Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Newly-Eligible Low-Income Consumers Newly Eligible for Discounted Telephone and Broadband Service Through Lifeline Program

On June 15, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai wrote to Members of Congress about the FCC's efforts to inform newly-eligible low-income consumers about their eligibility for discounted broadband and telephone service through the Lifeline program. The FCC and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers the Lifeline program, have undertaken numerous efforts to promote Lifeline awareness during the pandemic to ensure that consumers who are newly eligible for the program due to loss of employment or income have the information and resources they need to apply. These coordinated outreach initiatives have involved not only federal and state agencies that administer programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, through which consumers can qualify for Lifeline, but also a variety of other government agencies and non-profit organizations serving low-income communities. At the federal level, FCC and USAC staff are coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Social Security Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Department of Agriculture. Through these coordination efforts, the agencies have shared Lifeline materials for distribution to low-income consumers, presented program information to agency employees both in Washington (DC) and regional field offices interested in learning about and promoting awareness of the program among their constituents, and organized customized training sessions for agency stakeholders who serve on the front lines in providing support to low-income individuals who may qualify for Lifeline. At the state level, the FCC has partnered with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners to spread awareness of the Lifeline program among the low-income population, including consumers who may be newly eligible for the program. USAC has also distributed outreach materials directly to state government agencies that administer SNAP and Medicaid programs across the United States, urging them to inform consumers of their eligibility for Lifeline. In addition, the FCC and USAC have expanded access to the Lifeline National Eligibility Verifier to enable state agencies to take a more hands-on role in helping consumers apply for the Lifeline program. With this access, state departments of health and human services and state social service agencies can assist consumers with submitting their online applications, uploading eligibility or other documentation (as needed), and tracking the status of their applications. At the local level, USAC has distributed Lifeline materials to over 13,000 food banks, homeless shelters, and other direct service organizations to ensure people in need are aware of the program.