California Teleconnect Fund
Providing discounts on advanced communications services to qualifying organizations.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
On Monday, January 30, 2023, the CTF program launched a new website called eCAP (electronic Claim and Application Portal). Organizations must utilize eCAP to manage their participation in the CTF program, including for submitting applications, maintaining contact information, and completing eligibility recertifications. Service providers must utilize eCAP to submit their claims for reimbursement and maintain their program enrollment information. Organizations and service providers that participated in the CTF program prior to January 30, 2023 will receive an email invitation to access their eCAP account or, if necessary, can contact the program for assistance in accessing their eCAP account. Organizations (but not service providers) applying to the CTF program for the first time should create a new eCAP account. Please refer to the following for information on using eCAP:
- eCAP website: https://ecap.cpuc.ca.gov/pcms/s/
- General eCAP Help and FAQ: https://ecap.cpuc.ca.gov/s/help-faqs
- CTF program Help and FAQ for eCAP: https://ecap.cpuc.ca.gov/s/help-faqs?tabset-139ec=1
- Participants and applicants can contact CTFHelp@cpuc.ca.gov for additional help or inquiries regarding eCAP.
- Service providers can contact CTFClaims@cpuc.ca.gov for additional help or inquiries regarding eCAP.
The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program provides a 50% discount on advanced communication services (including Internet access and broadband services) to qualifying 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 $108.296 million for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. 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 an overview of the program, participant eligibility criteria, application instructions, the list of eligible communication services, and other important information.
The CTF program periodically requires participants to submit a new application to recertify eligibility. The CTF program will send participants notice when recertification is due. To ensure receipt of this notice and other important information, participants should update their contact information as necessary by updating their eCAP profile or emailing the program at ctfhelp@cpuc.ca.gov. Click here for more information on the program's recertification requirements and process.
Additional resources and information:
- CTF Applicant & Participant Guidebook (Guidebook in Spanish) (Guidebook in Chinese)
- List of CTF Service Providers
- CTF Participant Report (including Eligibility Start and End Dates)
- 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.
Beginning Monday, January 30, 2023, service providers must file their claims for reimbursement via the eCAP website. The submission of claims in eCAP will permanently replace the previous submission method where service providers submit claims by email. In addition to filing and tracking claims, service providers can use eCAP to maintain their program enrollment and update their Primary Regulatory or Complaint Contact information. Service providers that wish to participate in the CTF program must enroll in the program via eCAP.
The CPUC will send service providers an email invitation to access their eCAP account. Service providers that did not receive an email invitation or are otherwise unable to access their eCAP account should contact CTFClaims@cpuc.cagov. Service providers should not create a new eCAP account; all service provider eCAP accounts are created by the CPUC.
See below for resources for carriers and service providers:
- CTF Service Provider Manual
- Product Information Spreadsheet
- CTF Claim Worksheet
- CPUC Communications Utility Contact Update Form
- Department of Finance Payee Data Record Form
- Statewide Average E-rate
- CTF Participant Report (including Eligibility Start and End Dates)
- Information on Recertifying Eligibility
California Teleconnect Fund
Program Contact
For participant recertification inquiries, please direct them to CTFHelp@cpuc.ca.gov.
Carriers and service providers can direct inquiries to CTFClaims@cpuc.ca.gov.