WHO QUALIFIES?

The Public Service Commission of Utah 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 devices. The legislature has established the following qualifications for people who are eligible to receive assistance from the Commission.

Individuals must qualify for some type of Public Assistance Program.
Valid programs are:

• Aid to Families with Dependent Children
• Emergency Work Program
• Food Stamps
• General Assistance
• Home Energy Assistance Target Program
• Medical Assistance
• Refugee Assistance
• Supplemental Security Income

Individuals must be at 125% of poverty level established for 2001.
Individuals must meet the definitions of impairment.
 

Poverty Guidelines

1 Person in household - $900 per month	9 People in household - $3300 per month
2 People in household - $1200 per month	10 People in household - $3600 per month
3 People in household - $1500 per month	11 People in household - $3900 per month
4 People in household - $1800 per month	12 People in household - $4200 per month
5 People in household - $2100 per month	13 People in household - $4500 per month
6 People in household - $2400 per month	14 People in household - $4800 per month
7 People in household - $2700 per month	15 People in household - $5100 per month
8 People in household - $3000 per month

 

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Definitions of Impairment
In order for individuals to qualify for a TTY under Commission standards, they must meet the definitions of impairment.

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 communication 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.

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS
In order to have your application reviewed by the Commission, you will need to:

1. Download and complete the application. (ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL) If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the form.

2. Have the form signed by a qualified person (any person permitted to practice medicine in the State of Utah.)

a. 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.

b. Speech Language Pathologist: An individual who has a Masters or Doctoral degree in c. Speech/Language Pathology and a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association

c. Qualified State Agency: Any state agency which serves the applicant and which can obtain professional documentation of the disability.

3. Mail the application to the Commission:

Public Service Commission
c/o TTY Program
Box 45585
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0585

Upon approval of application form, applicant will be notified in writing of the date, time and place to receive a TTY and the required training. A parent or legal guardian at the required training to sign for the TTY must accompany applicants below the age of 18 years old. 

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