Tel-assistance; definitions

For purposes of this article, the following terms apply: (a) "Eligible telecommunications carrier" means a common carrier that offers telephone services that are supported by federal universal service support mechanism, advertises the availability of such services and the charges for the services using media of general distribution, and that otherwise is qualified as an eligible telecommunications carrier pursuant to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. Section 214. (b) "Qualifying low-income consumer" means a consumer who is a recipient of Medicaid, food stamps, supplemental security income, federal public housing assistance, low-income home energy assistance program benefits, temporary assistance to needy families benefits or other income-related state or federal programs. (c) "Tel-assistance service" means a wholly measured or message individual, residential local exchange dial access line offered through the provisions of this article and that provides for an allowance for usage not to exceed $2 in value. (d) "Usage" means the local exchange service and the long distance service provided by the eligible telecommunications carrier furnishing the tel-assistance service.