State telephone programs, known as Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Programs (TEDPs), provide free or low-cost telephone equipment to qualified individuals to accommodate their hearing loss and improve phone access. For up-to-date information for each state, visit the Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Programs Association (TEDPA) at tedpa.org.
HLAA has researched each state’s eligibility requirements, types of equipment covered, and benefit amounts (which vary from state to state) – the information is listed below or download the complete list of TEDP Programs.
DOWNLOAD THIS STATE TELEPHONE PROGRAMS LIST
ALABAMA
Name of Program: Alabama Telecommunications Access Program (ATAP)
Website: https://alabamarelay.com/equipment-distribution/
Eligibility Requirements: Verification of hearing loss by health professional; financial status (maximum family income based on family size)
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipient for as long as necessary
Funding Source: Surcharge applied to every landline consumer’s bill
Combined with Relay Services
ALASKA
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP)
Website: alaskarelay.com/edp-program
Eligibility Requirements: Certification of hearing loss by hearing health professional
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipient
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone bills
Combined with Relay Services
ARKANSAS
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
Website: arktap.org
Eligibility Requirements: Certification of hearing loss by qualified professional; maximum family income base on family size
How Equipment Provided: Loaned for two (2) years after which it becomes property of the recipient
Funding Source: Monthly surcharge on telephone bills
ARIZONA
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (AzTEDP)
Website: acdhh.org/telecommunications/aztedp
Eligibility Requirements: U.S. Citizen; hearing loss certified by designated professional
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipient
Funding Source: Telecommunications excise tax levied on every provider of telephone services
CALIFORNIA
Name of Program: Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP)
Website: ddtp.cpuc.ca.gov/HomePage.aspx?id=91&LangType=1033
Eligibility Requirement: Verification of hearing loss by medical professional
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone bills
Combined with Relay Services
COLORADO
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP)
Website: http://www.ccdhh.com/index.php/ctprogram/
Eligibility Requirement: Proof of income less than 300% of federal poverty guidelines based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Recipients own the equipment
Funding Source: Surcharge on each telephone line
CONNECTICUT
No program
DELAWARE
No program
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
No program
FLORIDA
Name of Program: Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.
Website: ftri.org/
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss certified by qualified professional
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge on every telephone line
Combined with Relay Services
GEORGIA
Name of Program: Georgia Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (GATEDP)
Website: gachi.org/?page_id=37
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss certified by designated professional; income of applicant and spouse less than 200% of federal poverty level
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge assessed on all Georgia residential land-based phone lines
HAWAII
Name of Program: Relay Hawaii Equipment Program (RHEP)
Website: relayhawaii.com
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss or speech disability certified by qualified professionals and maintain own landline service
How Equipment Provided: Landline equipment loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on both wired and wireless lines
Combined with Relay Services
IDAHO
No program
ILLINOIS
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC)
Website: itactty.org
Eligibility Requirement:
- Resident of Illinois
- Proof of landline AND/OR Cellular Phone service
- Application signed by medical professional that applicant is unable to use a standard phone
How Equipment Provided:
- Voucher program for designated equipment. New vouchers may be issued every four (3) years.
- Loan program for additional designated equipment. Recipient may keep as needed.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone lines
Combined with Relay Services
INDIANA
Name of Program: Relay Indiana
Website: relayindiana.com/equipment
Eligibility Requirement: Household income cannot exceed $74,000
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on each telephone line
Combined with Relay Services
IOWA
Name of Program: Telecommunication Iowa (TAI)
Website: relayiowa.com/tai/
Eligibility Requirement: Maximum family income based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Recipients can receive a voucher for approximately 95 percent of the average cost of specialized telephone equipment
Funding Source: Telecommunication carriers in Iowa are subject to an assessment
Combined with Relay Services
KANSAS
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
Website: atk.ku.edu/ks-tap
Eligibility Requirement: Income less than $55,000
How Equipment Provided: Recipients are provided vouchers to acquire specialized equipment
Funding Source: Telecommunications companies must contribute to the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) a percentage of retail revenues earned within Kansas. The companies may pass on the assessment to consumers.
