Understanding the TRS Fund and Its Benefits

Key Takeaways 

• The TRS Fund is a federally managed program established under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• Telecommunications companies pay into the fund, which compensates providers like ClearCaptions for providing call captioning services at no cost to qualified individuals. 
• U.S. residents with hearing loss that makes standard phone calls difficult may qualify for a free captioned phone, call captioning, setup, and support. 

Staying connected through clear communication is essential to daily life, whether scheduling an appointment, checking in with family, or managing medical care. Yet for millions of individuals living with hearing loss, using a standard telephone can be frustrating and exhausting. Fortunately, a federal program called the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund ensures that hearing loss never stands in the way of reliable phone communication. 

What Is the TRS Fund? 

The Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund is a national program managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide accessible phone communications across the country.  

History of the TRS Fund: Established under Title IV of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, the fund was created to eliminate communication barriers for individuals with hearing or speech disabilities. 

Core purpose: The central mission of the fund is to guarantee “functionally equivalent” phone access. This means individuals with hearing loss are entitled to the exact same ease, availability, and quality of phone communication as those without hearing loss.  

How it supports IP CTS: Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) uses home internet access to display written text of what a caller says directly onto the caption phone’s screen. The TRS Fund compensates certified providers like ClearCaptions for providing call captioning services. ClearCaptions also provides qualified customers with a caption phone, delivery, setup, and ongoing support at no cost. 

Where Does the TRS Funding Come From? 

When individuals learn that caption phones and services carry no charge, it is natural to ask where the money comes from. The TRS Fund is not a tax-funded initiative, nor is it a charitable handout. It is an industry-supported system designed to ensure universal telephone accessibility across the nation.  

Phone carrier contributions 

All landline, mobile, and Voice over IP (VoIP) telecommunications carriers operating in the United States are required by federal law to contribute annually to the interstate TRS Fund. These contributions are based on a percentage of each carrier’s end-user revenues. 

Your monthly phone bill connection 

If you have ever looked closely at your monthly landline or cell phone statement, you may have noticed small line items or administrative charges. Telecommunications companies collect these small fees across millions of accounts to meet their mandatory contributions to federal accessibility and infrastructure programs, including the TRS Fund.  

Collective infrastructure investment 

Because the telecommunications network is a public utility, federal law mandates that access must be universal. Just as public infrastructure includes curb ramps or accessible building entrances, the phone network includes built-in accessibility for individuals with hearing changes. Everyone who pays a phone bill helps maintain this shared system, ensuring that accessible tools are ready and available for anyone as they age or experience hearing changes. 

How Does the TRS Fund Help Me? 

The TRS Fund exists specifically to ensure that hearing loss does not limit your ability to manage your daily life, stay safe, or remain close to the people who matter most. 

Free caption phones for qualified customers 

Because services are paid directly through the federal fund, qualified customers receive their ClearCaptions Phone, call captioning, delivery, in-home phone setup, training, and ongoing support, all at no cost. There are no hidden fees, equipment rental charges, or monthly bills for captioning.  

Independence and equal access 

Having a captioned phone restores independence. Instead of relying on family members to make doctor appointments, relay messages, or translate phone conversations, customers can comfortably handle their own calls. Reading captions while listening to the call audio brings total clarity when catching up with grandchildren, speaking with pharmacists, or managing personal business. 

Civil rights protection 

TRS-funded captioning services are a federally protected accessibility right for people with hearing loss that makes phone calls difficult, including thousands of senior veterans adjusting to service-related hearing changes. You can read more about options tailored for military families in our guide on veterans with hearing loss. 

Who Qualifies for TRS-Funded Captioning? 

To ensure that federal resources remain available for those who genuinely need them, the FCC sets clear eligibility guidelines for receiving a caption phone at no cost.  

You may qualify for a ClearCaptions Phone at no cost if you: 

• Have hearing loss: Individuals must self-certify that they have hearing loss that necessitates the use of captions to communicate by telephone. 
• Live in the U.S.: ClearCaptions is only available in the United States and its territories.  
• Communicate in English: The ClearCaptions service is currently only available in English. 
• Have internet: An active home internet connection is required to use ClearCaptions. 

Federal regulations require that captioned phones be used strictly by registered individuals with hearing loss. Protecting the integrity of the TRS Fund ensures that these accessibility tools remain fully funded and available for everyone who could benefit from them.  

Restore Connection and Confidence Today 

The TRS Fund was created so that hearing loss never stands between you and independent, confident communication. If you or a loved one struggles to hear on the phone, getting started with ClearCaptions is simple, quick, and completely free for those who qualify.  

Call ClearCaptions today at 866-996-1498 or fill out our short online form to check your eligibility and schedule your no-cost home setup. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is a ClearCaptions phone really available at no cost? 

Yes. Both the captioned telephone hardware and the captioning service are provided at zero out-of-pocket cost to qualified individuals. The service is fully funded by the federal TRS Fund, which is managed by the FCC.  

Do I need a doctor’s referral to get a caption phone? 

No, a formal doctor or audiologist referral is not strictly required to apply, though hearing healthcare professionals frequently recommend captioned phones to their patients. You simply need to self-certify that you have hearing loss that necessitates the use of captions to communicate by telephone. 

Does using the TRS Fund affect my taxes? 

No. The TRS Fund is financed directly through mandatory contributions from telecommunications companies, not through federal income taxes or government tax revenues.  

Can I use a ClearCaptions Phone if I already wear hearing aids? 

Yes. ClearCaptions phones are designed to be fully hearing aid compatible. Reading visual captions while listening to amplified audio through your hearing aids provides maximum comprehension and reduces listening fatigue on calls.