Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program
STAP History

In 1997, the Seventy-Fifth Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 667, requiring the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing (TCDHH) to establish a financial assistance program that would allow individuals with certain disabilities to purchase specialized telecommunication devices. The law was created to ensure telephone network access for individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard-of-hearing and speech-disabled that is functionally equivalent to that enjoyed by individuals without a hearing or speech disability. The Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF) subsidizes the program.

In 1999, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1441, expanding the STAP to include all individuals with a disability that impairs the ability to effectively access the telephone network. This meant that the program was no longer limited to individuals having disabilities involving only hearing or speech. Also, the program added services that provide telephone network access, whereas the program was previously limited to equipment only.

In 2001, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2345, which again modified the STAP. The changes included reducing the waiting period to get another voucher from seven years to five years and allowing only one person per household to receive a voucher (with exceptions). For a full review of this law, go to www.puc.state.tx.us/relay/about/HB2345.cfm

The PUC is responsible for STAP vendor registration and reimbursement and also intervenes if there is a problem between a STAP voucher recipient and a vendor. The Department of Rehabilitative Services/Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DARS/DHHS-formerly known as TCDHH) is responsible for: defining voucher recipient eligibility standards; determining basic specialized telecommunications device voucher values; processing applications for voucher requests; and issuing vouchers to eligible STAP applicants. Both agencies work together to effectively implement legislation that ensures that qualified STAP applicants get the assistance they deserve.

Questions or concerns regarding equipment, applications or vouchers should be directed to DARS/DHHS. Questions regarding vendor registration and reimbursement should be directed to the PUC.

Last Updated: 03/25/09