ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A new requirement for anyone dialing a phone number in much of the greater St. Louis will go into effect Sunday. Callers in some area codes will be forced to dial a full 10-digit number when making a call.
Anyone with a Missouri area code 314, 417, 660 or 816, or Illinois area code 309 or 618 will have to dial the area code + telephone number for all calls – even if it's to the same area code you're in. The change will ensure all users can dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting in July 2022.
There are 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory that currently use "988" as their local exchange and allow seven-digit dialing. A local exchange, also known as a central office code, is the first three numbers of a seven-digit telephone number. On Oct. 24, you must dial ten digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls.
"On and after this date, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not connect, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed," the FCC states. "You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the seven-digit number."
In 2020, the FCC established "988" as the new, nationwide three-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The new three-digit dialing code will be available nationwide by July 16, 2022 and will provide an easy to remember and easy to dial three-digit number to reach suicide prevention and mental health counselors, similar to "911" for emergencies and "311" for local government services.
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