988 Fee FAQs - What is the purpose of 988

Sep 17, 2026

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988 Fee FAQs provides a concise reference for State Behavioral Health Authorities on answering questions and addressing concerns about the 988 telecommunications fee that funds the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It explains what 988 is, why it matters, how state fee mechanisms work, the main fee types (eixed, capped, formula-based, and sunset fees), and how states oversee fee use, including trust funds and oversight boards, plus federal reporting to Congress.

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What is the purpose of 988?

Why is 988 important?

What is a 988 telecommunications fee?

How are states providing oversight of the 988 fee?

988 FEE FAQs NASMHPD developed the 988Fee FAQs as a quick referenceguide for SBHAs to use whenanswering questions andaddressing concerns related toa 988 telecommunications fee. 》》 # NASMHPD 988 Fee FAQs FOR STATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHAUTHORITIES ## What is the purpose of 988? 98B is the easy to remember three-digit phone number that connects people to the 988 Suicide &Crisis Lifeline (988Lifeline).It is a free and confidential service for anyone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide,a mental health orsubstance use-related crisis,or any kind of emotional distress.When someone calls,texts,or chats with 988 they areconnected to trained crisis counselors that are available 247.988 is available in English and Spanish (with access totranslation services for 240+other languages).American Sign Language (ASL)video phone,and accessible throughrelay services for ITY users. ## Why is 988 important? The 988 Lifeline provides immediate accessto suicide prevention and crisis services.which has been found to assist98%of calers with de-exalaton which reduces the unnecessary use of lawenforcement in crisis responses and iscost-effective in diverting from911,emergencymedical services,and emergency departments.According toSAMHSASFAQ numerous studies have shown that most 988 Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel lessdepressed,less suicidal less overwhelmed,and more hopeful after speaking to a 988 Lifeline crisis counselor. ## What is a 988 telecommunications fee? The 988 Lifeline has grown faster than most imagined.One of the biggest challenges facing the states is how tocontinue to fund this growth especialy when current federal,state and private funding are not guaranteed for thefuture.Congress,however,made a new viable and permanent funding option available to the states throughlegislation,the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act,which permits telecommunication fees on state residentsmonthly phone bills,similar to a911 fee. As of late 2024,ten states (California,Colorado,Delaware,Maryland,Minnesota,Nevada,Oregon,Vermont,Virginia,and Washington)levy per line/per month fees varying from5.08 to 5.60.Variations on types of fees are describedbelow: Eixed Fees-The majority of states have established a fee that is fixed”,ie.,it remains the amountestablished in statute indefinitely or until it sunsets. Capped Fees-Fees that may change but only increase to a level that may never be exceeded,in other Eocmula-basedFees-States also have the option of establishing a formula-based fee to calculate the feesbased on provider type and access line. o Sunset Fees-Fixed,capped or formula-based fees that have a date specified instatute on which they willend. ## How are states providing oversight of the 988 fee? Some states created 988Trust Fundsestablished as special revenue accounts.They are used to account for assetsheld by the government in atrustee capacity and overseen by the State Treasurer.Other states have opted to createvarious Oversight Boards for the purpose of reviewing the 988 fee usage for compliance,procedures,accountability,etc.In addition,the Federal Communications Commission compiles and submits the Annual 988 Fee AccountablityRepotto Congress on states'collection,distribution,and spending of 988 fees specified in the National SuicideHotline Designation Act of 2020. # NASMHPD 988 FeeModel Bill Template # 988 Sustainability Fee Model Bill Template2025 [The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)developed this 988 Sustainability Fee Model Billas a template to assist states indrafting legislation to implement a telecommunications fee-based fundingmechanism for their 988 Suicide &Crisis Lifeline Centers.This template focuseson 988 funding sustainability to accompany the previous more comprehensivemodel bill templates NASMHPD published in 2022/Core ModelBil),2023(Added:Parity,Health Equity,988/911 Collaboration,Medicaid/Private Insurer Financing,and Children/Youth

FAQs

What is the purpose of 988?

988 is a three-digit phone number that connects people to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It provides a free and confidential service for suicide thoughts, mental health or substance use crises, and emotional distress.

Why is 988 important?

The 988 Lifeline provides immediate access to suicide prevention and crisis services. It helps reduce unnecessary law enforcement involvement in crisis responses and can improve outcomes such as feeling less depressed and more hopeful.

How do states fund the 988 Lifeline using a telecommunications fee?

Congress created a permanent funding option through the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which allows telecommunications fees on residents’ monthly phone bills. As of late 2024, many states levy per line/per month fees and use different fee designs (fixed, capped, formula-based, and sunset fees).

Sep 17, 2026

Upload by Graffin