"If Farmers Mutual Co-Op Telephone Company does not resolve your complaint, the service may be subject to state regulation. You may contact Iowa Utilities Board, 350 Maple Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0069. 877-565-4450 Toll Free or 515-281-3839." E-Mail: [email protected].

A customer has the right to provide and own telephones, other terminal equipment and new inside station wiring.

A customer is not required to buy or lease telephones or other terminal equipment from the telephone utility in order to receive service.

A customer is not required to use the services of the telephone utility for the installation of new inside station wiring. Upon request, the telephone utility will provide technical information for new inside station wiring.

When a customer chooses to provide inside station wiring, the inside station wiring must comply with applicable national, state or local building and electrical codes; National Electrical Code, NFPA No. 70-1978 (Article 800, Communications Circuits); and accepted good engineering practices in the communication industry to assure, as far as possible, continuity of service, uniformity in the quality of service furnished, and safety of persons and property.

Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company, Inc. (Moulton, IA) is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended. In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Tammy Wheeler, General Manager. An individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above and/or file a written complaint with this organization; or the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Stop 1510, 14000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-1510; or the Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

Low-income telephone assistance is available to qualifying low-income Iowans as part of two federal support programs. These programs, “Lifeline Assistance” and “Link-Up,” are available through Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company.

“Lifeline” is a plan that assists qualified low-income Iowans by providing a monthly credit on their telephone bill $8.25. “Link-Up” is an assistance plan that helps qualified low-income Iowans pay for the installation of basic telephone service by reducing connection charges by 50 percent, or $30, whichever is less.

Another feature of the Lifeline program enables qualified applicants to avoid paying a service deposit if they voluntarily agree to have long distance calling blocked from their telephone.

Iowans whose income is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for telephone assistance. Additionally, Iowans who participate in one or more of the following programs are eligible for telephone assistance:

Medicaid
Food Stamps
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF)
National School Lunch Program (NSL)

To apply for either or both of these low-income telephone assistance plans, applicants should submit an application to Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company. Application forms can be obtained from their office at 101 North Main Street in Moulton, IA or at the Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, and the Community Action Program offices of the Department of Human Rights. This application is also available on the Iowa Utilities Board website at www.state.ia.us/iub.

Relay Iowa, a program of the Iowa Utilities Board, serves hearing, deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired Iowans, by providing access to convenient and reliable services that enable all persons to communicate by telephone.

How Do I Connect To The Relay?
Dial 7-1-1 from any phone in Iowa or the appropriate toll free numbers below to connect to the Relay Iowa. Give the Communication Assistant (CA) the area code and number you want to call. During a relay call, the CA will voice everything typed by the TTY user and type everything said by the telephone user. Calls handled by Relay Iowa are strictly confidential.

Are There Any Charges To Access The Relay?
There are no charges to access the relay. You can make calls inside or outside of Iowa. However, standard long distance charges do apply, so check with your long distance provider for rate information. If you do not chose a long distance company, you will be billed by AT&T.; To discover more about long distance carriers available through Relay Iowa, contact Relay Iowa Customer Service.

How Do i Apply For Specialized Telephone Equipment?
The Iowa Equipment Distribution Program called Telecommunication Access Iowa (TAI) helps pay for specialized equipment for Iowa residents who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Qualified individuals can receive a coucher for approximately 95% of the average cost of specialized telephone equipment. To apply online, go to www.relay iowa.com/tai/ or call (800) 606-5099 V/TTY.

Dial 7-1-1 OR TTY: (800) 735-2942
Voice: (800) 735-2943
Speech to Speech: (877) 735-1007
Voice Carry Over (VCO): (800) 264-7190*

*Spanish to English translation available

Customer Service:
(888) 516-4692V/TTY
Fax:(402) 694-5110
[email protected]
www.hamiltonrelay.com