KENTUCKY
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)
Website: kcdhh.org/oea/tddprog.html
Eligibility Requirement: Kentucky resident for at least one year
How Equipment Provided: Owned by the recipient
Funding Source: Surcharge on both wired and wireless lines
Combined with Relay Services
LOUISIANA
Name of Program: Louisiana School for the Deaf (LCD) Equipment Program
Website: new.dhh.louisana.gov/index.cfm/page/318
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on telephone bills
MASSACHUSETTS
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP)
Website: mass.gov/massedp
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss certified by medial professional
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on all voice and data telephone lines
MAINE
Name of Program: Disability Rights Maine
Website: http://www.drme.org/
Eligibility Requirement: Two eligibility options, based on your income. Total household income determines which program, Lending and Cost-share.
How Equipment Provided: Either (1) loaned as long as necessary or (2) cost-shared under which recipient pays a portion of the cost of the equipment and is the owner.
Note: Contact Deaf Services at deafservices@drme.org for assistance.
MARYLAND
Name of Program: Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT)
Website: doit.maryland.gov/mdrelay/Pages/equipment.aspx
Eligibility Requirements: Self-certification of hearing loss; limited income (not quantified)
How Equipment Provided: Permanent loan to qualified recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on all bills for communications services (landline, VoIP and wireless)
Combined with Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)
MICHIGAN
No program
MINNESOTA
Name of Program: Telephone Equipment Distribution Program
Website: mn.gov/dhs/ted-program
Eligibility Requirement: Maximum family income based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to qualified recipients as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge on wired and wireless telephone lines
Combined with Relay Outreach
MISSISSIPPI
Name of Program: Relay Equipment Distribution Program (EDP)
Website: https://mississippirelay.com/equipment-distribution/
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss of 40dB or greater certified by physician or audiologist.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients. For wireless devices, the loan period is two (2) years.
Funding Source: The Public Service Commission may impose upon all local exchange telephone companies a monthly relay service fee
Combined with Relay Services
MISSOURI
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access Program (includes both telephones (TAP-T) and internet (TAP-I)
Website: at.mo.gov/tap.html
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss certified by health professional; maximum family income based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Equipment owned by recipient, but certain items are loaned
Funding Source: Relay surcharge on all telephone bills
MONTANA
Name of Program: Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP)
Website: dphhs.mt.gov/detd/mtap
Eligibility Requirement: Maximum family income based on family size
MTAP oversees the relay and provides an equipment distribution program for Montanans who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, speech or mobility disabled
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone lines
NEBRASKA
Name of Program:Nebraska Specialized Telecommunications Equipment
Website: https://ncdhh.nebraska.gov/services/nstep
Eligibility: Only one individual per household may be the owner of telecommunications equipment at one time and you cannot reapply for assistance more than once every five years.
Funding Source: Surcharge on each telephone line.
NEVADA
Name of Program: Nevada Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Program (NTEDP)
Website: https://www.unr.edu/nced/projects/ntedp
Eligibility: Contact NTEDP through website or email, cas-telecom@unr.edu
How Equipment Provided: Loaned for as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge on wired and wireless phones
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program (TEAP)
Website: https://futureinsight.org
Eligibility: Contact by email at services@futureinsight.org
How Equipment Provided: Applicant meets the income eligibility standard for full financial assistance. OR – Applicant is over the income. eligibility limit for full financial assistance; and, agrees to reimburse the NH-TEAP program for 50% of the cost of the equipment approved and ordered.
NEW JERSEY
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program
Website: nj.gov/humanservices/ddhh/equipment
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss verified by physician or audiologist; maximum family income based on family size.
How Equipment Provided: Equipment is owned by recipients.
Funding Source: Funds are provided as part of the state budget.
NEW MEXICO
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program
Website: cdhh.state.nm.us/TEDP.aspx
Eligibility Requirement: Proof of hearing loss shown by audiogram
How Equipment Provided: Equipment loaned for a period of three (3) years
Funding Source: Surcharge on landline and wireless phone service
NEW YORK
No program
NORTH CAROLINA
Name of Program: Telecommunications Access and Equipment
Website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hearing-loss/telecommunications-access-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing
Eligibility Requirement: Certificate of disability; income up to 250% of federal poverty level
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge per telephone access lines
NORTH DAKOTA
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Services (TEDS)
Website: https://ndassistive.org/teds/
Eligibility Requirement: Maximum family income based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Telephone access line surcharge
OHIO
No Statewide Program.
