California Teleconnect Fund

Providing discounts on advanced communications services to qualifying organizations.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The CTF Program has resumed recertification of participant eligibility. Participants due for recertification will receive a notice from the CPUC with instructions to complete and submit a new application to recertify eligibility. Participants should not submit an application to recertify eligibility prior to receiving a notice from the CPUC; recertification applications submitted prior to CPUC notification will be returned. Please visit CTF Program Participant Recertification for additional information.

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:

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:

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.
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: