California Teleconnect Fund

The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program provides a 50% discount on advanced communication services (including Internet access and broadband services) to qualifying K–12 schools, libraries, community colleges, government-owned hospitals/health clinics, and community-based organizations.

The CTF program was established by Decision (D.) 96-10-066 and is governed by Public Utilities Code Sections 280 and 884. In D.96-10-066, the CPUC reaffirmed its commitment to universal service and in accordance with state and federal directives created the CTF program. The CTF program is funded through a surcharge on all customers that purchase intrastate telecommunications services and has an adopted budget of $107 million for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. See the California Teleconnect Fund Fact Sheet for more information.

Information for Applicants and Participants

Please refer to the CTF Applicant & Participant Guidebook for information on the CTF program, including participant eligibility criteria, the list of eligible communication services, and application forms and instructions.

The CPUC requires CTF program participants to submit a new application to recertify their eligibility every three or five years to continue receiving the CTF discounts. The CTF program will notify participants of when they are required to submit a new application to recertify eligibility. To ensure receipt of this notice and other important information, participants should update their contact information as necessary by emailing the program at ctfhelp@cpuc.ca.gov. Participants should not submit an application to recertify eligibility until they are notified by the CTF program. Click here for more information on the program's recertification requirements and process.

Additional resources and information:

• CTF Applicant & Participant Guidebook (with application form)
• List of CTF Service Providers
• List of Eligible Entities
• List of Revoked Application Numbers
• Information on Recertifying Eligibility

Information for Service Providers

Please reference the CTF Service Provider Manual for important information on the CTF program, including requirements for service providers, the categories of services that are eligible to receive the CTF discount, instructions on how to apply the CTF discount to customers' bills, and the process for requesting reimbursement from the CPUC.

Recent program rule changes include:  

1.  Resolution T-17666 modifies the due date and time limit for carriers to submit claims for reimbursement. Carriers have 60 days from the end of the month to submit claims for March 2020 and thereafter. Please be advised that because claims must be filed in chronological order, carriers must submit all claims for months prior to March 2020 before submitting their claim for March 2020.
2.  Administrative Letter No. 29: A new CTF Claim Workbook will replace the Claim Form and Reports from Administrative Letter No.17. beginning with claims for reimbursement for the July 2020 claim period. Please refer to the CTF Service Provider Manual for the template and instructions

 See below for resources for carriers and service providers:

• CTF Service Provider Manual
• CTF Service Provider Registration Form (Data Request No.001)
• CTF Claim Workbook
• CPUC Communications Utility Contact Update Form
• Department of Finance Payee Data Record Form
• Statewide Average E-rate
• Entity Eligibility Status
• COVID-19 Distance Learning Approved School Districts
• Information on Recertifying Eligibility

• Administrative Committee
• Administrative Letters
• CTF-Distance-Learning-Discounts
• CTF Program - Statewide Average E-rate
• Participant Recertification
• Decisions and Resolutions
• Entity Eligibility Status
• Implementation of Adopted Rules
• Program Budget

For participant recertification inquiries, please direct them to CTFHelp@cpuc.ca.gov or call Joanne Leung at (415) 703-1149.

Carriers and service providers can direct inquiries to CTFClaims@cpuc.ca.gov or contact Wylen Lai at (415) 703-2616.