Missouri and Kansas residents need to dial 10-digit phone numbers for local calls
Just like you can call 911 in the case of an emergency, anyone in the United States will be able to call 988 during a mental health crisis to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
No local phone numbers in the country start with 911, but since some do start with 988, the Federal Communications Commission is requiring callers to dial the area code before calling a local number to not get it mixed up with the Lifeline. The Lifeline shortcut doesn’t officially go into effect until July 2022, but the area code requirement starts this Sunday.
What does that mean for you?
You’ll need to dial the full 10-digit phone number with area code when making local calls in Missouri and Kansas to make space for the new shortcut to reach the Lifeline.
Before, Kansas Citians could make calls locally by just dialing the 7-digit phone number without including an area code, but the new way to call the Lifeline is changing that.
The change requiring area codes goes into effect on October 24.
Who is affected?
Missouri’s 314, 417, 660 and 816 area codes have numbers that start with 988, so everyone with those area codes will need to include the area code when making calls. In Kansas, numbers with area codes 785 and 620 will need to adjust to the change too.
The Lifeline is a national resource, and the change will impact 37 states and 83 area codes. No one will need to change their phone number to accommodate the Lifeline, but people in impacted area codes will just need to dial those three extra numbers.
Until the Lifeline at 988 goes into effect next summer, those who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255.
If you have more questions about the new area code requirement, the state of Missouri made this FAQ with additional information.
