $8,320 |
Updated January 28, 2016 |
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Disability Definitions
Disability Definitions - In order for individuals to qualify for phone equipment under Commission standards, they must meet the disability definitions.
Deaf: A hearing loss that requires use of a TDD or TTY to communicate effectively on the telephone.
Deaf-Blind: A hearing loss and a visual impairment that requires use of a TDD, TTY, or Large Visual Display (LVD) to communicate effectively on the telephone.
Severely Hearing Impaired: A hearing loss that requires the use of an assistive device to communicate effectively on the telephone.
Severely Speech Impaired: A speech impediment that renders speech on an ordinary telephone unintelligible.
Application Process - In order to have your application reviewed by the Commission, you will need to:
1. Download and complete the Relay Utah Application. If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the form.
2. Page 3 of the form must be signed by a qualified person (as listed below.)
Audiologist: An individual who has a Masters or Doctoral degree in Audiology, and a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association
Speech Language Pathologist: An individual who has a Masters or Doctoral degree in Speech/Language Pathology and a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association.Qualified State Agency Employee: Any state agency which serves the applicant and which can obtain professional documentation of the disability.
Otolaryngologist or Licensed Physician - Any person permitted to practice medicine in the State of Utah.
3. Mail the application to the Utah Public Service Commission:
Public Service Commission
c/o Relay Utah
Box 45585
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0585
Upon approval of the application, the applicant will be notified of the date, time for equipment delivery and the required training. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the applicant to sign for equipment if 18 years of age or younger.