OKLAHOMA
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf
Website: https://www.osd.k12.ok.us/255639_2
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss verified by audiogram; maximum family income based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on telephone lines
OREGON
Name of Program: Telecommunication Devices Access Program (TDAP)
Website: http://www.tdap.oregon.gov
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss certified; (no income restrictions)
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Fee charged to all telephone customers (Residential Service Protection Fee (RSPF)
Combined with Relay Services
PENNSYLVANIA
Name of Program: Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP)
Website: disabilities.temple.edu/tddp
Eligibility Requirement: Income not to exceed 200% of federal poverty level
How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipient
Funding Source: The TDDP is implemented by Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Supported in part by federal funding under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. Also funded by a Telecommunications Relay Service Program surcharge.
RHODE ISLAND
Name of Program: Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL)
Website: atel.ri.gov/
Eligibility Requirement: Maximum family income based on family size.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on telephone bills
SOUTH CAROLINA
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program
Website: https://scedp.sc.gov
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss certified by health professional
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on all residential and business telephone lines
SOUTH DAKOTA
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (TEDP)
Website: relaysd.com/outreach/equipment-distribution-program/
Eligibility Requirement: Certified hearing loss
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipient
Funding Source: Access fee on each local exchange service line, each cellular phone, and each radio pager unit
Combined with Relay Services
TENNESSEE
Name of Program: Telecommunication Device Access Program (TDAP)
Website: tennrelay.com/tdap
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss verified by physician
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
Funding Source: Telecommunications service providers with intrastate gross receipts greater than $5 million make proportionate contributions to the TDAP fund. The contribution factor for each provider is determined annually. Providers are prohibited from itemizing prorata contributions on consumers’ telephone bills.
TEXAS
Name of program: Specialized Telecommunications assistance Program (STAP)
Website: hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/specialized-telecommunications-assistance-program-stap
Eligibility Requirement: Hearing loss certified by hearing health professional
How Equipment Provided: Vouchers, with a maximum dollar amount and printed with a general classification of device (amplified telephone, voice activated answering phone, etc.) are provided to recipients. The vouchers are exchanged with a registered vendor for the specific device selected by the recipient who takes ownership of the device.
Funding Source: Each telecommunications provider is required to pay a uniform amount into the “Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund.” Telecommunications providers are authorized to recover their assessments through a surcharge added to customers’ bills.
UTAH
Name of Program: Equipment Distribution Program
Website: relayutah.gov/equipment.html
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss certified by hearing health professional; maximum family income based on family size.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for as long as needed
Funding Source: Surcharge on all landlines which is deposited into the Restricted Hearing Impaired Fund
Combined with Relay Services
VERMONT
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (VTEDP)
Website: https://cil.org/services/vtedp/
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss verified by physician or audiologist; income below federal poverty guidelines
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients. After receiving equipment, applicants must wait four years to apply again unless there are special circumstances to waive the waiting period.
Funding Source: Surcharge on all landline, cellular, and internet-based telephone bills.
VIRGINIA
Name of Program: Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
Website: vddhh.org/equipment.htm
Eligibility Requirement: Maximum family income based on family size.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients for trial period of 30 days to allow recipients to decide whether to keep, exchange, or return the equipment. If the equipment is kept for more than 30 days, the recipient retains ownership. However, equipment with an acquisition cost greater than $5000 is permanently loaned to the recipients.
Funding Source: State government appropriates funds on a biennial basis, but the amount can be adjusted annually through additional appropriations. The state also collects a Communications Tax from telecommunications providers of landline, wireless, satellite, cable, and internet-based services.
Combined with Relay Services
WASHINGTON
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Distribution (TED) Program
Website: dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh/telecommunication-equipment-distribution
Eligibility Requirements: Hearing loss certified by specified health professional; no income restriction but cost to consumer determined by family financial status.How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipients. Equipment is transferred to recipients for free or after payment of a designated amount depending upon family size and income.
Funding Source: Excise tax paid by landline telephone customers
WEST VIRGINIA
Name of Program: Telephonic Communication Device Loan Program
Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/cdhh/equipment/Pages/TCDLP.aspx
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for this program, you must be a legal resident of West Virginia and verify that you do not exceed 200% of the poverty rate for household size in annual household income.
How Equipment Provided: Loaned to recipients
WISCONSIN
Name of Program: Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP)
Website: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/ForConsumers/TEPP.aspx
How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipients after purchase using vouchers
Funding Source: The TEPP is one of several programs paid for by the state Universal Service Fund (USF). Money is collected from telephone service providers for the USF.
WYOMING
Name of Program: Telecom Relay Equipment
Website: wyomingrelay.com
Eligibility Requirement: maximum family income based on family size
How Equipment Provided: Owned by recipients
Funding Source: Surcharge on all telephone lines
Combined with Relay Services