The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) Program

The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) program is a government program administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The program aims to bring every Californian direct access to advanced communications services in their local communities, particularly those with lower rates of internet adoption and greater financial need, by providing participants with discounted rates on broadband and advanced communication services. Eligible participants include schools, libraries, community colleges, government hospitals/clinics, community-based organizations (CBOs), healthcare CBOs, and 2-1-1 providers.

The CTF Discount

The CTF discount is calculated separately for those who participate in E-Rate and those who don’t. For E-Rate participants, CTF will discount the eligible balance each month between your total internet spend and your E-Rate reimbursement. The discount percentage matches your E-Rate discount, up to a max of 50%. For those who don’t participate in E-Rate, the discount percentage is based on a statewide average.

Service providers show the CTF discount within monthly recurring invoices as a separate line item, so the total amount payable is net of CTF discounts for the billing period. Approved applicants should give their service provider a copy of the Approval Notification to request the CTF discount.

Please note that not all service providers participate in the CTF program. Refer to the CTF website to see the service providers that participate

Applicants

Each eligible applicant category has different eligibility requirements. Please visit the CTF Applicant and Participant Guidebook for more information. Prior to participation in the CTF program, entities must apply to and receive approval.

How to Apply

To submit an application to the CTF program, organizations must first log into (or create an account at) the CPUC’s eCAP (electronic Claim and Application Portal) Website. (For information on using the eCAP website visit General eCAP Help and FAQ.) After submitting an application, applicants will receive one or more of the following letters via email:

• Received Notice

  Confirming the program received your application.

• Request for Additional Information
  This notice is a request for additional documents, clarification, or other information. A Request for Additional Information effectively returns the application to the applicant. The notice will provide a due date for the applicant to respond. To respond, applicants must edit their application within eCAP to provide the requested information or documents, and then resubmit their application by the due date. Failure to resubmit the application by the due date will result in the program rejecting the application.

• Approval Letter
  The Approval Letter informs the applicant of approved locations, provides an ID number (called the CTF ID), and contains instructions on how to obtain the CTF discount. CTF participants present their Approval Letter to a participating service provider to obtain CTF discounts.

• Rejection/Ineligible Letter
  The Rejection/Ineligible Letter informs applicants of an unsuccessful application and explains the reason(s) for the rejection/ineligibility. Rejected or ineligible applicants whose circumstances later change can reapply at any point in time.

Applicants and participants must keep their contact information current and up to date with the CTF program. Applicants and participants with an eCAP account can update their contact information within their eCAP profiles. Participants without an eCAP account can update their contact information by contacting CTFhelp@cpuc.ca.gov. Maintaining accurate contact information helps ensure receipt of important notices and information. Failure to respond to an inquiry or request from the CTF program may result in the suspension of CTF discounts and/or revocation of eligibility.

Discount Start Date

A participant’s Approval Letter includes the date a service provider should begin to apply the discount for a CTF-eligible customer. Depending upon when the participant provides the Approval Letter to the service provider, the service provider should apply the discount (a) retroactively to the date indicated within the Approval Letter, or (b) beginning on the date the participant provides the Approval Letter to the service provider. Approval Letters will contain instructions on when to start a customer’s discount and indicate whether a retroactive application of the discount (to prior service periods) is necessary. Participants switching service providers must provide a copy of their Approval Letter to the new service provider.

Eligible Services

Eligible Services categories generally correspond to E-rate Category One services. However, mobile broadband services are also eligible in specific instances for certain participants, even though they are not E-Rate eligible. Mobile broadband service refers to cellular and/or mobile internet access or broadband services. Both “onsite” and “offsite” mobile broadband services are eligible in specific instances for certain participants.

Ineligible Services 

Ineligible service categories include: 

• All voice including voice over internet protocol (VoIP) 

• Equipment / Maintenance 

• Construction / Infrastructure 

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• Taxes and fees

Recertification

The CTF program periodically requires participants to submit a new application to recertify their 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.

New User Portal

The CTF program has created a new user portal called eCAP for managing and submitting applications. If you would like to learn how to navigate eCAP, check out our blog post here.

Application Checklist

Click here to view our blog post with checklists for what information and documentation you will need to submit your CTF application.

For help or inquiries regarding your eCAP account or the CTF application process, and/or status, you can contact ctfhelp@cpuc.ca.gov. For help with applying for CTF, or for E-Rate consulting, telecom optimization audits, or telecom project management, reach out to us at HWC Consultants!