10-digit telephone dialing is required beginning October 24, 2021.
988 approved for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting July 16, 2022.
On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted an Order (FCC 20-100) approving 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting July 16, 2022. The Order requires all telecommunications carriers, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, and one-way VoIP providers (covered providers) to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022.
In order for 988 to work in the 82 area codes in 36 states below, every customer with a number in those area codes with seven-digit local dialing must be transitioned to 10-digit (or 1+10-digit in CA and parts of IL).
The FCC ordered that any area code that has the 988 prefix assigned as telephone numbers and has seven-digit local dialing be transitioned to 10-digit (area code + telephone number) or 1+10-digits (1+ area code + telephone number in CA and parts of IL) local dialing to ensure everyone is able to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the three-digit 988 code.
Beginning April 24, 2021, consumers with numbers in the area codes above should start dialing 10-digits (area code + telephone number or 1+10-digits (1+ area code + telephone number in CA and parts of IL) for all local calls. This is known as a permissive dialing period because if you forget and dial just seven-digits, your call will still be completed.
Beginning October 24, 2021, all consumers in Montana (and other areas outside of Montana) must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number or 1+10-digits (1+ area code + telephone number in CA and parts of IL) for all local calls.
On and after this date, local calls dialed with only seven-digits may not be completed, and a recording may inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code with the seven-digit telephone number.
Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route your call to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.
Additional information:
- Visit the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) website at https://www.nationalnanpa.com/transition_to_10_digit_dialing_for_988/index.html
- Visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline