The new 3-digit phone number to provide 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress is now live as of July 16, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the new number – 988 – to make it easier for Americans to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Calls and texts to 988 will be directed to the Lifeline. Calls and texts to 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) will also continue to reach the 988 Lifeline even after the nationwide implementation of 988.

In order for 988 to work in the 620 and 785 Area Codes, 10-digit local dialing must be implemented, causing a change in the way you place local calls. Additional Area Codes affected are listed by state at the end of this article.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial 620 + seven-digit telephone number. This applies to all calls within the 620 Area Code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

Who will be affected?

Anyone with a telephone number from your area code will need to make this change from seven-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.

What will you need to do?

In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to seven-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers. Some examples are life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and other similar functions. Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed
• You will continue to dial 1+ 620 + seven-digit telephone number for all long distance calls
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services)
• Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please contact SKT Customer Service at 888.758.8976.  You can also visit the FCC website.