Eastex Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (\u201cEastex\u201d or \u201cthe Cooperative\u201d) is committed to bringing its customers quality telecommunications services at affordable rates throughout its service territory. Basic local telecommunications service, also referred to herein as voice telephony service, is offered to residential customers for $22.50* per month, and to business customers for $25.84* per month.<\/p>\n
Eastex provides the USF supported services \u2013 voice telephony and broadband service \u2013 throughout its designated service area. Voice telephony service includes voice grade access to the public switched network, or it\u2019s functional equivalent, unlimited local calling within the customer\u2019s local calling area at no charge, access to emergency services, and toll blocking at no charge for qualifying low-income customers. USF supported services also include broadband Internet access service which includes the capability to send data to and receive data from the Internet but excludes dial-up service. Broadband Internet access service is provided at rates which start at $39.95* per month for residential and business customers. Eastex would be pleased to provide you with specific rates for broadband in your area upon request.<\/p>\n
Basic services are offered at the rates, terms and conditions specified in the Cooperative\u2019s tariff on file with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. To ensure that our customers continuously receive quality service, any service problems can be reported to Eastex twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If you have questions regarding the Cooperative\u2019s services or rates, please call either the Henderson area office at 903-854-1000 or toll-free at 800-232-7839, the Livingston area office at 936-327-5224 or toll-free at 800-732-7839, or the Waskom area office at 903-687-3600.<\/p>\n
*Rates do not include taxes, surcharges, or other fees that may be applicable, such as a subscriber line charge.<\/em><\/p>\n DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS<\/p>\n Eastex offers reduced rates to eligible low-income residential consumers under a government assistance program called Lifeline. Lifeline provides monthly discounts to an eligible customer\u2019s voice telephony service (home or wireless service, but not both) or broadband internet service. Customers who are eligible for Lifeline are also eligible for toll blocking at no charge.<\/p>\n To be eligible for Lifeline, a customer\u2019s annual household income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines to receive the federal benefit or must receive benefits from or have a child in the household who receives benefits from at least one of the following programs: Medicaid; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Veterans or Survivors Pension Benefits. To qualify for the state Lifeline benefit, a customer\u2019s annual household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or have a child in the household who receives benefits from one of the above-listed programs or any of the following: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; National School Lunch Program; or health benefits coverage under the State Child Health Plan (CHIP). A customer may also be eligible for Lifeline benefits if he or she lives on Tribal lands and either meets the low-income criteria specified above, or participates or has a dependent or household member who participates in one of the following Tribal-specific federal assistance programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs general assistance; Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; Head Start (if low-income criteria is met); or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.<\/p>\n Lifeline service is limited to one discount per household. A household is everyone who lives in the home (including children and people who are not related to the customer) and shares income and household expenses (bills, food, etc.). A customer with Lifeline service may not transfer the Lifeline benefit to any other person. Lifeline is a nontransferable benefit.<\/p>\n Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Cooperative\u2019s business offices at: Henderson area office at 903-854-1000 or toll-free at 800-232-7839; Livingston area office call 936-327-5224 or toll-free 800-732-7839; and Waskom area office at 903-687-3600. Consumers may also contact the Low-Income Discount Administrator (LIDA) at 866-454-8387 (866-4-LITE-UP).<\/p>\n