Those with Hearing Related Issues – Information from California State Retiree Convention

Santa Ana Service Center

Santa Ana CTAP Service Center
2677 North Main Street, Suite 130
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, except holidays.

To better serve you, please arrive by 4:45 PM.

The Main Street Town Center is a tall white building with blue windows. It is located on the corner of North Main Street and Memory Lane and is across from Polly’s Café & Bakery near the Main Place Mall.

Citibank is the main sign on the building.
Enter the lobby, go down the hall, the Service Center is on your left.

About CTAP

http://www.californiaphones.org/Devices-for-Difficulty-Hearing

CTAP is a program of the California Public Utilities Commission Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program.

The program is funded by a small surcharge that appears on all telephone bills in California. This surcharge appears on your phone bill as “CA Relay Service and Communications Devices Fund.”

The California Public Utilities Commission administers CTAP, as well as the California Relay Service, under the umbrella of the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program.

For more information, please visit www.ddtp.org

About California Phones

Every day, specialized California Phones from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) enable over half a million Californians to stay connected.

There’s a California Phone for every need. For example, there are amplified phones that make it easier to hear conversations. Big button phones that are easier to dial. Phones with lights that flash for incoming calls. Convenient portable phones – and more. We also offer phones that are specially designed for individuals with more significant disabilities.

California Phones are available to persons who live in California, have telephone service* and your doctor approves your need. In addition to your doctor, any of the following may certify your need and sign the application form for you:

  • Licensed Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Licensed Physician Assistant
  • Licensed Audiologist
  • Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser
  • Licensed Optometrist
  • Department of Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Superintendent/Audiologist from the California School for the Deaf Fremont/Riverside

Click HERE to find a Certifying Agent near you.

*Equipment connects to your existing telephone service. Your current telephone service charges still apply, however, the Free Specialized Telephone does not increase your service costs.

About California Relay Service (CRS)

In California, relay service is provided through Hamilton Relay. The CRS Provider page gives more information and customer service numbers. California Relay Service (CRS) Click here for more CRS information.

 

Updated Information

National APWU Convention

The National APWU Convention will be held in Pittsburgh, PA from August 20-24, 2018.  Retirees have are asking for support for two resolutions, one for submission of resolutions (has been resolved) and the right to speak and vote during the National APWU Convention as a retiree.

The right to speak and vote is important to many retirees who remain active in the APWU.  Please ask your local leaders and convention delegates to support the resolution.

Resolved, to amend the APWU Constitution & By-Laws; Article 6: SEC 6. Retiree delegates will be seated with a voice and a vote at the National Convention pursuant to the formula in Article 6, section one.  In addition, renumber current Article 6 section 6 as section 7.

 2018 OPM Open Season for FEHBP

Monday November 12, 2018 – Monday December 10, 2018.

Each year, Open Season runs from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December.

This provides anyone enrolled in an OPM Health Plan (FEHBP) the opportunity to change health plans.

November 2018 Elections 

Federal, State, County, and City will take place this November 6, 2018.  Please vote because congressional representative can affect retirees in so many ways.  We need to elected congressional leaders who are supportive of retirees.

County, state, and city elected officials are very important as well and can affect our daily life as well.

I vote by mail and encourage anyone eligible to vote by mail to do so.  I enjoy sitting at the table completing my ballot.

Cost of Living (COLA) Increases for retirees.

If inflation continues in the same direction the expected COLA will exceed 2.5% for Social Security and Civil Service Annuitants.

FERS Annuitants COLA increases are:  If the CSRS COLA is more than 3%, the FERS COLA is 1% less, if the CSRS COLA is more than 2% but less than 3%, then the FERS COLA is 2%, and if the CSRS COLA is less than 2%, then the FERS COLA is the same.

Exact COLA will not be known until October of 2018.

Medicare Part B premiums will probably increase if we get a COLA increase