988 3-DIGIT CODE FOR NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE

In July 2020, the FCC approved the 3-digit dialing code 988 for exclusive use by the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline. The hotline number is currently 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). Once the 3-digit code 988 is active on July 16, 2022, a caller will only need to dial 988 to reach the hotline. This new 988 number will work the same way that dialing 911 reaches emergency services.

In order to fully implement the 988 dialing code 82 existing area codes are transitioning from 7-digit dialing to 10-digit dialing. The reason for transitioning from 7-digit dialing to 10-digit dialing is because some phone numbers within these 82 existing area codes begin with 988. If a caller were to dial a phone number, such as 988-0000, without first dialing an area code, the phone system would not be able to complete the call as intended.

Phone companies in these 82 area codes have previously allowed users within the same area code to dial another subscriber's seven digit number without first dialing the area code. In many parts of the United States 10-digit dialing is already necessary.

On April 22, 2021 the FCC approved taking additional steps to allow texting to the 3-digit dialing code 988 as another way of contacting the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The ability to text is not yet in service and a date to allow texting has not been established.

Established transition dates for the 82 area codes listed below are:

07/16/2020- Telephone companies or carriers began network preparations to implement 10-digit dialing within their service areas.

04/24/2021- Most telephone companies began allowing permissive 10-digit dialing. During this period, callers may use 10-digit dialing or 7-digit dialing to make a call.

10/24/2021 - Most telephone companies will require callers to use 10-digit dialing. To complete calls you will need to dial areacode + telephone number or 1+ areacode + telephone number. Some carriers will roll out this requirement over several months but it must be completed no later than July 15, 2022.

07/15/2022 – All telephone companies are required to have finalized 10-digit dialing to be used by all callers.

07/16/2022 - Dialing 988 will automatically connect callers with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Callers will also be able to reach the hotline by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK).

AREA CODES REQUIRED TO TRANSITION TO 10-DIGIT DIALING